If You Were Mine by Rebecca King Page B

here
in a matter of days, if it wasn’t for that wretched
storm.
    “ Have you stayed with her at that time?” Peter felt the
brotherly responsibility behind his question, but felt no worry
that Dominic would be offended by his forthright
inquiry.
    Dominic
fully understood Peter’s desire to protect his sister, and couldn’t
blame the man for it. After all, they both had the same goal in
mind. “I have spent most of the nights since her arrival in the
chair beside the bed. She was in a temper today, and had taken
objection to being confined to her bed any longer.” Dominic replied
cautiously. He didn’t see the need to give her any further detail.
He had, after all, seen more than enough!
    Peter
nodded in understanding. He had first-hand experience of just how
wilful his sister could be. “She must be getting better if her
temper was roused,” he added knowingly being fully conscious of his
friend’s discomfort.
    “ She is definitely chafing to get up and about. But with the
weather still being so cold, I am trying to keep her warm and safe
in bed,” Dominic replied with a tone of caution. “It seems that I
may have been a bit over-protective.” He saw Peter’s smile of
understanding and was relieved that the man understood.
    “ What have you managed to find out about Rupert? Why did they
take her?” Dominic asked after several moments of companionable
silence.
    “ Rupert is in dire financial trouble. He has numerous billets
around Town, some of whom are starting to lose patience at his lack
of repayment. Rumours are he has turned towards loan sharks to
repay some of his debts. There are people looking for
him.”
    “ Most probably why he has vacated London, and nobody has heard
from him.” Dominic nodded sagely.
    “ Undoubtedly. More interestingly, he has become close
acquaintances with Bertram DeLisle,” Peter replied
quietly.
    “ I know. Do you know if Bertram or Rupert have a house near
here?” Dominic queried.
    “ I don’t know. What makes you ask?” Peter rose to replenish
their glasses and moved to stand before the hearth.
    “ It was something Rupert said in the village the day I found
Isobel. He mentioned that he had a small house nearby here, but I
wasn’t aware there had been any property in the locale up for sale.
Moreover, I didn’t know there was anyone new in the area.” Dominic
said.
    “ He could have moved in while we were away looking for
Isobel,” Peter replied. “After all, we were gone for several months
and with Isobel -” He paused, not wanting recount one of the most
difficult moments of both of their lives.
    “ He may well have. I just wonder if it was where he brought
Isobel when he took her from Willowbrook.”
    Peter huffed cynically. “ That would appeal to Rupert’s perverse nature. To know
you are looking for her and have her stashed so blatantly nearby.
He would enjoy that.”
    “ But that doesn’t explain why we were led to believe she had
been murdered.” Dominic replied, trying desperately to block out
the horrifying memories of standing beside Isobel’s
grave.
    “ Unless they have funds nobody is aware of, they wouldn’t have
the funds or contacts to buy a magistrate.” Peter tried to plot out
the details in his mind but failed miserably.
    “ We need to speak to the magistrate,” Dominic considered the
numerous questions they had yet to find answers for. “As soon as
the weather clears, I’ll go back and ask a few questions of this
magistrate.” A part of him was furiously angry with the man for
letting them grieve unnecessarily. However, a small voice of
caution warned him that the man most probably believed what he had
told them, and until Dominic and Peter had answers, they couldn’t
condemn the man for doing his duty.
    “ One thing is for certain. If Rupert didn’t buy the
magistrate, he could also believe Isobel is dead. That would mean
she is safe enough for now.”
    “ But if Rupert bought that magistrate, he knows very well she
is