Passionately Yours (Hellions of High Street 3)

“Betrayal is a serious charge indeed,” replied Alec. “If I were you, I’d be careful how you use it.”

Recent rumors about Thayer’s activities had stirred even more serious concerns. If there was even a grain of truth to them…

But surely his former friend could not have sunk to such depths of depravity.

“Don’t you ever tire of parsing words and their nuances, McClellan? Or is that how to justify your fear of putting those fancy phrases you mouth into action?”

“Since I take responsibility for my actions, I consider what I say very carefully,” he countered. “People suffer and people die if one is too selfish to consider the consequences.”

“A very pretty speech,” murmured Thayer, his voice rich with mockery. “But then, you were always exceedingly good at appearing eloquent and high minded.”

“And you were always exceedingly good at appearing charming and sincere.”

A low laugh. “Dear me, are we going to continue trading insults indefinitely?”

“No,” answered Alec. “Because we are going to part company here.” He turned at the corner, hoping to put an end to the meeting. But like a cocklebur, Thayer clung to his coattails.

“Anxious to be rid of me?”

Alec kept his head down and quickened his pace. Perhaps if he didn’t answer, Thayer would grow tired of baiting him and go away.

“Do me a single favor, for old time’s sake, that’s all I ask,” said Thayer after several more silent strides. “And then I’ll take myself off.”

He remained silent.

“Our group has a traitor in its midst,” went on his former comrade. “I was hoping you would tell me the name of your private contact in Edinburgh. He may prove helpful in unmasking the guilty party.”

“What makes you think I’d share such sensitive information with you? One errant whisper and the fellow would be dancing the hangman’s jig on an English gallows.”

“Because, despite our differences on the means of achieving the end, we do have a common goal.”

Alec hesitated, but only for an instant. Violence only kindled violence, and despite his silvery tongue, Thayer had proven in the past that he didn’t care who was hurt as long as he got what he wanted.

“Go to the Devil,” he muttered. “We have chosen different paths, and whatever we once shared has been left in the dust.”

“What a pity you feel that way.” If anything, Thayer pressed closer until their shoulders were nearly touching. “By the by, was that your sister you were walking with? I had heard she had grown from a pretty little child into an even prettier young lady.”

A clench of fear squeezed the air from Alec’s lungs.

“I see the compliments were not misplaced. You must introduce us, next time we are all together.”

Recovering his breath, Alec put a hand on the other man’s sleeve. To the casual onlooker it might have appeared a friendly gesture, but his vise-like grip was almost tight enough to crack bone.

“I suggest you leave my sister alone, else the misplaced thing will be your liver. Because I shall tear it out of your body with my bare hands and feed it to the crows.”

Chapter Six

Caro added a dash of sugar to her morning coffee, wishing there were some magical powder to slip into the teapot to sweeten her mother’s grumblings. That they were already in fine fettle at breakfast did not bode well for the rest of the day.

“And what a pity,” went on Lady Trumbull, “that of all the eligible bachelors who might appear in Bath, Fate would have to bring us that dreadful man from the north.”

“Lord Strathcona?” responded Caro. “Dreadful seems a rather harsh word, Mama. If you recall, he did play a key role in rescuing Anna.”

“Hmmph.” Lady Trumbull gave another aggrieved sniff. “Please do not mention that horrid house party. I would rather not be reminded of our stay in Scotland.”

“Anna did end up marrying a marquess,” pointed out Caro.

“True.” Another disgruntled sigh from the baroness. “But I was so hoping for a prince.”