Her own heartbreak.
‘I am sure Griffin is more than capable of putting forward his own defence if necessary, Your Grace,’ she came back waspishly.
‘But he will not.’
Bea glanced up at the handsome gentleman at her side. ‘Why do you say that?’
He sighed. ‘Because Griffin does not believe himself to be deserving of anyone’s affection.’
Bea removed her hand from his arm as she turned fully to face him. ‘I beg your pardon?’
Sutherland grimaced. ‘Griffin and I have known each other for a long time, you understand. We were at school together.’
‘I did not know that.’
He nodded. ‘I do not believe I am being indiscreet by revealing that Griffin was placed in the school by his father when he was only eight years old. He was not a cruel man, merely elderly, and had been widowed since Griffin’s birth. He did not, I believe, know quite what to do with his young son and heir, other than to place him in the competent hands of first a wet-nurse, then a nanny, and, finally, school.’
‘But how lonely that must have been for Griffin!’ Bea frowned at the thought of that lonely little boy, motherless, and sent away from the company of his father at such a tender age.
‘Just so.’ Seaton grimaced. ‘We others did not join him until four years later. There were five of us altogether, all heir to the title of Duke. We were, and still are, a close-knit bunch. We became our own family, I believe, and have always looked out for each other,’ he added enigmatically.
Bea’s interest quickened. ‘Then you also knew his wife?’
‘I did, yes.’ Seaton’s expression became blandly unrevealing.
She nodded. ‘Griffin loved her very much.’ And no wonder, if he had led such a lonely childhood as Seaton had described. Griffin must have been so gratified to have someone of his own at last. Someone to love and want him.
Blond brows rose. ‘Did he tell you that?’
‘Well, no.’ Bea frowned. ‘But surely it is obvious?’
‘How so?’
She shrugged. ‘I understand it has been six years since his wife’s death, and he has not remarried in that time.’
‘Perhaps that is because one marriage was enough?’ the Duke drawled.
Bea gazed at him speculatively. ‘But surely it was a happy marriage?’
‘I believe that is something you must ask Griffin, not me.’
‘He refuses to talk to me of his marriage or his wife.’
‘And I will not speak of it, either.’ Sutherland grimaced. ‘My only reason for discussing Griffin with you at all is in an effort to persuade you not to think too harshly of him for his silence about you. We have been, all five of the Dangerous Dukes, bound in our actions these past five years by a higher authority,’ he added softly.
Other than God—and Bea did not believe Griffin or Christian Seaton to be overly religious men—what higher authority could there possibly be than a duke of the realm? Oh.
Bea looked sharply up at Seaton as she searched his handsome face for some indication that her surmise was correct. His expression, as he steadily returned her gaze, remained infuriatingly bland.
And yet the idea persisted that Griffin and his four closest friends had all—perhaps still?—worked in some way for the Crown.
It would explain so much about Griffin. The deft and efficient way in which he had dealt with her own unexpected and unorthodox appearance into his life. The fact that he had connections in London, like Lord Maystone, whom he might call upon discreetly to help him in discovering her identity.
It was perhaps also the reason Griffin had never married again; working secretly for the Crown could no doubt be a hazardous occupation, even in times of peace, as it now finally was. Already a widower, he was not a man who would allow his own actions to risk making his wife a widow.
Could that be the reason he was choosing to discourage her own affections?
No, it was more likely that Griffin simply did not feel that way about her.
But the rest of it?
Oh, yes, knowing Griffin she could well believe the rest of it.
Griffin was above all a man of honour, of deep loyalties, and once that loyalty had been given she had no doubt that he would never betray it. For anything or anyone.
‘I see.’ She nodded slowly.
‘I hope that you do.’ Sutherland gave a slight inclination of his head. ‘Griffin is a good man, and I should not like to see you treat him with unnecessary harshness.’
Bea gave a rueful shake of her head. ‘I believe you mistake our friendship, Your Grace. Circumstances have put Griffin in the role of an older brother to me, or—or an uncle.’
Blond brows rose up to the Duke’s hairline. ‘I trust you do not truly expect me to believe that?’