A Wicked Conceit by Anna Huber (e novels to read TXT) 📕

took a step forward to stand in line with Gage. “You might think the police won’t dare, but for a dozen or more angry lords, I can assure you, they will.”

Perspiration broke out across Kirkcowan’s brow, and his hands clenched into fists at his sides, but the same stubbornness which made him such a terrible card player also kept him from folding now. He gave a sharp crack of laughter. “You think that’s my only source of income,” he retorted, all but admitting that our accusations about fraud were true. “You’re not the only one who’s good at uncovering other people’s secrets.” He strode forward, glaring sideways up into Gage’s face. “Or putting them to use.”

He shouldered his way past them toward the door, and Gage and Henry didn’t stop him, apprehending, as I had, that Kirkcowan was not going to tell us anything.

“Bloody fool,” Gage spat.

“Yes, but a bloody fool who knows something and is not above using blackmail to profit from it,” I said, pressing a hand to my back, which had begun to ache.

“I just hope he doesn’t attempt to blackmail the wrong person.” He planted his hands on his hips, shaking his head. “He’s playing with fire. I’ll have to hire someone to follow him and discover where he goes, who he speaks to.” Turning away from the door, he offered his hand to Henry. “Thank you for your assistance with this,” he declared, shaking his hand. “As reckless as he is, Kirkcowan would never have allowed himself to be goaded into a game of chance with me, and it might have taken me all night to best him as you did so thoroughly.”

“My pleasure.”

Gage glanced at me. “We’re finished here, and I suspect you’d like to go.”

“Yes.”

“Are you staying, or can we give you a lift to Bowmont House?” he asked Henry.

“I’m leaving, so I’ll take you up on that.” Lord Henry’s gaze flicked toward mine, making my insides flutter with nerves. “Actually, there’s something I wished to discuss with you.”

Gage nodded, offering me his arm and then guiding me toward the door. “If it’s about the blunt Kirkcowan owes you, that’s entirely your affair,” he spoke over his shoulder. “All I ask is that you wait a few days before attempting to collect it or forgive it to keep the pressure up on him.”

“What of the jewel fraud?” Henry murmured, following us closely.

“That I intend to inform Sergeant Maclean with the Edinburgh City Police about at the earliest convenience.”

Henry’s silence seemed to convey his approval, and I was far more preoccupied with the realization that Henry was finally going to tell Gage that they shared a father. It was time. It was past time. And yet still I dreaded the knowledge that my husband was going to be startled by the news. There was no bones about it, he was going to be terribly hurt by the discovery of his father’s betrayal of his mother. I could only hope that the pleasure of learning he had Henry as a half brother was compensation for some of that pain.

The men conversed cordially about various topics as we drove the short distance through New Town to our town house. While I could barely manage to contribute more than monosyllabic comments to the discussion, I was amazed by Henry’s ability to speak seemingly without a trace of nerves. Only the twinges in my back seemed capable of directing my thoughts elsewhere.

Once we arrived home, I excused myself, knowing it would be best to allow them some privacy for such a conversation no matter how much I wanted to be there to lend Gage my support. I worried that my presence would actually be more of a hindrance than a comfort, particularly once he realized I already knew. If Bree noted my distraction, she didn’t comment on it, but she did recognize that my lower back was troubling me and brought me a hot water bottle to recline in bed against.

“It’s minor,” I assured her after thanking her. Nevertheless, a sigh escaped my lips as I sank back against the warmth. “Too much dancing, I suppose.” In truth, I’d been surprised by the number of men who had asked me. And I didn’t want to examine their motives too closely. Not so long as they’d treated me with respect.

Bree passed me the book resting on my side table, her brown eyes scrutinizing me. “Ring if ye need me.”

I nodded, eager for her to depart. It was clear she thought I was about to go into labor, but I knew my body better than she did. Even though I had never given birth, I had witnessed other women doing so, in particular my sister, and Dr. Fenwick had instructed me well. I was aware of the signs to look for. These mild twinges alone indicated nothing.

Although I felt less certain when my abdomen began to tighten and release in small contractions. At first I thought it was the babe moving about inside me, and I pressed my hand to the spot, hoping to feel their tiny heel, fist, or bottom wriggling about. But it soon became evident it wasn’t that. The discovery was enough to temporarily divert me from my anxiety over the conversation happening on the floor below.

I was just about to climb from bed and walk about to see if movement would relieve the contractions when they seemed to stop. There, I reclined with my hands clasped on either side of the rounded swell of my stomach, my eyes fastened on the taut white fabric of my nightdress when the door to the dressing room opened. One look at Gage’s face told me he was still stunned, and I abandoned my own concerns to reach for him.

He crossed the room and plopped down on the edge of the opposite side of the bed, facing away from me, and I scrambled awkwardly across the counterpane to sit beside him, draping my arms around his shoulders. “Oh, darling,” I