Silk and Secrets(3)

"Not a personal loss." Ross stared down at the letter, feeling a distant regret that his only brother had lived and died a virtual stranger. "Kilburn was considerably older than I and we were not close."

In fact, they had barely been on speaking terms, and now there was no chance that they would ever be able to close the breach that pride and anger had put between them. Kilburn had not approved of his father's second marriage, nor of the child of that union  . It had been a great sadness to the Duke of Windermere that the marriage that had brought him such happiness had also alienated him from his older son and heir.

A speculative look came into the ambassador's eyes. "I am not acquainted with your family's circumstances. Did your brother leave a son?"

Therein lay the crux of the problem. "Kilburn had a daughter by his first marriage," Ross said. "After his first wife died a couple of years ago, he remarried, and his new wife was with child when I left England. The baby was born a few days after Kilburn's death, but unfortunately, it was another girl."

"So you are now the Marquess of Kilburn." Canning's gaze studied his guest narrowly. "You think that is unfortunate? Forgive me, Lord Kilburn, but most men would not be sorry to become the heir to a dukedom. It is hardly your fault that your brother did not breed sons to succeed him."

"It was never my ambition to be the Duke of Windermere." Face set, Ross tried to adjust to the fact that he now carried the title of the brother who had spurned him. "Becoming the heir means that my traveling days are done. My parents want me to return to England immediately, for my father cannot afford to lose his last son. There is a great deal of family business that must be attended to."

Canning nodded slowly. "I see. I'm sorry. I hope you will find some comfort in the fact that you have already been to many places most men only dream of."

"I know." Ross made an effort to master his disordered emotions. "I have had a great deal of freedom and privilege in my life. Now the bill has come due and I must take up the responsibilities that go with privilege."

The tea tray arrived then, and for the next half-hour they spoke of more impersonal topics.

When Ross rose and took his leave, the ambassador said, "I hope you will dine with us before you leave Constantinople. Lady Canning most particularly desires to meet you." He stood to escort his visitor out. "Perhaps tomorrow night?"

"It will be my pleasure to join you."

The two men left the office and had almost reached the reception hall when another visitor was announced. Canning muttered a mild oath under his breath when he saw the new arrival, then smoothed his features to diplomatic impassivity. "Excuse me, Lord Kilburn. This will take only a moment."

Ross stayed back in the shadowed hall, momentarily struck dumb at the sight of the tall auburn-haired European woman who had just arrived. His instinctive reaction was over almost before it began, for the auburn hair was shot with silver and the strong, attractive face was lined by half a century of living. But he knew the woman, and her presence here was almost as much of a surprise as her daughter's would have been.

Canning stepped forward and greeted the newcomer. "Good afternoon, Lady Cameron. I'm sorry, I have heard nothing new since your last visit."

"But I have learned something, from a Persian merchant who just arrived in Constantinople. He was in Bokhara for months, and he swears that no Englishman was executed there." Lady Cameron fixed her intense gaze on the ambassador's face. "My son is alive, Sir Stratford. Isn't the British government going to do anything to rescue a man who was imprisoned while on the queen's business?"

Patiently Canning said, "Lady Cameron, there have been a hundred rumors concerning your son's fate, but almost all of them agree that he has been put to death. McNeill, the British ambassador in Teheran, has no doubt about what happened, and he is closest to Bokhara." His voice softened. "I'm sorry. I know you don't want to believe it, but your son is beyond mortal aid, even that of her majesty's government."

Ross stepped forward and joined the other two. "Lady Cameron, I could not help but hear. What has happened?"

At the sound of his voice, the woman turned toward him. "Ross!" She stepped forward, hands outstretched and her face brightening. "You are the answer to a prayer."

"You know each other?" Canning asked, surprised.

"Rather." Ross caught the woman's hands, then bent to kiss her on the cheek. "Lady Cameron is my mother-in-law."

Canning grimaced. "Then this is a doubly unlucky day for you. I gather that news of Major Cameron's tragic fate had not reached England before you left."