Julie Garwood - Castles

Dreyson proved to be very helpful. He found out a policy had been taken out on Victoria 's life just four months before her disappearance. The beneficiary named on the contract was her brother, Neil. The policy was underwritten by Morton and Sons.

Through his sources, Colin found out Neil would inherit his sister's sizable dowry, set aside on the day she was born by a distant aunt, if she didn't return to London to claim it.

Sir Richards had joined them at the dinner table. He listened while Colin explained to Alesandra what he'd learned, then interjected a comment of his own.

"Until a body is found he can't collect the insurance money or the inheritance. If he's the culprit and his motive was money, why would he go to such lengths to hide her body?"

"It doesn't make much sense," Colin agreed. "He has a large bank account of his own."

Sir Richards agreed with a nod. "He might think he needed more," he said. "Alesandra did tell us Neil didn't particularly like his sister," he added. "There's another bit of damning evidence wagging its finger in Neil's direction, too, circumstantial though it is. You see, he offered for Roberta six years ago but she turned him down in favor of the viscount. Rumor has it Neil continued to pursue her even after she was married. Some believe she was having an affair with him. And there, you see, is the tie-in between the two women."

"I can't imagine any woman wanting to be with Neil Perry," Alesandra whispered. "He isn't at all… charming."

"Have you received any other gifts?" he asked.

She shook her head. "The gift I ordered made for Nathan and Sara arrived this morning. Colin almost destroyed the thing in a rage before he remembered I'd ordered the ship. Thankfully, he only shredded the box."

"You failed to mention you had the gift outlined with strips of gold," Colin said. "It would take five men to destroy it."

Caine interrupted the talk when he came rushing into the dining room.

"They found Victoria 's body!"

Colin reached over and covered Alesandra's hand. "Where?" he asked.

"In a field about an hour's ride from here. A cropper happened upon the grave. Wolves had…" Caine stopped in midsentence. The look on Alesandra's face showed her anguish. Caine wasn't about to add to her heartache by going into more vivid detail.

"The authorities are certain it's Victoria?" she asked.

Her eyes filled with tears, but she forced herself to remain in control. She could weep for Victoria later-pray for her soul, too-and she would do both… after the man who'd hurt her had been caught.

"The jewelry she wore… it helped with the identification," Caine explained.

Sir Richards wanted to see where the body was found. He pushed his chair back and started to stand up.

"It's too dark to see anything," Caine told the director. He pulled out the chair next to Alesandra and sat down. "You're going to have to wait until tomorrow."

"Who owns the field where she was found?" Colin asked.

"Neil Perry."

"How convenient," Colin said.

"It's too damned convenient," Caine agreed.

"We take what we're given," Richards announced. "Then we pull it apart to find the truth."

"When will you have your men start digging?" Colin asked.

"Tomorrow at first light."

"Digging?" Alesandra asked. " Victoria 's already been found. Why would you…"

"We want to see what else we'll find," Richards explained.

"You believe Roberta might also be buried there?"

"I do."

"So do I," Caine interjected.

"Neil wouldn't be so stupid as to bury his victims on his own land," she said.

"We believe he's probably the culprit," Caine said. "We don't believe he's clever."

She grabbed hold of Caine's hand so he would give her his full attention. "But that's just it," she argued. "He's been clever until now, hasn't he? Why would he bury either woman on his own land? It doesn't make sense. You're forgetting something else, too."

"What's that?" Caine asked.

"All of you are assuming there are only two women. There could be more."

"She's got a point, Caine," Colin agreed. "Sweetheart, let go of my brother."

She realized she was squeezing Caine's hand then and quickly let go. She turned her attention to the director. "What are your other plans?"

"Neil will certainly be charged," he announced. "It's just a start, Alesandra. Like you, I'm not completely convinced he's the one. I don't like conveniences."

She was satisfied with his answer. She excused herself from the table. Caine stood up and pulled her chair back for her. She turned to thank him. She was surprised when he put his hands on her shoulders and leaned down. Before she could ask him what he was doing, he kissed her on her forehead.

"Congratulations, Alesandra," he said. "Jade and I are both very happy over the news."

"What news?" Sir Richards asked.

She let Colin tell him. She smiled up at Caine. "We're both very happy, too," she whispered.

Richards was shaking Colin's hand when she started toward the entrance. A sudden thought made her stop. She turned around to look at Colin again. "Don't you still wonder why three women in your family were chosen? You did throw Neil out," she reminded him. "Would that make him angry enough to seek revenge?"

Colin didn't think so. She left him with Caine and Richards to mull over the possibilities and went upstairs. Flannaghan was waiting for her in the study. His younger sister, Megan, was waiting with him.

"Here she is," Flannaghan announced when Alesandra walked inside.

"Princess Alesandra, this is Megan," he announced. "She's eager to see to your needs."

Flannaghan nudged his sister in her side. She immediately stepped forward and made an awkward curtsy. "I would be happy to serve you, milady."

"Not milady," Flannaghan instructed. "Princess."

Megan nodded. She looked very like her brother. She had the same coloring, and her smile was almost identical to Flannaghan's. She looked up at her brother with true adoration, and such devotion warmed Alesandra's heart.

"We're going to get along just fine," she predicted.

"I'll teach her what she needs to know," Flannaghan announced.

Alesandra nodded. "Where is Kate? I thought we had agreed she would start helping me with the correspondence tomorrow?"

"She's still packing up her things," Flannaghan explained. "Have you mentioned my sisters to your husband yet?"

"No," Alesandra answered. "Don't worry so, Flannaghan. He'll be as pleased as I am."

"I've put Megan in the last bedroom along the hallway upstairs," Flannaghan said. "Kate can have the room next to hers if that is all right."

"Yes, of course."

"It's a fine room, milady," Megan blurted out. "And the first I've ever had all to myself."

"Princess, not milady," her brother corrected again.

Alesandra didn't dare laugh. She didn't want to undermine Flannaghan's position.

"We'll start your training tomorrow, Megan. I believe I'll go along to bed now. If you need anything, ask your brother. He'll take good care of you. He certainly takes good care of Colin and me. I don't know what we would do without him."

Flannaghan flushed over her praise. Megan looked properly impressed.

Colin laughed when she told him about the additions to their staff. He was quick to sober, however, upon hearing his ill-paid butler was the sole support of both Megan and Kate. He'd known Flannaghan's parents were both dead-Stems had told him so when he'd implored Colin to hire his nephew, but he hadn't mentioned the two sisters. No, he hadn't known, and he was thankful Alesandra had taken the sisters in. He increased Flannaghan's salary the following morning.

Flowers arrived for Alesandra that afternoon. Dreyson had sent them with a note filled with sympathy over her tragic loss.