Red Roses Mean Love

With matching slippers and accompanying undergarments?'

Stephen blasted Justin with a frigid look. 'The gown is for Miss Albright.'

An amused smirk quirked Justin's lips. 'Indeed? Which Miss Albright? There are several of them, you know.'

'It's for Hayley,' Stephen said in a tight voice.

'Ah. An unusual gift. Very personal. And quite costly, for a tutor to give, that is. I'll have you know it required a considerable amount of time, effort, money, and influence to procure that gown. In fact, it damn near took an act of Parliament.'

'I will, of course, pay you back,' Stephen said frostily.

'I'd prefer you satisfy my curiosity.'

'Forget it, Justin,' Stephen warned.

'As you wish,' Justin said with a smile. 'I can only hope Victoria remains ignorant of my purchase. If she ever gets wind of it, I'll be neck-deep in trouble. How the hell will I explain I bought the gown for you? She's bound to think I have a mistress.'

'You're a very resourceful fellow. I'm sure you'll manage to come up with a plausible excuse. Rest assured she'll never hear the truth from my lips. Now, tell me. What is happening in London?'

'Quite a lot, actually,' Justin said. 'In fact, if you hadn't sent for me, I planned to come here anyway. One of our suspects, Marcus Lawrence, is dead.'

Stephen stared at Justin. 'Dead?'

Justin nodded. 'Suicide. He was found two days ago in his study. Apparently he put a pistol in his mouth and pulled the trigger. The magistrate was about to bring him up on charges in relation to his illegal cargo. That, combined with his financial ruin, apparently pushed him over the edge.'

Stephen narrowed his eyes. 'How do they know it wasn't murder?'

'Apparently several witnesses saw him the night he died. He was stinking drunk, rambling on about his losses, and totally despondent. According to his butler, Lawrence arrived home at midnight and went immediately to his study. The butler heard the gunshot several minutes later.'

'Could someone have gotten in through a window?' Stephen asked.

Justin shook his head. 'No. There was only one window and it was locked from the inside. He'd scribbled a short note to his wife, begging her forgiveness. It was definitely suicide.'

'So, if Lawrence was our man,' Stephen mused out loud, 'then the threat to me is over.'

'If Lawrence was our man,' Justin agreed.

Stephen looked at his friend and silent understanding passed between them.

'In accordance with our plan, I mentioned to your staff and family that you've traveled to the Continent,' Justin reported. 'No one questioned the story, but Gregory has asked me several times about your specific whereabouts. I told him you preferred not to mention your exact location as you were enjoying a private holiday with your latest mistress.'

A warm flush crept up Stephen's neck at the near accuracy of Justin's story. He cleared his throat. 'With Lawrence dead, Gregory is now our most likely suspect.'

'Inheriting several million pounds, along with numerous estates and titles is a powerful motive for murder,' Justin agreed.

'But Gregory doesn't need the money.'

'I would not be so sure about that, Stephen. I heard he owes a substantial amount at White's, and he's been seen frequenting some disreputable gaming hells. But regardless, I think it's time you returned to London. If Lawrence was our man, the threat to your life is gone. If Gregory is the culprit, we need to find out.' He eyed Stephen's midsection. 'Are your ribs sufficiently healed to allow you to travel on horseback?'

Stephen nodded absently. 'I suppose. What if it's someone else altogether? Not Lawrence or Gregory?'

'Then we need to know that as well,' Justin said. 'As much as I don't wish to place you in danger, we're not going to accomplish anything with you out here. It's time to come home.'

Home. Reality struck him like a bolt of lightning. Over the past two weeks he'd become so involved with Hayley and her family, he'd nearly forgotten his life in London. A life that included a cold- blooded killer.

Home. A large, perfectly run town house on Park Lane in London. The epitome of elegance, with a perfectly trained staff who catered to his every need. No children underfoot, no unruly dogs, deaf aunties, or irreverent servants.

Stephen slowly nodded. 'Yes, I suppose it is indeed time to go home.' The words brought with them an aching emptiness.

'Excellent. Shall I wait while you gather your things? Or perhaps I can lend you a hand?' Justin asked, standing up.

Stephen looked at him blankly. 'I beg your pardon?'

'Do you require help getting your clothes together?'

Stephen slowly rose to his feet, a frown tugging between his brows. 'I cannot leave with you today, Justin.'

Justin's brows rose in surprise. 'Why not?'

'There are some things I must take care of here before I leave,' Stephen said vaguely, disgusted when he felt his face grow warm.

'Such as?' Justin peered at him. 'Egad man! Are you blushing?'

'Of course not,' Stephen denied hotly, walking down the path toward the house. 'I simply cannot depart today.'

'All right. Tomorrow.'

'I cannot leave until the day after.'

'Why?'

'None of your damn business,' Stephen bit out, but then he relented. 'I promised to escort Hayley and her sister to a party tomorrow evening, hence my request for the dress. I cannot break my promise.'

'I see,' Justin said, eyeing him up and down. 'And how are you getting along with Miss Albright?'

'Pamela Albright is a lovely young woman,' Stephen said, purposely misunderstanding the query. He started walking faster.

'Pamela is not the Miss Albright I was referring to, as you very well know,' Justin said, falling into step beside him.

'Hayley and I are getting along fine,' Stephen answered in a terse tone that discouraged further questions. Justin completely ignored his tone.

'I'm sorry I didn't get to see her on this visit.'

'She didn't know you were coming.'

'Really? Why didn't you tell her? Did you purposely hope to keep me from running into her?' Justin asked. 'Were you afraid I'd notice something in her demeanor? Or yours perhaps?'

Stephen halted and leveled an even look on his friend. Damn Justin and his deadly accuracy. 'I have no intention of discussing Hayley with you, Justin.'

Justin paused and studied him carefully. Stephen schooled his features into blandness. He didn't understand his own feelings regarding Hayley, and he sure as hell wasn't going to try to explain them to Justin.

'As you wish, Stephen,' Justin said with a bow of his head. They resumed walking. 'Of course, as you don't wish to discuss Miss Albright, I suppose you wouldn't be interested in the fact that I found out something rather interesting about her.'

'About Hayley?' Stephen asked, unable to hide the surprise in his voice.

'Umm hmm,' Justin said, ambling along as if he hadn't a care in the world.

'Well?' Stephen asked impatiently when his friend remained silent.

'I thought you didn't want to talk about her.'

'I changed my mind,' Stephen all but growled. Damn it, sometimes Justin was a cursed pest.

'Ah, well in that case, I shall tell you. I made some inquiries, very discreetly, mind you, and I discovered Hayley's father left the family in debt when he died.'

A frown pinched Stephen's brows. 'He did?'