Hunter Of My Heart. Janet Kendall

trickled down her back. What could she do? Slowly she turned and managed an unaffected look. “Yes?”

      “Sadlerfield, do you know Miss Beaumont?”

      The duke let out a disgruntled breath. “Beaumont! One look and I know she is my granddaughter. Sabrina Barrington!”

      Kenilworth’s dark eyes demanded answers. “Barrington, is it?”

      Holding his gaze, she raised her chin. A powerful urge to deny her grandfather’s claim skipped across her conscience. Despite his discovery, a tiny part of her was glad she could emerge into the light and fight him. Maybe this was the reason she hadn’t run. However, this didn’t mean she would acknowledge him as her kin. “So what if it is?”

      “One of you. Start explaining.” Kenilworth marched toward her. His steps resonated off the marble floor, bounced off the stucco ceiling. “Who’s it going to be?”

      “In time, Kenilworth, but I will not discuss this matter for all to hear! Come down at once, young lady!”

      For one second, Sabrina considered appealing to Kenilworth, but his cold gaze held no mercy. Where were the servants’ stairs? When she glanced over her shoulder, an iron grip captured her wrist. An indignant cry whispered through her lips. She tried to yank her arm from his hold, but Kenilworth’s large hand imprisoned her fingers. His breath, hinting of brandy, brushed against her cheek and filled her ear.

      “This time, I want the truth!” Seizing her elbow, he escorted her into the room from which he had emerged earlier.

      Her heart thundered. “Let go of me!”

      “Sit!” He pointed to a leather chair and motioned Sadlerfield to take the seat beside her. Standing in front of her, he leaned against his desk.

      “Undoubtedly, you have questions, Kenilworth. First, I must properly introduce myself to Sabrina. Look at me, young lady! I am your grandfather.”

      Her line of vision ended at Kenilworth’s taut stomach and broad chest, one that vibrated with anger. She trembled and laced her hands. Shifting her gaze to her grandfather, she suddenly realized he had remained silent during Kenilworth’s tirade. Was that a look of satisfaction brightening his blue eyes? She pursed her lips. In that moment, she didn’t know which man frightened her more.

      To hide her emotions, she summoned her most insolent manner. “Have I passed your examination, your grace?”

      “Quite. You have your father’s eyes. I will not go into the reason you have avoided me these past years. Not seeking me out and avoiding the meeting I requested conveys your feelings. However, I did spend considerable funds searching for you.”

      How much did he know? Despite the dread that threatened to steal her breath, she managed an unaffected facade. “A waste of money, I assure you, but I’m curious. How did you find me?”

      He placed his ebony cane between his legs and rested his hands on the gold knob. “Bank clerks receive little recompense. That is irrelevant now.”

      “Bribery! How dare you!”

      His eyes gleamed. “My men informed me that you came to Scotland. One sailed with you. So, of course I had to follow.”

      She fought for a steady voice. “How long have you had someone trailing me?” Guessing she would run, he had undoubtedly completed his plans before he approached her. Had he found the twins? What horrible fate did he plan for Marga?

      A white eyebrow rose. “A very short while. I needed time to decide the best course for your future. Dashing off to Scotland changed my plans naturally.” He shifted his gaze to Kenilworth. “She stayed the night here. You realize her reputation will be in ruins if society learns.”

      Kenilworth’s eyes turned hard. “I offered her and her aunt shelter from the storm. Don’t make anything more of my generosity.”

      Refusing to consider the dark thought that blew through her mind, Sabrina willed her pulse to calm. “Your grace, I came here about a debt.”

      “I know you are in financial straits. Your bank account and closure of that shop are proof.”

      What else did he know? To hide her concern, she slapped her knee. “Did you hear that, Lord Kenilworth? Surely, you’ll believe the duke. The debt put me in my current position.”

      “Odd. Despite an obvious estrangement, you embrace his words. His affirmation doesn’t mean I’ll pay you.”

      “But now you have proof of my story and identity!”

      The earl’s black eyebrows snapped together. “Do I? That was before I learned your real name. You lied.”

      She bit her lip. “Barrington doesn’t suit a couturiere. Beaumont is French. You know the English relish Parisian fashion.”

      “Trade!” the duke scoffed. “We will discuss that and your finances later. Your reputation concerns me more. Already you have sullied it by dabbling in commoner’s work.” Her grandfather turned to the earl. “I must speak to you alone.”

      “If this conversation concerns me, I’m staying.”

      “Kenilworth. Put her somewhere.”

      “Wait in the secretary’s office.” The earl looked at her hard and pointed to a small room off the study.

      When she remained in her chair, his arm shot out. Strong fingers captured her hand. She tried to dig in her heels as he pulled her across the room. “This isn’t fair!”

      “Right now, I don’t care what you think.” He dragged her inside and retreated quickly.

      “Lock her inside, Kenilworth.”

      To her dismay, he did as the duke ordered. As she pounded on the door, she pressed her ear to the wood, but the thick oak muted their voices. She squeezed her eyes shut. Imprisoned like her mother! As old stories emerged, hot tears rolled down her cheeks.

      When Sabrina’s father had refused to abide the duke’s demands, her grandfather stealthily created circumstances to make the English government believe her mother was a French spy. He even pretended shock when the authorities arrested her as a war criminal.

      Worst of all, the powerful duke did nothing after Thomas’s barrister father saw her in jail, nearly dead from starvation. She hadn’t fit into the duke’s plans. He had used his power to keep the affair quiet. Thank heavens for Thomas. He and her father had managed to smuggle her mother out of jail.

      The black recollection reminded Sabrina of her own situation. How long would Kenilworth keep her imprisoned? Fear and anger mutated to determination. She ran her sleeve over her damp cheeks and vowed to never show any weakness or let her grandfather rule her life. His cunning had ruined her parents’ lives, and she’d not forget his strength on this score or forgive his sins. He had indirectly killed her parents. Cursing, she kicked and pounded on the door.

      What were they talking about?

      Chapter Three

      

      

      Hunter curled his fingers around the key and slowly turned. He could not shake the disturbing feeling that the duke had planned his arrival, early hour and all. “What do you wish to speak to me about?” Behind him, the doorknob rattled and pounding followed.

      The duke looked at the door and then threw him a dispassionate glance. “She stayed here with you. You are a bachelor.”

      “Her aunt chaperoned.”

      “Was she ever alone with you?”

      Hunter threw Sadlerfield his darkest look. “I haven’t touched her, but I can’t vow for her innocence.”

      Sadlerfield pounded his cane on the rich carpet. “Do not be insolent with me, young man. Now, tell me about yourself. Start with the time you left Oxford until