A Taste of Seduction (6 page)

“What makes you say that?” He didn't want anyone knowing of the Libertine Scholars situation.

He paused before looking strangely at Hadley. “May I be frank, my lord?” When Hadley nodded, he continued. “During my inspection of her ladyship, I noticed a few strange injuries.”

“Strange?”

The doctor colored. “I suspect she has been beaten, and not just once. Her arm has been broken at one stage and reset very badly. And there are other scars. I mention this only in case she needs protection. I understand she is now a wealthy widow, and I wonder if she is being targeted by some nefarious rogue. She told me she has lived in Scotland alone these past twelve months. I wonder if she's come to London to get help.” The doctor eyed him as if he were Evangeline's knight in shining armor.

If her story was true, he was anything but her hero. Jumbled emotions rollicked within his body. Rage like he'd never known rose, followed by bile. Someone had hurt her, deliberately. The idea that her story could be true made his heart twist in agony.

“Thank you, Doctor, for being frank with me. Have no fear—I will protect her. I have called the Runners, but they are being discreet. Besides, Lord Labourd has asked to organize the hunt for the perpetrator. I have a wounded guest to see to.”

The doctor nodded. “Very wise. We cannot have young women being shot at in the respectable streets of London.”

“Quite.”

“I shall take my leave, but I'll be back to check on the wound. The next few days are where the risk of infection is likely. She should stay resting and not too much movement of that shoulder until the stitches take.”

Hadley stood as Thurston, the family butler, arrived to show the doctor out. “I shall try to get her to obey your instructions, but the lady has a mind of her own.”

“Don't they all,” the doctor said, smiling. He took his leave.

Hadley's gut was churning with unease. He needed to speak urgently with Evangeline about the letter.

Mrs. Booker knocked on the door, and he bid her enter.

“I've sent word to her ladyship's home to alert them to the fact she's been hurt, but that it is nothing to be concerned about. I didn't want anyone worrying.”

“Thank you.” At the same time he wondered if there was anyone else who would be worrying about her. As the doctor pointed out, she was a beautiful rich widow. Usually such ladies did not lack for company for long.

“She was particularly worried about her son. He will wonder where she is if she is not there in the morning. She takes breakfast with him every day.”

The word “son” hit him in his chest so hard, it was as if he'd been trampled by a bull. A big bloody bull. He had not heard she had a son, and all he could think was any son Evangeline had should have been his.

Thank goodness she was not badly wounded. She had a son. A son who'd already lost his father. Guilt would destroy him if the little lad lost his mother too.

As the haze of hurt and disappointment swirled, Mrs. Butler added, “She's asking to see you.”

He nodded. “Thank you. I know it's late and you'll need your sleep. I'm sorry to cause such trouble.”

“It was not you who shot her. It could have been a lot worse. Praise the Lord no one was killed.” She crossed herself as she took her leave.

He was tired, exhausted really, but he owed Evangeline an explanation. He made his way upstairs to her room, guilt and anger mixing to make his mood dark and dangerous.

He knocked softly, hoping she'd drifted into sleep and this conversation could wait until the morning. However, a strong “Enter” was his reply.

As he stepped into the room, two things struck him. One, the only woman he'd ever loved was finally in his bed, where he had always wanted her to be. Two, he still wanted the dream. Still wanted a life with her as his wife, wanted her to love him so much that she put him first rather than money or a title.

He wanted a fantasy.

He had promised to marry Claire.

Claire would never lie to him. She didn't care enough to. She would never break his heart either, as he cared not a jot for her. They would marry. She would do as her family desired, just as he would.

He took the chair next to the bed. She looked pale but still beautiful. Desire was swimming in his blood, mixing with the guilt and the anger. “I'm so sorry you were hurt. It wasn't my intention for you to get mixed up in this mess.”

She shrugged. “Your words earlier this evening injured me far more than this silly bullet. The fact that you don't believe me…well, it's like you've taken a dagger to my heart.”

His mouth fell open. He'd hurt
her
? Did she even begin to understand the depth of pain her sudden marriage to Viscount Stuart had caused him?

He would not argue with her tonight. Her pallor and the slight gleam on her face indicated she was not as comfortable as she indicated.

“Are you going to explain to me why someone is trying to kill you? Don't deny it. If you had not bent down, the shot would have seen you in your grave.” She choked on the last two words, and her hands were gripping the sheets, her knuckles white.

“Do not worry yourself. I can take care of myself.”

She scoffed at his words. “Like you did tonight. You didn't even have bodyguards with you.”

“I had no idea, until tonight, that I was in such grave danger.”

“But you knew you were in danger?”

“Speaking of which, are
you
in danger, Evangeline? Is that why you have come to London to seek me out, hoping I'll protect you?”

“Why would you think that? It's you the bullet was for.”

He watched her face closely for signs of deceit, but her expression was open. Either she was a brilliant actress or she really did not feel she was in any danger. “The doctor mentioned you had unexplained injuries.”

Her face closed immediately and a haunted look entered her eyes. “He should not have spoken to you of them.”

He did not miss the word “them,” as if there were multiple injuries. “How did you get these injuries?”

A tear tracked down one pale cheek, and his soul wanted to rage against the person who'd hurt her.

“You wouldn't believe me even if I told you, since you have not believed a word I said to you tonight.”

He wanted to believe her so badly, but it wasn't just the letter that made her a liar. He had a witness.

“You know I'd protect you regardless of our past. I'd never let anyone hurt a lady.”

She relaxed back against the covers, looking forlorn. “I'm not the one in danger, you are. I know the truth.”

He wouldn't push her tonight, but he would learn who had hurt her. “What have the ladies told you?”

She didn't even pretend to misunderstand him.

“Marisa may have told me a little of what is going on. Do not blame her—she was trying to explain how she ended up compromised.”

Bloody interfering women.

Over the following half hour Hadley explained the situation with the Libertine Scholars and their common enemy, and the latest intelligence they had gathered.

“She's going to kill you.” Her words were spoken quietly, and her face appeared even paler, if that was possible. She was genuinely worried for him, and the thought warmed him.

Hadley simply shrugged. “Unlike my fellow Libertine Scholars, who are all first sons, it would appear there is no point ruining a second son. Killing is quicker and sends the appropriate message to the others.”

Evangeline looked at the man before her, really looked. She had never considered how sensitive he was to his second-son status, but he'd mentioned his station in life several times tonight. Had he been this concerned five years ago?

Maybe her supposed betrayal had caused this lack of self-worth. He actually believed she had married another for money and a title.

If he had received a forged letter on top of his insecurities, then it would be understandable for him to think so little of her. She was more determined than ever to see the letter, so that she could prove him wrong. She had a good idea how such a deception might have been achieved. Her mother had forged other people's handwriting before, when the family needed credit.

Right now, however, she was more concerned with the immediate danger Hadley faced.

“What do you plan to do about this situation?”

He would not meet her eyes. “I don't see that it's any of your business.”

“This.” She pointed to her bandaged shoulder. “This makes it my business.”

“I plan to find out who this woman is and stop her before she hurts anyone else I care for.”

The great protector. He'd always been his brother's keeper too. Hadley had always been there for anyone weaker or in need of help. When she'd saved Stowe, Hadley been so proud of her for standing up to Stowe's bully of a father.

But he hadn't come to Scotland to rescue her, and now she knew why. He hadn't believed in her.

Her heart seized with worry. He would risk himself to bring De Palma down because he always put others before himself. That was what hurt her the most, because she'd pinned all her hopes on him saving her.

She opened her mouth to speak again, but he held up his hand. “Let's talk no more about this tonight. The doctor advised you to rest. Mrs. Butler has let your household know you will be here for a few days.”

“I cannot stay here for—”

He interrupted, “I forgot to mention that I hope Lady Coldhurst, Sebastian's aunt, will be arriving shortly, so your reputation is safe. And if necessary I'll send a missive to my mother. She left town only last week, but if I explain the situation, I'm sure she would return.”

“I'm not worried about my reputation. But my son will fret without me.”

She watched some deep emotion flicker in Hadley's eyes at the mention of her son.

“Your son is welcome to come and stay too. In fact, it may be safer for him to do so.”

Evangeline's throat dried. She could not bring Sealey here, not yet. Not until she gained an understanding of the man Hadley had become. So far she was not terribly impressed. And it would appear he was in danger.

Sealey was a sensitive child and the move to London had unsettled him. He would fret without her. He wasn't yet five and had not had a very pleasant upbringing until Dougal's death. He was only just starting to blossom into a normal little boy. He would get anxious again if she was not home tomorrow when he woke up.

“There is no need. I will be going home before dawn. My house is not far from here. Actually, I believe my townhouse's garden backs onto your family's garden.”

She watched a myriad of emotions swarm over Hadley's handsome face: relief, fear, anger, sadness.

Sadness gave her hope. “Why don't you show me this letter I supposedly wrote? I'd like to see it before I leave.”

Hadley refocused on her, worry lining his face. “It's too dangerous for you to leave. Bringing you here was a mistake. With all the talk about us, and then I bring you here, to my family home, society will assume a relationship. This could make you and your son a target.”

Fear for her son made her pain fade away. “I need to go home,” she said, throwing back the covers with her good arm.

He moved forward. “The doctor said—”

“I don't care what he said. My son is alone. I'm all he has.”

Hadley saw she meant business because she began to rise from the bed. “I can send for him. You will both be safer here.”

“No.” She didn't mean the word to come out so harsh.

Hadley's head snapped back in surprise. “Why on earth not?”

“He has recently lost his father, he's come to a strange town and new house, and he is unsettled. I will not move him again.” Evangeline was amazed that she came up with such an excuse so quickly; however, it was very close to the truth.

Hadley seemed to think on her words before saying, “I have already organized for Runners to guard your house. You must promise me not to leave the house without their protection.”

She cocked her head to one side and looked at him. “Thank you. Plus, I may be able to help you.” In a whisper she added, “Marisa mentioned Arend's fixation on Lady Victoria. It may not be unwarranted. I think there might be pertinent information on Victoria in my husband's journals.”

Hadley sat forward in his chair. “I beg your pardon?”

“My husband was a vindictive man. He was also good friends with Victoria's husband, and I know the sudden marriage to her upset him. He didn't trust her. He began digging into her past, and the journals may contain the knowledge you seek.”

“You could bring the journals here.”

She shook her head. There were things in the journals she did not wish Hadley to see: things about her son, and things about how her husband had treated her. She would not share that with him. Ever.

“They are heavy volumes and contain personal material. I really should be the one to go through them. I may even find the evidence I need to prove to you that your assumptions about me are wrong. That I did not marry for a title and money.” She was sure Dougal had confessed all in his journals.

She saw the resignation in Hadley's lovely eyes. All he cared about were the journals, not that he'd maligned her all these years.

“It would be faster if both of us went through the journals,” he insisted.

She barely hid her anger. “So now that I have something you want, you're prepared to spend time in my presence.” He had the grace to drop his gaze from hers. “Until I see this letter, you will not be looking at those journals.”

“I could fetch the letter now.”

“No. I'm tired and I'm hurt. You can jolly well wait until it suits me. If you'd be so kind as to fetch my carriage, I intend to go home.”

Hadley had the good sense not to argue with her. He must have realized it would not take much more for her to lose her temper completely. He walked over to the door and opened it to call for Mrs. Butler.