Faux Vows, True Desires

Jay sat in silence, listening as Owen cursing the bandit who had dared to cross him.

Ever since Owen had fallen for Ms. Yates, he had become more human, more down-to-earth.

The power of love, it seemed, could truly change a man.

When Owen finally ran out of steam, Jay ventured to ask, "Sir, do you want to go after the bandit?"

"Spread the word that I was attacked and injured by a bandit. The scoundrel will turn himself in."

Given Owen's reputation, the mere hint of his involvement in the bandit's capture could send the rogue running to the sheriff's office, saving them the trouble of a manhunt. "And replace the streetlights in that alley, they're too dim."

Cecilia's route home was a dangerous one. It gave Owen an excuse to escort her every day, but he couldn't ignore the problem forever.

"Look into the bandit. If he doesn't turn himself in, we'll take him to the sheriff ourselves."

"Understood."

With his orders given, Owen ended the call.

Recalling the detective agency's report from the previous evening, he retrieved it from his desk and settled down on the sofa.

"Arno, let's see what kind of saint you are, hiding your secrets even from me."

Sarcasm laced Owen's words as he pulled out the report on Avery and began to read.

After finishing, he rose abruptly, forgoing even a change of clothes, and headed out the door.

The Harrison estate was quiet in the early morning.

Its residents were not early risers.

Trenton, troubled by insomnia in his advanced age, would rise early to do

grandfather in the yard, practicing his morning routine with his cousin, Harry Harrison, who had always coveted

born to a different mother, and the patriarch clearly favored his first wife's children. Despite his abilities, Harry was overlooked for the role

would disgrace their company, his grandfather wouldn't remove him from his

to make decisions that displeased his grandfather. Harry's family members saw this as an opportunity and silently cheered Owen

to Stefan, who

recourse was to curry favor with his grandfather, hoping that when the time came to divide the

with a

"Morning."

Owen made an effort to maintain a civil facade,

happened to your

paused his practice to ask, concern coloring

the bandage wrapped around Owen's arm, Trenton also halted

expression grim,

into a brawl with a bandit while escorting your sister-in-law home last night.

Owen explained.

didn't you

of news had been leaked by Owen's

keep her mouth shut and had likely spread the news of his divorce

he had no intentions of marrying some high-society ladies his mother chose. Marriage was a lifelong commitment. If he

back together? Cecilia will be your

"Then good luck, brother.

only a matter of time. Grandfather, there's something I

He was curious about its contents but knew better than to ask. He excused himself, "Grandfather,

Trenton headed back into the

Avery was your

was easy to dig up his past. The only reason Owen hadn't been able to was because his