All the Things You Never Knew Page 3

  “You didn’t tell me that you were coming, Heartily,” Hargate said, riding over to shake Leon’s hand and nodded to Sheik. “I could’ve planned something special for us, like the brothel, game at Maurice, or endless brandy at my family’s inn.”

  “I wasn’t thinking of staying that’s why I didn’t send you words,” Leon answered. “I was going to get home to handle some matters and then return.”

  “I’m tired as the devil,” Sheik whined. “Laguna, I beg you, please, tell Leon to let us rest for the night. Takes almost two days to get back to Bridlington and I’m not in the mood of returning, especially when we just got here and was stuck for hours at the Stanfords.”

  Hargate laughed and turned to Leon. “Let’s stay over at the inn and catch up on things for the night, shall we? I know you’re probably eager to leave like always, but stay this time. I have a little information that could probably help in our investigation.”

  “Have you found one of the men?” Leon asked, turning serious.

  “Possibly,” Hargate nodded.

  “Then we have no time to waste,” Leon answered, turning his horse to line with Hargate’s. “Let’s go. I have some things to discuss with you as well.”

  “Lord, amen!” Sheik exclaimed, following suit.

  They arrived at Hargate Inn half an hour later.

  Dusk had fallen around them and crickets began their chirps.

  The inn was packed with men gambling and drinking to no ends. Women chased their children and fed their babes, not paying much attention to their surroundings.

  “Well, this is kind of a mess,” Sheik said as they got inside. “That’s how my father runs the inn,” Hargate explained.

  “Keeping up with the tradition.”

  “You do have an extra room for us, don’t you?” asks Leon as

  they stroll up the stairs.

  “A private sector, yes,” Hargate answered. “It’s where

  Longsword and I usually meet up. I just had it built after you left.” “Is Gareth going to come?” Leon wanted to know.

  Gareth was his other friend. He hadn’t seen him in a while either. “Longsword should be here. I invited him over to meet up about

  the investigation. Planning to call on you afterward but I guess not

  anymore since you’re already here,” Hargate replied.

  He led them down the hall to a door, pressing a button to slide it

  open to a room of luxuries.

  “I think we have to update the rooms in our house to look like

  this, Leon,” Sheik said, gaping at the sight.

  Golden chandeliers with crystals hung from the ceiling and red

  silk curtains covered the windows. A long cherry wood table was

  centered in the huge room, covered in a royal red cloth with a vase of

  mixed flowers and accents on top. Old rare ancient paintings in golden

  frames lined the walls, and a French door opening out to a balcony lies

  in the east of the room. Matching red couches were settled in the west

  with a gigantic bed along with it.

  “You are too fancy, Hargate,” Leon said, after examining the

  room.

  Hargate chuckled. “All in honor of you.”

  “Right.”

  “I’m taking a nap,” said Sheik, taking off his coat and boots as he

  headed for the bed.

  “You already did at Stanford’s,” Leon reminded him. “Then I’m just going to sleep for the night,” Sheik yawned. “You

  two can stay up if you like. Please don’t wake me up so early, Leon.” “We’ll see,” Leon said. “Don’t hog it all.”

  “First come, first serve,” Sheik smiled, and went away to rest. “So, Hargate,” Leon started as they went down to sit at the large

  table. “Tell me about your discovery. You said earlier that you’ve

  found something helpful.”

  “Right,” Hargate nodded, opening up a bottle of brandy and

  pouring out two glasses for them. “I found this old book at the House

  of Lords. It seems to be some sort of record or documentation journal.

  It had your father’s name in it along with some other lords.” “But my father was no lord,” Leon said, shocked to hear. “Are

  you sure?”

  “It said Solomon R.W. Heartily. What does the R.W. stand for,

  do you know?”

  “No clue,” Leon shook his head. “I wasn’t aware that my father

  had a middle name.”

  “Well, there were portraits of each lords,” Hargate added. “Your

  father was in it.”

  “He was?” Now that caught more of his attention.

  “Yes,” Hargate went on. “There was this other portrait with him

  standing with five other men. You know what I’m getting to, do you?” “The five men?”

  “Our five suspects.”

  It then hit Leon.

  “I need that book, Hargate. I have to see it.”

  “It’s not easy to get it out of the office,” Hargate replied, sipping

  his brandy.

  “Did it have their names?” Leon needed those names. If he has

  them, things would be much easier.

  “Yes,” Hargate answered. “But it’s barely visible since the book

  was old and worn.”

  “That’s a shame then.”

  “Actually,” Hargate snapped. “I saw part of one.”

  “Part of a name?”

  “Yes,” Hargate nodded. “It said Marquess…Lan…something.” “Well, that’s really helpful,” Leon scoffed.

  “Perhaps I could ask–”

  The door suddenly flew open and banged against the wall,

  causing one of the paintings to fall off.

  “What the hell!” cursed the duke, as they turn towards the door. “Hey! Sleeping here!” Sheik said swiftly, pulling a pillow over

  his face and ignoring the rest.

  It was Gareth Coleridge, the Earl of Longsword, in a fury mood. “Blast it all!” the earl cursed, walking heavily forward and

  kicking out a chair to sit. “To hell with all these society women.” “What the devil is wrong with you, Longsword?” Leon asked. “Need some brandy?” Hargate asked, holding up a cup. “Like that will help.”

  “What’s wrong?” Leon asked again.

  “He probably was out searching for a countess again. You know

  him,” Hargate said, just loud enough for him to hear, which Leon find

  was probably true.

  Gareth had been out hunting for a bride ever since he inherited

  the title as the earl after his father’s death.

  “Your search for a bride failed again?” inquired the duke. “Obviously,” Longsword groaned, reaching over and taking

  Hargate’s glass of brandy. “I need this now,” he said, taking a big

  gulp. “Whoever thought finding a wife would be so complicated.” “You’re working too hard,” Leon said. “Take a rest.”

  “Yes,” Hargate said. “I’m the duke here and I’m not even

  stressing myself out for a bride.”

  “I’m not stressed, okay,” Longsword replied. “Just had a very bad

  evening at Lady Mayhem’s ball.”

  “What happened? Why is your left cheek so red?” Leon asked as

  he examined Longsword.

  “Let me see.” Hargate grabbed Longsword by the face and turned it

  from side to side. “Holy, are those fingermarks? Don’t tell me you got–” I was slapped by three ladies today, all right,” Longsword

  answered madly. “Five of which stomped on my toes.”

  Leon couldn’t hold it in and burst into laughter with Hargate. “What did you do to them?” Hargate asked, getting up to get

  another glass to pour him a cup of brandy.

  “Nothing,” Longsword said. “They wanted me to tell th
em the

  truth of what I think about them and–”

  “And you did, I assumed,” said Leon.

  “I thought women like the truth,” Longsword said.

  “It depends on what kind of truths. Haven’t you learn your lesson from the last time you told Lady Anika that her bosoms were too small?” Hargate said, laughing as the scene came back. “That was

  quite a sight.”

  “I thought it was just her who doesn’t appreciate the truth.” Leon had to laugh at that. “Come on. Even I know my sisters

  don’t like the truth.”

  “Your sisters?” Hargate elbowed Longsword and raised a flirty

  brow. “You know what; I think you can end your bride hunt. Our

  friend here–” He elbowed Leon. “He has sisters that are eligible for–” “No!” Leon blurted suddenly. “Don’t you even dare.” Hargate just smiled. “You know what I’m saying, Longsword.” “Heartily’s sisters?”

  There was a sudden change in Longsword’s expression that Leon

  didn’t like.

  “They’re quite the belles, aren’t they?” Hargate went on, just to

  annoy Leon. “Four of them, are there? I’ve only met them a couple of

  times, but I can see they’re eligible.”

  “I’m warning you, Hargate,” Leon growled.

  Hargate went on talking, knowing Leon didn’t actually mean his

  threat.

  “I say they will make perfect brides,” Hargate added. “A countess

  for you and duchess for–”

  “Oh for God’s sakes! I didn’t come here to discuss the marriage

  of my sisters!” Leon bellowed over Hargate. “Besides, they have no

  dowries and certainly are not fit to be wedded to men of titles like you

  two.”

  “I wouldn’t mind,” Longsword answered. “I have enough to feed

  a whole country.”

  Leon can see Longsword was no longer furious and hated the

  sternness in his voice as he said that.

  “Same,” Hargate agreed.

  Leon took one look at them both and thought them insane. “I say Avangelene–was that her name–the one always dressing

  and looking like a young chap? She would make you a fine countess,”

  Hargate said to Longsword. “She would be a beauty, too, if she let go

  of those ridiculous cropped wigs. You’ve got to tell her that, Heartily.” Leon totally ignored the comment and lay back on the chair. “Fits more for a duchess,” Longsword replied to Hargate. “That little one–Phoenix–I think that was her name. She’s a little

  belle too, though far too young.”

  Leon couldn’t believe he’s just sitting there in the room while his

  friends babbled on about his sisters.

  His sisters!

  “All right, you asses,” Leon cut into the conversation. “I say it’s

  time we be serious.” He turned to Longsword. “Hargate got some

  good news. He found a Marquess who could possibly be one of our

  suspects.”

  “Seriously?” Longsword looked at Hargate and then to the bed.

  “Is that Sheik over there? I thought you didn’t want him or any of your

  siblings to know about the investigation yet?”

  “I didn’t, but I’ll have to now. I found out something quite

  serious that I have to tell them when I get back home,” Leon

  answered.

  “Need any help on it?” Hargate asked. “I’ll be in service.” “Not yet,” Leon replied. “This is personal family matter.” “I see.”

  “So are you planning on returning tomorrow morning to

  Bridlington?” Longsword inquired, taking the bottle of brandy and

  refilling his cup.

  “Thinking about it,” Leon nodded.

  “I heard that Lady Chatsworth’s hosting a ball in the next couple

  of days to come,” Longsword said. “You should stay. Perhaps we

  would meet that marquess or some other suspects. I think it would be

  helpful attending those sorts of social events.”

  Hargate laughed. “Are you sure? Or is it because you need to find

  a bride?”

  Longsword grinned. “Both. Besides, Heartily had been gone for a

  while. We need to reunite and attend a ball together and dance with all

  the beauties.”

  “Seems a good idea,” Leon agreed. “Although I must really

  manage things out with Dalton.”

  “Mr. Dalton can manage things on his own,” Longsword said.

  “He had mastered his secretary skills already.”

  “True,” said Hargate. “Don’t worry. There are your siblings to

  handle things, too.”

  Leon almost burst into laughter. “My siblings? Seriously? I took

  the worst one with me and left the most mischievous troublemaker at

  home with the rest. All of them are never in a valid status. They will

  just make things worse.”

  “They couldn’t be that bad, could they?” said Longsword. “Jack

  and they seems pretty laid back.”

  “Exactly!” Leon said. “That’s the reason why nothing will get

  accomplished.”

  “You’re just exaggerating,” said Hargate. “They will be fine.” “You don’t know what happened the last time I went off on a trip

  to Bath,” said Leon. “It was a riot at home. That thing over there in the

  bed got into a fight. Nix broke the nose of Lord Seaton’s daughter;

  Namine was shot after by a bridegroom; Lavender almost killed one of

  the stallion; and Edward–”

  “You’re such a responsible big brother,” Hargate laughed, patting

  Leon on the shoulder. “I have to praise you for having the ability to

  keep them under control. I don’t think I will be able to manage them.” “Well, enough of that. We’re going to the ball,” Longsword said

  to Leon. “I’ll chain you down if needed.”

  Leon laughed. “Fine,” he said, finishing his brandy. “I’ll send

  words back home.”

  “And maybe you will see her again,” said Hargate.

  “Her?” Leon wasn’t quite in the mood to comprehend. “Oh, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about Lady Rose,” Hargate

  replied with a grin. “She had you wrapped around her fingers like

  nothing.”

  “The hell she did.” Leon didn’t want to talk about her again. “Why did you leave her?” Longsword asked. “She was so in love

  with you.”

  “Duties,” Leon said dryly. “You know that.”

  “But you could have married her.”

  “I was but eighteen,” Leon answered. “I can’t. She deserves

  better.”

  “Or so, you say,” Hargate said, crossing his arms. “You’re the

  best man anyone could have for a husband, no doubt, especially with

  your ability to handle those wild siblings of yours.”

  “That doesn’t mean anything,” Leon answered. “I’ve done her

  wrong before. I can’t do it again.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Longsword. “You’ve been faithful.

  You didn’t even go to the brothel with Hargate and I when we asked.” Leon shook his head and drew out a breath. “You won’t

  understand.”

  “Then let it not be something of a mistake but into something

  endearing and true,” said Hargate. “Consider your mistake as a lesson

  learned.”

  “I’m good,” said Leon. “What happened in the past is best

  forgotten. Besides, she probably moved on already. No use

  bothering.”

  Longsword nodded. “Probably. I did see her with many s
uitors

  after you left. One of them must have offered for her already. Since

  she’s a respectable lady, she must have accepted too.

  “Would you like to meet her again, though?” Hargate asked. “We

  could go and–”

  “Rose and I are nothing now,” Leon interjected. “And I don’t

  want to ruin her marriage if she had taken a husband. I’d rather leave

  things as it is.”

  That caused Hargate to shrug. “If you say so, though a part of me

  knows that you could still gain a chance.”

  “You sound like a besotted fool, Hargate,” Leon laughed.

  “Always speaking romantically and believing in the impossible. I’m

  surprised you didn’t have all the women in London lined up at your

  doorsteps.”

  “That is because I have never told any women that they have eyes

  that shine like stars or lips as ripe and sweet as the fruit of May,”

  Hargate grinned.

  “That won’t work,” Longsword told him. “I have said it too many

  women and they all thought me to be a fool of dullness.”

  “Has it ever cross your mind that maybe you are?”

  Leon and Hargate broke into more laughs and this time,

  Longsword join in with them.

  “Proves why I haven’t gotten a countess, then,” he said, raising

  his cup up. “Cheers to the Fool of Dullness.”

  “And his failure to flatter and obtain a wife,” Hargate cheered. “Wait a minute,” Leon paused from rising his cup with theirs and

  looked at Hargate. “You can’t even find a bride for yourself.” “That is because I’m waiting for the perfect love of my life,”

  Hargate replied. “May this toast be for you to do the honor of winning

  a bride for yourself. Perhaps, little Lady Rose would take the role.” Leon wanted to believe that he can make that a possibility but

  every part of his mind says no. “Seriously, Hargate. Rose and I can

  never be again. It’s far too late.”

  “Believe me, my friend,” Hargate said, putting an arm around

  Leon’s shoulder. “I know you don’t believe in second chances and you

  fear of ruining Lady Rose, but if you just play along with the little

  game I have in stored, you will certainly win. You may count on it. ” Leon sees it of no use to argue any farther with the case and just

  shrugs.