Lord Valorous(28)

Something flashed across his friend's face, brief and painful, and then it was gone.

"I am merely trying to help you through this, Jacob."

"Through what? I feel nothing but sympathy for Miss March. She has met a hard end due to Lord Revel, and I as a nobleman with so much am attempting to help."

He met Leo's eyes calmly.

"Very well, if you wish to delude yourself, I shall not stop you and will say nothing more on the matter."

"My mind is relieved, and I am not deluded."

"It is just that I have no wish for you to fall as the others have. We must remain united, Jacob."

Jacob watched his friend lift an ugly statue of a woman and examine it. The man could never sit still. He was always moving, as if he feared to stop in case something or someone caught up with him.

"It is not a campaign, Leo. Besides, you like Grace and Charlotte."

Further conversation was halted as the door opened once again to admit the butler.

"If you will come this way, Lord Revel will see you now."

Jacob followed Leo and they were soon outside another door. The butler opened it and announced them.

"My lords, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

Lord Revel was a sniveling individual with a sparse amount of blond hair that he wrapped around his head to give the effect that he had more than he actually had. Tall and lean, he was fully dressed, as if ready to leave the house. Looking into the hazel eyes, Jacob saw nerves.

"I have been charged to visit Lady Revel on behalf of my grandmother, my lord. She is most upset that her dearest friend is unwell, and I offered to come and check on her and then report back." Jacob took one of the seats across the desk. Leo remained standing, and started to prowl. "I came several days ago, but was unable to see either you or her, and so had to leave."

Leo was a big man and could intimidate with just a look. He had a fierce reputation, some of which was justified, but most just embellishment. Jacob watched Lord Revel swallow as Leo moved closer.

"My aunt is unfortunately unable to take visitors as she is unwell."

Jacob raised a brow. "She has been so for some time, I believe. What are the doctors saying?" 

"That she needs quiet and bed rest."

"And what is her condition?" Jacob had skills of his own, and one of them was interrogation.

"A chill."

"Then she should not be laid low for long, excellent. My grandmother will be coming to London in two weeks. She will call, and I expect her to visit with her friend."

Leo had moved to the man's desk now and picked up the letter opener. Lord Revel swallowed nervously as he ran one finger down the blade. It was classic Leo intimidation, and it amazed Jacob how many people fell for such an obvious ploy.

"Sh-she is elderly, and may not recover."

"Now that would be sad, considering when I last saw her, which was not that long ago, she was in excellent health."

"I-I- The elderly grow frail fast."

Jacob smiled, just a baring of his teeth, and there was nothing pleasant in the gesture, he was sure.

"I recently became acquainted with her companion, Miss March, Lord Revel, and can I say how upset she was to leave Lady Revel's side. She tasked me to enquire if and when she may return to visit her employer."

The color drained from his face at Jacob's mention of Poppy.

"I am now well acquainted with Miss March, Lord Revel. She is working for me and under my protection." Jacob put a great deal of emphasis on the last word. This man would no longer be a threat to Poppy, if nothing else he would see to that.

"I-I'm not sure why you are telling me this?"

Jacob smiled again. "I thought you would be pleased to know that she found a position, as you were the one to let her go."

Lord Revel brayed like a donkey. "Oh, of course, I am quite pleased. Although I must add that I have grave concerns over you having Miss March in your employ."

The sly look that replaced the fear in Lord Revel's eyes told Jacob what was coming.

"How so?"

"She is not a trustworthy person, I'm afraid, my lord."

Leo slapped the small knife onto the desk with a sharp bang, making Lord Revel jerk.

"And what do you base that accusation on, Lord Revel?" Jacob reined in the anger that had risen at the slur cast on Poppy's character.

The man tried to look contrite, with little success.

"She... ah, this is most indelicate."

"Speak freely," Leo drawled. "We are all men here."

"She propositioned me, and I have proof that she also stole from my aunt, which as you can imagine was most distressing for her."

"Jacob?"

He hadn't even realized he'd made a noise until Leo addressed him softly. Christ, he'd just growled.