Sherbrooke Twins (Sherbrooke Brides 8)

“Thank you, Willicombe,” Douglas said. “I am certain that Hollis would be very impressed with your resourcefulness.”

“Robert, the second footman, my lord, comes from a noxious area near the docks. He still knows some of the miscreants there. I will have him sniff around to see what he can learn.”

“That is an excellent idea, Willicombe,” Alexandra said and gave him a big smile.

They watched Willicombe stride from the room, taller, straighter, a man on a mission.

Jason stood. “Did Georges Cadoudal have family? Children?”

“I believe he married a woman whose name was Janine. I don’t know about children.”

Jason said, “We must find out. Now, I’m off to visit my club. I want to know if anyone has heard anything.” He rose, straightened his waistcoat.

James said, “Father, we both have friends who will want to help. I don’t think we should keep this a secret. I think we should announce to the world that someone-some Frenchman-is trying to kill you. Everyone will rally. Everyone will keep his eyes open. Jason and I will divide up the clubs between us. We will find this person, Father, and we will destroy him.”

Douglas and Alexandra watched their sons walk from the drawing room. She said quietly even as she burrowed against her husband’s shoulder, “They are not boys any longer, Douglas.”

“Yes, you’re right about that. Where have the years gone, Alex?”

“I don’t know, I just want them to continue going into the distant future. Our sons want to protect you now as you always wanted to protect them.”

“I still want to protect them.” He held her a moment, saying against her hair, “I fear they are too brave.”

Alexandra raised her head, and Douglas saw that she was smiling. “I too have many friends. Ladies, you know, hear many things. We must find out about children Georges could have left when he died.”

&nb

sp; “Alex, you will not involve yourself in this!”

“Do not be a blockhead, my lord. I am your wife and thus I am more involved than anyone, with the possible exception of your stubborn self. Yes, I shall begin with Lady Avery. I wonder if her spouse ever tells her anything.”

Douglas’s face was red. “Alex, I forbid-”

She gave him a lovely smile and said, “Would you like a cup of tea, my lord?”

He growled and took his tea. “You will take no risks, madam, do you understand me?”

“Oh yes, Douglas. I understand you perfectly.”

Sometime later, Douglas said to his wife as they walked up the central staircase, “Well, damnation. I forgot all about Corrie.”

“It’s all right, Douglas. I didn’t. I selected several lovely patterns for her and some very nice white muslin and pale blue satin.”

Douglas knew it wasn’t going to be good. He cleared his throat. “Did Miss Plack sew up the gowns?”

“No, there wasn’t time, but Maybella assured me that all would be well. She said that Corrie’s maid could sew in a closed carriage. Indeed, I am expecting them to arrive in London today-even though Simon was complaining that he had contracted the plague-and Corrie will be wearing one of her new gowns.”

It was difficult, but Douglas did manage not to put his head in his hands. “Simon’s town house is on Great Little Street, is that right?”

Alexandra nodded. She was thinking hard, not about Corrie but about Georges Cadoudal. She said, “It’s been so long since Georges kidnapped me and took me to France. It was a matter of revenge then, Douglas, against you. But it isn’t the same now. This is someone hiding, lurking in the shadows, trying to kill you without you seeing his face.”

Douglas grunted.

“I wonder if Georges did marry Janine, that wretched hussy who betrayed you.”

“We’ll find out.”

“Could he have spoken with such hatred of you that any children he might have had are now out to avenge him? It makes no sense for the simple reason that there wasn’t any hatred. You and Georges parted amicably, like you told the boys, and I should know. I was there. I wonder, do you think perhaps that Georges is still alive?”