Griffin Stone:Duke Of Decadence

‘As I explained to Maystone in my note, she has no memory of who she is, or the events before her abduction.’

‘But those memories could return at any moment,’ Sutherland reasoned. ‘And we believe there are people who would like to ensure they do not.’

Griffin shook his head. ‘I have had the estate workers keep constant watch for strangers since the night I found her wandering in the woods and brought her here. They have assured me they have seen no one who doesn’t belong here in the immediate area.’

The other man raised blond brows. ‘Then perhaps the people in question are not strangers?’

Not strangers? Did that mean that the person, or people, who had abducted and harmed Bea might belong to the village of Stonehurst? That one of his own neighbours, possibly one of the ones whom he had visited just days ago, might be in cahoots with Jacob Harker, whom Griffin was still convinced had been Bea’s jailer?

It did make more sense if that were the case, than that Jacob Harker had randomly chosen one of Griffin’s own woodcutters’ sheds on the estate in which to hide and then mistreat Bea.

But which of his neighbours could have been involved in such infamy? One of those social-climbing couples he had visited, and whose only interest had appeared to be to show off their marriageable daughters to him? Or the jovial Sir Walter? One of Griffin’s own tenants? Someone who actually worked here in the house?

If it was the latter, then surely there would have been another attempt to silence Bea before now.

‘I believe you must be the one to accompany Bea this morning, Christian,’ he murmured softly as he heard her coming back down the stairs after collecting her bonnet. ‘While you are gone I will ride over to visit a neighbour who has invited me to come and admire his new hunter. It is a terrible bore, but there is always the possibility I might learn something new while I am there.’

‘Which neighbour would that be?’ Sutherland enquired casually.

Too casually?

Griffin studied his friend’s face as he answered him. ‘Sir Walter Latham.’

‘I do not believe I have ever met the gentleman.’

Had Griffin imagined it, or had something flickered in his friend’s eyes at mention of Sir Walter?

He found it hard to believe that Latham would involve himself in intrigue and kidnapping; Sir Walter cared only for his wife, his horses and his hounds—and not necessarily in that order!

He shrugged. ‘Latham does not care for London society and prefers to remain in the country. Although I believe his wife was in London for the Season.’ He could not keep the distaste from his voice as he spoke of the woman who had been such a close friend to Felicity.

‘You do not care for Lady Latham?’

Griffin’s jaw tightened. ‘She was a friend of my wife.’

‘Ah.’ Christian nodded knowingly. ‘No doubt the dislike is mutual, then?’

‘Without a doubt,’ he confirmed with feeling.

The other man chuckled wryly. ‘Marriage is a complicated business, is it not?’

‘Women in general are complicated, I have recently been reminded.’ Griffin grimaced.

The other man smiled. ‘Have no fear, Griff, between the two of us we will ensure that no harm comes to your Bea.’

‘She is not my Bea,’ Griffin bit out harshly.

‘No?’

‘No,’ he repeated emphatically.

No, nor would she ever be. Once Bea’s memory was restored to her, and this business was over with, she would be able to return to whatever family she had left.

And the mysterious Michael.

* * *

‘You really should not hold Griffin responsible for this present situation, you know,’ the Duke of Sutherland remarked quietly, Bea’s gloved hand resting lightly on his arm as the two of them strolled about the garden together.

No, Bea did not know.

She was grateful to Griffin for all he had done for her this past week, but that kindness could not excuse his deliberate silence over her identity. He did know now, she felt sure of it.

Nor could she forgive him for so easily dismissing the intimacies between them last night when he had spoken with Seaton.

Most of all she could not forgive him for that!

Their lovemaking had been beautiful. A true giving and receiving of pleasure such as Bea had never dreamt possible. A closeness she had believed must surely form a bond of some kind between the two participants.

Only for Griffin to have dismissed their time together so casually just minutes later.

Obviously it had not meant the same to him as it did to her.

Because he desired to make love to her but did not love her.

As Bea was so afraid she might have fallen in love with him.

And she was afraid, deeply so, that an unreciprocated love could only lead to heartbreak.