were at home to greet him. “Gideon! You look like hell warmed over,” his brother said, clapping him on the shoulder before dragging him in for a hug. “We were worried about you. Lord Ponsonby hadn’t heard a word from you in weeks. Have you seen him yet?”
“Yes, I rode there first.”
Aislin hugged him as well. “I’ll order refreshments sent up to your room. You look ready to drop on your feet. When is the last time you slept?”
“I don’t know. About two or three days ago. I tried to sleep in the saddle, but that didn’t work out too well.”
“How long will you be with us?” his brother asked, motioning to a footman to bring his brother’s saddle pouch up to his quarters.
“Only until morning. I ride back to Devonshire tomorrow.”
Aislin appeared concerned. “So soon? Why?”
He realized he was not going to be left alone until he’d told them the whole story. He trusted William and Aislin, the beautiful brunette who had won his brother’s heart. Indeed, William had fallen in love with Aislin at first sight, that love so compelling, it had led him back to her throughout his years of travail.
Gideon knew Aislin quite well. He had worked with her for some time to bring down the pirates and smugglers around her home in her beloved Wales. She would fully appreciate all that had transpired in Clovelly since her own father had been one of England’s most dangerous pirates. He realized she might offer more helpful suggestions than his own brother could.
She smiled at him when he finished his story. “I can’t wait to meet your Lady Genalynn.”
Gideon chuckled. “I think she’ll enjoy meeting you, too.” He ran a hand through his hair in consternation. “I never understood how you and William kept faith in your love until now. But this is how I feel about her. It is odd, I will admit.”
“But wonderful,” Aislin said, casting William a beaming smile, one which his brother returned with equal fawning ardor.
“Gad, is this what is to become of me?” he teased his brother.
“I hope so, you arse. I certainly do wish this same happiness for you.”
“Well, I’ll be no good to Genalynn if I die now from lack of sleep.” He went upstairs to the guest chamber he always used when visiting here and collapsed straight onto the bed without bothering to remove his boots or dusty clothes.
He managed a solid four hours before he awoke, his stomach growling from hunger. As soon as he began to stir, Aislin had food and ale brought up to his chamber along with a tub and water for his bath. William’s ever efficient valet took his clothes to be cleaned and boots to be polished, providing him with some of William’s clothes to wear in the meanwhile.
Gideon was big, but so was his brother. They’d always been of similar size and build. Marriage hadn’t softened his brother too badly so that his clothes still fit Gideon quite well.
Once he’d eaten and no longer smelled like mare’s sweat, he went downstairs in search of his brother and Aislin. He was surprised to find more visitors, his sister, Abigail, and her husband, Tynan, waiting for him in the drawing room. Since Tynan was the Earl of Westcliff, his little hoyden of a sister was now a countess. He had yet to grow used to it. “Abby! Westcliff. Good to see you.”
He laughed as his sister threw herself into his arms. “What’s this I hear about you getting married? Is it true? I must meet this woman who has captured your heart. I never thought it possible. The mysterious and elusive Gideon Croft caught in the parson’s mousetrap.”
“You’ll like her, Abby. She’s as brave and beautiful as you and Aislin.” He frowned lightly. “But she’s in danger until we deal with her uncle. I plan to get her out of Clovelly as soon as possible. I’ll need all of you to keep her safe until I’m through with this mission.”
“Of course,” Abby’s husband said. “You know my family will help in any way possible.”
“Thank you, Westcliff.” He cast him an appreciative nod. “I could use your help at this end with Lord Ponsonby. He needs to figure out which agent has sold us out to the Irish. You Braydens are powerfully connected. I’d like Ponsonby to give you access to all our sensitive, agent files. I’m confident with all of you on the task, we’ll have the name of our double agent before I