The Unclaimed Duchess Read Free Page A

mean?”
    â€œI shall start at the beginning,” Simon said, almost more to himself than to Rhys. He got to his feet and began to pace the room with a restless energy that made Rhys’s own heart quicken.
    â€œJust after you wed, Lillian and I went to the offices of one of the solicitors who held some of my father’s information. While there we…”
    Simon hesitated and took a long, deep breath. Rhys watched the struggle line his friend’s face, and the pain there touched even his distant heart. Simon had been like a brother to him for years, Rhys hated to see him in such a state.
    â€œWe uncovered the identity of one of my illegitimate brothers,” Simon finally finished, his voice breaking as he turned to face Rhys.
    Rhys’s eyebrows lifted. “I see. But there is clearly more to all of this than you have yet said.”
    Simon nodded. “A day after I uncovered the truth, I received an anonymous note. You said that my investigation into this matter could lead to blackmail and it appears you are correct.”
    Rhys bolted to his feet and moved on Simon in shock. “My God!”
    Simon nodded. “It appears that my coming to the solicitor’s and obtaining my father’s papers set off a chain of events. The note said that a man would contact me in a month’s time and he would expect a rather large payment to keep silent about the information I now have.”
    Rhys swallowed hard past the bile that had filled his throat at the idea of blackmail. “I wonder whyhe gives you a month before he makes himself known.”
    Simon shrugged, though the anxiety in the lines on his face belied the nonchalant action. “Perhaps he wants me to stew on the idea that he has such damning information about me and my family. After a month of contemplation, he might think I am more apt to surrender to his demands.”
    Turning away, Simon continued, “And then there is the fact that the solicitor who was steward to the papers was an American who inherited them from some distant relative. Perhaps the blackmailer might be located away from England. Travel would take some time, especially if the charlatan of a solicitor had to send him word of my recovery of the documents.”
    â€œWait, you think the solicitor is involved?”
    Simon nodded, his expression grim. “I returned to the man immediately to demand who else had access to the papers he had provided me, but found his offices abandoned. I have used the entire scope of my influence in an investigation, but he has all but disappeared from the face of the earth. I can only assume he played some role in this.”
    Rhys drew in a deep breath. “I am sorry, my friend. How terrible for you. But…”
    â€œBut?” Simon asked.
    â€œThis does not have to equal ruination. After all, what can the man say but that your father had a bastard son? Most of the men we know have a few children from the wrong side of the blanket. It damages your father’s pious reputation, but it will not necessarily reflect upon you if you release the information in the proper fashion yourself.”
    Simon flinched and turned away. Rhys watched him, uncertain as to why his friend would be unable to meet his eyes. Why Simon would be so pale and sick.
    â€œYou are correct. If the situation only involved myself, I would likely reveal the truth. God knows my father doesn’t deserve protection. But there are other things to consider. You see, the man who is actually my brother is important. He is…he is titled.”
    Rhys stared for a long moment as the force of what his friend was saying hit him. Bloodlines were the driving force of the Society he and Simon kept. Although a gentleman who was born into a legitimate marriage would not be stripped of his title, if the truth was revealed about his unfortunate birth, the scandal would be more than devastating. All who saw this person from that moment on would know he