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person’s sexual tastes can be quite complicated.”
    â€œBut Mr. Ross is . . .”
    â€œNot quite what he seems.” Christian lowered his voice.
    â€œI’ve heard that my esteemed brother was involved in some extremely secret missions in France during the war.”
    â€œAnd who told you that?”
    â€œOne of his companions blurted it out last week while I was watching him being fucked.”
    â€œIt seems rather unlikely.”
    â€œThat someone would share something like that with me, or that dear, safe, boring Richard could be involved in anything at all?” Christian put his cup down on the table. “It did occur to me that the information had been given to me deliberately, but then for what purpose? I have nothing to do with Richard’s life.”
    â€œExcept that Richard wants you to allow the Lennox twins into the pleasure house. To be quite honest, in my experience, anyone who arrives with Lord Keyes is likely to be mixed up in something dangerous.”
    â€œAnd Keyes is a friend of Richard’s,” Christian said. “It might even be more complicated than that. Richard wants me to introduce Jack Lennox to my mother.”
    â€œAnd at one time your mother was involved in a lot of dangerous activities in France.”
    â€œShe still is.” Christian groaned. “Which is why I’d like you to help me keep an eye on the Lennox brothers.”
    â€œI’ll do that.” Ambrose picked up his newspaper. “Is there anything else?”
    â€œThere is one more thing.” Christian hesitated. “Is Emily bothering you?”
    Ambrose slowly lowered the paper and stared at Christian. “Of course not.”
    â€œAre you sure? Because if she was bothering you, I could ask her not to come here.”
    â€œIt would seem unfair for her to be the only member of the family who is excluded from the pleasure house,” Ambrose said carefully.
    â€œBut as she cannot go upstairs, she spends her whole time in the kitchen with you.”
    Ambrose met Christian’s gaze. “And you’d rather she didn’t? Am I not considered fit company for her?”
    â€œThat isn’t what I meant and you know it. She is my half sister, but you are my best friend. I don’t wish to see you hurt.”
    â€œWhy would I be hurt?”
    â€œBecause you care for her.”
    A spark of anger ignited low in Ambrose’s gut. “Certainly I care for her. I’ve known her for years. She is like part of my family.”
    Christian reached across and patted his hand. “There is no need to be so defensive. I’m not trying to pry. I just want you to know that if you wish to talk about anything, I am more than willing to listen.”
    Ambrose dropped his gaze to their hands, noticing the contrast between the whiteness of his employer’s skin and the darkness of his own. “There is nothing to talk about. Your family has my complete loyalty. You know I would do nothing to disgrace you or yours.”
    Christian sighed. “I never thought you would, but I’m here if you need me, and so is Elizabeth. She is very fond of you, you know.” After a final squeeze of Ambrose’s hand, Christian stood up and left the kitchen, leaving Ambrose staring at the floor.
    Was it really so obvious that he cared for Emily Ross? He’d tried so hard to suppress his feelings, to force them down, to treat her as he treated the rest of the Delornay-Ross family. Or was it that Emily’s recent impatience with him had finally drawn the attention of her brothers? That was more likely the case. Emily had never been good at concealing her emotions.
    Ambrose opened the newspaper and stared unseeingly at the print. She claimed that she loved him, and that she would never love another man. But how could he believe her? She was the daughter of a peer of the realm and he was . . . God, he didn’t even know what or who he was. Only that he