It was too much. Hed start to believe hed made up the whole encounter if not that even now he could smell her scent and taste her on his lips. Barring the abrupt end, he wanted it to happen again.
He understood why hed been hit, but that didnt make him any less angry about the clubbing he and his guards had gotten on his own ship. Not to mention the rest of that hazy night. He needed to know what list shed referred to and why shed been all over his ship. Nicole, the daughter of his worst enemy, having free rein was a disaster in anyones books. Much less Nicole with an agenda. He had to find her and question her.
Hed left her in the salon with no doubt that shed stay there. He couldnt remember anyone ever disobeying him deliberately. Yet the little chit probably set off the minute he reached the gangway where Lydia had slapped at one of his guards to get aboard and hysterically demand even more money.
Until Lydia had shown up, hed been so busy brooding over Nicole that he hadnt had time to think of that witch in days, even though shed haunted him for years .
A knock at his door pulled him from his musings.
He called out permission to enter and was surprised to find his younger brother standing in the doorway. Or rather, ducking under it. How had Derek not seen how big Grant had grown over the last four years? Grant had always been tall, but at twenty-eight, hed completely filled out his rangy form.
Though Grant had blue eyes where Dereks were gray, and his face wasnt marred by hard living and resentment like Dereks, overall their physical differences were slight. Their personalities, however, couldnt have been more dissimilar. Where Derek appeared proud to be an irresponsible rake, given to hedonism, Grant had become a pillar of the community and had grown to be as intensely reserved as their father, the earl, had been. Still, he could remember when Grant was younger hed been a prankster with a ready humor and a knack for finding trouble.
Good morning, Derek. Grant sat down in the chair facing the desk, and Derek could swear he saw power and purpose thrumming through his sibling. In response, Derek sank further back in his chair and propped his scuffed boots up on the desk.
Hed always cared about his brother, but Derek was still ill at ease that Grant had seen him so low the other night. He skipped a greeting. What is it now, Grant?
Grant looked around the well-appointed room before he took a deep breath. Well, I wanted to speak to you before you sailed, but you left the house the other morning before I woke.
Then speak.
Very well. Grant leaned forward in his chair before he cautiously asked, You know of Lord Belmont?
That got Dereks attention. Everyone knows about that crazy old bastard. What of him?
He came to see me this week. Grant took a breath. He made me a considerable offer to search for his family.
Christ. Derek shook his head. The only reason he came to you is that hes been turned down by every other captain and ship owner in London who hasnt already signed on for that fools errand. Myself included. I laughed him out of my office. Derek examined his brothers impassive face. What the hell could he offer you? Hes already run through his fortune on at least a dozen different attempts.
Grant appeared defensive when he answered. If I was successful, he would give me the lands of Belmont Court when he passes on.
Derek let out a surprised whistle. He is getting desperate, then. Rumor held that Belmont had attempted to sell the unentailed estate to finance one last search.
This conversation, Derek decided easily, merited a drink, so he rose to grab a bottle of brandy. By way of offering, he swung the bottle in Grants direction. As expected, Grant declined with a curt shake of his head. Although it wasnt quite noon, Grant didnt appear surprised when Derek began filling his own glass.
You cant possibly be considering his offer, Derek said over his shoulder before returning to his desk.
Well, I did decide against it, Grant admitted. But it made me thinkif I had wanted to go, then I should be able to.
Whats that supposed to mean? Derek asked. You own half of Peregrine Shipping. You can very well go anywhere you want
No, I cant, Grant interrupted. Im too busy running Whitestone and your other neglected estates.
Ridiculous. I have a steward
Whom I fired several months ago not only for bilking you out of a pitifully large amount, but also for skimming off your tenants. His face was shuttered. I wouldnt have stepped in, if not for your tenants.
Derek sank back, dumbfounded. Not just at the news of his stewards embezzlement, but also at the idea that Grant might not have checked his downfall. He drank deeply. Why didnt I hear anything about this?
Grant nodded pointedly at the pile of correspondence on the desk that had been ignored for months. Ive sent word through every channel. Im sure if you bothered to look, youd find that several of my letters found their way to the ship.
Derek fought to avoid looking sheepish. Yes, well, I suppose I remember receiving some letters that I havent had time to get to.
Grant shrugged. My point is, if I hadnt been around to hold everything together after you left so abruptly, then youd be in a very bad spot. And Im tired of it. I wasnt raised to take over Whitestone
I damn well wasnt, either, Derek cut in. It had been years since their older brothers death, but he still had difficulty accepting that William was gone and that all those responsibilities now lay on his shoulders.
Its not mine, Grant said in a tightly controlled tone. Whitestones not my estate. I want to earn my own place. Make my own way. You cant understand how hard it is to work for something that you know you have no future in.
What do you mean, no future? Youre my bloody heir. Everything goes to you. And Im not exactly living as though I plan to get old.
One day youll have an heir, Grant said quietly but with absolute conviction.
Dereks fingers paled on the glass he grasped. I will not have an heir. Weve been through this. It wont happen.
Grant ran a hand over his face. He suddenly looked tired, and his absolute self-control was slipping. I dont accept that. I want to work in the shipping line, but its impossible when youve taken over what was supposed to be my place in this company.
This company is half mine.
But think back to why it was formed all those years ago. We learned to sail so you and I would have a livelihood when William was alive and the heir. Now this earldom is yours. After Lydia, you were too Grant stopped, uncomfortable. Well, I took the reins. But, damn it, its been years. Youve had plenty of time to adjust to your lot in life. My life is completely on hold until you decide to think of someone else for a change and free me from your responsibilities.