The Gentleman Who Loved Me (Heart of Enquiry Book 6)(91)

“I’m at your disposal,” Andrew said gravely.

Edward looked him in the eye. “Are you courting my sister?”

Rosie’s jaw slackened.

“I want to know as well.” Freddy drew himself up, his light hair gleaming and grey eyes serious. “No one will tell Edward and me anything.”

Andrew cleared his throat. “That is a matter between your sister and me.”

“Since my sister has shown questionable judgement of late,” Edward said stiffly, “I must insist that you answer the question, sir.”

Rosie’s surprise at her brother’s newfound protectiveness evaporated in an instant.

She crossed her arms over her bosom. “My questionable judgement?”

Edward turned an acute green gaze upon her. “You eloped with a fellow who was murdered on your wedding night. You’ve been shot at.”

“And you need to have guards accompanying you for protection,” Freddy added.

Botheration. They had a point.

Loftily, she said, “This is an adult matter.”

“I am not a child, Rosie.” Edward’s hands balled at his sides. “When I ask Mama and Papa, they tell me to mind my own business. But you are my sister, and therefore it is my business to protect you if need be.”

Two facts astonished her: the first was that her parents were defending her right to privacy and the second that her little brother was worried about her and wanted to defend her honor. She and Edward loved each other unconditionally, of course, but their interactions had historically consisted of bickering and annoying one another, mostly on purpose. This was a side of Edward she hadn’t encountered before, and his care for her warmed her insides like mulled cider.

“Thank you, Edward,” she said softly. “And you too, Freddy. But you don’t need to protect me from Mr. Corbett. He’s been my champion. I don’t know what I would have done without him.”

Edward gave Andrew another once-over. Andrew, to his credit, kept his expression neutral while being sized up by the adolescent.

“Do you play vingt-et-un?” Edward said abruptly.

Now this was the brother she knew. All his life, Edward had been prone to non sequiturs. Mama said it was because his brain worked too quickly for most to follow.

Andrew’s brows raised slightly. “Yes.”

“Fancy a game? Freddy will deal.”

Rosie didn’t trust the smug look exchanged between the adolescent pair.

“Why not?” Andrew said.

As the boys headed toward the card table, Rosie placed a staying hand on Andrew’s arm.

“My brother is an expert at counting cards,” she said under her breath. “He’s fleeced everyone in the family.”

Andrew looked unconcerned.

After a few rounds, it became obvious why. Andrew won the entire pile of chips, and Edward and Freddy were looking at him as if he’d just pranced across the Thames. Even Harry stopped brooding long enough to look thoroughly impressed.

“Where did you learn to play like that, Corbett?” he asked.

“Practice.” Andrew shuffled the cards, the showy arc making Edward and Freddy whoop with delight. “This is how I got the stake to buy my first club.”

This was news to Rosie, yet another fascinating facet of Andrew. He was a man of hidden talents and depths, and she wanted to spend the rest of her life discovering all that she could about him… and he wanted the same, didn’t he? The discordant thought hit her: he’d said he loved her, but he hadn’t mentioned marriage. In fact, he’d never pushed it once during their affair.

Was that because of what he believed to be her wishes? Or did he, himself, have no desire to marry her? As insecurities pulled at her like invisible strings, she refused to be swayed by them. She knew in her heart that she and Andrew were meant to be together. Thus, tonight when they were alone, she would tell him she loved him and ask him what he wanted.

The butler came in, handing Papa a note. Rosie’s nape stirred; from her father’s alert expression, she could tell he’d received important news.

“Can you teach me your method?” Edward was saying eagerly to Andrew. “Do you use a particular algorithm for calculating the odds or—”

“Lesson’s over, lads,” Papa announced. “The adults have something to discuss.”

“I’m an adult,” Edward said.

“Me too,” Freddy chimed in.

“Off you go.” Papa’s tone brooked no refusal, and, grumbling, the boys shuffled off.

“What is it, Papa?” Rosie said. “Did you receive news?”

He closed the door. Facing everyone, he held up the note.

“This is from Lugo. He’s in Kent and he’s spoken to Lord Cranston, the friend of Alastair James. Cranston confirmed that James was indeed at his house party. He didn’t recall seeing James on the day that Daltry died, but he said his guests came and went as they pleased. Certainly James was never gone long enough to get himself to Gretna and back. So his alibi holds.”

“What about Mrs. James?” Rosie said. “Has Mr. Lugo confirmed that she was also in Kent?”

Papa frowned. “That is the strange thing. As it happens, Ashford is only an hour away from the Cranston estate, and Lugo went there to inquire at the inn where she claimed she was staying. There is no record of her being a guest, nor do any of the staff remember her. Lugo plans to canvass the area to see if anyone recalls seeing her.”