Brett Curtis unfurled his tall frame and rose to his feet, lifting his pint in greeting as Daniel and Robbie threaded their way over to him. Candlelight flickered over Brett’s thick blond hair, and his grin flashed white as his gaze narrowed on Daniel’s cheek. “What happened? Someone finally try to put a damper on your smart mouth and missed? Is this the reason for your guard?”
“I am still prettier than you,” Daniel fired back. “You remember my good friend, Robbie Tanner. Be kind to him or I will let him hurt you.” The two had met while Daniel was recovering at Robbie’s after the fire at Lakeview Manor. Once Daniel was well enough to be moved, he had sailed with Brett to America.
Brett snorted. “He can try.” Robbie simply puffed out his broad chest, cracking knuckles on ham-size fists. Brett retreated, his blue eyes dancing with laughter. “Good thing I am always kind. Had to be with three sisters. Charming is my middle name.” Brett dropped into his chair and motioned for a waitress to bring them a round of pints and a pitcher.
Daniel shrugged out of his redingote and hung it on the brass hook beside the table, settling into a chair beside the two men.
“Other than the bruises, you appear none the worse for wear. Even better, no one has killed you yet. Maybe I will not need to stand as your pallbearer after all.”
Robbie grinned. “Gallows humor. I like it.”
“Ignore him. He is devoted to me,” Daniel said.
“I cannot survive without him. Oh, my mistake, I have for the past two weeks while I have struggled to broker two new business contracts. And you were doing what? Trying to solve a decade-old mystery. Any success with that?”
“Brett did not approve of my return trip,” Daniel explained to Robbie, his eyes on his friend. “Did not think it a good idea I tempt fate a second time, particularly when my life is in America, and there was nothing here for me to risk it for. Except a burned-out hull of a home, an evil twin, and bad memories. Have I covered all your points? I might have missed a few, for you did tend to drone on.”
“You will not be laughing when you are six feet under.” Brett slammed his pint down.
“You have made your point.” Daniel lifted his hand, relenting. “I do understand your reservations, but let us not air them all over again. My decision has been made.”
Brett tightened his lips, and eventually turned his attention to Robbie. “So, Tanner of the illustrious Tanner Stables. How have you passed the decade since I saw you last? Have you acquired a Mrs. Tanner?”
“Hmph. I prefer the females in my stables. They don’t bite. Or most of them don’t,” Robbie said.
“Nothing like a high-spirited filly.” Brett winked at the waitress, who colored a pretty pink as she served them.
“Will thot be all, gents?” She eyed Brett suggestively, practically preening.
His smile was apologetic. “Alas, for now, it will have to suffice.”
Daniel coughed as the waitress gave a lingering glance and then sauntered off, her hips in full tilt. Brett drew women to him like flies to food. “So then, there are matters that need to be discussed.”
Brett sobered. “So you received my letter? I wondered, as your note did not mention it.”
“What letter?” Daniel set down his pint.
“The one I sent via courier last week.”
Robbie snorted. “He might have missed it. He was busy responding to another note that had him scurrying to redress a transgression.”
“Be quiet, Robbie.” Daniel narrowed his eyes in warning.
Brett glanced between them. “What transgression? Another robbery?”
Daniel silenced Robbie with a hand and leaned forward. “What robbery are you talking about? Your note must have crossed paths with my trip to the city.”
“I sent it last week to that inn where you were staying,” Brett said.
“I moved lodgings, and did not provide a forwarding address.” He had not wanted his location known. To Edmund. “I will explain later.”
Brett gave him a questioning look, but continued. “It was at our offices. The place was thoroughly ransacked. But here is the interesting part. Nothing was taken. The Bow Street Runners whom I hired to investigate speculated that whoever did the damage wanted it to look like a robbery. Considering they left the only things of value, those nautical portraits you purchased, it was suspect.”
Robbie swore. “What the devil does he want? That’s three suspicious searches in just under a fortnight.”
“He?” Brett stared at Daniel, who gruffly updated him on the others, as well as Edmund’s involvement. “Do you have something of value that your brother wants? Something that belongs to him?”