The Scent of Scandal by Emma V. Leech

Author:Emma V. Leech
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-07-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

“Wherein the Scandalous Brothers entertain some dear friends.”

It took Ross the best part of a week to reach London, during which time his anger simmered beneath the surface. Everyone gave him a wide berth, sensing the dangerous quality that clung to him. His temper was too ready to erupt at the slightest provocation.

He spoke to no one, outside of what was necessary to arrange food and lodging, and no one dared speak a word to him. By the time he reached the capital he was aware how he looked, unshaven and crumpled and spoiling for a fight. Yet he did nothing to change that appearance, finding information came easier from those faced with a wild-eyed Scot who looked capable of just about anything.

Two days later, after having tracked down Viscount Cheam’s London home, the footman he’d cornered in a dark alley had pissed his pants in terror, only too happy to give him whatever information he required about a master he obviously despised.

Ross let the poor bastard go with a generous tip for his trouble and a muttered apology for scaring the wits from the man. He didn’t need to tell the fellow to keep his damn lip buttoned either. He would.

According to the terrified footman, there was a grand dinner at the house tomorrow night, held by Viscount Cheam’s eldest son, Sampson. The realisation that this man was his half-brother was something Ross refused to dwell on.

Unlike his sire, young Mr Sampson Pelham was well liked by all, the staff included, and despite the beginning of the season being some weeks off, the evening would be well attended.

It seemed the viscount had been busy and had produced six legitimate children. Ross wondered sourly how many bastards like him had been left, too. Of Cheam’s legitimate progeny, there were four adult sons from his first marriage, all of whom would be present at the dinner, and twin girls of six from his second wife. These girls would be the children Freddie had been governess to, Ross realised.

It gave him an odd, hollow sensation to remember Freddie. Would she still be there, tucked up in her cottage just down the road from the castle, or would she have seen sense and left?

He wouldn’t think on it.

Sampson Pelham had deliberately arranged the dinner for a night when his father was out of town, but the footman had it from the viscount’s valet, that his father had got wind of the arrangement and would make a late appearance. None of the brothers knew. They were all at odds with their father and avoided him wherever possible. The youngest refused to even acknowledge his existence and had been entirely cut off.

Ross wondered if perhaps that son was someone he could like. Not that it mattered. Tonight, he would expose the viscount’s filthy past before the assembled lords and ladies, and it would spread through the ton like wildfire.

Then, he would call him out.

No matter his and Pelham’s joint animosity towards their sire, he doubted the man would thank him for putting a bullet in the viscount’s brain.

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