Vexing the Viscount (11 page)

“Is there an issue?” he asked.

Before she could answer, the carriage slowed to a stop. The door opened and Middleton jumped out. So much for letting him know how she felt about the situation. He held out his hand to help her down. As she attempted to pull away, he clasped her hand tighter and then folded her arm around his to escort her inside.

Only a few carriages lined up to release passengers. She wondered where all the people were for the party. It was close to nine. The party should be crowded by now. The door opened as they walked up the steps.

Tia heard a few voices resonating from a back room. The butler glanced at them both and gave a quick nod. Middleton escorted her down the corridor. The room opened before them and Tia's mouth gaped. There were only about twenty people in the room. The women were clad in garish gowns that barely covered their breasts and several sat on the laps of gentlemen.

“You took me to a whorehouse?” she whispered to Middleton.

He looked down at her with a grin. “This is no whorehouse. Come along and I shall introduce you.”

He started to tug her toward the people in the room, but Tia wouldn't budge. “I have no desire to be introduced to anyone in this room.”

“I believe I told you earlier that if you chose to become my mistress, you would go where I wanted you to and act appropriately.”

Tia wanted to turn around and leave him and these people, but knew she had to try to help Jonathon. “Very well.”

“Excellent.”

He escorted her into the room and brought her to a woman in her early forties. “Mrs. Ellsworth, this is a friend of mine, Miss Featherstone.”

The woman scanned Tia from head to toe, before nodding her head with a slight smile. “A little different from your usual, Middleton. But glad to see that horrid rumor of your reformed ways was false.”

Tia glanced up to see Middleton tighten his jaw before replying, “I guess a true rake can never be reformed.”

Mrs. Ellsworth only laughed. “I haven't met one yet.”

Middleton nodded and pulled Tia away from the rude woman. Tia wondered at her remarks, though. Before she could question him, Middleton introduced her to several other couples who all seemed as rude as Mrs. Ellsworth. Tia couldn't understand why he would even want to attend this party.

“Excuse me,” he said softly near her ear. “I need to speak with a friend of mine alone for a minute.”

Tia's shoulders sagged. The idea of making idle conversation with any of these people was enough to make her feel ill. She sipped her wine, praying no one would attempt to speak with her.

“So you are Middleton's latest.”

Tia turned at the sound of a woman behind her. She pressed her lips together to keep her mouth from gaping. The woman was petite with delicate features and perfectly coiffed blond hair. She was, from what Tia had heard, what every man wanted in a woman.

“I suppose I am,” Tia finally remembered to reply.

“I am Lady Penelope Harty.”

Tia gave a quick curtsy. “Tia Featherstone.”

Lady Harty's brows rose slightly. “You do not seem his type at all.”

Tired of hearing the same comment from several people, she asked, “And exactly what does that mean?”

Lady Harty giggled in a high-pitched tone. “Oh my, surely you know of his reputation?”

“Apparently I do not.”

“Why, after I jilted him, he seduced nearly a hundred women in only a matter of a few weeks. It was dreadfully scandalous.”

Tia closed her eyes. She'd heard the rumors of his lascivious behavior, but this was far worse than anything she had imagined. “And why did you jilt him?”

Her cheeks reddened. “I was forced to marry an earl. Middleton was just Mr. Tavers at the time of our relationship.”

An older man who appeared to be in his late fifties and dreadfully overweight waddled up to Lady Harty. “Introduce me to your new friend, Penelope.”

“Miss Featherstone, this is my husband, Lord Harty.”

Tia curtsied quickly. The lewd look Lord Harty sent her made her feel uncomfortable. She made a fast excuse and sought the security of Middleton. She scanned the room for him, but did not see him in the small group.

Oh, God, he wouldn't have left her here alone, would he?

“W
hat are you about, Middleton?”

Braden stopped in front of his friend Jack. “I have no idea what you are talking about, Jack.”

“Your vow?”

“It wasn't exactly a vow, Jack.” Braden shifted uncomfortably in front of his friend. Why did he suddenly feel like a schoolboy reprimanded by the headmaster?

Jack started to walk away, shaking his head as he went.

“What did I do?” Braden asked.

Jack stopped and turned back around. “You have to ask? After Penelope and all those other women, you swore you were going to reform. I believe your words were something to the effect of ‘no more women, I want a wife.' ”

Braden clenched his teeth together. “She's not my mistress.”

Jack choked back a laugh. “You kissed her in the middle of Lady Whitfield's party. She left with you. And you have the nerve to bring her here.” He leaned in closer and whispered, “Whether you bedded her or not doesn't matter and you know it. In the eyes of everyone in town, she is your mistress.”

“It's a long story, Jack,” Braden said with a sigh. “I never meant for anyone to think she was my mistress.” And she was supposed to be back at the estate by now. Jack's words only reinforced the guilt Braden had been feeling since she agreed to his foolish plan.
Dammit!
She wasn't supposed to agree. Now he was in too deep.

“Well, it's a little too late for that.”

Braden grabbed a brandy and walked toward the library after a quick glance back at Tia. She would be fine for a few minutes while he talked to Jack. His friend followed him into the deserted library.

“Do you plan on telling me what happened?” Jack asked, before sipping his own brandy.

“Tia is my wise woman.”

“Your what?”

“My wise woman. She works on the estate healing, delivering children, and so forth. She left to chase down Jonathon.” Braden took a sip and let the heady liquid rest on his tongue for a minute before swallowing. Slowly, he told Jack the rest of the story.

As he finished, Jack chuckled. “So she beat you at your own game.”

“Apparently, she did. Now, what am I supposed to do?”

“Nothing. When you arrive home tonight, you tell her to go to bed . . . alone.”

Braden knew that was exactly what he should do. But his body wouldn't listen. One certain part of his body, in particular, wanted nothing more than to leave this damn place and take her home to his bed right this moment. “I know,” he muttered.

Jack chuckled again.

“What the bloody hell is so funny?”

“I'm just happy that this is your problem and not mine.”

Braden shook his head. “I won't ask what you would do.”

Jack tilted his head back and finished his brandy before saying, “There is no need. You know what I would do. And it certainly isn't taking her to a gaming hell or telling her to go to bed alone.”

Braden placed his half-full snifter on the table. “I need to find her and get her away from these dreadful people.”

“Good luck,” Jack muttered with a laugh.

Braden left the library and walked back into the salon. He soon spied Tia speaking with his cousin, Alistair. No good would come of that. Braden strolled up to them with a tight smile. “Good evening, cousin.”

“Good evening, Alistair.”

“And how are you, Middleton?”

“Quite well now,” he answered and wrapped his arm around Tia. “I see you have met Miss Featherstone.”

“Yes, we met at Lady Whitfield's party.” Alistair smiled. “We even shared a dance.”

“Did you now.” Braden slid a glance at Tia's face. Her cheeks had reddened slightly. Had they shared more than a dance?

“Yes,” Tia finally spoke up. “We did share a dance.”

“Of course,” Braden said.

“Good evening to you both,” Alistair said with a quick nod.

“Stay away from him,” Braden warned Tia once his cousin was out of earshot.

She looked up at him with wide eyes. “Why? He seemed quite lovely to me.”

She had no idea about the perverted nature of most of the people in this room. It had been a terrible mistake to bring her here tonight. “He may not be all that he seems.”

“I believe the same could be said of you,” Tia retorted.

“So it could.” Braden clasped her elbow. “We are leaving now.”

“As you wish.”

They walked out of the room and out to his carriage. Silence filled the carriage as they rode toward the Red Door. It was time to tell her everything. She deserved that. And he needed her help as much as he hated the idea of needing another person.

“I supposed if we are to be lovers, we should be honest with each other.”

Tia looked over at him. Curiosity filled her. She knew what she hadn't been honest about, but what was he hiding? “What do you mean?”

“My business and reason for staying in town is to find Jonathon.”

She looked up at him, but tears blurred her vision. Perhaps he wasn't the monster that so many tried to portray him. “It is?”

“Yes, he needs help, Tia.”

“I know.”

He released a long sigh as if he didn't want to say more, but must. “Did he tell you about the opium?”

“Yes,” she replied slowly. A part of her felt it was wrong to break Jonathon's confidence, but she obviously couldn't help him alone. “That is why I was trying to find him. He told me a few days before he left that he had to go back to London. That someone needed him. I assumed it was a lie and that he was still having issues getting away from the drug. I tried to convince him to stay at the estate where the temptation would be less, but he wouldn't listen.”

“I'm worried, Tia. The runner and I have checked all his usual haunts. No one has seen him. Until I heard about the fight at the Red Door, I was beginning to think he might be dead.”

She stared up at his handsome face, unable to look away from the pain she saw. “It will be all right, Middleton. We will find him. I know of a doctor who is in town and helps people who really want to stop eating opium. But it's very difficult for most people.”

“Does he have success?”

“Yes. But not in every case.”

“Thank you,” he whispered before kissing her hand again. “Is there any place he might have told you that I should know about?”

Tia shrugged. “I checked all the places he talked about with me, but no one had seen him.” This time, she squeezed his hand. “We will find him, Middleton.”

He stared down at her intently. “Call me Braden.”

She glanced away and shook her head. “It wouldn't be proper.”

“In the eyes of everyone we meet, you are my mistress.”

She stared at her hands. “I suppose you are right. But I would not feel comfortable calling you by your Christian name in front of others.”

“Then do it in private.”

“I could do that,” she whispered.

“And yet, you still haven't uttered my name.”

“Braden.”

“Much better.” The carriage slowed to a stop and he jumped out. Holding out his hand, he said, “Come along, Miss Featherstone.”

She took his gloved hand. “As you wish.”

“I wish for many things,” he whispered in her ear. “Many things.”

The heat of his breath tinged her ear. The way he said those words made her heart leap and her desire heighten. How could she want this man? He was the exact opposite of his brother in looks and demeanor. And yet, Jonathon's kisses never made her weak in the knees as Braden's did. She wondered what would happen when they arrived back at his home later this evening. Would he take her in the study up against the wall? Perhaps in a chair. Or maybe he would make love to her in his large bed, slowly teaching her the ways of desire.

She shook her head to clear her thoughts away from the desire she felt for him. It was wrong to want a person strictly for his body. Although, her sister had done exactly that with two men. Even now, Tia wondered if Mia was sharing the earl's bed. It wouldn't surprise her at all.

Middleton wrapped her arm around his in a very protective movement. She wondered if that was for show or because he felt a need to protect her from something or someone inside. They approached the large red door to the gaming hell, but the door remained shut. Middleton took out a card and slipped it into a small slot near a peephole in the middle of the door.

The heavy door creaked slightly as it opened before them. The entrance was dark with only two candles spreading light down the hall. As they walked down the mysterious corridor, the sounds of merriment emanated from the room in front of them. Two brutes stood sentry at the double doors. The hulking men opened the doors with a bow to Middleton.

“Good evening, my lord.”

Middleton remained silent, but nodded in reply.

“Enjoy yourself, my lord,” one man said with a nod.

Tia clenched her jaw to keep her mouth from gaping at the lavish sight in front of her. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The walls were papered with red and gold striped silk wallpaper. Liveried footmen carried gold trays filled with assorted drinks for the guests. The men outnumbered the women in attendance, but both were equally dressed in their finery.

“You might want to close your mouth. People will stare,” Middleton whispered with a short laugh. “Come along.”

“Do you really expect Jonathon to be here tonight?” she asked softly as he led her to the hazard table.

“No, I don't. I am hoping someone might know where he's staying so I can talk to him.”

“What do you want me to do?” They stood near the hazard table and watched the play. Tia had no idea how people played the game or won money at it, but it was fascinating just the same.

“Stand next to me and smile. Perhaps, if you should have the opportunity, speak with some of the ladies here tonight. My brother was known for his excesses with women. Someone might have seen him.”

“Your brother was known for his excesses with women?” Tia whispered. “What about you?”

He leaned in closer until she could smell the spicy scent he wore. His icy blue eyes glared at her. “Trust me, I am even worse than Jonathon.”

“I had no doubt about that.”

“Oh?”

She smiled up at him. “Jonathon would never coerce me into becoming his mistress,” she whispered so softly that no one standing near would hear their conversation.

His white teeth gleamed in the candlelight. “It was your choice, sweetheart. There was no coercion involved.”

Tia's brows rose. “Indeed.” She knew he was right, but would never admit it to him.

“Besides,” he said with a smirk, “I don't believe you have become my mistress yet.”

But after tonight, she would be. And the idea frightened and excited her at the same time.

“Middleton,” a loud voice boomed from behind them. “I'm surprised to see you here after your brother's scuffle last night.”

Tia and Middleton turned to see an older man, near to fifty from the looks of him, standing behind them.

“Kettering,” Middleton said with a bow. “I was looking for my brother.”

The man laughed. “Hardly think he would have the nerve to show up here again.”

“Were you here last night?”

“Of course. Saw the entire thing.” Kettering stared at Tia as if he'd never seen a woman before tonight.

“What happened?”

“He was at the faro table. He looked pretty deep in his cups. Another man I don't know started to antagonize him. Your brother threw the first punch and then they were hitting each other. Adams had both men thrown out. He told them never to set foot in here again.”

Middleton frowned deeply, creating lines across his forehead. “You don't know who the other man was?”

“Never saw him here before last night.” Kettering slid a glance toward Tia. “Now, you must introduce me to your companion.”

“This is Miss Featherstone.” Middleton looked at her and said, “Lord Kettering.”

“My lord,” Tia said with a quick curtsy.

“My, she is a fetching gel,” Kettering said and then licked his lips as if he wanted to devour her. “Do let me know when you tire of her.”

Middleton stiffened. “That might take a very long time, Kettering.”

The man wiggled his white brows at her. “Might be worth the wait.”

Tia felt her cheeks burn from the disgusting man's scrutiny. “My lord, I believe Lord Middleton is right. I have no desire to leave his bed any time soon. He had to beg me to accompany him tonight. I would have preferred we stay at home . . . in bed.”

Middleton's lips twitched.

“I see.” Kettering glanced at them both and nodded. “Good evening, then.”

“Well played, Miss Featherstone. Perhaps tomorrow night we shall stay at home. In my bed.”

Tia's cheeks burned from the hot gaze he sent her. “So who exactly is this Adams man? Perhaps we should find him and see if he has anything to add.”

“Nice way to change the topic, Miss Featherstone.” He led her away from the hazard table. “Philip Adams is one of the owners of this establishment.”

“Oh, is he here tonight?”

“Right over there,” he said, leaning his head to the right.

“That man standing against the wall?” The man looked more like one of the hulks guarding the doorway. He was well over six feet with large muscles and as they walked closer, he displayed even white teeth and dimples in both cheeks.

“So, you ejected my brother last night, Adams?”

“You would have done the same, Middleton.” Adams scanned her with a frown. “I thought you were through with that.”

“Long story.”

“I'm quite certain it would be an entertaining one at that.” He turned toward Tia with a grin. “Philip Adams, at your service.”

“Tia, this is Mr. Adams. This is Miss Featherstone.”