'Oh my, yes,' Harwick answered. He made a sweeping gesture with his hand. 'Gweneth's a fine woman. She set the ton on its ear, she did, when she first started attending their functions with her husband.
Why, the elite follow her lead almost as fervently as they follow Brummel's dress and manners. I must say that Gweneth has been a good wife and mother. The children are all very close to each other-the proof, you see, that she did her job well.'
'Do you include Caine, Sir Harwick, when you speak of the children?'
'I do,' Harwick replied. 'The others look up to Caine, for he is the eldest, but he tends to separate himself from the family. Unless someone tries to harm one of his brothers or sisters, of course. Then Caine involves himself.' He paused to lean forward in his chair, then whispered in a conspiratorial
voice, 'Some say with a vengeance.' He wobbled his eyebrows to emphasize that remark.
'Why do they say with a vengeance?' she asked. Her voice sounded worried to her but Harwick didn't seem to notice. Jade didn't want him to quit the conversation just yet. She schooled her expression to show only mild interest and even managed a smile. 'You've made me most curious, sir,' she added.
Harwick looked pleased by her interest. 'My dear, Caine's made it well known he's hunting Pagan. Why, he had his men post the reward notice all over town. The gamblers have given odds. Ten to one favor Caine, of course. He'll get the pirate,' he predicted. 'And when he does, God have mercy.'
'Yes, God have mercy,' she agreed. 'But Caine's father is ill, you mentioned?' she asked again, trying
to pull him back to their initial topic. 'Just how ill is he?'
'Gravely so,' Harwick announced.
'Is there nothing that can be done?'
Harwick shook his head. 'Gweneth's nearly out of her mind worrying about Henry. The man doesn't
eat or sleep. He can't go on this way. No, I fear he'll be the next one to die if he doesn't come to terms with Colin's death.'
'Perhaps he needs a little assistance,' Jade said.
'Who needs assistance?' Caine asked from the doorway.
'Your papa,' Jade called out. She turned back to Sir Harwick then. 'What is this I heard about a friend
of yours disappearing?'
'Oh, yes, poor Sir Winters,' Harwick answered. 'A fine physician he was, too,' he added with a nod.
When he gave her such an expectant look, Jade said, 'You speak as though he's dead.'
'I'm certain he is,' Sir Harwick stated.
Caine stood on the other side of Jade's bed, trying without much success to force the cold compress on her injury. Jade was far more interested in hearing the physician's opinions than bothering about her
puny bump. She kept waving the cloth away. Caine kept pushing it back.
Harwick observed the silent struggle a long minute, trying all the while not to smile. These two were certainly a pair, all right.
Jade's next question pulled him back to their topic. 'Why do you think Winters is dead?'
'Has to be,' Harwick countered. 'His cook was the last to see him alive,' he explained. 'Winters was strolling through his back gardens. He turned the corner and simply vanished.'
'How long ago was this?' Caine asked.
'Near to three months now,' the physician answered. 'Of course we all know what happened to him.'
'We do?' Jade asked, startled by the abruptness in Harwick's tone. 'And what is that?'
'I shouldn't be discussing it,' Harwick answered. The look on his face indicated just the opposite was really the truth. The man appeared as eager as a little boy about to open birthday gifts.
Sir Harwick leaned forward in his chair. In a dramatic whisper, he said, 'White slavers.'
She was certain she hadn't heard correctly. 'I beg your pardon?'
'White slavers,' Harwick repeated. He nodded to emphasize his announcement, then leaned back in his chair.
Jade had to bite on her lower lip to keep herself from laughing. She didn't dare look up at Caine, knowing full well that if he showed the least amount of amusement, she wouldn't be able to control herself.
'I didn't realize,' she whispered.
Harwick looked as though he was savoring her reaction. 'Of course you didn't realize,' he rushed out. 'You're a gentle lady and certainly wouldn't have heard about such unsavory elements. Pagan's behind the treachery, too. He's the one who snatched Winters and sold him to the slavers.'
Jade wasn't amused now. She could feel herself turning red. 'Why is it that Pagan is blamed for every
sin in England?' she asked before she could stop herself.
'Now, now, don't get yourself upset,' Sir Harwick whispered. He patted her hand then and said, 'I shouldn't have told you the current speculation.'
'I'm not upset,' Jade lied. 'I just think it's galling the way everyone uses Pagan as a convenient scapegoat. I'm not worried about your friend either, Sir Harwick, for in my heart I know Winters will
turn up safe and sound one day soon.'
The physician squeezed her hand with affection. 'You have such a tender heart.'
'Does Caine's father have a strong heart?'
It was Caine who answered her question. 'He does.'
Jade was surprised by the anger in his voice. She turned to look up at him. 'That is good to know,' she said.
