Sins of a Duke(49)

Constance was amazed at what her brothers had been able to unearth so quickly.

“He owns the gaming club Decadence?” Sebastian queried.

Paper shuffled and her eyes strained. She prayed they would not turn on the gas light in the room. It would be very hard for her to brazen her way out. Though she could pretend she was asleep. As if that would fool her two astute brothers.

“He is one fourth owner along with the Earl of Ainsley, a man they simply call the Reverend, but who is indeed the Viscount of Trent’s disinherited son, and one Sir Marcus Stone,” Anthony said.

“It is said here that he is very influential, in what manner?”

She swallowed, waiting for Anthony’s reply. Her legs cramped from being folded. She gently shifted and bit her lip to prevent her cry as blood rushed through her limbs.

Anthony spoke, “Calvert said Mondvale’s reputation is not to be taken lightly.”

“How is it possible that one man amassed this much power and remained virtually unheard of?”

She heard the click of glasses and saw shadows moving by the mantel. How they were able to pour drink into glasses with only the light from the dying fireplace flummoxed her.

“Mayhap that was by his design. His wealth does not compare to the Calydon holdings. But he trades in secrets and information thus he is valuable to many,” Anthony murmured.

“Enemies?” Sebastian asked.

“The man is careful,” Anthony growled. “What are you thinking?”

“He will marry Constance or I will destroy him,” Sebastian vowed. “I will speak with him about Marissa. I did not even know she had a brother, Anthony. I wonder if she was ever truthful about anything.”

Constance’s heart froze at the menace in Sebastian’s tone. No. Her mind and heart screamed in denial.

“What manner of man is he for our sister?”

“His reputation as a ruthless businessman is vaunted. His relentless rise to power and influence had been admired by society, and his inheritance of the title had unwittingly been the final touch to his masterpiece. When it had become known that the ‘Lord of Sin’ was the Duke of Mondvale, he was sought after for more than money and vice. Ambitious maters wanted him for their daughters and some even tried to compromise him. He did not bow to convention and marry any of them. Connie needs someone gentle, someone—” Anthony’s voice held a note of frustration. “He may be a duke, Sebastian, but I cannot see someone like Mondvale with Connie. From all accounts he is jaded and hard-hearted. It is said he is ruthless to those that antagonize him, which you have clearly done with this business with Marissa. I would hate for all those feelings of his to be directed at our sister. I do not think it wise to force her to marry him, even if she loves him.”

“If I do not, she will be ruined.”

Constance stuffed a fist in her mouth to prevent her sob. More than anything she wished she had not stayed. Ruined. Her brothers thought her disgraced. They would definitely not rest until she was wed, and Lucan would not bow to their will. She knew it with every fiber of her being. That meant she would be persuaded to wed Litchfield. Bile rose in her throat and despair shafted through her heart. She would not do it. She had never rebelled against her brothers’ gentle directions before, but she would not enter a union   so permanent, so sacred, with a man she did not love or even possess a morsel of affection for.

“Connie is already perceived as ruined,” Anthony countered bluntly. “The circumstances of our birth do not lie in our favor. And now this. Phillipa and I were planning to travel to Italy and then Egypt in a few weeks. Why not have Connie accompany us? Give her some respite from England, away from it all. She is young, and there will be time aplenty for her to find her prince charming.”

Hope and gratefulness suffused her at Anthony’s words. She held her breath waiting for Sebastian’s reply.

“I will discuss traveling with you and Phillipa with Connie,” Sebastian murmured.

“Good. Are you going to explain to her about Marissa?”

“It doesn’t concern her.”

Anthony snorted.

“I cannot explain to our sister that Marissa was my mistress who killed herself when I refused to be with her,” Sebastian snapped.

Lucan’s word filtered in her mind with brutal clarity. Calydon used my sister and then abandoned her. No it couldn’t be true. There must be something more.

“It was a little more than that,” Anthony said drily. “Marissa asked you to help her be free of her husband. I think any sane man would have said no to murder.”

Good heavens.

Constance hardly knew what to do with all she was hearing. Her brothers were silent and a soft breath eased from her when Anthony asked about Jocelyn and the babe. Mistress? Murder? It was all too much. A part of her now understand why Sebastian had refused to speak with her and had studiously avoided her the entire day. Everything he did was about protecting her. When would he realize she was no longer a child? She needed to know this. And she instinctively knew, if not for tonight, she would never have been made aware of the details.