Page 17 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

“Lord Zachary Deverell to see you, my lady.”

Her mother’s face brightened immediately. “Zachary?”

Jane’s stomach sank. Of all the people she wished to see that morning, her uncle ranked near the bottom.

“Show him in,” Lady Wynten said.

A moment later, Zachary Deverell strode into the room. He was a tall man in his late forties, broad around the middle, with thinning dark hair, and sharp features that always reminded Jane of a fox eyeing a henhouse.

“My dear sister-in-law.” He spread his arms dramatically.

Lady Wynten rose at once. “Zachary.”

He kissed her cheek. “I came as soon as I heard.” His expression shifted into one of practiced sympathy. “What a dreadful business.”

Jane watched him carefully. Her uncle had always possessed a talent for sounding sincere while meaning very little. He turned toward her.

“Dear Jane.”

“Uncle.”

For a moment, he looked appropriately grave. “I was horrified when the news reached me.”

Lady Wynten dabbed at her eyes. “I cannot bear to think what may have happened to Colin.”

“Of course not.” Zachary sighed heavily. “Poor boy.”

Jane nearly frowned. Poorboy?Colin was thirty years old. The earl. Yet Zachary sounded as though he were discussing a troublesome child.

Her uncle wandered toward the window. “Such shocking circumstances.” His gaze traveled around the room. Jane immediately disliked the look in his eyes. He was assessing. As though he were taking inventory.

“Has there been any word?” he asked.

“No,” Lady Wynten whispered.

“Nothing at all. A pity.” His tone struck Jane as odd. Not sad or worried, just…thoughtful.

He moved toward the mantel and examined one of the clocks. “Hmm.”

Jane’s suspicion deepened. “Uncle?”

He glanced over. “Yes?”

“Is something troubling you?”

A smile flickered across his face. “Only the state of this house.”

Jane blinked, confusion infusing her words. “The house?”

“Indeed.” He ran a finger across the mantel. “Honestly, Colin never did understand proper management.”

The room went still. Lady Wynten frowned. “Zachary?”

“No, no.” He waved a hand. “I am merely being truthful.”

Jane stared. Her brother had been missing less than a day, and already Zachary was criticizing him.

“Colin managed the estate quite well,” she said.