A Kiss of Lies (30 page)

Christian stepped forward, trying to keep the anger from his voice. “I am Christian Trent, the Earl of Markham. I assure you—”

Harriet’s eyes screwed up and her lips firmed in anger. She turned to her brother. “What nonsense is this? How dare they mock me?”

Simon crouched next to his sister. “Harriet, this
is
Lord Markham.”

She shook her head. “You are not Lord Markham. Lord Markham’s scars were on his forehead and scalp, where the burns were at their worst; his scalp on the left side had no hair.” She shuddered, remembering. “He was hideous. This is not him.”

Relief flooded through Christian, and he immediately sought out Serena’s gaze. Her hands were clasped in front of her, and her face was alight with a smile of relief. Still looking at him, she crouched on the other side of Harriet and took her hand.

“Do you know who I am, my dear?”

Harriet nodded. “Lady Serena Castleton.”

“Then believe me when I tell you this man is indeed Lord Markham, Harriet. Why did you think the man who hurt you was Lord Markham?”

Harriet closed her eyes and a tear slipped from under her lashes. “Because he told me over and over again to remember that he was Lord Markham.” Her eyes flashed open. “But if he was not you, why would he say that he was?” She began crying again.

Serena hugged her. “Because he wanted to ensure Lord Markham was blamed for this heinous crime against you. It’s not your fault, Harriet. You are the victim in all of this. Someone has used you, playing a truly evil game with you in order to discredit the Earl.”

Christian crouched down in front of Harriet and took her hand. “Don’t cry, my lady. I promise you that I’ll do everything in my power to bring the man to justice. I want to catch this evil creature as badly as you do.”

Harriet’s sobs halted and she opened her eyes. There was such pain in their depths that Christian realized Harriet had been hurt far worse than he had ever been. She reached out and tentatively touched Christian’s face. “I’m sorry for accusing you, and for all your trouble, for everything you’ve suffered on my account.”

He pressed a kiss to her palm. “Don’t be. It is I who should be apologizing to you. I believe you are an innocent victim in a plot to tarnish my name and destroy me. I swear I’ll find out who did this and ensure he’s punished severely.”

He stood and shook Simon’s proffered hand. “I suggest we escort the ladies home and reconvene in the morning to determine our next step. I won’t rest until he is caught. The man’s dangerous. He’s not only hurt Harriet, he’s also killed Carla and Susan Potts. You must watch over your sister,” he softly said to Simon.

“I’ll see the guard is kept up. I’ll also be at your house first thing tomorrow morning. I should have put more work into hunting down the perpetrator. William defended you, and I knew, deep down, you were innocent. My father will be mortified when he learns the truth. Christ, we sent you to Canada!”

“Thank you for the apology, but your father loves his daughter. I would have done far worse to anyone I believed had hurt Lily.” He turned and smiled at Serena. “Besides, I would not have met Serena if you’d not shanghaied me.”

“You’re too understanding. If there is anything you ever need from the Barfortes, don’t hesitate to ask us.”

Without further ado, they exited the magistrate’s office and Christian hurried Serena into his carriage. The last thing he needed was for her to be spotted with him. She’d just risked her life in stepping forward to clear his name. To win a case of self-defense when her husband’s brother was a marquis was most definitely not a certainty.

He looked at Hadley and let his fear sharpen his words. “What the hell were you thinking, bringing her here?”

“I was thinking that she’d be worse off with you in jail on a murder charge. You’d be no help to her then.”

He ignored the pained look on Hadley’s face. “Bloody hell, how long do you think it will be before word gets out that she’s in London?”

“You mean that she’s in London
and
she’s staying with you?”

“Yes.”

Serena looked at both the men in turn. “Stop it. Don’t talk about me as if I’m not here.” She turned to Christian. “We knew this day was coming. At some point I was going to be charged. I can’t clear my name otherwise. It might simply come sooner than we had expected or planned for.”

His grip tightened on her hand. He relaxed his hold at her grimace. He couldn’t bear it if he lost her now. “You should not have risked coming forward until my lawyer advised you to do so.”

Hadley leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Look, we have perhaps two days to prepare a strategy for her defense. I’ve already sent for Sebastian. I only hope we can delay any trial date so that he makes it back to England in time. He knew Dennett, and his testimony will carry considerable weight. I’m sure we can find others only too keen to rally to our cause. Dennett was a pig of a man.” He reached out and patted Serena’s hand as she clung to Christian’s knee. “We will clear you.”

Her stomach churned at the thought of what was to come, and Hadley’s assurance did nothing to settle it. Christian’s face was grim and Serena wished she could remove his worry lines and make him smile again. He’d been cleared of rape and murder. He should be happy that his name and reputation were restored. Instead she’d burdened him with her own problems.

Once the news broke, his reputation would be tarnished because he was helping her—a murderess. If it became known they were lovers, their position would be even worse. She’d be branded a hussy who’d killed her husband and then taken up with an infamous war hero for suspect motives.

“Perhaps it would be better if I moved out of your house.”

Hadley nodded. “I agree. It does her reputation, and case, no good, labeling her your paramour.”

Christian’s face paled and his voice wavered. “Where do you suggest she go?”

“I’ve already taken care of it. Marisa and Helen have agreed to have her as their guest. I’m sure Sebastian would allow it.”

Serena shook her head. “Absolutely not. They are young debutantes. Think of what accommodating me would do to their reputations.” She bowed her head. “And what about Lily? She’s alone in a new country. She’ll think I’ve deserted her.”

“Their aunt, Lady Alison Coldhurst, is in residence. Sebastian’s aunt is considered a pillar of the ton, and if we can convince her to defend Serena, not only will it maintain Serena’s respectability, but it will also ensure that the judge takes her good character into consideration.”

Hope of an acquittal fluttered into life in Serena’s heart. “I was a favorite with Lady Coldhurst during my coming-out season. Perhaps I might be able to persuade her myself.”

Hadley raised an eyebrow at Christian. “It certainly couldn’t hurt to try.”

“God damn it!” Christian’s despair soaked the carriage. No one knew quite where to look. Christian rapped on the roof. The carriage halted and he gave the driver Sebastian’s address, his decision made. She prayed Lady Coldhurst would see her. She had no idea whom she’d turn to if the lady would not admit her. She only knew she could no longer stay with Christian. It wasn’t fair or safe for him. She didn’t like him having to shoulder her sins. And Lily … “What about Lily?”

“I’ll explain everything to Lily and she can come and visit you every day.” Christian’s hand tightened its hold on hers. He raised it to his lips and pressed a firm kiss to her fingers.

“We belong together. If Lady Coldhurst will help us, then I’m happy to be separated from you for a short time.” His hot, possessive gaze met hers. “But you will be my wife. Lily, you, and I will be a family. Never, ever doubt it, my love.”

Christian arrived home from their meeting with Sebastian’s aunt. It had gone remarkably well. So well, in fact, that Serena had stayed on with her and he’d returned to his townhouse alone. He ordered the maids to pack her things and have them delivered to Sebastian’s house.

In the morning he’d have to have a talk with Lily and explain everything. He hoped Lily would understand the change in Serena’s name and circumstances. Lily had already experienced more changes than any young girl should have had to face. However, Lily had also showed herself to be resilient. Lily would be happy to gain Serena as a stepmother, of that he was sure.

His other thought was that he’d also have to advertise for a new governess. Surely a suitable governess would be easier to find here in London. Perhaps Lady Coldhurst could be persuaded to help in this regard as well.

He walked to his study and, before taking his seat, headed directly for the brandy decanter. He poured himself a large glass. He glanced at the clock. It had been a very long day. Farnham had had him arrested at six the previous morning, and it was now almost two in the morning. He really could do with a bath, but he wanted to collect his thoughts now that he had a bit of peace and quiet.

Who on earth would have gone to such elaborate lengths to discredit him? He sat in his large, high-backed chair and mentally went over the list of men he thought might want to see him brought to his knees.

Joseph Trent, his father’s younger brother, was the only person who would benefit from his demise. Without a son, Christian’s title and estate would revert to Joseph. But the man was well into his sixth decade and had little interest in society. Christian didn’t believe it was him. Joseph had never married and therefore had no heir. Christian had always suspected Joseph kept to himself because he preferred men to the ladies. If this rumor was true, Joseph would not seek the limelight.

No, it wasn’t Joseph.

Had he grievously offended anyone recently or, for that matter, in the past? There had been the obvious manly fights, usually over women, but as he’d never before cared deeply about
any woman, these were unlikely to be the cause.

His head throbbed with a mixture of tiredness and frustration. Planning a strategic defense would be so much easier if he knew who his enemy was. At the moment, he was totally in the dark.

The tumbler dropped from his fingers onto the table, luckily not tipping over. A sudden flash of inspiration made his stomach clench. Could this be about his father? Was it revenge on the Markham name because of something his father had once done? In all reality, this made more sense.

He needed to make a list of potential perpetrators. He rubbed a hand over his face. Christ, it would be a long list. He’d need Roberts’s help, for the butler was the one who knew the most about his father’s crimes, those committed when Christian was a young boy as well as those perpetrated when Christian was an adult and living away from Henslowe Court.

He sat at his desk and pulled out the folder containing correspondence and information from his lawyer. But the print swam before his eyes. Even in his exhaustion, his head was still full of Serena.

His Serena. The thought of her made a small smile break over his lips. He drew in a deep breath. He could still smell her fragrance on his clothes. Her scent, her smile, her taste, was forever with him … God, how he wanted her.

He should concentrate on seeing her free first. Then he’d fight to ensure she stayed his.

Just as he’d begun to devise instructions for his lawyer regarding the appropriate strategy to employ in Serena’s case, his concentration was interrupted by a commotion outside his study. Minutes earlier, he’d heard the horses in the street below. He had assumed it was the neighbors returning from some ball or other. It was, after all, early in the morning.

However, the commotion outside his front door continued, and shortly thereafter, a knock sounded at the study door and Roberts entered.

“What are you still doing up? I will be working for a few hours more. You may as well go to bed.”

“You have visitors, my lord.”

“At this hour?”

He glanced up and was surprised to see Hadley standing behind the butler. Hadley looked so somber, his heart almost stilled in his chest. He instantly knew that the men standing at his
study door had come for Serena.

She’d stepped forward to clear his name, at great risk of the hangman’s noose. He owed her everything for that, but more important, he loved her.

He’d get them to agree to remand her into Lady Coldhurst’s custody until the trial. He would not let her be held in a prison cell. His title should count for something, along with his honor as a gentleman. He’d hired the best lawyer, and they would build a case of self-defense. Christian hoped she’d agree to tell her story in court. She’d need to be examined by a physician to provide evidence of the abuse.

He sat back in his chair, trying to present a calm façade to face what was to come. He needed a clear head in order to win the first battle and, ultimately, the war.

Before he’d had a chance to take a deep breath, the door to the study flew out of Roberts’s hand and opened wide. Roberts was desperately trying to block the doorway, but a tall, well-dressed stranger pushed Roberts out of the way. The stranger strode into the study, followed by Hadley.

Roberts calmly stated, “I’m sorry, my lord, the gentlemen wouldn’t wait to be introduced. I tried to stop them.…”

“Thank you, Roberts. That will be all,” Christian said as two more men entered the study. Hadley looked angry, the other three menacing.

Roberts bowed and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

“I’ve come for my wife. Where is she?” the stranger demanded without any pleasantries.

At the word “wife” Christian thought he’d heard incorrectly. Then he went cold inside, while his palms became clammy. He knew who this man was.

Peter Dennett was alive and well.

At first relief swamped him. She hadn’t killed Dennett after all. She wouldn’t have to stand trial and wouldn’t have to face the gallows. She could stay at Henslowe Court, with him.

Then reality hit, and his heart rose in his throat. A series of curses issued silently through his lips. He could barely breathe.

She was still married. Married to Dennett.

She wouldn’t be for long, he told himself, not if he had anything to say about it. Dennett would never get his hands on her again. He’d kill the man before he’d let that happen.