How utterly male.
Her eyes narrowed on him. “No.”
His face relaxed. “Then I see no reason that you shouldn’t tell me. Someone was here.”
Belle’s eyes flew to him. “You cannot possibly know that.”
“On the contrary, my dear, there are muddy boot prints on the carpet,” he motioned to the telltale prints. “It could not have been De Roux or you would not be here. So who was it?”
Belle blinked down at the pair of muddy imprints in disbelief. Though they were faint, they were there for all to see. Her brother clearly was not a stealthy spy. And drat Simon and his hawk eyes.
“Simon—”
To her surprise, rage suddenly contorted his face and his hands started to shake.
“Have you taken a lover?”
“What! No! How dare you imply such a thing?” Belle stood suddenly, restless. “Not to say where would I have the time or the opportunity?”
“Then who was here?”
“Fine! It was Quinn.”
His eyes widened in outrage. “Bloomington? That young pup? He’s barely out of the cradle!”
Belle’s temper exploded and she marched up to him, stabbing a finger at his chest. “I’ve not taken a lover. Honestly, after our last encounter, I do not see why anyone would enjoy the act. There is nothing pleasurable about it.”
That seemed to bring him up short, his cheeks coloring. “Then who was here?”
His jealousy astounded her. “Quinn, mybrother.”
He blinked. “Your brother?”
“Yes. Also known as a sibling.”
He glanced around the room. “Where is he now?”
There was no point in lying. “He left again. He’s also aware you stayed in his room, secretly skulking about.”
His shoulders had slumped in relief, but the last comment snapped them back to attention. “He knows and he did nothing?” he asked astonished.
She shrugged. “Of course, the list of transgressions is long. He’s also aware of my adventure in the ocean, and about De Roux. Indeed, he seems to have been keeping an eye on me.”
“Does he know what happened four years ago?”
She nodded, a harsh breath escaping her. “Yes.”
“Your brother is a spy.”
It wasn’t a question.
Belle turned away, a bubble of laughter escaping her. She was glad Simon had come to the deduction on his own. “It would seem that way. My brothers have quite the story to tell. Once De Roux is taken care of, Quinn said they will return home.”
And he’d be required to leave, though that was left unspoken.
“When this is over, we may not have any choice but to marry, Belle.”
“I believe I’ve made myself clear on the matter,” Belle sputtered.
