like a young chap? She would make you a fine countess,”
Hargate said to Longsword. “She would be a beauty, too, if she let go
of those ridiculous cropped wigs. You’ve got to tell her that, Heartily.” Leon totally ignored the comment and lay back on the chair. “Fits more for a duchess,” Longsword replied to Hargate. “That little one–Phoenix–I think that was her name. She’s a little
belle too, though far too young.”
Leon couldn’t believe he’s just sitting there in the room while his
friends babbled on about his sisters.
His sisters!
“All right, you asses,” Leon cut into the conversation. “I say it’s
time we be serious.” He turned to Longsword. “Hargate got some
good news. He found a Marquess who could possibly be one of our
suspects.”
“Seriously?” Longsword looked at Hargate and then to the bed.
“Is that Sheik over there? I thought you didn’t want him or any of your
siblings to know about the investigation yet?”
“I didn’t, but I’ll have to now. I found out something quite
serious that I have to tell them when I get back home,” Leon
answered.
“Need any help on it?” Hargate asked. “I’ll be in service.” “Not yet,” Leon replied. “This is personal family matter.” “I see.”
“So are you planning on returning tomorrow morning to
Bridlington?” Longsword inquired, taking the bottle of brandy and
refilling his cup.
“Thinking about it,” Leon nodded.
“I heard that Lady Chatsworth’s hosting a ball in the next couple
of days to come,” Longsword said. “You should stay. Perhaps we
would meet that marquess or some other suspects. I think it would be
helpful attending those sorts of social events.”
Hargate laughed. “Are you sure? Or is it because you need to find
a bride?”
Longsword grinned. “Both. Besides, Heartily had been gone for a
while. We need to reunite and attend a ball together and dance with all
the beauties.”
“Seems a good idea,” Leon agreed. “Although I must really
manage things out with Dalton.”
“Mr. Dalton can manage things on his own,” Longsword said.
“He had mastered his secretary skills already.”
“True,” said Hargate. “Don’t worry. There are your siblings to
handle things, too.”
Leon almost burst into laughter. “My siblings? Seriously? I took
the worst one with me and left the most mischievous troublemaker at
home with the rest. All of them are never in a valid status. They will
just make things worse.”
“They couldn’t be that bad, could they?” said Longsword. “Jack
and they seems pretty laid back.”
“Exactly!” Leon said. “That’s the reason why nothing will get
accomplished.”
“You’re just exaggerating,” said Hargate. “They will be fine.” “You don’t know what happened the last time I went off on a trip
to Bath,” said Leon. “It was a riot at home. That thing over there in the
bed got into a fight. Nix broke the nose of Lord Seaton’s daughter;
Namine was shot after by a bridegroom; Lavender almost killed one of
the stallion; and Edward–”
“You’re such a responsible big brother,” Hargate laughed, patting
Leon on the shoulder. “I have to praise you for having the ability to
keep them under control. I don’t think I will be able to manage them.” “Well, enough of that. We’re going to the ball,” Longsword said
to Leon. “I’ll chain you down if needed.”
Leon laughed. “Fine,” he said, finishing his brandy. “I’ll send
words back home.”
“And maybe you will see her again,” said Hargate.
“Her?” Leon wasn’t quite in the mood to comprehend. “Oh, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about Lady Rose,” Hargate
replied with a grin. “She had you wrapped around her fingers like
nothing.”
“The hell she did.” Leon didn’t want to talk about her again. “Why did you leave her?” Longsword asked. “She was so in love
with you.”
“Duties,” Leon said dryly. “You know that.”
“But you could have married her.”
“I was but eighteen,” Leon answered. “I can’t. She deserves
better.”
“Or so, you say,” Hargate said, crossing his arms. “You’re the
best man anyone could have for a husband, no doubt, especially with
your ability to handle those wild siblings of yours.”
“That doesn’t mean anything,” Leon answered. “I’ve done her
wrong before. I can’t do it again.”
“What do you mean?” asked Longsword. “You’ve been faithful.
You didn’t even go to the brothel with Hargate and I when we asked.” Leon shook his head and drew out a breath. “You won’t
understand.”
“Then let it not be something of a mistake but into something
endearing and true,” said Hargate. “Consider your mistake as a lesson
learned.”
“I’m good,” said Leon. “What happened in the past is best
forgotten. Besides, she probably moved on already. No use
bothering.”
Longsword nodded. “Probably. I did see her with many suitors
after you left. One of them must have offered for her already. Since
she’s a respectable lady, she must have accepted too.
“Would you like to meet her again, though?” Hargate asked. “We
could