Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
Perry marveled at how one could be on top of the world and yet, at his lowest point, at the same time. He hummed a light tune as he strolled to meet his guests in the office, his mouth flattening at the seriousness of the upcoming topic of discussion.
His brother wasted little time in his recovery and arranged for all three of them to meet at Wildwood the afternoon following the ball.
After the events of the night before, Perry very reluctantly pulled himself from his wife’s arms. Well, he had attempted about three times, but her plush lips and morning tumbled hair beckoned him back to bed every time.
The stark certainty that he was in love with his wife resounded within his chest. He knew the moment he awoke with her in his arms, his body sated, and his heart full.
This wasn’t a whim that had suddenly seized him after a night of passion.
The resignation to his fate wasn’t a submission to the demands of his honor.
Everything about marrying his Lottie was right.
It gave him the peace he never knew he had longed for.
It was the continuation of a love story that had been left unfinished all those years ago.
He was here to write the next chapters of their life, and it wouldn’t be the tragedy he had originally thought.
Their story was so much more than that. It was destiny.
She was the missing part of his whole. From the moment they met, their souls had spoken to each other.
Words of undying love and devotion, words of scorching passion.
It hurt to be away from her back then, and it would destroy him to ever lose her now.
When he happened upon her at Fermoy, his entire world had righted itself. The pull toward her was irresistible.
He had always been in love with his Lottie.
She was the reason his first marriage was ill-fitting like an overly tight waistcoat.
Nothing would ever feel right compared to the easy intimacy and friendship that existed between him and Lottie.
His wife captivated him like no other. He was deliriously happy they had come together again, even if it took a bullet and a bit of persuasion for everything to fall into place.
Lottie had his heart in her clutches, and he was determined to see this life out with her. For longer than whoever was trying to kill him might like.
“Brother, you look a right mess,” Perry noted as he strolled into the library, where Michael stood serious and brooding, leaning an arm against the fireplace. “I am terribly sorry for what they have done to you. I wish it had been me.”
Beau availed himself of a dark blue velvet chair. His purple bruises were much more pronounced in the afternoon light. The crack in his lip had closed, but it was marked with some swelling.
“I wish none of this had happened,” his brother said, eyes wide with concern.
“You are all in terrible danger. Michael and I have been discussing the next steps in this investigation. We must uncover who would see you dead and buried. The men who attacked me last night were out for blood. I’m grateful they were interrupted before being able to finish their job. ”
Shaking his head, Perry moved to lean against his desk as his fingers rubbed his chin. “As am I. I have given it much thought, but it is impossible to think who would want me dead.”
Michael tilted his head, moving to sit next to Beau in a matching chair. “We must discover who has the motive and the opportunity.”
Having had previous dealings with Bow Street Runners, Michael was familiar with some aspects of conducting an investigation.
His business on the more sinister edges of London society had exposed him to some suspicious individuals, leading Michael to aid in his various missions, even if it meant a greater risk to himself.
During his investigations, he collected a few friends of ill repute who were eager to help him in exchange for money or to stay out of jail. Michael’s identity was kept secret from those he did business with, and in a reciprocal arrangement, he kept his contacts in the underworld hidden.
“Have you heard anything from your connections? Any whispers of people who may have held a grudge?” Perry asked his friend.
“Unfortunately, no. But that doesn't mean it isn’t happening; it simply means my contacts haven’t heard anything.
Yet. I have a few trustworthy men searching for the villains who attacked Beau at the Covingtons.
Is there anyone in your family, perhaps a distant relative, who would have anything to gain if you were to die?
Your father’s old acquaintances, maybe? He seemed to prefer engaging with a rather cruel sort. ”
“Father has been dead for a year now. If the blackguard were in our family, I would expect them to come after me, not my brother,” Beau mused, leaning his head in his hand. “Perhaps you owe someone money?”
Perry scowled at the suggestion. “Absolutely not, my previous wife’s estate, as well as the investment of my assets, has left me quite comfortable. My family wants for nothing, I assure you.”
Beau gave a snort. “I do not mean to offend. I am simply exploring all possibilities.”
“Have you any contact with Eliza’s family? You have inherited quite well from her death, wouldn’t you say? An estate, a handsome sum of money, and a much sought-after title. Who would benefit if you died, besides your family? We must explore all avenues,” Michael said.
“It is hard to say who, since I have no heir to the estate currently, save my brother. When Eliza’s father passed and left me the estate, he had no successors.
That is why he sought permission from the crown to leave his daughter and her husband in comfort and security.
He was afraid Eliza would be left penniless should she not marry well.
Though she had many suitors, I was chosen for my connections and a secure source of wealth, which meant Eliza would be well taken care of,” Perry explained.
His brother frowned, considering.
Perry would have to dig deeper. As Eliza’s husband, he helped the title live on, since there were no living relatives beyond his first wife.
Their marriage was an arrangement that greatly benefited both families by giving Eliza the prestige of being part of the Duke of Bridgewater’s family and elevating her status.
Perry was given access to property, a title, and the kind of wealth a second son rarely attained.
There had never been a choice. Once his father began plotting to link his family with Eliza’s, Perry had simply been a means to an end.
The opportunity had been too good to pass up, his father rushing him to the altar before another took his place.
Perry suspected his father of using villainous means to destroy any competition.
Regret tore at his very soul. All that time he was kept away from Lottie pained him.
The elder duke would have used any means of deception to prevent him from discovering that Charlotte was with child, since Perry had confessed his desire to wed her openly at the time. The duke saw to it that their relationship had no hope of succeeding.
“I will have to search for more information,” Perry said, walking around his desk to sit in his chair. “I have a meeting with our solicitor. Perhaps there are some records, hidden somewhere, that will provide clues.”
“I will have my men look into Eliza’s family.
Everyone has secrets; it is only how well they manage to hide them that matters.
There has yet to be a secret that is safe from me,” Michael boasted.
“Any updates on the rogue steward who has gone missing? I’ve heard nothing from the agent I sent after him. ”
“The man was rumored to have hopped a ship destined for the Americas. I have people keeping an eye out for him, but for now, he is lost to us. I believe he was motivated by accumulating wealth from augmenting rents to my tenants, and he was quite successful. I wasn’t able to find a link between Mr. Jeffries and Perry, I’m afraid,” Beau explained. “The search for answers continues.”
Interlacing his fingers on his desk, Perry studied his brother and his friend.
He was lucky to have them in his corner.
His would-be killer was increasing in desperation and closing in on him.
They would need all the protection they could get to keep the attacker from getting close to him and his family.
“Lottie has promised me she will be careful. We are keeping a close watch on Aurelia. I’ve hired extra guards to ensure no one comes or goes within this house who is not authorized,” Perry explained. “I only hope it is enough.”
“For now, it will have to be,” Beau said, standing and moving toward a tray of port.
He poured himself a glass and offered some to Perry and Michael, who accepted it with enthusiasm.
“I must be off after this much-needed drink. My betrothed is terribly worried about my attack, and I need to soothe her anxieties. I’m afraid word of the assault is moving through the gossip channels.
Someone must have witnessed the event. Our family is yet again the subject of much gossip.
I look forward to a more peaceful wedded life than you seem to be enjoying, brother.
The thought of having a lovely woman fussing over me is not unpleasant.
I expect our nuptials to go forward as soon as all this excitement dies down. ”
Perry flushed at his brother’s words. “In truth, I believe it is me doing all the fussing lately,” he admitted. “The poor woman married a man who is the target of an assassin. I wonder if she regrets her choice now.”
“I’m sure you more than make up for it in other ways,” Beau replied with a cocky wink. “From what I recall, you’re a right seducer of innocents. The ton was buzzing with rumors of your skills in the bedroom.”