Dueling With the Duke (Brotherhood of the Sword) Read Online Free PDF Page B

matters.” He rarely spoke to her. She had been an extension of his property. “You said that you sent that young man to my house on your own authority, but under whose authority are you making these inquiries? I don’t recall you working for the Crown.”
    Again she looked out the window and was pleased to discover the carriage had turned down her street. “Regardless, you asking questions does not mandate I answer them,” she said. She had a sneaking suspicion he would come inside with her. After all, he was the one who’d sent that boy tonight, confirming her suspicion that something had happened to Thornton. And there was the annoying little fact that he currently held her monies captive.
    Besides, she knew virtually nothing about her husband’s activities outside of their townhome. For that matter, she knew little of what he did when he was home with her, which he hadn’t been for the better part of a week.
    Once the carriage stopped, Gabriel stepped down and assisted her to the ground.
    “Perhaps you do not realize what you know. We shall talk when we get inside,” Gabe said.
    At least he had followed his word and returned her to her home. “If I answer your questions, you must return my funds.”
    He did not verbally agree, and her protest was lost as another carriage pulled up and stopped in front of the house. The man driving it jumped down and followed them as they went up the walkway to her front door. She glanced over her shoulder. “Who is that?”
    “Viscount Ellis, pleasure to meet you, Lady Thornton,” the man said, stepping forward and bowing over her hand when she turned toward him.
    But where had he come from? Had she been so distracted at the museum at the sight of Gabriel that she hadn’t noticed an additional hack? “Do you always follow Lord Lynford around?” She unlocked the door, and together the three of them breached her threshold.
    Her skin prickled. Though she might not be interested in answering Gabriel’s questions, she did want to know what he knew about her husband. Had Gabriel come to confirm Thornton’s death? Or perhaps he hadn’t been killed and was being detained somewhere? She had no notion of what had been happening with her husband, but she was counting on Thornton’s being gone for a prolonged absence so she could grab Isabel and run.
    “Do you know where he is?” he asked, though his tone suggested it wasn’t a real question, as if he already knew the answer.
    “Before I answer any of your questions, I want you to promise you will return my bag. That is my money,” she said.
    “And if I refuse?”
    She crossed her arms over her chest. “Then so do I.”
    “Ah, but I can have you arrested for treason,” he said.
    “I highly doubt that. And you have no proof else you wouldn’t be here looking for clarification or additional details.”
    Viscount Ellis chuckled, and both she and Gabriel glared at him.
    The housekeeper came and took their coats and hung them. “I suppose our guest is still waiting in the parlor?” Lilith asked her.
    “Yes, my lady.”
    “Very well. You may retire for the evening.” After the housekeeper had nodded and left the foyer, Lilith turned to Gabriel. “I haven’t seen Thornton in several days, though I don’t see how that’s any of your concern.”
    Gabriel’s jaw muscle ticked. “I believe your husband was murdered.”
    She nodded.
    “You do not seem to be surprised.”
    “I have scarcely had time to react. But, no, I don’t suppose I am surprised. You met my husband. Perhaps it’s more surprising that he wasn’t killed sooner.” She tried to sound flippant. The truth was there was no love between her and her husband. Never had been. She didn’t even like the man. He was cold and cruel. That didn’t mean she had no feelings at all. But there was no sense in advertising that fact. Showing too much emotion only made you more vulnerable, and if Thornton were truly dead, it meant she needed to get to Isabel as soon