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"He didn't tell me that you and he were twins, Lord Grahame."
    "No wonder you were startled at the sight of me." Grahame seated himself again. "Identical twins learn early that people become so fascinated by the idea that there are two of us that they forget we are individuals. Easier not to mention being a twin unless there's a good reason." And there had really never been a reason for Kyle to mention the subject. At the end, everything had happened so quickly.
    She studied her host's face. It was a little thinner than Kyle's and his eyes were perhaps a deeper blue, but even so… "The resemblance is remarkable, Lord Grahame."
    He gave her a painfully familiar smile. "Since I am your brother-in-law, you must call me Dominic."
    "My name is Troth." She plucked restlessly at the coverlet, reluctant to tell him her news. "You accept without question that I am your brother's wife?"
    "You have his ring." His gaze went to her hand, where firelight picked out the Celtic knotwork. "And you look like someone he would marry. Where is he— delayed in London?"
    Troth realized that despite Dominic's casual attitude, he was tense with nerves. That was why he had sat with her until she awoke. Perhaps he sensed that something was wrong, but hoped she would say his twin was fine and would be along soon. Aching, she said, "I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, my lord. Kyle died in China."
    Dominic froze, the color draining from his face. "No. He can't be dead."
    "I wish it weren't so." Her voice unsteady despite the months she'd lived with the knowledge, she described Kyle's death in short, flat sentences. When she was finished, Dominic buried his face in shaking hands. "I knew something was wrong," he whispered. " But I always thought that if he was dead, I would know it."
    She bit her lip. "I'm sorry, so sorry. His last request was that I come to tell you what happened."
    He raised his head, expression haggard. "Forgive me. This must be even more difficult for you than for me."
    "I knew Kyle only a few weeks." Though those weeks had changed her forever. "You knew him your whole life."
    Dominic's mouth twisted. "I suppose there is no point in comparing pain."
    He got to his feet, his gaze blind. "If you need anything, just tug on the bellpull and someone will come." He started to say more, then shook his head. "For… forgive me."
    He left the room, moving as though he had been struck a mortal blow. Intuitively Troth knew he was going to his wife, the only one whose comfort might help after such catastrophic news.
    Duty discharged, she rolled over and buried herself in the pillows, surrendering to sobs she had suppressed for too long.

Chapter 5
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    Canton, China
    February 1832

    Kyle blinked when he entered the high-ceilinged dining room of the English Factory, as the East India Company hong was known. Hundreds of wax candles blazed from chandeliers and in the massive candelabra that marched down the center of the long, gleaming table. "You were serious about this being an excuse to get out the silver," he murmured under his breath to Gavin Elliott. "This would make the castle of an English duke look positively informal."
    Gavin chuckled. "You'd know that better than I."
    Kyle noticed a crowd of Chinese dressed in plain dark garb at the far end of the room. "Surely so many servants aren't needed."
    "It's traditional to have one standing behind each chair. I asked Jin Kang to take care of you. If you have any questions about customs or protocol, he'll answer them."
    Jin might have answers, but Kyle thought it best to avoid asking the questions. He was still uneasy about his reaction to the young man.
    "Lord Maxwell, let me officially welcome you to the English Factory." A solid, balding man emerged from a group to offer his hand: William Boynton, head of the East India Company in Canton. As host, Boynton took him around the room for more introductions. Kyle cast a wistful glance out the window at the river before settling himself