All the Things You Never Knew (3 page)

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 them 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 suitors
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.
He knows well that things could never be the same again. It’s just not going to happen.
There’s never going to be a second chance for him and Rose to be
together again.