The Heart of a Duke(71)

“Ow, what?” Brett sputtered, but at Daniel’s warning glance, he hastened to amend his words. “My apologies, poor choice of expression. With your quick feet and hard skin, you will live to a ripe old age. Fat, happy, with a waddle for a walk. An elephant with a top hat.”

“As long as I am not alone, like you undoubtedly will be due to your pathetic wit, I look forward to it.” He narrowed his eyes at Brett, but as he finished his sentence, his gaze homed in on Julia, and she shifted in her seat.

“Speaking of longevity, I think it is time we discussed yours more seriously,” Julia interceded.

Robbie paused, his hand halfway to his mouth.

“Lady Julia is going to assist us with our investigation. We made a deal. I promised to update her on everything and include her on events moving forward.” His gaze met hers, and she braced herself when a devilish glint lit his eyes. “In return, if I survive, she promises to accept my hand in marriage.”

“I made no such promise,” Julia gasped, appalled that he would air their private discussion before Brett and Robbie. “I said I would consider your proposal.”

Daniel grinned, unrepentant. “Fine. She promised to consider it. So, gentlemen, I have a vested interest in surviving.”

“I suggest you cut back on desserts for breakfast, then,” Brett said dryly.

Daniel appeared to give serious consideration to the suggestion, and then shook his head. “No. In fact, I should consume more to provide additional padding that—”

“Better yet, if you had stayed in Boston, where—”

“Gentlemen, please, this is not productive,” Julia again intervened, wondering how the two managed a company together. With their matching black eyes, they looked more like wayward pirates than successful men of trade. “Let’s start at the beginning, and tell me what you know. Then let us proceed from there.”

She sat back and waited as all three men scowled. After a prolonged silence, Daniel blew out a breath and began to tell her a story with seeds planted over a decade ago.

When he had finished, she marveled that Daniel had survived. She kept her voice steady, despite her racing pulse. “You definitely heard men yelling before the fire? But you did not see anyone?”

“I did. It is what saved me. And no, they were gone by the time I escaped.”

“I talked with the Bow Street Runners to see if they could find out anything about the attack at the docks. An agent is going to come by to get a statement from you,” Brett said, nodding toward Daniel. “While I was doing that, Robbie visited a few of the gambling hells in the city, looking for Weasel, who hopefully has information about the fire.”

“Right,” Robbie added, laying his napkin on the table and leaning back in his chair, settling his large frame in more comfortably. “I also hired a few thief-takers, who might be able to glean more information than the Runners.” Robbie shrugged. “Worth a few quid if they turn up something.”

“We cannot make any connections between the searches and these attempts on your life?” Julia said.

The men exchanged glances, and it was Brett who responded. “Not yet, but I think—”

“Bedford has nothing to gain by my death.” Daniel cut him off again, his eyes hard.

“Why the devil do you defend him? He would love to see you six feet under. He abused you for years and—”

Daniel slammed his hand on the table, silencing Brett. “Enough. Until we have cause, we have nothing.”

Brett snapped his mouth closed and leaned back in his chair, seething. “Fine, but my bet is on Bedford.”

“Why don’t we consider who does have something to gain from your death, if as you say, Edmund doesn’t. Who inherits if something happens to you, Daniel?” Julia asked, changing the topic.

Daniel’s eyes widened at Julia, and his smile broke out again. “Isn’t she magnificent? Didn’t I tell you? Beautiful and brilliant. You have to marry me. You are—”

“Daniel, please,” Julia cried, her embarrassment competing with the familiar rush of pleasure at his praise, but they were in company. He might be able to dismiss that, but she could not. “Please stop.” She gave pointed looks to Brett and Robbie.

Daniel frowned. “You are right, absolutely. We have company. Maybe you two should leave?”

“Daniel,” she gasped.

Robbie’s hand shot up to cover his laugh, while Brett appeared to be intently studying his plate.

“Fine. Fine. But they have not been much help and—”

“For goodness’ sake, they saved your life and do not make them regret it,” she snapped.