Lady Guinevere and the Rogue with a Brogue - Julie Johnstone Page 0,87

not leave that statement unexamined. “I see,” he said, unease stirring inside him as they entered the study. Asher closed the door behind them.

Pierce, unsurprisingly, fixed himself a drink before continuing. “I wanted to tell your wife how very professional her lady’s maid is. It’s refreshing to meet servants who know how to keep a stiff upper lip. So many of them blab one’s private affairs these days. I confess I tried to pry out of her why she was on Kilgore’s doorstep so early in the morning, but she offered me a bold lie without batting an eye. Of course, the woman does not know that I know she was lying, and I let it pass because I am a gentleman. If I’d not been coming home from the club, I’d have never seen her. Quite coincidental.” Pierce sat back while taking a drink.

A tic started at Asher’s right temple. “How early is early?”

“It was eight in the morning.”

Damn. He pushed back against the instinct to let jealousy rule him. He’d done that once before, and it had cost him Guinevere. “And what exactly did Ballenger say that makes ye think she was lying?”

Pierce looked suddenly reluctant. “Now, Carrington,” Pierce said, his tone stern. “Just because the lady’s maid lied does not mean your wife was involved in anything illicit.”

Asher’s mind had not fully gone to the possibility until that moment. He flinched with the thought. “What did Ballenger say?” he repeated, his temper stirring.

Pierce pressed his lips together, but finally answered after a pause. “She claimed she was there to deliver a message from Fairfax to Kilgore that the children’s orphanage meeting had been canceled.”

Asher frowned. “Though it is hard to believe that Kilgore has the capacity to think of anyone other than himself, I don’t see why ye believe Ballenger offered ye a lie. Perhaps Fairfax’s usual messenger was busy. Perhaps she volunteered.”

“Each of your points is noted and valid,” Pierce replied, finishing his drink and setting the glass on the desk. “But I, too, sit on the orphanage board, and Fairfax let me know a day earlier by way of his footman that the meeting was canceled because Kilgore had told Fairfax that same morning that he had to go out of Town on personal business.”

Sodding Kilgore. Why did everything come back to him? And damn it all that it did seem as if Ballenger had lied. Whether she was lying to cover up something for Guinevere or not was the question. He didn’t want to doubt his new wife, but trying to keep all the doubt out was like trying to hold back a tide—impossible.

He stood, not wanting to battle with himself in front of Pierce. “I appreciate ye telling me, but I trust Guinevere.” It wasn’t entirely true, but he wanted it to be. And he felt guilty that it was not.

“You bloody well should trust her,” Pierce said, scrambling clumsily to his feet and swaying a bit as he stood. “I wasn’t implying that your wife was engaged in anything untoward with Kilgore. I’m sorry you jumped to that conclusion. I suppose upon thinking about it, I can see how you might doubt your wife given the way she and Kilgore have seemed to flirt, and the skit at the house party, not to mention his wager in regard to her.”

Asher clenched his teeth in irritation. He knew Pierce was trying to help, but he was not doing so.

“There’s always divorce, I suppose,” Pierce said, “if you think she may be cuckolding you.”

“Do not say another word.” Asher had had enough. And by Pierce’s stiffening, he had enough wits left in that soggy brain to realize it and nodded. “Would it not be more comfortable for ye to stay in the country while ye await yer townhome being redecorated?” It was the nicest way Asher could think to tell Pierce he wanted him gone so that Asher could be alone with Guinevere.

Pierce hitched an eyebrow. “You desire privacy?”

“I do,” Asher said, deciding not to mince words.

“I have some business to attend to here, but if you wish me to depart sooner, I can stay with a friend or—”

“Nay.” Asher felt like an ass what with Pierce being so accommodating. “It’s a big home; we’ll manage. At any rate, I might need yer signatures on some paperwork from the solicitor.”

“Ah, eager to get your hands on the fortune, are you?”

Asher did not miss the hardening of his brother’s eyes. It was to be expected.