“To prey on your gratitude,” Michael replied. “This might well be the only chance I get.”
Brows rising, Timothy studied him, then waved him to a chair. “What do you want?”
Pushing away from the doorframe, Michael closed the door. Crossing to the chair, he turned it and sat astride; folding his arms along the back, he met Timothy’s eyes. “I want to know what the relationship between Caro and Camden was.”
Timothy’s eyes widened. “Ah…” He blinked, refocused on Michael. Hesitated, then said, “I presume you know…”
“That their marriage was unconsummated? Yes. What I want to know is why.”
Timothy smiled. “That, as it happens, is easy to explain—because the great Camden Sutcliffe, womanizer of the world, bit off more than he could chew.”
Michael blinked. Timothy explained, “Camden was a connoisseur of women. From the moment he set eyes on her, he lusted after Caro—not as she then was so much as for the potential he correctly identified, for what he knew she could become. On all levels. That was what drove him to marry her. However, Camden was very much aware he was forty years her senior; when it
came to the sexual side of things, he became so anxious that he wouldn’t be able to satisfy her, or keep satisfying her, he couldn’t perform at all.”
Michael stared. “You’re sure of that?”
Timothy nodded. “He told me himself, years after they were wed. He simply couldn’t, not with her.”
Michael digested that, eventually again met Timothy’s eyes. “Did he love her?”
“I’m not sure Camden knew the meaning of the word ‘love,’ not as you use it—not as Caro would use it. He was devoted to her, but more in a sense of being obsessed with the aspects of her potential he could and did unlock. But love?” Timothy grimaced deprecatingly. “If Camden ever loved anyone other than himself, it would, I suppose, be me.”
Michael raised his brows. “Because you’re like him?”
Timothy inclined his head. “So he believed.”
Michael suspected that was another mistake Camden had made.
“I don’t think Caro ever knew his reason—I’d take an oath Camden never told her. He was a confusing man—selfless and devoted to his country, but in all things personal, utterly self-centered.” Timothy caught Michael’s gaze. “If I’d believed it would have helped, I’d have told Caro myself, but…”
His face hardened, but he didn’t look away. “The past can’t be changed—believe me, I know. It can only be laid to rest. That’s what Muriel wouldn’t accept.” His features eased, his lips curving. “Caro was always much wiser.”
Michael studied his face, heard truth ring in his tone. Wisdom from the mouth of one of the ton’s foremost rakes?
Timothy looked away, took another sip of his cordial. “One thing—before he leaves town with Muriel, can you tell Hedderwick about me?” He met Michael’s eyes. “While I shudder at the thought that she’s my half sister, I will want to keep track of her.”
Michael agreed; Timothy might want to remain advised of Muriel’s whereabouts purely for his own protection, but Michael was starting to suspect that Timothy was more likely to protect Muriel, and ensure her welfare, than anything else. For all he wasn’t like Camden, he was in one respect his sire’s son—a complex character.
Timothy grimaced. “I have two older sisters—half sisters. I’ve always in jest referred to them as my evil, ugly sisters.” He winced. “Never again.”
The words had barely passed his lips when a tap on the door heralded his man. “Lady Constance has arrived, m’lord. She’s heard about your injury and is demanding to see you.”
Timothy stared at him, then slumped back and groaned. Feelingly.
Michael laughed. Standing, he gripped Timothy’s hand, assured him he’d let Hedderwick know of Timothy’s interest, then beat a hasty retreat.
Timothy muttered darkly—something about deserting fallen comrades and leaving them to the enemy.
On the stairs, Michael passed Lady Constance Rafferty, a handsome matron grimly set on her task; they exchanged nods, but she didn’t pause, regally sweeping into her brother’s chamber.
Grinning, Michael left the house, abandoning Timothy to Lady Constance’s tender mercies.
Later that night, when he’d joined Caro in her bedchamber and she stood within the circle of his arms, he smiled down at her and mentioned his visit to Timothy and Lady Constance’s arrival. “He seemed stronger. I’m sure between you and his sisters, he’ll make an amazing recovery.”
Caro narrowed her eyes at him. “Was he taking my cordial?”
“I witnessed it with my own eyes.”