“Far more than I thought the man deserved,” Reynolds said.

“Perhaps, but I hoped it would silence him on spreading rumor and innuendo. Also so he would not return.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Christ.”

Reynolds shook his head. “You know, he was asking so many odd questions when I had him come back to your London home for the payment delivery a week or so later.”

“He was?” Jasper asked, spinning on him. “About what?”

“Something about your brother’s travels. About any furnishings or knickknacks you wanted to rid yourself of, especially any new ones.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Reynolds shrugged. “Because it is my duty to keep those kinds of silly questions out of your sightline. You were managing a great deal as you took over the title, and I knew you wouldn’t be interested in selling off wares to a man like that. Had you spoken to me about wanting to get rid of things, I’m sure I would have brought it up, but you were storing most of the previous earl’s items.”

“Yes, here, actually,” Jasper said.

“And if it is Maitland who Anne ran away with, that means the same man showed up here,” Reynolds said. “It seems like quite a coincidence, as you said.”

“Do you think he wanted something of Solomon’s?” Jasper asked, the sick feeling in his stomach rising.

“Perhaps,” Reynold’s said. “It’s possible, of course.”

Jasper ran a hand through his hair as he thought of Thomasina and her worry over Anne. Now he felt the same concern for his former fiancée, whether he was angry with her or not. “And instead he very well could have found Anne. If she has involved herself with—”

Reynolds held up a hand. “Now wait. We have no idea if her Ellis is the same as your brother’s second, do we?”

Jasper drew in what he wished was a more calming breath. “I suppose not.”

“Ellis is common enough as both a first and last name, as we have already determined by my little exercise trying to recall where you knew it.” Reynold’s reached out and placed a hand on Jasper’s shoulder. He gave a squeeze. “Let me make inquiries. I’ll find out if Maitland is even in the area. If he isn’t, then your fears can be assuaged.”

“Yes,” Jasper said, though his racing heart didn’t calm as he pondered the horrible possibility that his brother’s history had once again come to destroy Jasper’s future. “I would appreciate that, thank you.”

“And I will be discreet as I can be about it, of course,” Reynolds said as he got up and made for the door.

Jasper laughed even though there was nothing funny about the entire situation. “You can try, my friend. But this is all a powder keg now and someone has already lit the match. An explosion is imminent. I will just have to bear it.”

Reynolds’ concern was clear, but he inclined his head and exited the room to begin his investigation. And as he left, Jasper immediately rested his head in his hands.