Mysty McPartland (9 page)

Chapter Seventeen

Two days after returning to London, Sheldon decided to go shopping for a new hat, with her maid she wandered down Bond Street. With the pavement being so crowded she wished she had stayed at home. When she was suddenly roughly shoved she gave a startled cry, and tried to remain on her feet as she tumbled into a tiny deserted alley. The next thing she knew her shoulders were gripped hard, the fingers biting like talons into her flesh.

With a force that took her breath away she was spun around and pain exploded in her face. Before she even had time to scream or protect herself, a fist landed on her mouth. Her world went spinning and her knees buckled when two more powerful blows landed on the left side of her ribs. The back of her head came in painful contact with the wall when she was shoved violently away.

It took every bit of effort she possessed not to let the blackness swallow her up though and stop her legs from collapsing under her. Though her vision was blurred, she watched the dark shape disappear. Terror was the only thing that managed to make her move and reeling, she stumbled her way back on the street. Still in shock and shaken from the sudden attack, Sheldon fought back the tears and tried to ignore the throbbing pain in her face and her side. Desperately, she searched for her maid and with a small cry of relief, she succeeded in finding Edith in the crowd and hurried towards the older woman. “Edith.” She sobbed and grabbed the other woman’s arm for support.

Edith noticed the welt on her mistress’s cheek and her split lip. “Oh my God my lady, what happened to you? One minute you were beside me and then you’d disappeared.” She grasped her ladyship’s wrist and led her into the doorway away from the mob hurrying past.

“I don’t really know how it happened. One minute I was with you and then the next I was shoved into an alley and a man started hitting me.” She winced when Edith dabbed at her swollen bottom lip. “I think we should return home.”

“Yes, yes. Hold on to my hand tightly Miss and I’ll get us home.” Edith clung securely to her young mistress’s wrist as she shoved her way through the throng of people.

Sheldon couldn’t understand why someone might want to hurt her. Even now her heart squeezed in terror over what had happened to her. She choked on a sob, as she hurried along behind her maid. She wanted Nathan, needed the strength of her husband’s arms around her. 

Unaware of how much time passed before they finally reached home, she stumbled inside and was no longer able to hold the tears back as they ran down her cheeks. Through the moisture filling her eyes, she made out the butler’s stunned face.

“Dear God in heaven, what has happened?” Wallace strangled out at the sight of his distraught mistress. He sucked in an outraged breath when he noticed the bruise coloring her left cheek and blood seeping from her bottom lip.

“We became lost in the crowd and some monster dragged her off the street and into an alley. As you can see he attacked her. Let’s take the poor wee thing into the sitting room and I can take care of her injuries.” Edith gently took her ladyship’s arms and let her into the room and forced her to sit down on the brocade sofa. “I think she’s in shock.”

“Should I send for the doctor?” Wallace inquired with worry.

“No, I think a nice cup of tea with a generous amount of brandy will do the trick. You stay here with her and I’ll fetch what I need.” Edith hurried out of the room.

Unsure what to do over his mistress’s obvious distress, Wallace dithered for a few minutes before he sat down beside her and pattered her back. “There, there your ladyship you’re safe now. No one can hurt you here.”

Sheldon threw herself against the butler’s chest and wrapped her arms around his waist holding on tightly to him as she wept out her fear.

At first astounded over his mistress’s actions, Wallace still continued to pat her back. Though he remained stiff, he couldn’t turn her away when she so obviously needed comfort. He let out a relieved sigh when Edith came back into the room carrying a tray. Gently he clasped her ladyship’s arms and moved her away. “Edith’s here now. She’ll look after you.”

“Thank you Wallace.” Sheldon managed to say through her sobs.

“Now firstly drink this then you’ll lay down with a cool clothe against your cheek and lip.”

Accepting the attention without complaint from the woman, Sheldon was wrung dry of any emotions and just wanted the oblivion of sleep to wipe out the ugliness she’d just suffered.

“Poor little lamb. Devil take the blackguard who did this to her.” Wallace stared down at his mistress as she slept.

“I’m sure his lordship will see him pay for this. Come on let’s leave her to sleep in peace.” Edith picked up the tray and sailed out of the room.

Reluctantly, Wallace followed, he wondered if he should send to word to the duke and let him know what happened. However, his lordship didn’t inform him where he was going. It would be a senseless waste of time. No, all he could do was wait for the man to return home.

****

A few minutes early for his meeting with Phillip, Nathan ordered a drink and while he waited, he caught the tail end of the conversation going on behind him. His whole body stiffened and everything inside him went cold with dread.

“Like I said. I made myself a promise that I would make one of those interfering females pay for ruining a man’s pleasure and this morning I had my chance. Damn bitch won’t be so eager now to enter another whore house.”

Sheldon, oh God Sheldon. Without waiting to hear anymore Nathan jumped out of his seat and raced out of the club. He saw a passing hack and hailed it. It had barely stopped when he tossed out his address to the driver and was inside the carriage. His heart pounding in fear he was also filled with overwhelming disappointment that she hadn’t kept her word. Fury swelled through him, knowing that whatever happiness they could have had in the future she’d just destroyed.

He wanted to rage at her however, before he could ponder that matter further the cab stopped and flying out the door, he reached into his pocked grabbed a handful of coins. Tossing them up at the driver he spun on his heels and raced into the house, breathing heavily his fists clenched tightly he headed down the passageway to the back of the house. He just stepped into the sunny sitting room when he noticed his wife just starting to sit up from the sofa.

The darkening bruise and the swelling on her bottom lip wasn’t hard to miss nor was her gasp of pain and the wince she gave when she sat up. Anger so immense swelled through him that even after all the warnings she was still stupid enough put herself in danger. “I should have known you’re just like the rest of your family and unable to keep your promise.”

At the sound of her husband’s volcanic rage whipping through his voice, Sheldon flinched as if she’d been violently slapped. A sob tore from her over his accusation. “Nathan.” She whispered in a plea.

Nathan’s hand flew through the air cutting of any further words from her. He divorced his need to comfort her and soothe the look of anguish from her face. “There is nothing you have to say that I want to hear. I will have your things removed to another bed chamber and when you have recovered from your ordeal you will be returned to the country where you will keep out of trouble.”

One blow after another, Nathan brutally struck. His features were masked in vicious rage. It broke her heart to see him looking at her with such cold empty eyes. She gathered in a trembling breath. “Please Nathan, why are you being like this? If you would just hear me out. Please.”

A cold bark of laughter, Nathan sneered. “There’s nothing you can say that will change anything.”

For long time Sheldon searched his features, she didn’t understand why he was treating her like this. However, since he refused to listen to her, she wasn’t going to lower herself and beg. She’d been a fool to believe their marriage had a chance. Gathering her pride around her, she jutted her chin in the air. Hostility seeped from her voice when she spoke. “Very well Nathan. Since you have already found me guilty and condemned me of some crime I will be most eager to leave your company.”

Now what the hell was she playing at? How dare she act the innocent party in this. “Then we understand each other.”

Desperately fighting back the tears, Sheldon gave a curt nod. She didn’t trust herself to speak again in case she broke down and begged him to reconsider. With moisture filling her eyes, she watched him spin around and stride away, every inch of his body was tense with unleashed anger. She shook her head, why was he acting like this, why was he treating her like she was the one to blame for the attack she had suffered?

Entering his study, Nathan slammed the door shut so loudly it rattled the windows. He wiped a hand over his face and stared unseeing out the window. Why did she do it? They’d been so happy for the last fortnight and the blasted moment they return to London she breaks her promise. Destroys whatever loving future they could have had together. He shook his head in remorse and a wave of anguish rolled through him.

Suddenly he stiffened and his curses filled the air, spinning around he left the study letting the door crash on its hinges and swept out of the house and practically ran back to the club. He wanted to find the man who attacked his wife and wipe the floor with him. He would beat the bastard to a bloody pulp. No woman deserved a beating no matter what she’d done and this man especially would pay for abusing his wife.  

Fifteen minutes later, he stepped into the club and searched the room, unable to recognize the culprit, he spied his friend and made his way over to him. “Phillip did you happen to see some men seated by the window when you arrived?”

One glance at his friend’s face, Phillip knew he was in a rage. “As it happens I did. It was those idiots, your cousin and David Dixon. Why what’s wrong?”

His blood boiling in his veins, Nathan pulled out a chair and sat down. “One of them beat my wife. Damn it, I thought I recognized the little weasel’s voice.”

“The hell you say?”

Nathan nodded in confirmation. “I heard one of them confessing and without thinking I raced out of here to make sure she was alright and hoping it wasn’t true.”

“Dear God, Nathan is she alright?” Phillip swore when he saw the cold emptiness in his friend’s eyes.

“Yes. She had a bruised cheek and a swollen lip. As soon as she is healed I’m sending her back to the country where she won’t cause any more trouble.” Nathan’s tone was bitter.

“I’m sorry Nathan. I know how much you were hoping your marriage would work out.”

A wave of his hand, Nathan dismissed his friend’s sympathy. “I should have expected she wouldn’t keep her word. Especially since the rest of her family are so untrustworthy.” Nathan waved away the waiter and eyed his friend with a predatory gleam. “How do you feel about going hunting? I owe a certain man a beating.”

Phillip polished of the remainder of his drink and his mouth twisted up with anticipation. “Let’s go.”

Without another word both men rose to their feet and left the club both determined to hunt down their pray.

Chapter Eighteen

The sympathy from the staff was embarrassing, like her they didn’t understand why Nathan was blaming her for the attack. The last few days he’d been so chilling with everyone and Sheldon only wanted to escape his presence and the house. After two days of tears, she was numb. When she and Nathan happen to accidently meet, the hostility ran off him in waves. She doubted they’d spoken half a dozen words to each other since the confrontation.

This morning she’d had the maids pack her clothing and ordered the coach, Nathan wanted her gone and she couldn’t wait to leave. Standing in front of the mirror, she started at the bruise discoloring one side of her face and shrugged. It still hurt, at least her lips had gone down and though her ribs were still painful she intended to confront Nathan and tell him she was going. Steeling herself for the ordeal, she quickly let herself out of the room and went down stairs.

She found him in the foyer about to go out. “I am packed and ready to leave.”

At the sound of his wife’s voice, Nathan’s head whipped up and saw her standing half way down the staircase. Her words stabbed at him, cutting him deeply and the blankness on her face and in eyes made his chest ache however, he swiftly pushed the emotions aside. “Very well. I hope you have a safe and pleasant journey Madam and I will perhaps visit in a month or two.”

He was so cold and unemotional, for a few silent moments Sheldon gripped the banister tightly while she stared at his tight, hard features. She knew it would be a infertile effort to say anything more. Without another word she turned away and returned to her room.

It was nearly impossible, but Nathan managed to stop the anguish swelling up inside him and accepted his hat and cane from the butler. He was about to step out the door when the man spoke up and he pinned Wallace without right fury.

“Please my lord. I’m sure if you only let us explain what happened that day you’ll understand and won’t send our ladyship away.”

“Enough!” Nathan bellowed. “I know all I need to know. I do not want to hear one more word on the subject.” He warned before he angrily stormed out of the house. He was sick to death of his household staff trying to stick their noses in something that did not concern them. They couldn’t tell him anything that he didn’t already know. His features fixed in grim determination he set of to find his cousin.

He was certain the little worm had something to do with the attack on his wife, all he had to do was prove it. And if his assumption proved correct the despicable little sod would pay for it and so would everyone else who was involved. Rounding the corner, he spied the couple walking down the street with their heads together. Unmitigated rage filled him and quickly he retraced his steps. It didn’t take a genius to work out what was going on. It seemed his cousin and his wife’s sister were behind Sheldon’s beating.

It all made perfect sense now and he could well imagine what they both hoped to gain. Well he’d be damned if he’d let them get away with it. A grim cruel smile lifted the corners of his mouth. A few choice words to certain people since his cousin owed an outstanding amount in gambling debts would be all it would take. Those notorious people were only waiting for him fail in producing a child at the stipulated time so they could collect their money. They certainly wouldn’t be happy to learn that his wife was already expecting his heir. His cousin would either have to flee the country or spend years in debtor’s prison. Either one would have the little conniving turd out of his life for a good long time. As for the jealous vindictive bitch, he would ruin her reputation so no man would ever think to offer her marriage.

Reaching home, he unlocked the front door and went in search of his butler, he stopped suddenly when the voices reached him and frowned when he heard what the maid was saying.

“I can’t believe his lordship would send his wife away while she was still suffering so much pain. It wouldn’t surprise me if her ribs were cracked or even broken. How can he be so cruel?”

Nathan’s whole body went rigid when he heard the butler’s reply. “And I don’t understand how he can blame her ladyship for being shoved into an alley in broad daylight and beaten.”

Stunned and realizing he’d made a horrendous mistake, he didn’t bother to listen to anymore and silently made his way into his study and collapsed on the nearest leather chair. Resting his elbows on his knees, he buried his face in his hands. Oh God, what had he done? He’d been an utter fool and jumped to conclusions that had been horrifically incorrect. He hadn’t even let her explain when she tried to tell him what had happened to her. He wondered if it was even possible to fix the terrible mistake he had made.

Raising his head he muttered a curse, it was his own damn fault he hadn’t trusted her enough. All along he’d been expecting her fail and not to keep her promise. He wanted to rush to the country and beg her forgiveness. Wanted to tell her how sorry he was for not giving her a chance to explain. He could only hope that she would pardon him, but at the moment he didn’t like his chances. Why should she after the despicable way he had treated her. Damn, how could he have made such a mess of things?

Even though he wanted to rush to her side, he couldn’t at the moment. He needed to take care of his cousin and her sister before he could even think about leaving town. He promised himself when he exacted his vengeance he go to her, and get down on his knees and apologize for being an utter foolish bastard. Now though, he intended to pay a visit on a certain woman and start his plan rolling. Afterwards, he would visit his clubs and start spreading the rumor that he was soon going to be a father.

Hopefully, by the end of the week it would be all over and he could go to his wife and if he was lucky she would take him back. If not, he wouldn’t stop trying to win her over again. He admitted that he’d missed the closeness between them and the strain to ignore his feelings for her had been a hardship and he had no one to blame but himself. He couldn’t only hope he hadn’t completely destroyed her emotions or damaged the loving future they could have together. Only when he saw her would he have his answers, and until then he could only pray that everything would work out and once more they would be happy together.

Though feeling miserable, he rose to his feet and went in search of his butler to order his carriage. He wanted this whole unsavory business over with so he could go to his wife. Tomorrow night was the Henderson’s ball and he intended to ask a certain lady to meet him there. He didn’t doubt for one second she wouldn’t and when she met him, he was going to shred her reputations to ribbons. Twenty minutes later, he was shown into a sitting room at the back of his wife’s father’s house. He smiled pleasantly when he saw the stunned and guilty look on the woman’s face. “Ah Lady Bethany I’m pleased to see you at home.”

Nervous and apprehensive, Bethany forced a smile. “This is an unexpected visit your lordship.”

Nathan waved his hand in the air dismissively. “Not so unexpected I hope. As you have probably heard I have sent my wife to the country. You were right all along I reluctantly admit.”

“How so my lord?” Growing curious, Bethany couldn’t help but be pleased that their plan seemed to be working.

Without being asked, Nathan sat down opposite her and stretched out his legs. “I’m bored with her.”

Her confidence growing, Bethany gave him a knowing smile. “I didn’t think it would take you long to realize what a terrible mistake you made.”

“Yes you’re correct. But that is not why I am here. The Henderson’s are having a ball tomorrow night and I would like you to meet me there. I think we have a few things to discuss don’t you?” Nathan clenched his jaw when he saw the calculating glow lighting up her eyes and knew exactly what she was thinking.

Bethany hoped that one of the things they would talk about was him partitioning for a divorce so they could be married. She was positive with his title and money it wouldn’t take long for it to come through and hopefully, before the evening was over they would be lovers. “Very well then. I will meet you there and we’ll talk.”

A curt nod of his head, Nathan rose to his feet. “Until tomorrow evening then Lady Bethany.” Shoving his hands in the pockets of his buff colored britches, he sauntered out of the room and the house. He wasn’t surprised at how easy it had been to have her agreeing to meet him. Entering his carriage, he sneered. Now he’d dealt with the conniving witch it was time to take care of his cousin. It wouldn’t take long for word to spread, but even though he wanted to do it now, decided to wait until tomorrow.

He didn’t want word getting back to Lady Bethany because he knew that if she heard a whisper about her sister being pregnant she wouldn’t show up for their meeting. Besides another few hours wouldn’t make any difference. In the end they would both be paying for what they had done, and once they both paid for the crimes against his wife he would leave. If there was any luck left in his life, he hoped that by the weekend Sheldon would forgive him and they would be reconciled.

Damn it, how could he have been so stubbornly dense and so patronizing? Would his beautiful sweet wife ever forgive him? Lord he hoped so. If she didn’t they’d both be miserable for the rest of their lives. Because no way in hell was he ever going to give her up. He loved her and he knew that in time he would have forgiven her for breaking her promise. However, now the roles were reversed and it was Sheldon that had the upper hand and it was going to be up to her how they would go on from here.