Free A Promise of More by Bronwen Evans Page B

could make this marriage more palatable for her. She would not have to bed herbrother’s killer. “Do we have a plan?”
    Serena’s smile died on her lips. “We hoped you might have known something of this incident.”
    He had no idea. His father’s philandering was legendary. He’d slept with any woman who’d have him, and by the sounds of things, those who didn’t want him as well, merely to get back at his wife. Rape . He hated to think his father might have been party to the rape of a young girl, but his mother had driven his father insane with jealousy.
    Sebastian’s parents had married for love and love had destroyed them both. His mother had used her beauty and position to bed more men than he’d owned horses. As he’d matured, Sebastian had made sure he kept out of his parents’ marriage battleground. If this was what love did to you, he wanted no part of it.
    “Sorry, I kept well away from my father’s affairs. I have no recollection of any incident.”
    The faces remained stony. Serena finally said, “I think I’ll retire, gentlemen.”
    The men all rose and watched as Serena bent and kissed Christian’s cheek. Christian’s face softened. “I can’t wait to make you my wife tomorrow,” he whispered, and took her hand in his and pressed a tender kiss to her palm. The loving look they shared highlighted the stark reality of Sebastian’s marriage. The thought brought him up sharp. He didn’t want any woman looking at him in that love-deep way. He would never live up to her expectations and he would be a man disappointing his wife all over again. Better to ensure love never developed in the first place.
    After Serena departed, the men sat in awkward silence; none of Christian’s guests seemed eager to talk about his domestic bliss. Instead, they continued drinking and turned to discussing their options.
    “I think I should investigate the duel with Doogie. Someone must know something or could have seen something.” Sebastian was desperate to learn the truth. Had he killed Doogie?
    Hadley scoffed. “If I recall, it was a foggy morning, you could hardly see Doogie. I’m not sure what anyone could have seen.”
    Sebastian drank a long swallow of smooth brandy. “Still. I’d like proof someone else shot Doogie. At the moment we are simply assuming there was a third party involved.”
    Christian nodded. “It’s as good a place as any to start. After my privatewedding tomorrow, which only you lot are attending”—he flashed an ecstatic smile—“Serena and I will go through my father’s papers and see if we can ascertain any other information. At least our enemy thinks I’m dead.”
    “Let’s ensure it stays that way, and she doesn’t have an opportunity to kill any of us,” Maitland added. “I’ll return to my estate and do the same, search for answers.”
    “I’ve already asked my brother if he will let me go through Father’s personal papers. He himself may even know something, considering he’s older than I,” Hadley offered.
    “You should also warn him, Hadley. Your brother the Duke was never a Libertine Scholar, as he had already finished school when our group began, but since he is your father’s son she may decide to go after him as well.”
    “I had wondered if perhaps Hadley is the target and not his elder brother,” Arend said.
    “I believe you could be right,” Hadley said quietly. “Because I look like my father, while my brother takes after my mother.”
    Sebastian looked expectantly at Arend, who shook his head before saying, “Let’s just get this bitch.” With that somber statement Arend bid them all goodnight.
    The four remaining gents sat in stunned silence.
    “Arend’s not taking this well,” Maitland said, stating the obvious. “His father was the only one to leave the evening the young lady was, well, raped—although we have yet to know what exactly happened, but knowing our fathers, I can imagine. So I suspect he’s wondering why he’s