Suzi Love (15 page)

By his resolve that Becca present herself as befitting her new image of a lady of wealth, he’d drawn the attention of countless bucks to her attractions. And to those of her stunning sisters. Now, the group could not ride, nor stroll the park without being hailed by gentlemen of vague acquaintance angling for introductions. It was enough to drive him mad.

The only consolation was that his brothers suffered alongside him. Tony was blatantly smitten with golden-headed Lottie and Laura had Brian firmly under her thumb. Night after night they endured the social round, standing on the edge of overcrowded ballrooms and drinking tepid beverages.

The silver salver in the foyer of Grosvenor Square groaned under the weight of calling cards piled high each day. By enlisting the aid of the Jamison’s butler, and stealth, Cayle appointed himself guardian of the sisters’ social calendar. Any gentleman he or his brothers considered as too let in the pockets, of too scandalous a reputation, or just too damned handsome to compete with was ostracised without reason.

And, all without their awareness. Until the day Cayle was caught hovering near the door by their brother, Michael, during his brief visit to the family house to be updated on developments.

“Sherywn! Does Becca know you are vetting her callers?”

Another man might have feigned ignorance but Cayle’s nature was more straightforward. He enjoyed confronting a problem, puzzling over possible solutions and applying himself to fixing it, so he presented Michael with the truth. A portion of the truth, in any case.

Cayle would never disclose to Becca’s over-taxed brother what had occurred between he and Becca that night in the sitting room. Nor would Michael be pleased to hear the details of Becca’s latest research, or the methods she intended using to conduct it. Although, thanks to Cayle’s interference, no man had spent long enough alone with Becca to become her research subject. It became an all-consuming occupation, accompanying Becca, following Becca, protecting Becca. He’d little time to think about anything else.

“I decided — ”

“You decided?” Michael laughed, amused by that idea. “Oh dear, my friend. I would not like to be standing in your shoes when Becca finds out that you are sneaking around rearranging her affairs.”

“It’s for her safety. You’ve no idea how much trouble she attracts in a single day.”

Michael chuckled and nodded. “Oh, I think I have some idea.”

“Why, today alone, I had to forcibly rescue her from attack when she stepped between a chimney sweep and his master. The man beat the boy, a child a quarter of his size.”

Now Michael laughed, a full-throated, head thrown back howl of amusement. “Let me guess, Becca jumped in to save the child?”

“Without a thought to her own safety.” Cayle shuddered as he remembered his horror at seeing the master’s whip coming down towards Becca’s exquisite face. “And then she insisted I take the child to my house, in my carriage, feed him in my kitchen and on top of that, give the little devil a position in my stables.”

Michael stared at him intently as he asked, “And did you follow her orders?”

“Your bothersome sister left me little choice. She refused to budge until I gave in and by then quite a crowd had formed. Some wanted to call the police to deal with the man and some wanted to join him in his argument against Becca. The situation was becoming out of hand. I had to remove both Becca and the boy quickly before a full scale riot erupted.”

Michael shook his head and groaned. “Oh, no. You too.”

“Me too what? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Oh, hell, I’ve just lost my blunt.”

“You made a bet over me?”

“Jonathon and I wagered on how long a man like you’d last.”

Cayle became irritated with this confusing conversation. “How long I would last with what?”

“No offence, but you made it clear from the start that any sort of female involvement wasn’t in your immediate future.”

Cayle stiffened as he said, “That’s still the case.”

“So, we wagered on how long you could be around Becca and not get involved in her causes. Her problems.”

Cayle felt uncertain whether to be offended or not. “And Jonathon won?”

Michael nodded. “He said you’d not last a month without Becca irritating the hell out of you.”

“It took a lot less than a month for your sister to exasperate me.”

“We also wagered over how long it would be before you fell into your old patterns, and like us, spent every day worrying if someone was on hand to rescue her.”

“She told me she no longer needs a knight in shining armour to rescue her.”

“I’m afraid that the opposite is often the case. She is rather unique, our intrepid sister. And eventually, anyone who comes into contact with her gets caught up in her adventures.”

“I’m not caught up, I simply admire Becca as a friend.”

Michael’s eyebrow rose in question.

“All right, I concede that I think of her as more than a friend. And although I insisted we be seen about together, to pretend I courted her to allay suspicion, I’m still not in a position to become involved with any woman.”

“So, are you’re happy for Becca to conduct investigations with any gentlemen who takes her fancy?”

Cayle looked stunned. “You know about that?”

Michael laughed. “As the oldest male in this madcap household, I employ devious methods to keep watch over my sisters. When my spy network reported you were sieving the post, filching invitations, and ensuring that certain gentlemen were consistently refused admittance, I realised I needed to return home.”

“You knew all that?”

“Laura isn’t the only Jamison who can pry into everyone else’s affairs.” He grinned at Cayle’s obvious discomfort. “I could modestly say that Laura learned much of what she knows from her brother.”

“So you know of Becca’s research? And Laura’s?”

“Sampling before purchase.”

Cayle stared at Michael, irritated with his casual attitude. “Then why do you allow it?”

“Ah, there you are again, Cayle. Assuming that any mere male would be able to control my highly intelligent sisters. Each of them is extremely capable in their own line of expertise. So my aunt and I decided that it’s better to let them assume control as long as we’re there to diminish any unfavourable outcomes.”

“That must be a full time occupation.”

“Yes, well you can see why I am anxious for one, or all of them, to find husbands who can relieve Jonathon and I of the responsibility.”

“It’ll take a strong man to willingly bind himself to any one of them.”

“A very strong man indeed.” He continued to scrutinise Cayle.

“Oh no, Michael. Don’t look at me like that. I’ve enough problems with my stepmother, and the estate. I can’t be anything other than a friend to Becca.”

Michael nodded in agreement. “Nevertheless, you’d like to be more, wouldn’t you?”

“Becca is amazing. Intelligent. Beautiful. So full of life. Everything any man dreams about.”

“Dreams about as a wife?”

“I’ve no intention of marrying any time soon.”

“So, when we have settled the matter of the consortium, you’ll have no further interest in my sister.”

“I thought the pretence of a courtship would explain my presence at her side. She emphasised that I was an old family friend helping launch Laura and Lottie. Nothing more.”

“Ah, yes. Unfortunately, Becca avoids any mention of marriage unless it concerns the four of us. She’s been harmed enough in the past.”

“I promise I’ll do my utmost not to upset her further.”

“As her brother, I must warn you that if you toy with her affections, if you hurt her in any way, I’ll be forced to act. Agreed?”

“Agreed.” Cayle understood Michael’s concerns. If he had sisters, he’d be just as protective, if not worse.

“In that case, Becca is better off remaining under your protection, as a friend, while I’m hampered at Oxford. I’ve made enquiries into the role you played on the continent and Jonathon and I are satisfied that a man of your reputation is the best person to defend Becca from the consortium’s threats.”

Cayle frowned. Nobody was supposed to know of the part he and his friends played in keeping England updated on the politics of countries on the continent.

“You made enquiries about me? From whom?”

“Let us just say that in the last two years we’ve made a number of powerful friends in government.”

“Then why have you not presented your fears about the consortium to them?”

“Because until we’ve written proof of each man’s involvement, it’s unfair to sling wild accusations around. Mud sticks, and the majority of these men are titled and from influential families. The Jamison family has been building a reputation of fair dealings in commercial matters. Our livelihood and our entire future depend upon it. So, before we uncover anyone’s secrets, we must be positive that the men who are really in charge don’t slip through our grasp. And that those who’ve only minor involvement, and no real knowledge of the depth of corruption in their ranks, aren’t ruined.”

“Yes, I agree. The innocent men have families depending on them.”

“Unless anything changes in your association with Becca in the next week, we’re leaving her welfare in your hands.” Michael eyed him closely as he stipulated, “In the case of your relationship taking a turn, for better or for worse, I’ll assume you’ll do the correct thing and inform me of your intentions.”

“Understood.”

Michael’s warning was unnecessary. Cayle had no intention of stepping over the line he’d drawn between he and Becca. No matter how prettily she begged.

“And Michael, your contacts in our government must be powerful and put a lot of trust in you if they revealed anything about me. But now I need you to understand, I’ll overlook your interference in my affairs in this one instance, given your concern for Becca. But neither I, nor my friends, tolerate anyone intruding in our pasts. Men have tried it before. And come to grief.”

Michael’s eyebrows rose at Cayle’s implied threat. He nodded his agreement.

• • •

Later that afternoon as he trailed the Jamison sisters, Cayle acknowledged that all three were stunning. Strikingly beautiful, well bred and far too intelligent for their own, or anyone else’s good. Her Majesty’s frequent walks through Kew Gardens to observe any new developments had made them the place to be seen and therefore the best place to garner the latest gossip and rumours. Whenever they could escape duties with Julia, he and his brothers escorted the sisters on such outings, ostensibly so the women could mix with the cream of society.

But while most debutantes mingled to be seen, the Jamisons hunted information. Little by little, they were eliminating gentlemen definitely not involved in the consortium. Some had no spare money to invest so the ladies politely dismissed them. Some were too lazy to be involved in commercial ventures, prepared to sit back and allow themselves to be supported by their families.

Cayle was constantly shocked at how much these gentlemen would reveal to Lottie in exchange for one of her smiles and how eager they were to impress her with anecdotes of their latest money making ventures.

“It’s disgusting how these idiots hang on her every word,” Tony complained to his brothers as they walked behind the ladies.

Brian and Cayle exchanged a grin before Brian teased his brother. “But, Tony, you can’t deny that you also hang on her every word. You also are one of those drooling idiots.”

“I’m not as bad as them,” Tony protested. He looked at his older brother for adjudication. “Am I?”

Cayle laughed but decided it was more politic to ease his brother’s worry a little. “Of course not. You’ve not written some sloppy love poem to her eyes yet as your friend Theo has done, nor have you scattered rose petals for her to walk on like Clement.”

Tony glared at Brian and said to Cayle, “The voice of reason, thank goodness.”

“But, you do become tongue tied every time Lottie asks you a question,” Cayle teased.

Tony was about to protest but at that moment the lady in question spun back to implore them, “Could one of you gentlemen kindly take Mr Burnsbury aside and explain that I’m not interested in marrying him, no matter how many times a day he asks me. It seems my earnest pleas for him to cease are falling upon deaf ears and while he hovers, I’m unable to extract any important information from the others.”

“I … I … ” Tony stuttered.

Cayle hid a smile whilst Brian stepped closer to Lottie to say, “I think my younger brother is trying to assure you he that he’ll take care of the matter.”

Lottie laid a hand on Tony’s arm and his colour heightened to a tomato red and he stammered once again. Deciding it was time to relieve his misery, Cayle said, “Never fear, Lottie. We will dispatch Mr Burnsbury.”

Lottie’s eyes widened. “But please, Cayle, do not appear quite so ferocious. You’ll terrify him. He is a pestering sort of man, but harmless enough.”

“Lottie, you’re too kind hearted. The man is a nuisance,” Brian remarked.

Cayle eased aside his two brothers while he reassured Lottie. “I’ll personally attend to Mr Burnsbury and no harm will befall him.”

She smiled up at him, that dazzling smile showing pristine white teeth and placed her gloved fingers on his forearm. In that instant, he was almost reduced to the same state as Tony. The same state he’d been in at Grosvenor Square the day he had become reacquainted with the sisters. Lottie had the ability to reduce every man to a quivering mass of jelly although now that he’d kissed Becca, touched her, Lottie’s pale beauty held no charm for him. His preference now leaned towards something a lot more fiery.

“Lottie, do stop teasing the St. Martin men,” Becca said from close behind them, causing all three men to jump.

Unrepentant, Lottie smiled. “Oh, Becca, I’m only tormenting them a little. I know Cayle isn’t susceptible to my flirting.”

Lottie drew Brian and Tony back to the group of hovering men.

Cayle smiled at Becca and leaned close to her ear to whisper, “Were you jealous, my love?”

“Certainly not. Lottie’s my sister. I appreciate how beautiful she is. How men are struck dumb by her looks.”