Vexing the Viscount (5 page)

“Shall I escort Miss Featherstone home?” he asked in a hopeful tone.

“No, Arthur. She is paying a call on me. Help her down.”

Tia smothered a laugh as Arthur held out his hand to assist her down from the carriage. “Thank you, Arthur.”

He only shook his head in reply.

Tia still found it odd that Arthur immediately recognized her for what she was—no one—while Emily insisted Tia return to her home and befriend her. Could Lady Eldridge be that lacking in female companionship?

Once they reached the entrance, Emily turned to her. “Would you mind if we talked in my bedchamber? I find myself very tired and unwell.”

“Of course, Lady Eldridge.”

Emily stared at her without moving. “Emily.”

“Of course, Emily,” Tia said, feeling as if she'd been reprimanded. She followed behind her new friend as they ascended the steps. Almost as soon as she entered the room, Emily's lady maid blustered into the room.

“Did you have a fine day out at the park, my lady?” the woman asked as she removed Emily's beautiful ivory spencer.

“Lovely, but I am a bit tired. Could you bring some tea up for Miss Featherstone and me.”

It was as if Tia hadn't existed until the countess proclaimed her presence in the room. The maid bobbed a quick curtsy. “Good afternoon, Miss Featherstone.”

Tia had no idea the maid's name, so only nodded at her. “Could you find some peppermint to brew some tea?”

“Peppermint tea?” The maid slid a glance to the countess.

“Yes, Mallory. Some peppermint tea for Miss Featherstone. Thank you.”

Tia watched as Miss Mallory backed out of the room looking dreadful confused by what she'd just encountered in her mistress's bedchamber. Once the door shut behind her, Tia's skill took over. “To bed with you, my lady.”

“I cannot retire at this hour. Everyone will be suspicious.”

“Not another word,” Tia said before setting to work at removing the woman's dress and stays. “Bed, now.”

Emily scampered under the covers and then lay back against the pillows with a sigh. “You mustn't tell a soul.”

Tia nodded. “Is there some specific reason you are not ready to tell your husband about his impending fatherhood?”

“No,” she answered quickly.

“Surely, he will be pleased with the idea of you carrying his heir?” Tia said.

The countess stared at her long fingers splayed against the coverlet. Tears fell like rain from her eyes. “I cannot be certain it is his child,” she whispered so quietly Tia barely heard her.

“Why not?”

“I was with another man not long before my marriage. My family did not consider him husband material. Once Eldridge expressed an interest in me, my mother paraded me before him at every opportunity until he proposed only a fortnight later. We were married a week later by special license. I didn't wish to marry him and when the other man returned a few days before the wedding. . . .”

“When did you discover your condition?” Tia asked as she felt Emily's belly.

“In all the upheaval of the marriage, it wasn't until a week ago that I realized I had missed two monthlies.”

“I'm surprised you haven't been nauseated until now.”

“Every now and then but today was the worst.” Emily smiled up at her. “Which is why I am so glad I discovered you at the park.”

“Good fortune indeed.” Tia took a seat near the bed as Mallory returned with the tea tray.

“My lady, are you unwell?”

“Just tired. That is why we are having tea upstairs.” As Mallory placed the tea on the bedside table, Emily asked, “Did you find the peppermint for tea?”

“Yes, my lady. I brought both the peppermint and the black.”

“Thank you, Mallory. I shall ring if I need anything more.”

Mallory nodded and then departed.

Emily looked over at Tia. “Would you mind pouring today?”

“Of course not.” Tia prepared the peppermint tea and then handed it to Emily. “This should calm your stomach.” Then she made some black tea for herself. Sitting back against the chair, an odd sense of discomfort overcame her. She needed to drink her tea and return to Middleton's before the dressmaker arrived at noon. It was already eleven, so she must make her excuse rather quickly.

“Where did you learn so much about pregnancy?”

Tia explained how her mother had taught her and her sister from the time they were old enough to follow her around the estate. They would watch her heal people and treat them for sicknesses with herbs.

“It seems so odd to me that your mother would allow you to see people's bare limbs, especially a man's,” Emily commented and then sipped her tea.

“Perhaps, but seeing it at a young age takes the fascination out of it. Once you've seen one bare leg, the others are all the same.” If only the same could be said of a man's chest. She had never seen a chest like Middleton's, finely muscled down to his belly. And that line of black hair that crossed his chest, down his belly, and disappeared beneath his trousers had fascinated her.

“I suppose that would be true.”

Tia placed her teacup down and rose. “I must return to Middleton's home before he becomes concerned.” Or irate. But still, she hoped his arm was all right. She needed to check his bandage for signs of infection.

“Are you certain?” Emily asked softly. “I would love to have you stay with me. My darling husband is usually too busy with his mistress to escort me to many of the parties. With you along with me, we could both go. I could introduce you to all the handsome young men and then perhaps you wouldn't need to return to the Midlands ever again.”

Tia bit down on her lip in thought. If she stayed with Emily, Middleton wouldn't be able to force her to return. But she couldn't take charity from a woman she'd only just met. “While I would enjoy that, I must decline.”

“Why?”

“I shouldn't wish Middleton to worry.”

Emily's brows rose. “Indeed? Is he worried about ruining your reputation by having you stay in his home with no proper chaperone?”

Tia laughed. “Emily, no one cares if I am at his home whether I am his mistress or not.”

“Are you?”

“No.”

“But everyone will assume you are.”

Tia shrugged. “I know no one in town. They will just believe he has installed a mistress to his home. Since I will be leaving possibly tomorrow, very few people will even realize I was there.”

“Why will you not stay with me?” Emily asked quietly with a slight pout. “Have I offended you in some manner?”

“Of course not! But, Emily, we have only just met this very day. Why would you want a complete stranger in your home? Besides, what would your husband say?”

“Yes, Emily, what would your husband say?” A deep voice sounded from the threshold.

Emily's face brightened. “Eldridge, come meet my new friend,” she said, extending her hand outward.

Emily's husband was older than Tia had expected. Gray hairs peppered his dark brown locks, and wrinkle lines around his eyes foretold his age to be much closer to forty than Emily's youthful twenty.

The earl approached the bed and gently kissed his wife's cheek. “Baines said you were not feeling well, so I came up to check on you.”

“My new friend has helped me feel much better.” Emily quickly introduced them. “I was just trying to convince Miss Featherstone that her reputation might be in jeopardy by staying alone with Viscount Middleton. Wouldn't it be wonderful if she stayed with us? She could accompany me to the parties you are unable to attend. And she could give me someone to talk to while you attend to your duties.”

“You are more than welcome to stay with us, Miss Featherstone. For my wife's sake, I hope you will.” He gave a quick bow and then left them alone again.

“See,” Emily said with a tight smile. “Eldridge would give me anything I desire as long as I don't make a fuss about his mistress.”

Tia cringed. This was no marriage.

“Say you will stay with me,” Emily implored.

“Middleton will be furious.” That alone should make her want to stay with her new friend. After what he did to her last night, he deserved a little retribution. But staying with Emily also would give her access to her friends in Society. This might help her find Jonathon.

“He doesn't have to know you're here,” Emily said with a smile.

“I suppose he doesn't.”

And if he could not find her, he couldn't force her to return to a position she no longer wished to do. Even as a tingle of worry crept over her, Tia said, “I'll stay.”

B
raden woke slowly with a muddled feeling in his mind. He blinked a few times before lifting his hands to rub his eyes. A searing pain tore through his right arm. “Damnation.”

Looking over at this arm, he noticed the bandaging and then closed his eyes in an attempt to remember what took place the previous evening. He remembered attending a party and finding Jack. They went to a gaming hell . . . but what happened after that? Dammit, why was his brain so fuzzy this morning? Had he imbibed a bit too much?

He wondered about that for a minute. There was no sign of nausea, no headache, but his arm was aching like the devil and bandaged too. He slowly reached over and rang the bell for a footman. Not more than two minutes had passed before a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” he said gruffly.

“Good morning, my lord,” Nelson said in an unusually soft tone. “Can I get you anything?”

“My memory.” Braden eased into a sitting position. “What the bloody hell happened last night?”

“You don't remember, sir?”

“No. I went to a party and then a gaming hell. That is the extent of my memory.”

Nelson cleared his throat. “You were shot outside the gaming hell, my lord. Miss Featherstone patched you up. She did a fine job too.”

That was not what he wanted to hear. Now he would be indebted to the little hoyden. Nelson's words helped clear some of the cobwebs from his mind. “Thank you, Nelson. Ask Miss Featherstone to come in here. I need to thank her. And bring up some tea and toast.”

Nelson stared at his feet.

“What is wrong?”

“Miss Featherstone went for a walk in the park this morning. She told Mrs. Abbott that she would return before noon when the dressmaker is scheduled.”

Braden closed his eyes as fury rose from deep within. “You let her go for a walk. How did she even get a gown to wear?”

“Mrs. Abbott felt that since she saved your life, Miss Featherstone should be rewarded with a dress and the ability to get some air,” Nelson said softly.

“And since when is Mrs. Abbott in charge of this house?”

Nelson continued to stare at the floor, unable to meet his gaze. “I am terribly sorry, my lord. I should have stopped Miss Featherstone from leaving.”

Braden raked his fingers through his hair. “Please tell me she took a maid or footman with her.”

“I am sorry, sir. She did not.”

“What time is it?”

“Half past eleven. Miss Featherstone should return at any moment.”

Braden breathed in deeply to calm his anger. Somehow, he doubted Miss Featherstone would return in a few minutes. “Pull out my clothes, Nelson.”

“Yes, my lord.” Nelson started to the linen press and stopped. “Did you still want your tea and toast?”

“No, I am going to find Miss Featherstone.” And she would rue the mad idea she had to leave his house without his permission.

“What am I to tell her when she returns?”

“To wait for me in my study. And not to leave this house again.”

Nelson nodded and quickly assisted him in dressing.

To Braden, the few minutes it took to dress felt like hours passing by. The possibility that she was still in the park was miniscule. The little hoyden was long gone. But perhaps someone had noticed her, if she'd even gone into the park. If he'd seen her walking, he would have noticed her.

What was it about Miss Featherstone that heated his blood and passion? He wanted to put her over his knee for all the bother she'd caused him. And the idea of her over his knee with her bare buttocks in front of him made him think of all the lovely things he could do to her in that position. None of which involved scolding.

Banishing those sordid thoughts, he adjusted his jacket and waited for Nelson to find a hat. Nelson returned quickly with a black hat. He handed it to Braden with a nod.

“I spoke with Michael to get your horse saddled, my lord. I assumed you would prefer that over the carriage.”

“Thank you. If Miss Featherstone does return, send Michael to the park to let me know,” Braden said curtly.

“Yes, my lord.”

“I will also speak with Mrs. Abbott when I get back.”

“I will let her know.”

Braden nodded and then left the house, ignoring the ache in his arm. Riding might not have been the best idea after all. Entering the park, he scanned the area in front of him. Several people greeted him and a few tried to start a conversation, but Braden wanted no part of that. He'd thought about asking if anyone had seen her, but then realized how odd it would seem to his acquaintances. He made his excuses and returned to searching.

After two hours, he realized his first assumption was correct, Miss Featherstone was not at the park. And he doubted she even visited it today.

He returned to his town home in Berkley Square, all the while wondering where she could have gone. Based on where she'd been staying, she couldn't have much money left. Her friends had deserted her. She had no one here. Guilt assuaged him. Perhaps if he hadn't treated her so poorly last night she might have stayed willingly, but he'd been a complete ass with her.

Still, she should have told him where she was going!

The door opened as he approached. The black mood that had surrounded him earlier returned.

“Did you find her, my lord?” Nelson asked in a cautious tone.

“Do you see her with me?” he replied acerbically.

“No, sir.”

“Send Mrs. Abbott to me immediately.” He walked the long corridor to his study. “And bring some tea and food.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Braden wanted to pour a large glass of brandy but knew doing so on an empty stomach would not help him find Miss Featherstone. Instead, he sat down behind his large walnut desk and tapped his fingers on the wood. He was perplexed by her actions. Staying here ensured her safety. After his meal, he would return to the Goat's Horn Inn and if she wasn't there, he'd do as he had before and systematically call on every inn until he found her.

“My lord, you wished to see me?” Mrs. Abbott stood at the threshold, nervously playing with her apron.

“Yes, Mrs. Abbott, please come in and close the door.”

The poor woman's face went whiter than the first snow of winter. He supposed he should put her mind at ease, but after the day he'd had due to her poor judgment, he figured she deserved a little worry. “Sit down.”

She nodded and then sat in the chair across the desk from him. “My lord, I am dreadfully sorry. She promised me she would just walk to the park and return before noon. If I had ever thought she would run off, I never would have let her go alone.”

“Alone? My instructions were she was to have breakfast in her room and wait for the seamstress to bring her some proper clothing.”

“Yes, my lord,” she mumbled, staring at her feet. “I shall pack my things.”

“I don't remember asking you to leave, Mrs. Abbott.”

She looked up slowly, her brown eyes as large as saucers. “Thank you, my lord.”

“However,” he said sternly, “I do expect you to follow my orders.”

“Of course, my lord.” She nodded her head vigorously. “It will never happen again.”

“See that it doesn't.”

Mrs. Abbott left quickly, as if afraid he might change his mind. After the footman brought his tea and some food, Braden contemplated the situation at hand. He now had to find two people since the Bow Street runner he hired had discovered no signs of Jonathon in London. It was as if both Jonathon and now Miss Featherstone had just disappeared into the air. But Braden knew they had to be somewhere and London was the most likely place for both of them.

He was determined to find them both. And when he found her, she would regret the day she thought to thwart him.

 

The next fortnight flew by even as Tia was beginning to feel like a prisoner in this beautiful house. Emily had decided she would introduce Tia to the limited Society still left in London in September. Every day Tia endured fittings for dresses, dance instruction, and etiquette lessons. She had never imagined the life of a lady could be so tiring.

They started at eight in the morning and continued nonstop until luncheon. If Tia were lucky, Emily would tire and need a nap, giving Tia her only break. Once Emily would wake from her nap, they were at it again. Emily explained to her that since most of the ladies of the
ton
would have learned all this over the span of a few years, they had to learn this all in a fortnight.

“Come along, Tia,” Emily said, leading her to the ballroom for dancing instruction. “The party is tomorrow night and you must be able to dance every dance.”

Tia sighed. For the past few days, she'd tried to no avail to make Emily understand that no one would believe Tia was her cousin from the Midlands. “Emily, this is fruitless. No one is going to dance with me.”

Emily only laughed. “Everyone is going to want to dance with you.” She dragged Tia into the room.

Mr. Blackwell waited impatiently, tapping his foot. “You should never leave a man waiting for so long,” he reprimanded them both.

“I do apologize, Mr. Blackwell. My cousin was detained with an important letter from her mother.”

Tia shook her head and gave Emily a curious look. She supposed she should go along with the lie. “Yes, my mother had some news of my sister.” If only that were true. She might not miss the Midlands, but she did miss Mia dreadfully. Lately, she'd felt as if something could be wrong with her twin. But that was impossible. Nothing ever happened out there.

“Very well, our last dance to learn is the waltz,” Mr. Blackwell stated.

“My cousin has not been given permission to dance the waltz,” Emily said quietly.

“That does not matter. She still must learn it.”

Tia still did not understand how she must gain permission from some ladies she'd never met in order to dance a simple dance. Emily told her the dance was scandalous because a man held onto her while prancing across the dance floor. Tia doubted it was as bad as Emily stated.

As Mr. Blackwell taught her the dance steps, Tia confirmed her suspicions. The waltz was hardly as scandalous as she'd been told. It was quite an enjoyable dance, but not as strenuous as some of the country dances. By the fourth time, she had mastered the steps and could enjoy the beautiful music that accompanied them.

As their hour of lessons concluded, Tia glanced over at Emily. For the past few minutes, she'd been rather quiet, just sitting on the sofa watching them. Her face had grown quite pale.

“Are you all right, Emily?”

“Just tired. I believe I shall take a nap.”

“I will be up in a few minutes to check on you.”

Emily nodded and slowly headed to her bedroom. Once Mr. Blackwell departed, Tia walked up to Emily's bedchamber and knocked on the door. “May I come in?”

“Of course.”

Tia entered the room and then strolled to the bedroom where Emily lay resting on the bed. “What's wrong, Emily?”

“I'm tired.”

“Very well then, why aren't you closing your eyes, trying to sleep?” Tia sat down at the bottom of the large bed.

“I have to tell my husband,” Emily whispered.

“Yes, you do. Before long he will notice.”

Emily laughed scornfully. “I doubt that. He barely notices anything about me. He rarely visits my bed, preferring the company of his mistress to me.”

Tia nodded, not knowing what to say.

“And when he does visit my bed, he makes no effort to pleasure me. My mother confided in me that women can take pleasure from the act, but so far the only time it was pleasurable was the time with . . .” Her voice trailed off, as if realizing she was about to say too much.

Again, Tia could only nod, not having the experience to offer much consolation.

“The act should be pleasurable, shouldn't it?”

This time, she would have to say something. Her mother had also told her that women could enjoy the act with the right man. “I suppose it should,” Tia muttered. “Honestly, I wouldn't know.”

“You've never been with a man?” Emily smiled sadly. “I am sorry. I shouldn't have assumed you had been with a man before now.”

It wouldn't be the first time. Even Jonathon had made the same assumption. “I'm not offended.”

“You should be.”

“Does your husband know you weren't a virgin when you married him?”

Tears shimmered in her eyes as she nodded. “When he discovered the truth, I admitted what happened, but I lied and told him I knew I wasn't with child. He must have assumed that my incident occurred a few months before I had met him.”

“He must have been angry.”

Emily nodded quickly. “He was. I think that is why he returned to his mistress so quickly.”

Tia now understood why Emily had befriended her so fast. If there was a hint of scandal to her name, she probably had no friends in town. With an insensitive lout of a husband, Emily had no one in which to confide. “Do you love him?”

Staring at the window, she shrugged. “No.”

“You have to tell him about the baby, Emily.”

“I will tonight,” she whispered, then sat up on the bed. “And then tomorrow, we shall go to the party and all the men will fall at your feet.”

“As you wish,” Tia said. “Take your nap. You and the baby need some sleep.”

“I know, but I enjoy your company. Aren't you glad that you decided to take my advice and leave Middleton's home?”

She wanted to agree, but every day she'd thought of him. Had his arm healed well? Had it become infected or poisoned his blood?

“You're not, are you?” Emily whispered.

Tia shrugged. “He was injured before I left, so I worry about him.”

“There is more to that look than simple worry.”

“I hardly think so. I barely know the man.”