Page 51 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

She regarded her uncle. He was on the shorter side and thin. His dark hair was swept back in a fashionable swoop, but it didnothing to hide his gaunt features. His nose was too thin, his cheekbones too high. He reminded Jane of a weasel.

The expression of glee on his face was one that Jane had never seen before. He was far too happy that Colin was gone.

“Oh yes.” Her uncle crossed his arms over his chest.

“It is Colin’s.”

“For the present.”

Jane swallowed hard. “It willalwaysbe Colin’s.”

“We shall see.”

Jane’s composure cracked. “You speak as though he is already dead.”

“I am only being pragmatic, dear niece. You’d benefit from such an approach, I reckon,” her uncle said.

“He is alive,” Jane’s mother said almost in a whisper.

“Oh?” Zachary smiled again. “And where is he, then?”

“He will be found, and he will come back,” Jane responded, keeping her back straight.

“Of course,” he said with a too-wide smile. “Until then, you’re both under my care. You’d do best to remember that, dear niece.”

Jane hated him in that moment. Her cheeks flushed so hot and so cold at the same time that it startled her. Her uncle wanted this life that they had here, or rather to take over this life. He wanted Colin gone so he could have the title that he felt he deserved. He wanted Wynten House.

Zachary did not care that Colin was gone. He wasn’t worried or grieving. He was plotting. The realization made her skin crawl.

The attorney spoke carefully. “If I may, the transfer concerns administration only.”

Jane turned. “What exactly does that mean?”

The solicitor opened several documents. “Lord Zachary will oversee estate finances, tenant matters, contracts, and the steward’s office. He will also assume responsibility for decisions requiring the earl’s authority until Lord Wynten returns.”

Zachary tilted his head. “I admire your optimism. As touching as this family devotion is, I should begin reviewing estate matters.”

Jane’s pulse quickened. “No.”

He looked back. “No?”

He walked toward the door, leading deeper into Wynten House.

“Lord Deverell—” The solicitor’s strained voice barely carried down the corridor.

Zachary did not so much as glance over his shoulder. His polished boots struck the marble floor with leisurely confidence as he crossed the entrance hall toward the west wing, where Colin’s study overlooked the gardens.

Jane stared after him for only the briefest heartbeat before anger propelled her forward. “You have no business in there.”

He continued walking.

“If you ignore me one more time,” she said, lengthening her stride, “I shall assume your hearing has failed along with your manners.”

A faint chuckle escaped him. “My hearing is perfectly adequate.”

“Then answer me,” Jane demanded, even as she heard her mother’s weak voice calling her name.

“I see no need.” He reached the carved oak door to Colin’s study.