your opinion of her is better than that.'
'I was actually thinking about Gregory,' Justin said quietly. 'Your death would leave him a marquess, heir to a dukedom, and incredibly wealthy.'
'I considered that possibility, but I think it unlikely. Gregory is too involved with his own dissolute life to possess the stamina or cunning to kill me off.'
'He's also greedy and selfish,' Justin pointed out. 'It would not require much stamina or cunning to hire someone to kill you, and those bastards who left you for dead were obviously hired men.'
Stephen shook his head. 'Gregory doesn't want the responsibility of the dukedom. All he requires is money. A great deal of money. He wouldn't know what to do with the endless duties attached to the title. Besides, Father gives him a staggering yearly income to spend on his debauched pleasures.'
'Your father refused to bail him out the last time,' Justin reminded him. 'Gregory was forced to marry Melissa to get himself out of trouble. If he should run through Melissa's fortune, he'd need one of his own. If your father refused to subsidize his losses, then…'Justin's words trailed off, and Stephen drew the inevitable conclusion.
'Then Gregory would need another source of money,' Stephen finished. 'I see your point, but still I cannot fathom-' Stephen froze, his words coming to an abrupt halt.
Justin stared at him. 'What? What are you thinking?'
'I was attacked on my way to my hunting cottage. I had only decided that morning to go there.'
'Yes, I know. You told me your plans that afternoon.'
'Very few people know about that lodge. As you know, I keep no staff there-it's a private place for me alone.'
'I'm aware of that.'
Stephen looked at Justin, his gaze boring into his friend's eyes. 'I told someone besides you where I was going. One other person. And only several hours before I left.'
'Who did you tell?'
Bitterness stung him like a blow. 'Gregory. Bloody hell, my own damn brother
SHAPE * MERGEFORMAT
Chapter 5
Stephen's announcement hung in the air for several long moments, the silence broken only by a pair of chirping bluebirds and the soft rustling of leaves in the warm breeze.
Finally Justin cleared his throat. 'Perhaps Gregory told someone else?'
Stephen shook his head. 'No. I don't think so. I stopped at his town house late that afternoon to deliver some papers. He asked if I was planning to attend the Harrimans' musicale and I said no, I was going to my lodge for several days.' Stephen raked his hands through his hair, wincing when he accidentally brushed the lump on the back of his head. 'He appeared agitated and preoccupied at the same time, and quite anxious for me to be on my way. I was happy to oblige him.'
'And you told no one else your plans?'
'No. Did you mention my departure from London to anyone?'
'I told Victoria, but not until we were at the Harrimans' town house,' Justin said. His expression grew thoughtful. 'Gregory would have had ample time to make arrangements with those men who attacked you.'
A sudden, overwhelming weariness washed over Stephen. 'Good God, Justin. I always knew that with the exception of Victoria, my family was immoral and sickening, but I admit I'm taken aback by Gregory's possible involvement in this.'
'Well, I think you'd best change 'possible' to 'probable' and decide what we're going to do about it.'
'Actually, I have a plan.'
'Excellent. I'm listening,' Justin said.
Stephen clasped his hands behind his back and gathered his thoughts. Justin walked beside him, silently waiting.
'It occurs to me,' Stephen began, 'that our culprit-be it Gregory or Lawrence or someone else-believes, or hopes, I am dead.'
'Yes,' Justin agreed. 'It will no doubt be quite a shock to someone when you reappear.'
'Indeed. But I don't think I should reappear right away. I believe it would be best if I remain here, safe in the country, until I'm fully recovered. Hayley said I may stay here as long as I need for my injuries to heal, and it's an invitation I intend to take advantage of. In the meanwhile, you can conduct a discreet investigation. Observe Gregory's actions. Lawrence's as well.'
'Consider it done,' Justin said without hesitation. 'But you can hardly stay out here in the middle of nowhere forever.'
'True. We shall set a time limit-say two or three weeks. That should give you ample opportunity to poke around. I'd planned to be away for this week, so no one should miss me yet. You can casually mention to my family and London staff that I'd told you several weeks ago I was planning an excursion to the Continent, which will explain my absence for the next few weeks. If you haven't discovered anything by then, I'll reappear and hopefully shock our culprit into revealing himself.'
'A good theory, but what if he fails to take one look at you and drop to his knees and confess all? What if, instead, he makes another try for you-and succeeds?'
'We know who our main suspects are, so we'll be prepared,' Stephen stated. 'If all else fails, we can set a trap using me as bait and catch the bastard.'
'I don't like the sound of that at all,' Justin protested. 'It's far too risky.'
'I don't care for it overmuch myself,' Stephen admitted, 'but it likely won't come to that. With any luck, my loving brother or ex-business partner will reveal himself within the next several weeks. And if he doesn't, at least I'll have ample time to heal and regain my strength before returning to London.'
'There is one thing we can do,' Justin suggested. 'When you fail to appear, dead or alive, our killer is apt to grow increasingly anxious. I'll ask Miss Albright the exact location where she found you and post someone there to see if anyone comes around looking for your body.'
'An excellent plan, although we may be too late. I've already been here a sennight.'
Justin frowned. 'That's true. If the killer is aware your body wasn't found where it was supposed to be and knows there's a chance you're alive, he'll continue to look for you.' His eyes met Stephen's. 'And perhaps find you here.'
Stephen carefully pondered Justin's words. 'You may be right, but the chances of anyone finding me here are remote. From what Miss Albright tells me, we're at least two hours from where I was attacked. Besides, if our man gets nervous, he's more apt to make a mistake. That is to our benefit.'
Justin halted Stephen by placing a hand on his shoulder. 'What will you do if it turns out your brother is behind this?'
Stephen turned and faced his friend. 'You know the situation with my family. I've never felt that I had a brother, not even in childhood. If Gregory is indeed responsible for the attacks on my life, then he can rot in hell where he belongs.'
Justin's gaze probed Stephen's and understanding born of true friendship flowed between them.
'I'll do all I can to help you,' Justin promised in a quiet voice. They resumed their walk, heading back toward the house. After a moment of silence, Justin asked, 'You told the Albrights you are a tutor?'
'Yes. They believe I am without family, and that my last name is Barrettson. I thought it best to keep my identity a secret.'
A chuckle escaped Justin. 'You? A tutor? I can just picture you knee-deep in children, spouting mathematical equations and philosophical quotations.'
Stephen shot his friend a scowl. 'I thought it was a rather clever ruse myself,' he said in a withering tone.
'Oh, yes. Very clever indeed,' Justin agreed, unable to smother his grin. 'Tell me, what are Miss Hayley Albright's parents like? I imagine they're somewhat unconventional, what with allowing their daughter to wander
