A Secret Surrender - Darcy Burke Page 0,71
reading of his cards had been unsettling—because there’d been a note of truth. But not anymore. No one could call him lonely or a hermit now. Had the fortune-teller somehow pushed Harry to start a liaison with Selina? And if so, should he thank her? The notion stalled his mind for a moment.
“Harry? What say you?”
Harry blinked, realizing he’d missed whatever his father had said first. “Sorry, I was lost in thought. What did you say?”
“I said it is terrible. The woman fills your mother’s head with ridiculous notions about the family increasing, you and Jeremy marrying, and a pile of other nonsense.”
“Does any of it cause harm?” Harry asked.
“It does to me, because I have to listen to it.” He sounded incredibly disgruntled over something that didn’t matter. “And it’s a waste of money! Why can’t she do as other women and buy fripperies?”
Harry was fairly certain his mother did that too. But it wasn’t as if his father couldn’t afford any of this. “If the fortune-teller isn’t stealing money from her, there’s nothing to be done. It’s not a crime for her to sell the services she advertises.”
“What about those tonics?” Father asked. “Didn’t you say she sold tonics that are likely fraudulent?”
Had Harry mentioned that to him? He couldn’t recall. He still hadn’t obtained one to see what it was.
“I’m still looking into the tonics. For now, I think you must accept that this is something Mother will continue to do. Think of it as a hobby.”
Father snorted before tossing back the rest of his brandy.
“Perhaps you should go to the Home for Wayward Children with Mother tomorrow.”
Scowling, Father waved his hand. “I am busy tomorrow. Besides, Rachel’s going with her and will report back. At least she still thinks this entire affair is deplorable.”
“What’s deplorable?” Jeremy walked in and went straight to the brandy, pouring himself a glass.
Father snorted. “This business with the fortune-teller.”
Jeremy turned, brandy in hand. “I thought Harry was taking care of that.”
Harry stood. “I am. However, so far, I haven’t found evidence of a crime. Just an annoying waste of money—according to Father.”
Sipping his brandy, Jeremy nodded. “When I heard Father mention an affair, I thought he was referring to something Harry was doing.” He arched a brow and quirked the barest smile at Harry.
What the hell? Harry stared at him. How could he possibly know about him and Selina? That had just happened the day before yesterday, and he’d been very careful taking her into his house and then seeing her home.
Father turned to look at Harry. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing.” Harry gritted his teeth, then sent a hot, brief glare at his brother. The last thing he needed was his family knowing about his affair with Selina. Their relentless matchmaking would reach an unbearable pitch.
“Ah, well, that’s unfortunate. You could probably use some sort of romantic liaison, according to your mother and sisters.” He stood from the chair and went to put his empty glass on the sideboard. “Let’s join them in the library.”
Father departed the study, and Jeremy came toward Harry. “I was only teasing, but clearly, I hit a nerve. Is there something you want to share, brother?”
Harry scowled at him. “No, and if you mention a goddamned thing to anyone else, I will tell everyone whom you’re shagging.”
Jeremy’s jaw twitched. “I would ask how you know, but you’re the best bloody constable in London, so I would do well to remember you know everything.”
No, not everything. He still didn’t know who was behind saying the Vicar had caused the fire and why they’d sought to pin the crime on him. He also didn’t know if Madame Sybila’s tonics were legitimate. He did, however, know how Selina felt and tasted, and the delightful sounds she made when she came apart in his embrace.
“I pay attention to what my brother is doing,” Harry said with a shrug. “We have to stand together against them.” He gestured toward the library.
“Yes, we do.” Jeremy clapped him on the shoulder, and they walked to the library together.
Mother greeted them with a sigh of relief. “I was afraid you’d both left.” She smiled. “I’m glad to see you didn’t.”
Harry and his brother went to either side of her and bussed her cheeks, causing her to smile even wider.
“Oh, how I love my boys,” she said. “Alas, we are still not quite complete, as Delia and Edward aren’t here. Delia isn’t feeling well. I do hope she’ll be able to join us tomorrow for