out.'
'Then I'll simply deny it. You seem to think I'm an accomplished liar, so perhaps I should be. Who would dare doubt the word of the Duchess of Bradford?'
A humorless laugh escaped him. 'Only me.'
His words hit her like a slap, and she bit her lip to contain her distressed gasp. She searched his cold eyes for a long moment, mourning the loss of the warm caring she'd once seen there.
'I understand that you'd find this situation shocking, but dear God Austin, think of that poor woman. I haven't had the chance to fully examine her, but I'm certain she has several broken ribs, and she cannot hear from her left ear.' Although she risked a scathing rejection, she reached out and touched his hand. 'I know you're angry with me, but you have a kind heart. I cannot believe that you would turn away this helpless woman who has nothing.'
A muscle ticked in his clenched jaw. 'We can find a post for her on one of the estates. But you must understand that she cannot stay with
She nodded relieved. 'All right. And if it turns out I am not with child, you won't need to worry about Molly anyway.'
The ice seeped back into his gaze. 'Indeed? Why is that?'
'Because if I'm not pregnant, I plan to return to America as soon as our annulment is finalized. Molly can accompany me. She and I will both be free to make a fresh start.'
'I see.'
The tension in the air all but strangled her. She needed to see to Molly, and she longed to escape the stifling atmosphere surrounding her, but she couldn't leave the room just yet. Clearing her throat, she said 'There's something else I must tell you.'
He dragged a weary hand over his face. 'Hopefully it isn't that you revisited the gaming hell and rescued half a dozen debt-ridden drunks.'
In spite of his dark tone, a tiny smile tugged at her lips. 'No, although that is an idea that has some merit.'
His eyes narrowed to slits. 'No, that is an idea that has
Relieved that she appeared to have won the first battle with relative ease, she conceded the point. 'Very well. But now I must tell you my other news. It concerns your brother.'
His eyes glittered with menace. 'Indeed? Well, I certainly shall discuss with Robert this visit to the slums of London.'
'Not Robert. This news concerns William.'
He went perfectly still. 'What is it?'
'I know where we can find Gaspard.'
Chapter 21
Austin's entire existence narrowed down to those few words spinning through his mind. /
He grabbed her shoulders. 'Where is he?'
'I'm not certain-but I discovered someone who knows.'
'How? Where?'
'At the docks. While Robert assisted Molly into the carriage, I saw a man enter a pub. Even though I didn't touch him, I sensed very strongly that he has some connection to Gaspard.'
His grip involuntarily tightened. By God if Robert had allowed her to go into that place in pursuit of this man, his brother would suffer. 'You didn't attempt to speak to him, did you?'
'No. We left immediately.' She laid her hands on his forearms. 'But he's still there, Austin. I feel it. He's a large bald man wearing sailor's garb. He walked with a decided limp and sported a gold hoop earring in his right ear.' She described the building's location.
'I'll find him.' He released her shoulders and her hands fell away from his arms. For a long moment they stared at each other. He swore he detected a flash in her eyes of the warm, loving Elizabeth he'd thought he'd known and he fought the flood of feelings that swamped him. Damn it, those huge golden brown orbs pierced through his guard. But then it was as if a veil lowered over her and steely determination replaced any traces of warmth.
But that look that had flared in her eyes… hell, if he didn't know better, he'd swear she cared. Why was she helping him? Surely it wasn't because she'd promised to do so. He'd found out in the most hurtful way possible that she didn't keep her promises.
So perhaps she did care a little bit. But not enough. Not enough to find a way for them to share a life.
And he had to remember that.
Stepping away from her, he said 'I must go.'
'I know. Austin… be careful.'
The quiet plea in her voice formed a lump in his throat that he could not speak around. Offering her a stiff nod he quit the room.
Elizabeth watched him go, staring at the doorway he'd just departed through. She knew he stood on the brink of finding the answers he sought.
She prayed that he'd be safe.
And that he might find it in his heart to someday forgive her.
Austin entered the dilapidated dockside tavern and allowed his eyes to adjust to the dim interior. His gaze panned quickly over the half-dozen patrons, then riveted on a man sitting alone in the corner, his large shoulders hunched protectively around his glass. He was bald and Austin caught a glint of gold shining in his right earlobe. He was the only man fitting the description Elizabeth had given him.
Austin approached the table and slid into the chair opposite the man. The sailor glared at him through narrowed mud-colored eyes. 'Who the 'ell are you?'
Instead of answering, Austin placed his fist on the table between them. Opening his hand he revealed a leather pouch. 'There's fifty gold sovereigns in there. You have information I want. Give it to me, and the money is yours.'
The man's gaze flicked to the pouch. A nasty grin split his rawboned face, revealing rotting teeth. With the flick of his wrist, he slipped a lethal-looking knife from his sleeve. Leaning forward he said 'Maybe I'll just take yer coins and keep me information to meself.'
'You could try,' Austin replied in a deadly voice, 'but I'd advise against it.'
A bark of laughter erupted from the sailor. 'Would ye, now? And why's that?'
'Because there's a pistol pointing at your gut under the table.'
He watched the sailor's gaze lower to where Austin's other hand was concealed by the table.
Doubt flashed in the sailor's eyes, but he quickly covered it with derision. 'Yer expectin' me to believe a fancy toff like yerself would shoot me in front of a roomful of people? Ye'd hang.'
'On the contrary, the magistrate would probably reward me for ridding London of the likes of you. And the silence of your so-called witnesses could easily be bought.' Leaning back, Austin moved his hand from under the table long enough to afford his companion a glimpse of his pistol. 'You can leave here a rich man or a dead man. The choice is yours.'
The sailor studied him for several seconds. Austin stared right back, his hand gripping the pistol, but knowing that greed would win out.
Avarice glittered in the sailor's beady eyes. 'I'd rather be rich. Richer than fifty quid'll make me.'
'If I find your information useful, I'll give you an additional fifty.'
'And if ye don't find it useful?'
