Griffin Stone:Duke Of Decadence

He shot Maystone an impatient glance. ‘I warn you now, I cannot answer for my actions if anyone has harmed so much as one hair upon Bea’s head!’ His teeth were clenched, a nerve pulsing in the tightness of his jaw.

The older man’s expression softened. ‘Perfectly understandable, when you are in love with her.’

‘I— What?’ Griffin looked at the other man incredulously. ‘Of course I am not in love with Bea,’ he denied harshly. ‘I am concerned for her safety, that is all.’

‘Of course you are.’

‘I have had to suffer enough of Christian’s sarcasm these past two days, and can quite well do without your adding to it!’ Griffin scowled darkly.

The older man gave an acknowledging nod. ‘It was not intended as sarcasm. Very well, I will say no more on the matter,’ he acquiesced as Griffin continued to glare coldly across the carriage at him, before politely turning away to look out of the window at the trees lining the driveway.

Leaving Griffin alone with his thoughts.

Was he in love with Bea?

Of course he was not! The mere idea of it was preposterous, ridiculous.

Preposterous and ridiculous or not, was it possible that the feelings of jealousy, of possessiveness, which Griffin so often felt where Bea was concerned, might indeed be attributed to a growing affection for her?

No!

He did not love Bea or any other woman. Nor would he ever do so.

And Bea?

Griffin had no choice, once this present situation had resolved itself, other than to allow Bea to return to Michael. The man she obviously loved.

After which she would likely not give Griffin so much as a single thought. Unless it was out of gratitude for having saved her from her abductors. And for having returned her safely to the man she would no doubt give the rest of her life, and her love, to.

‘We are arrived, Griffin,’ Maystone announced softly as the carriage came to a jostling halt at the end of the driveway.

Griffin barely managed to contain his impatience long enough to allow his groom to open the carriage door, and then wait while Maystone preceded him down onto the cobbled driveway, before quickly jumping down from the carriage himself.

He drew in a deep and steadying breath as he placed his hat back upon his head to look up at the grim grey-stone visage of Latham Manor.

Knowing that Bea was somewhere inside this inhospitable-looking house...

Chapter Fourteen

‘The Duke of Rotherham and Lord Aubrey Maystone,’ the Lathams’ butler announced from the doorway of the salon in which Bea, Christian and Sir Walter Latham sat together drinking the tea she had recently poured for them.

She and Seaton had arrived at Latham Manor just thirty minutes previously, to be greeted enthusiastically by Sir Walter. And in such a manner as to indicate that the gentleman had no knowledge of Bea’s abduction, but had in fact believed her to be visiting with friends.

Thus confirming Lady Francesca’s guilt?

Unfortunately they had no answer yet as to whether that was indeed the case; Lady Francesca was out this morning, paying courtesy calls upon her neighbours.

The question now was whether or not Lady Francesca had actively lied to her husband regarding the reason for Bea’s disappearance two weeks ago. Or whether that lady herself believed that Bea had eloped, and she had merely told the lie of Bea visiting with friends in order to prevent her husband from worrying about his ward.

Sir Walter’s pleasure in having Bea back with him could not be doubted, nor his gratitude to the Duke of Sutherland for having escorted her here.

Now that Bea’s memory was returning to her she had recognised the rotund gentleman on sight, of course. And remembered him with affection, if not great acquaintance; her real acquaintance with Sir Walter had only occurred upon her parents’ deaths last winter, when he and Lady Francesca had attended the funeral and then, as her guardians, taken her to live with them in their London home. Sir Walter had not remained long in Town with the two ladies once the Christmas holiday was over, preferring to return to his country estate and his pursuits there.

Bea stood up now as Griffin entered the salon first, followed more slowly by a white-faced Lord Maystone; surely that gentleman should not have come here at all, when he had been ordered by the doctor to rest. Although Bea had no doubt Lord Maystone would feel less anxious if he was allowed to actively do something in regard to bringing about the return of his missing grandson.

‘Your Grace!’ Sir Walter greeted warmly, obviously slightly overwhelmed by the visit of yet more exulted company this morning.

‘Latham.’ Griffin nodded abruptly. ‘My recently arrived guest, Lord Aubrey Maystone,’ he introduced just as tersely, having eyes for no one else but Bea as she stood so still and composed across the room.