Chapter 17

N ow that Aaron was in London, perhaps things would get back to normal.

He donned a suit of clothes and headed for his favorite haunt. He handed his hat and coat to the door's man, and went in search of his friends. Jeremy Elmsford and Noah Worthington sat at a round table, brandy glasses on the table before them.

Jeremy picked up the newspaper and stabbed his finger. "Another Greystoke has fallen. How dare you get leg-shackled without telling your friends."

His farce of a marriage was out in the open. What better way to announce his marriage than broadcast in the gossip rag.

"Who is this mysterious woman?" Noah asked. "No one seems to know anything about her."

"You've kept her well-hidden, Aaron."

"Miss Ferriweather will be in quite a stew to know you're off the market. She had her cap set for you, you know."

Regardless of his feelings, he kept the truth to himself and accepted his friends' jibes.

"Now that you have a wife—the news has jaws dropping all over Town—I suppose we will be hearing another announcement about impending children, perhaps?"

"No." When both men raised their brows in question, Aaron explained, "I mean. That is not why we married."

"Aaron," Elmsford beckoned, "You are the last man we expected to be getting leg-shackled. Why on Earth—"

"It's not a love match. And I'd prefer—" Aaron glared at each one. –"that you keep that to yourselves."

"An arranged marriage. That happens all the time. Why would you want to—"

"Lower your roar, Elmsford." Damn . He shouldn't have said anything.

"Well, when will we meet her?"

This part would be the most difficult. No matter how many scenarios he came up with, he still couldn't think of one believable excuse. Everyone knew about Bellingham targeting his brothers, so that would be the closest to the truth.

"We do not know if Bellingham is lurking about."

"Bellingham, you say?"

"Thought he was blown up with his ship."

"Nothing is certain," Aaron said. "Until we know for sure, I plan to keep my wife safe in the country." How bizarre the term wife came out of his mouth.

"Good idea."

"Are you not worried that he'll find her there while you're in Town?"

"No one knows where she is. I will simply say she has personal matters to attend. None will be the wiser."

"I see."

Aaron stopped by the small office of Anderson Shipping on his way home to see if there was any correspondence from Mr. Anderson. It appeared the man was excited about the merger being finalized. It was nice to have some good news, for a change.

Aaron missed lunch, and it was too soon for tea, so he headed to the kitchen to see if he could coax Cook into making him something. The dear woman had taken a liking to him and often treated him to special delicacies. It had taken some convincing to get the woman to return to London. He had not been honest about his bride returning with him. Cook didn't like it, but she still prepared him wonderful meals.

A sharp knock sounded on the front door. Aaron paused, waiting to see who might be calling.

Berthright spoke to whoever was on the other side and told them to come to the rear of the house. When the butler found Aaron lurking in the hallway, he stiffened. You could never tell by Berthright's face what was on his mind. He showed no emotion. Aunt liked him, so the man retained his position.

"It was a seagoer, my lord." Aaron's father had been the earl, and after his death the old man continued to address all the brothers as my lord. Whether he considered Aaron worthy, or he was a forgetful, arrogant old man, Aaron gave up correcting the elder man.

"What did he want?"

"To speak to you, my lord."

"Are you sure he has the correct brother?"

"He asked for you by name. By his appearance … and smell, I suggested he come to the rear entrance, my … sire."

Ha. He stumbled.

"Very good. I shall go see what he wants."

Aaron moved to continue on his way, but the butler cleared his throat to get Aaron's attention. He stopped.

"What is it, Berthright?"

"Forgive me for being forward, sire. Please be careful."

After everything he'd been through these past months, Berthright should certainly know Aaron could take care of himself.

By his appearance.

How many men were judged by only a glance. Murderers, thieves, or a poor sod down on his luck. Although, Berthright was a clever bastard. Perhaps he saw something that made him suspicious.

"I understand, Berthright. I will."

The butler gave a slight bow, and then turned, quietly stepping to the side.

When Aaron got to the kitchen, Cook had the man pinned at the back door.

"We don't need no beggars ‘round here."

"I'll take care of this," Aaron told her. "You go back to your cooking."

Cook gave him a look between disbelief and relief. The woman had wanted to protect him. By the filthy clothes and the man's unclean smell, anyone would think that he was up to no good.

"I am Aaron Greystoke. Are you looking for me?"

"Pauly sent me."

Aaron gave a nod, recognizing the name of the man he'd met at the tavern.

"What's your name?"

The man hesitated.

"Never mind, "Aaron said quickly. He did not want to scare the man off.

"Follow me." Aaron marched down the hall to his study, and stood to the side allowing the man space to enter. "I hope you don't mind if I close the door. What you have to tell me is, most likely, for my ears alone."

He waited for the man's nod before closing the door. The man reminded him of a nervous fox hiding from the hounds on a hunt.

"Now, will you tell me your name?"

"Name don't matter. What I got to tell ya is."

"Very well," Aaron said, stepping behind the big oak desk. "Would you care to sit down?"

The fox darted his eyes to a chair and back to him. "Might get yer chair dirty."

"I think the chair can take it. Sit, if you like."

The man jerked the cap from his head, and mutilated it between his fingers. "Believe I'd rather stand."

Aaron gave a nod. "Suit yourself. What do you have to tell me?"

"Pauly said be at The Reef."

"He's here? In London?"

"Just knowd what I's supposed to tell ya. Be at the tavern when the bell strikes twelve. Bone will meet ya."

"The Reef. Done. What about Blade?"

"Don't knowd nothing else."

"That's it?"

The fox gave a nervous nod.

Aaron had to control his eagerness so not to spook the man. "Tell Pauly I'll be there."

The short man turned to go.

"Wait … uh, whatever your name is. Stop in the kitchen. Cook will give you something to eat."

"I ain't no beggar."

"Of course not. No one says you are. But you have brought me important information. I should pay you for that."

The fox seemed to think it over. Then he gave a nod.

Aaron opened his study door and heard the footsteps of the man following him. "Cook," he called, "See to it this man receives payment for his service. Since he will be waiting in the kitchen for the steward, let's not torture him with your delicious cooking. Give him a hot meal so he can see the taste is as good as the smell." He turned to the fox, who seemed to be in doubt over his good fortune.

"I'll send my steward. Please make yourself comfortable."

Aaron gave a glance to Cook. He couldn't decide who seemed more surprised. The fox, or his cook.

Why the bloody hell should a man go hungry when it was clear he needed to eat? Aaron would bet Cook made the little bugger wash his hands. He chuckled as he strode back to his study.

Closing the door, he frowned, thinking about Blade. Had Pauly received word? What about Bone? He and Pauly must have run into each other in Brighton. As far as Aaron knew, Bone had been at the docks, searching.

Aaron scrubbed a hand through his wild hair. Could Blade be alive?

He slammed a fist down on the wood desk. Devil take Bellingham. If he found that bounder, he would strike without a second thought. No warning for that blackguard. The cur had to know that the Greystoke brothers would be after him. Aaron had enough men looking for the bastard. They were bound to find something soon.

Aaron kept his head down and quickened his steps. Not only was he anxious to hear what Pauly had to tell him, but he desperately wanted to know if Blade was alive. The waterfront was dangerous, but with Aaron's size, most left him alone. Reaching his destination, he slowed down to take a breath. Charging into the establishment would put all eyes on him. He'd rather keep himself on the low for tonight.

Even so, as he entered, a few men looked his way. Miscreants, every one of them. He was glad he'd put the knife in his boot. He could almost guarantee there'd be two or three waiting for him when he left. Another reason for a man to leave his purse at home when entering the bowels of hell on the London waterfront.

In the far corner, a bearded man lifted his mug of ale, and glanced at Aaron over the foam.

Pauly.

Aaron made his way to the table. "Evening. Mind if I share your table?"

"Sit down if ya like."

Aaron waved the barmaid over and ordered an ale before he sat down. "I got your message."

"Yer man has surfaced."

"Blade? He's alive?"

Pauly shook his head. "The other one. Bellingham."

Aaron knew it was only a matter of time before the hound showed up. Bellingham had more lives than a bloody cat.

Aaron nearly came out of his seat. "Where?"

"I can tell ya where he's been. He hit Brighton three days ago, with a ship. Seadog was with him. Hear tell crew came with the ship. Seadog is the new captain."

"What is the name of this ship?"

"Name won't do you no good. Bellingham is on land. Say he headed north."

"Making his way to London."

Pauly slowly nodded. "That'd be my guess."

"Anything else?"

"Yer men is looking fer 'im. He knows it."

"He'd be a fool to think we weren't."

"Someone's helping ‘im. Don't know who yet, but we'll find out. What's yer plan when we do?"

"That would be better left to me," Aaron growled, recalling the churning hatred for a man who'd tried to kill Nathaniel. The bastard had tried to destroy Edmund too. Not with a pistol, but his words were just as damning. Thank Christ, Nathaniel had gotten home in time to help.

Taking the hint, Pauly held up his hands. "Not my business. Don't care, neither. But if ya need my help, send word to the barkeep . He can be trusted."

Aaron had learned the hard way not to trust any man. He chose his friends carefully. Those he called friend were bonded to his soul. Anyone else was to be watched with scrutiny.

"The minute you know where he is, I want to know. Do you understand?"

When Aaron got back to his house, he sent a message to his brothers. He couldn't imagine they had stayed in the country after his departure. Bright and early the next morning, they marched into his study.

"You two travel together?"

"I happened to be at Edmund's when your message arrived."

"Why don't you have a seat?"

Before he could make it around his desk, Nathaniel practically growled. "Spit it out, Pup."

Aaron halted. "I thought Serena had tamed you."

"Is there news on Bellingham?"

"Sit down, brother."

"Yes, do sit down Nathaniel. We will hear what Aaron has to tell us sooner."

Nathaniel dropped his large frame into a chair facing Aaron's desk.

"What news have you received?" Edmund asked.

Aaron poured two more glasses of brandy. "As you know, I've been looking for Blade since Bellingham's ship blew in the harbor." He handed the first to Edmund, then the other to Nathaniel.

"I hope that bastard is in hell." Nathaniel tossed back his drink.

Edmund rose, went to the whisky decanter, and brought it over to Nathaniel. "Looks like we're going to need it."

"I've been searching the docks from here to Brighton, visiting every rathole, every tavern, back alley I could find."

"You have no business going there alone, Aaron. You have men in your pocket for that."

"I had to do something." Blade was a good friend. Honest friend. He was on that ship because Aaron had sent him there.

"No one has found a body. He could still be alive."

"I hope so." Aaron swallowed the whisky, savoring the burn to his gut. "While I was in Brighton, at a tavern, two men approached me."

"Why are we just now hearing about this?"

"Preparing for a wedding required much of my attention." He said with as much sarcasm as he could muster. "A man showed up at my door today. He delivered a message from the man I met in Brighton. I went to meet him at The Reef."

"Tell me you did not go there alone," Nathaniel growled.

Aaron ignored his brother's outburst. "Bellingham has surfaced."

"Bloody hell," Nathaniel spat.

"I'm not surprised." Edmund turned up his glass.

"I suppose we knew the bastard didn't go down with the ship."

Aaron continued, "He has another. Apparently, got rid of the captain and confiscated the crew."

"Seadog with him?"

Aaron gave a nod. "The new captain."

"Again, I am not surprised." Edmund turned up his glass and poured more from the decanter. "The man has the luck of the devil."

Aaron took the decanter from Edmund. "He was seen on land. My guess is, he's heading for us."

"Revenge," his brother echoed.

"We've destroyed his cargo in the caves and sunk his ship. Of course, he's gunning for us."

"Let the bastard come." Nathaniel stood and started pacing.

"Come now, brother," Aaron said. "I see no reason to pace. We need a plan for when he shows up."

"You can bet your arse he will." Edmund drained his glass. Aaron offered to pour him another.

"Edmund. You know him best. What do you think he will do?"

"I know he wanted Greystoke Manor. He's a rotter. You know as much about the man as I do."

"You have no idea who might be helping him? If he's on land, and hasn't been caught, then someone must be aiding him."

"Either that, or he's found an unoccupied estate. ‘Tis the season, you know. Many houses are closed for the summer."

"The only thing we can do is be on our guard," Nathaniel said. "With no idea where or when he will come at us, or which brother he will pick, each of us will need to expect the unexpected."

"Gor, brother. I would never have thought of that."

"By the by, brother. Leaving your bride without a bride month was not well done of you."

And there it was. Aaron was actually surprised Edmund hadn't demanded an explanation as soon as he came through the door.

"Are you going to tell me how to be a husband?"

Nathaniel responded. "My wife is still there. I am not happy. I would rather have my wife in Town with me."

Aaron looked up at Nathaniel, who stopped his pacing to lean an elbow on the hearth ledge.

"Yours is a love match, brother. Mine is not."

"You agreed to this marriage," Nathaniel fired back. "Hell, Aaron. You signed a bloody contract, which started this entire kettle of fish."

"I do not need reminding."

"Beg to differ, little brother," Edmund chimed in with his languid brogue. "One would think you've forgotten you have a wife."

Aaron had called his brothers here to give them news. He should have expected them to take him to task by giving their unwelcome opinions.

Good God, how much his brothers looked alike with that brooding brow. Other than that, Edmund's hair was darker, and he'd managed to keep the youthfulness to his face.

"What's that smirk?" Edmund asked.

"Looking at the two of you. You resemble each other more than I realized."

The older brothers glanced at each other, then back to him.

"You and Nathaniel are the ones who could pass for twins," Edmund muttered.

Aaron turned his lips into an arrogant smile. "But I am so much younger."

"Are you going to see her?" Nathaniel asked.

"See whom?"

"You know damn well whom."

"Clearly, you are avoiding speaking of Rebekah."

Were both of his brothers going to gang up on him.

"Imagine me having to console your wife on your wedding day."

That came as a complete surprise. For one, Nathaniel consoling anyone. The second, Rebekah needing the consoling.

"As you take great pleasure in reminding me, she is my wife. I will remind you that neither she, nor myself wanted to be leg-shackled."