The Unaffected Earl Read online

  She narrowed her eyes. “But if he is the person responsible—”

  “I don’t think your father would thank you if you proved his innocence only to end up in the grave.”

  His words had shocked her. Good. He’d meant them to shake an ounce of rational thought into her head. If nothing else, Rose had to stay as far away from Standish as possible.

  “You honestly think that’s true?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does…” She swallowed visibly before continuing. “Does Kerrick know about Lord Standish? He must. You’re friends, and if you know what happened between the two of us, and if you know that Lord Standish—” Her voice hitched as she said his name. “If you know that he has designs on Catherine…”

  When she faltered, Ellen spoke. “What is it you want to know?”

  “Were you already investigating my father? Did you suspect him of wrongdoing before he confessed? And was Lord Kerrick involved in that investigation? Catherine said something that has me wondering.”

  His eyes narrowed only a fraction, but it was enough for her to notice.

  “You needn’t scowl at me like that. She didn’t actually tell me anything. Only that you were well connected. But I realize now that the only way she would know something like that is if her betrothed is also involved in whatever it is that you do.”

  What should he say? He wanted to tell her nothing, but in that moment he could understand how Kerrick had let Catherine discover far more than she ever should have. He’d vowed he would never be that weak, but here he was, a scant few weeks later, finding himself on the precipice of doing the very same thing.

  “None of this is relevant to the task at hand.”

  “It’s relevant to me.” Her eyes flashed with fire, her chest heaved, as she continued. “Kerrick was pursuing me despite the fact that he was in love with another woman. Why would he do that unless he was ordered to? Ordered by you, no doubt.”

  He said nothing.

  She made a small sound of distress that had him itching to comfort her. “Does Catherine know?” She shook her head, her curls bouncing with the movement. “Of course she knows. I spent weeks trying to get her to be more assertive toward Lord Kerrick, telling her that he cared for her and not me, and yet she continued to do nothing. She allowed him to court me even though she loved him and she knew I cared for another.”

  With all her distress, the one thing that caught his attention was her very last statement. Rose loved someone else. It took every ounce of willpower he possessed not to ask who.

  “Is her friendship real? Or was she involved in all this as well?”

  “I can assure you that any friendship on her part was offered without any instruction from Kerrick or me.”

  She looked away from him, unable or unwilling to respond. He attempted to give her a small measure of comfort when he said, “Miss Evans is not good with deceit. What you see is what you get with her. If she tells you that she is your friend, you can rest assured she’s being genuine.”

  “I can’t talk about this right now,” Rose said after almost a full minute of silence. “Was there something more you wanted to tell me about Lord Standish before we speak to my father?”

  Brantford found it more difficult than he’d ever admit to focus on the task at hand—their upcoming meeting with her father. He gave her a short nod even though she was still looking away and didn’t see it.

  “You’ve already told me that you’d do what was necessary to help your father, correct?”

  “Yes,” she said, her tone devoid of all emotion. She met his eyes briefly, then looked away again.

  “We need to discover what your father is hiding. He’s already sacrificed everything to protect you and your mother. To make him tell us the truth, we’re going to need him to believe that your life is in immediate jeopardy from Lord Standish.”

  Rose crossed her arms again, and this time Brantford couldn’t stop his eyes from dropping briefly to her breasts.

  “I won’t lie to my father,” she said, glaring at him.

  Good. He preferred Rose with her fire intact, not the lost creature she’d been only moments before. He avoided looking at his sister, knowing she would have seen the small lapse in his normal reserve.

  “You won’t need to. I’ll do any fabricating that may be necessary. I only ask that you don’t contradict me. Not if you want your father to tell me what he knows.” She didn’t reply, and he couldn’t help adding, “You can trust me.”

  “Can I? You’re just using me to get the information you need. I’m convenient. I have no illusion that you’ll be happy to be rid of me when you no longer need me.”

  He was glad that her anger and annoyance were centered solely on him now. If she hadn’t already come to that realization, she’d soon see that Catherine’s friendship was genuine. He could be the focus for her anger if that was what she needed him to be.

  “Our current working relationship is beneficial to both of us. An argument could be made that you are also using me in your attempt to prove your father was somehow acting under outside forces.”

  She glowered at him. “Fine,” she said on a huff and turned to look out the window for the remainder of their carriage ride.

  Worthington wasn’t happy to see him. When Brantford entered the small cell, he glanced at him from where he was lying on the cot, then shifted onto his side to stare at the wall.

  “I see you haven’t changed your mind about being cooperative.”

  There was no response.

  Brantford watched the other man as he spoke. “I have information you’ll want to know.”

  Worthington didn’t reply, but by the way the older man’s shoulders stiffened, it was clear he was thinking about his family. Worried about them. Brantford would put that concern to good use.

  He stood in the doorway but moved into the room now, indicating to Rose, who waited in the hallway just outside the door, that she should enter. He lifted a finger to his lips, instructing her to remain silent as he closed the door to the cell. The man guarding the room was one he could trust, but even so, he’d given instructions that the guard stand several feet away from the door so he wouldn’t overhear their conversation. Ellen would see to it that he followed those instructions.

  He nodded to Rose, who stepped farther into the room. He didn’t miss the way she was wringing her hands, her lips pressed together in concern.

  “Papa?”

  That had an immediate reaction. Worthington leaped from the bed and stared at his daughter in shock. When his wild gaze swung back to him, Brantford could see real fear on the older man’s face.

  “She shouldn’t be here.”

  “I quite agree. However, we appear to be at an impasse, and you know your daughter. She wants to help.”

  “You don’t understand—” Worthington ran his hands over his thinning hair, agitation evident in the shaky movement.

  Rose looked to Brantford, and when he nodded, she went to her father. “Everything is going to be fine, Papa. Tell us what you know and we’ll find the real culprit and have you out of here.”

  Worthington dropped his hands and glared at Brantford. “You know exactly what you’re doing by bringing her here with you. Anyone who sees the two of you together…” He gave his head a sharp shake. “Her life was already in danger, but this? If anything happens to her, I’ll kill you myself.”

  Brantford raised a brow, feigning a detachment he was far from feeling. Fortunately, his reputation worked wonders and he didn’t have to do anything beyond that to have the other man believing he really didn’t care about Rose’s life.

  “Sweetheart,” Worthington said, turning to his daughter, “please listen to me. The Tower is no place for a young woman. There is no hope for me now. You need to distance yourself from me. In time, all this will blow over and you’ll marry.” He raised a shaking hand, cupped his daughter’s cheek, then dropped it again.

  Brantford should have been moved by the concern on the ol
der man’s face. Instead, all he could feel was anger.

  “Miss Hardwick might not have to wait long at all. Lord Standish has approached Overlea, whom you know has taken her into his home, to court your daughter.”

  Worthington stumbled back, all color draining from his face. “No…”

  “Is something amiss? I thought that was what you wanted. Someone to give your daughter his name and protection. I know you were hoping Lord Kerrick would be that man, but…” He raised a shoulder in a casual shrug. “Beggars can’t be choosers. Besides, Standish is wealthy enough.”

  “You bastard.” Worthington’s fists clenched, and he suspected Rose’s presence was the only thing keeping Worthington from trying to hit him.

  Rose flinched, but to her credit she didn’t say a word. Brantford didn’t take his eyes from the other man, who was struggling with this new turn of events.

  Brantford knew he had won when the man slumped onto his cot.

  “Fine, you win,” he said, his voice low. “I’ll tell you what I know, but not in front of my daughter.”

  Brantford nodded and turned to Rose. “Miss Hardwick?”

  He could tell Rose didn’t want to leave, but she nodded in reply. After bending to give her father a quick hug—one that appeared to shatter the older man’s resolve even further—she left the dark cell, closing the door firmly behind her.

  “She’s not safe—”

  “I have two of my most trusted people right outside that door. No harm will come to her.”

  Worthington swallowed and looked away, defeat outlined in every bone of his body. “I don’t have much information. Not enough for you to convict the man who is responsible for selling secrets to the French. But I’ll tell you everything I know in exchange for your promise to keep Rose safe.”

  Brantford nodded and lowered himself into the lone chair in the room.

  “You do realize it is too late to keep her out of this? I tried but failed. If Standish has his way, he will kill her.”

  Brantford remained still, but he knew Worthington was correct. He refused to entertain the notion that he might just have signed Rose’s death warrant.

  “She’ll be safe. You have my word.”

  Worthington searched his face before nodding. “If it becomes necessary, promise me you’ll offer her your name.”

  Brantford reeled at what Rose’s father was suggesting. “I can’t marry her…”

  “You may not have to. Heaven knows, the last thing I want is for my daughter to be married to a cold fish like you. But I’ve heard the rumors. I know how ruthless you can be. I also know you’ve never raised a hand to a woman in your life. If you can’t keep her safe any other way—if it’s no longer sufficient for her simply to remain under the protection of the Marquess of Overlea—you must promise me that you will offer her the protection of your name and all the resources that come with it.”

  “What do you know of my resources?” Brantford asked, his curiosity genuine.

  Worthington shook his head. “Not much, I’m afraid. But Standish does. He’s dropped hints about you. I believe he knows a good deal. And if I’m not mistaken, I think he fears you.”

  Brantford’s mouth tightened before he replied. “He should.”

  Worthington nodded. “You’ll give me your word?”

  Brantford allowed the question to hang in the air, but there was never any doubt that he would agree to Worthington’s one condition. Rose Hardwick had dropped hints about having feelings for some unnamed man, but she might very well have to put those feelings aside.

  “I’ll do everything in my power to keep her safe. That includes marrying her, should the need arise.”

  Worthington extended his hand and Brantford shook it. He spared a moment to wonder why his promise didn’t leave him unsettled but pushed the thought aside and waited for the other man to begin.

  “Since you’ve already guessed, I can confirm the man at the center of this is Standish. You need to keep him away from Rose.”

  “I know that you confessed to keep her and Lady Worthington safe. But you can’t expect me to believe you’re completely innocent.”

  “Of treason, yes. Of being the worst sort of fool, no.”

  Brantford leaned back in his chair, arms folded across his chest, and took careful note of everything about the man before him. “Tell me what happened.”

  Worthington shook his head. “Standish knew of my friendship with Admiral Heddington and guessed that I might be privy to information about the movements of our naval fleet. He cornered me at the inn near my estate, which I visit occasionally, and we started drinking. I thought he was just being friendly. It never occurred to me to wonder why he would be in a small village in Norfolk. By the end of the evening, I was completely foxed. I didn’t even realize I’d told him anything until he paid me a visit after I arrived in London with my family. He thanked me for letting him know about the movements of the British fleet. Told me that Napoleon rewarded his informants handsomely and that my payment was already in my bank account.”

  Worthington looked away. “I didn’t believe him. I thought he was having one over on me. But I was able to confirm that a large amount of money had been deposited in my account. And the worst of it is that I don’t know what information I might have given him. It’s possible I told him nothing and he was trying to coerce me into revealing something of value, but…” He gave his head a defeated shake. “I can’t remember that evening.”

  “You kept the money.”

  Worthington clenched his jaw. “Yes, but I never touched it. I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to return it, but I didn’t want anyone to connect me to Standish or his actions.”

  Brantford narrowed his eyes. “And you continued to pass on secrets.”

  Worthington shook his head. “No. Absolutely not.”

  “Now I think you’re trying to play me for the fool. There was more than one deposit into your bank account.”

  “Don’t you think I don’t know that? I wasn’t stupid enough to touch another drop after that first incident, but Standish was trying to force me to comply. Hounding me. Telling me no one would believe I hadn’t been complicit from the start.”

  “And then he threatened your family.”

  Worthington sprang up from the cot, paced to the door, then back. Brantford continued to watch him.

  “Yes, damn it. The blackguard threatened to kill my wife. He assured me he’d take more time with Rose before granting her the release of death.” His eyes were wild, his breathing uneven. “You have to keep him away from them.”

  Brantford waved a hand to indicate Worthington resume his seat. Only when the other man complied did he speak.

  “Tell me everything you know about Standish and his connections.”

  Chapter 7

  Rose’s nerves were stretched taut during the return carriage ride. As expected, Ellen, who was now acting as her maid, sat by her side. But she hadn’t anticipated that Brantford would also be accompanying them.

  He’d been tight-lipped when he exited her father’s cell, saying very little. Now he sat opposite her again, but he’d resisted all efforts on her part to learn what her father had told him. She would have listened outside the cell, though she doubted she would have heard much since the door appeared to be quite thick, but Ellen had drawn her away. She’d spent the next fifteen minutes waiting with Brantford’s sister and the guard several feet down the hall, feeling as though she were about to crawl out of her skin.

  As the carriage slowed in front of the fashionable address, Rose turned away from the window.

  “You have to tell me something. Anything.”

  Brantford’s expression didn’t change, and she had to resist the almost overwhelming urge to shake him. How could he just sit there, as still as a statue, when he knew how much this meant to her? She’d allowed him to use her in his quest for information, and the fear on her father’s face when he’d seen them together had almost broken her heart. The least he could
do was give her a tiny morsel of information.

  She’d almost given up, knowing the effort was futile, when he finally spoke.

  “Ellen, please wait for us outside the carriage.”

  Her breath caught in her throat as she watched Brantford’s sister cast a curious glance in his direction before she moved to follow his instructions. She closed the carriage door behind her to give them privacy.

  “Much as I would like to ease your mind, I can’t tell you what I learned today.”

  Was that sympathy she glimpsed in his eyes? No, she must be imagining it. “Can’t or won’t?”

  “Does it matter?”

  The urge to shake him returned. “Can you at least tell me if Papa told you anything that will help him?”

  He considered her request, and it was all she could do to wait. When she realized she was holding her breath, she released it with a soft sigh.

  “Your faith in your father isn’t entirely misplaced.”

  It wasn’t much, but it told her everything she needed to know. Papa wasn’t guilty of treason. She had clung to that belief with every fiber of her being, but she wasn’t a fool. There had always been a slight chance she was wrong.

  She reached out and placed a hand over one of Brantford’s, where it rested on his knee. “Thank you.”

  Shock, and a small thrill of awareness, went through her when he turned his hand over and clasped hers.

  “Promise me you won’t go out without Ellen and at least one of the men I’ve added to the staff. I’d rather you didn’t go out at all, but if I’ve learned anything, it’s that you’ll do exactly as you want.”

  She was stunned to see his concern for her written plainly on his face. She squeezed his hand. “I give you my word.”

  Silence stretched between them for several seconds before he nodded and released her hand. She missed that small measure of intimacy but said nothing before exiting the carriage.

  She noticed the small smile on Ellen’s face, but Brantford’s sister said nothing as they entered the house. Only when the door to the town house was closed behind them did she hear the sound of carriage wheels on the cobblestones as the conveyance pulled away from the house.