The Countess Page 0,27

window.

"Do you see anyone in there?" Daniel asked as he joined him on the branch a moment later.

"There's someone in the bed," Richard muttered, craning his neck in an effort to see as much of the room as he could. "But I don't see anyone else."

"Is it George in the bed?"

"I can't see him wel enough to be sure from here, but who else would it be? The girls are at the bal and the servants would hardly be sleeping in the upper chambers."

Daniel grunted and then asked hopeful y, "I don't suppose you can tel if he real y is dead then?"

"No," Richard said with exasperation and began to ease his way further out along the branch, wishing that he'd thought to change before trying this. Aside from the fact that his clothing kept catching on branches, he feared his white shirt would be very visible to anyone who happened to glance their way in passing. The thought was enough to make him use more speed than caution getting to the window and he nearly paid for his haste with a tumble from the tree.

Fortunately, Daniel reached out quickly to steady him when his knee slipped off the branch, catching him by the back of his breeches and unfortunately, yanking them up his backside in a most uncomfortable manner.

"While I appreciate the aid, please release my breeches," Richard said final y once he was sure of his position. Daniel chuckled in response, but released his hold. "We'd best get out of this tree before we're seen."

Since that's what he'd been trying to do, Richard merely grunted and scooted along the branch as fast as he dared. After one last quick glance inside to be sure no one had yet entered, he swung himself over the ledge and into the room. Aware that Daniel was fol owing, Richard straightened to move swiftly out of the way and that Daniel was fol owing, Richard straightened to move swiftly out of the way and suddenly found himself standing at the bedside, staring down at its occupant. It was like looking into a mirror, Richard thought, except of course that he wasn't wet and gray with death like his brother.

"I'd say he's definitely dead," Daniel murmured coming up beside him. "Other than that he looks healthy enough though. He hasn't gained weight or become dissipated since I last saw him. I wonder what kil ed him?"

Richard shook his head. He had no idea and was too troubled by an unexpected surge of emotion to consider the question. This was not the reunion he'd expected tonight, and while part of him felt cheated of the confrontation he'd intended, another part seemed to actual y be experiencing some grief for the loss of his twin. While George had proven himself a bastard with his efforts to have Richard kil ed so that he could take his title and lands, they hadn't always been enemies. As young children they had been close friends. It was only once George had grown old enough to understand that he was somehow considered less simply because he hadn't fought his way out of their mother's womb first that he'd grown bitter and al owed jealousy to twist his thoughts.

Even so, the man had been the last family member Richard had. Their father had been an only son and their mother had lost her family in a house fire while stil a child. That was how George had got away with his plans. There had been no family members to recognize the trick, and he'd apparently kept his distance from the few good friends Richard had made over the years. Everyone had assumed he was grieving the supposed loss of his twin, George, and had left him alone to sort it out.

Including Daniel, until he'd received Richard's letter. And thank God for Daniel.

Without him Richard would stil be in America.

"How the devil are we going to get him out of here?"

Richard blinked at the question and then turned to peer toward the window and the tree beyond it.

"Oh, no," Daniel said at once. "There is no way we are going back down that tree dragging George's corpse between us."

Richard ran a hand through his hair as he turned back to peer at George. "I guess we'l have to take him down the stairs then."

"And just how are we to manage that without getting caught?"

"Most of the servants are probably abed by now," Richard pointed out. "If we are quick we should