Vexing the Viscount

“How could you believe that?”

“I have no wish to believe my brother is embroiled in two murders and two attempts on my life.” His shoulders sagged. “But who else could it be?”

“There has to be someone else.”

“I know you want to believe the best of Jonathon, but he has changed in the past few years.”

She finally sat down in the chair across from him. “Do you honestly think Jonathon could be caught up in this mess?”

“I don’t want to believe that, Tia. I truly don’t. But I don’t know what to think anymore. I know I wasn’t involved in the previous viscounts’ deaths. Someone has taken a shot at me and then attempted to poison me. Who else could want the title enough to kill for it?”

Tia stared at his handsome face. He had shaved this morning, which gave him less of a dark look. His blue eyes shone with frustration. There had to be someone else involved. “What about your cousin . . . Alistair?”

“Alistair would have to get through four people to become viscount. The previous two viscounts, me, and then Jonathon. He would never survive the scandal. The suspicion would fall directly on him. He’s a smart man. He knows if he befriends the current viscount, he can ask for whatever he needs.”

“But why Jonathon?”

“If he inherits, the estate and my personal fortune fall to him, giving him the funds to continue his habits.”

Tia blinked quickly to keep the tears at bay. It couldn’t be Jonathon, but hearing Braden’s logic made her wonder.

“I am sorry, Tia. I know how you feel about him.”

He knew how she felt about Jonathon? She didn’t even know how she felt about him. The only thing she was certain of was that she didn’t love him. As least, she wasn’t in love with him. She would always love him, but more like a brother. “Thank you. I believe I shall go for my walk now.”

“With a maid,” he commented.

“Actually, Mrs. Abbott needs all the maids, so she suggested I take a footman.”

He smiled at her. “Even better.”

What was it about his smile that made her heart skip a beat? “What are you going to do?”

“I need to speak with Mr. Brady, the runner I hired to find Jonathon. After that, I want to discover if Adams has seen Jonathon or heard any rumors about him.”

“Very well, I shall see you at dinner then,” Tia said and then walked to the door.

After a quick breakfast, she went to the park and sat on a bench overlooking the Serpentine. Thirty minutes passed with no sign of Emily, then an hour. She wasn’t coming. Slowly, Tia rose from the bench and started to leave.

“Miss Featherstone!”

Tia turned at the sound of Emily’s voice. “Oh, thank God!” She raced back to the bench and sat down next to Emily.

“We mustn’t talk for long,” Emily said, scanning the area. “I’m sorry, but I can’t be seen with you. My husband would have my head.”

“I understand. Have you heard any more of Jonathon?”

“Yes, my husband said Mr. Tavers was at the club last evening.”

“Which club?”

“White’s, of course,” Emily said, as if Tia should know that fact.

“Oh.” Tia certainly couldn’t go there.

“And he then went to Lady Bunworth’s soiree. I did not attend. I find myself very tired lately.”

“That’s to be expected,” Tia said quickly. “It will get a little better in the next few weeks and by the end you will be tired again. Is everything else going all right?”