“I’ve heard enough.”
He started to turn away, but Brynn grasped his arm, detaining him. “What do you intend to do?”
“Prevent your brother from delivering the gold to our country’s enemies.”
A look of fear crossed her face. “You can’t involve yourself, Lucian.”
“Can’t I?”
“You’ll be killed. Please, I beg you…”
Lucian gritted his teeth. She wasn’t as concerned for his life as for her brother’s, he well knew. He could understand why Brynn wanted to protect Sir Grayson-because she was fiercely loyal to her family-but it galled him just the same that she would choose a traitor over him. But no amount of pleading would keep him from apprehending her brother.
Brynn evidently sensed his determination, for she took a deep, shaky breath. “Very well, then. I will take you to Grayson.”
Lucian gave her a sharp glance. Her tears were under control now, and her expression was emotionless, without a show of any feeling whatsoever. “What are you saying?”
“You don’t know where to look for him. I can show you.”
“I don’t need your help. I told you, if he attempts to leave, he’ll be arrested. He won’t get far.”
“He won’t be seen leaving the house, Lucian. You may search all you want, but you won’t find him.”
Lucian hesitated, wondering if this was yet another of Brynn’s silken lies.
“I will lead you to him. And the gold. I believe I know where he’s hidden it.”
His eyes narrowed. “Tell me.”
“No.” Brynn shook her head. “I won’t let you go alone, Lucian.”
He took a menacing step toward her, but she held her ground. “I am going with you.”
“Do you think me a complete gull? You expect me to follow you blindly into a trap you’ve plotted with your brother?”
A look of pain crossed her face. “I haven’t plotted any trap.”
“You aren’t going anywhere, Brynn. You are still my wife, and carrying my child. Traitor or not, I don’t want you endangered.”
“I don’t want you endangered, either. In any case, my brother would never harm me.”
“But his cohorts would. He’s right about the smuggling ring being vicious. They won’t think twice about wrapping that fiery hair of yours around your throat and strangling you with it.”
“I know. Why do you think I wanted a pistol?”
When that gave him pause, she pressed her argument. “What do you think I was planning, Lucian? I intended to stop Grayson myself, so you wouldn’t have to. I know you don’t believe me, but it’s true.”
Irate that she would continue her brash falsehoods, Lucian raised both hands to cup them around her throat in a velvet grip.
She gazed back at him mutely, anguish in her eyes.
With another savage oath, Lucian let his hands fall away. “Wait here,” he demanded.
“Lucian…”
Rejecting her plea out of hand, he left Brynn in the study, shutting and locking the door behind him. Striding swiftly along the corridor to the front entrance, he let himself out and descended into the darkness.
Philip Barton appeared out of the night. “My lord?”