sure why. Robert and nine of his friends. They were certainly a most powerful force to be reckoned with, filled with some of the most honorable men in the land.
“You think they would help your bastard brother,” Nicholas asked softly. “These men with such honor.”
Robert’s shoulders came back and a protectiveness flitted over his face. “You judge yourself far more harshly then they would do, for they are the best of men. They would help you of your own merit, but more so if I were to ask. Which I would do.”
Nicholas let out a long sigh and reached down to scratch Fortescue’s ears as he said, “Well, what do you have in mind?”
Roseford gave a flash of a wicked smile, the only indication that he felt he’d won in this exchange. “A week-long country party at my estate. With some of my most influential friends attending. And there will be others who have the ear of those deciding who gets a title and who doesn’t. I’ll invite Selina and Derrick, as well. Morgan and Lizzie were already going to attend.”
Nicholas worried his lip. As much as he liked the idea of seeing his siblings and making the best impression he could, Robert wasn’t just asking him to his estate. He was asking Nicholas to their father’s estate. Nicholas had never been there. Never seen the place where his father had lorded over the world. The place where he’d take advantage of and later abandoned Nicholas’s mother all those years ago.
Did he want to see it?
“I don’t know,” he said.
Robert clapped his hand around Nicholas’s bicep and squeezed gently. “It’s only a week, brother. You can endure anything for a week, I know you’re more than strong enough. And you could come out of it with what you desire secured.” He hesitated. “Please. I have never been able to do much for you. Let me do this.”
Nicholas shifted. “May I bring the dog?”
Robert glanced down at Fortescue, who was glowering at him because he’d touched Nicholas. It was only good training that was keeping him from bearing those terrible teeth.
“Your dog hates everyone,” Robert pointed out. “But certainly. He would be welcome. I’m sure he’ll enjoy running free all over the grounds at Roseford.”
“Then…” Nicholas let out a long sigh. “Yes. Yes, I’ll do it.”
Robert clapped his hands together with a laugh. “Excellent. Give me a few days to make the arrangements and I’ll send word with all the particulars and a few names of those who’ll be in attendance so you may strategize.”
Nicholas motioned toward the path and they began to walk again. Fortescue trailed behind, dragging his tree with him. “Thank you.”
Roseford cast him a side glance. “No thanks necessary. You may not like it, but we are brothers. And I’ll do anything for my family.”
Nicholas didn’t know how to respond to that statement that felt too intimate and close, so he said nothing. And prayed he wouldn’t regret taking Roseford’s offer of help…and family.
Aurora gripped her hands at her sides and prayed that she looked cooler and more collected than she felt as she walked up the cracked staircase to the worn-down building above. A faded sign hung from rusty chains above the door. The Cat’s Companion. She shuddered at the smells from the docks nearby and the glances she was receiving from the men gathered by the door, waiting for entry.
A big man with only half his teeth and a cruel glint to his eyes seemed to be managing who entered and who was refused. He noted her approach and licked his lips as he looked her up and down. She touched her hair to be certain her wig, worn to conceal her true identity, was still in place, and tugged her shawl closer, but that only elicited a burst of laughter from the men.
“Might as well not try to cover it up, sweet. It won’t take long to get it off!” called out one faceless voice from the crowd.
She ignored it and girded herself for talking her way into the house of ill repute. “Sir,” she said.
“New girls go ’round the back,” the doorman said, his gaze flitting over her. “Maggie will like you. You look…fresh.”
She swallowed hard, but ignored the bile rising in her throat. So he thought she was a new girl, come here to make her way on her back. That was fine. It would help her gain entry. She could only pray she’d find what she came for.