Vexing the Viscount (15 page)

T
ia raised her head off his chest and stared down at him. “Have you gone completely insane? I am not about to become your wife.”

He tilted his head and smiled. “Of course you are. You just haven't realized it yet.”

She would have to pull out her research books on belladonna poisoning. Could it cause a form of madness that would make a viscount believe he should marry a wise woman because they had made love? She certainly hoped it was just an effect of the poison.

“Put your head down and stop thinking about it,” he said quietly.

“How do you expect me to do such a thing?”

“I haven't officially proposed to you.”

She sighed and put her head back down. Perhaps he was saying all this to lessen his guilt over his vow. It did put him in a tough spot. Somehow, he would have to justify to himself that he hadn't broken his vow when, in fact, he had. “I suppose you haven't.”

He slowly caressed her arm. “Are you feeling all right?”

Was she? She hadn't expected that making love with a man would be so exciting. But it was odd at the same time. She had always said she wanted marriage before she indulged in the physical aspects of love. But she couldn't tell him that after his brief comment on marrying her. That would only reinforce his belief that they should marry, when that would be the worst thing for both of them. They would never suit. Attraction they had, love they did not.

“Tia?”

“I am all right.”

“Indeed? Do you realize what a terrible liar you are?” He rolled her over to her back and then rolled on top of her. He kissed her softly with such tenderness it almost made her cry. “What is bothering you?”

She closed her eyes to keep his prying gazing from reading too much. “I didn't know what to expect, Braden. It was all a little much.”

“Open your eyes, Tia,” he demanded.

She didn't want to. Every time she stared into his light blue eyes, she was lost. How could she feel anything for him? He'd fully admitted that he was a rake. He'd said he done some dreadful things as an adolescent—most likely justified if his father had truly died, leaving them nothing.

“Tia.”

She blinked her eyes open and stared into his eyes. She'd been told by so many people he was a rake. Why had he decided to reform before she met him? This would be so much easier if he just left the room and her life. Surely, the lust she'd felt for him would be satisfied now.

“Braden,” she whispered.

Why did she have to see good in him? He was supposed to be a gambler, a rake, and possibly a killer. And yet, she knew how well he treated his servants and tenants. She knew how much he cared for his brother, even when Jonathon had made a mess of his life. Braden could have forced her to go back to the estate several times, but he hadn't.

“What is wrong?” he whispered and then kissed her jaw. “I don't want to see you sad.”

She wrapped her arms around him. His comfort enveloped her, making her feel safe. “Please don't speak of marriage,” she pleaded. “I cannot think about marrying you.”

He sighed. “As you wish.”

“Don't be angry.”

He rolled off her and stared at the ceiling. “Why would I be angry? I wait over six months to make love to a woman and instead of being pleased that I wish to marry her, she turns me out.”

“The only reason you want to marry me is because of your vow. What exactly was your vow to your friends?”

“That the next woman I made love to would be my wife.” He tossed off the coverlet and picked up his trousers. “So it was all for naught. I suppose I can go back to my corrupt ways now.”

“Braden, please wait.”

“Unless you are going to consent to be my wife, there is nothing left to stay for.” He quickly grabbed the rest of his clothing off the floor and stormed from the room.

Tia stared at the door, unable to move. Finally, she lay back down and let her tears fall. Why would this bother him so much? They were opposites, weren't they? He enjoyed town life, while the more time she spent here, the more she missed her home and family.

There had to be more reasons they wouldn't suit. She frowned in thought.

They both want to save Jonathon. No, that was a commonality, not disharmony. He'd lived his life like a rake, except he didn't seem to be that any longer. Or at least he was trying not to be one. There had to be more that they did not have in common!

Perhaps the question for him was, Why did he want to marry her? And there was only one way to find out.

 

Braden lounged in a chair by the fireplace in the library. He sipped brandy, wondering how long it would take to convince Tia to marry him. When he'd had what he thought was a brilliant plan, he never imagined she would refuse him. Ever since he attained the title, women had thrown themselves at him in order to wring a proposal out of him. He'd just assumed Tia would consent.

He should have known better. Tia was unlike any other woman he'd ever met. Had he thought out the plan, instead of succumbing to it in a moment of weakness, he would have realized that she would never agree. She obviously still had feelings for his brother. Otherwise, she would have returned to the estate to check on her sister. Or accepted his proposal.

Still, the only way to complete his reformation was to entice her to accept him and his flaws. It might take time, but it would be worth it. Tia would make a good wife, albeit difficult at times. He could handle her . . . except when she ran off, his conscience reminded him. But would she make a good viscountess?

Probably not.

She was far too willing to speak her mind, do things her way even if she bucked convention. Maybe that wasn't a bad thing if she were to be married to him. Most would say he wasn't a good viscount. Which he wasn't. He didn't know anything about being one. A rake, a scoundrel, or a gambler—that he knew how to do.

But he promised his mother he would become a better person and take the opportunity in front of him. Then again, he also promised to look after his brother and that wasn't going so well, either.

Who would know if he didn't keep his vow?

He would.

So, there was no option here. He would find a way of marrying her. He sighed before taking a mouthful of brandy. The heady liquid danced across his tongue before warming his belly.

“I'm sorry.”

Braden turned his head to see Tia standing at the threshold in her night rail with a shawl over her shoulders. “Come into the room by the fire before you catch cold.”

Slowly, she walked into the room and sat in the wingback chair closest to the fire. He rose and poured her a brandy. Handing it to her, he said, “I assume you have recovered from your brandy intoxication and can drink it again.”

A slight smile raised her lips. “Perhaps, but only one glass.”

“I will make certain that is all you drink.” He returned to his seat. “Now, what were you apologizing for?”

“Refusing your offer.”

“Have you reconsidered?”

She shook her head. “No, I just thought I was rather rude about it. You deserve someone better.”

Braden tilted his head back and laughed heartily.

“And what is so amusing about that?”

“You are one of only a very small handful of people who would ever say I deserve someone better. Most would say I never deserved the title, much less a beautiful, caring woman to share it with.” He sipped his brandy before adding, “And they would be right.”

“No,” she said softly as she stared at her drink. “You are trying to reform yourself. A man who attempts such a thing should be looked upon with envy. There are very few people who can truly change.”

But could he? After only six months, he'd broken his vow.

“What is wrong?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I don't think I'm doing a very good job of reforming if I can't last more than six months.”

She went silent for a while. “I did deliberately entice you. And you did reject me the first time.”

“I suppose I did. But the blame is solely on me. I should never have walked into your room.”

“You were trying to make me feel better. There is nothing wrong with that.” She gave him a half smile before sipping her brandy slowly. “Honestly, why would you want to marry
me
?”

Braden stared at her lovely, freckled face. When did he start to love freckles on a woman's face? She was beautiful, but that was not what she'd want to hear. “You are a very caring person, Tia. I would never tire of you.”

Watching her face fall, he wondered if she needed platitudes of love. He didn't love her . . . did he? Of course not.

“So now what?” she asked.

He decided it was time to drop the idea of marriage. Obviously, getting her used to the idea would take time. “I'm not entirely certain.”

“I suppose we go back to what we were doing and find Jonathon before he kills himself.”

It always came back around to his brother. Braden did want to find him, but now wondered what would happen once he did. Would Tia run into his arms and profess her love? He couldn't think about that or he would never try to find Jonathon.

“Braden?”

He looked over at her and his heart pounded in his chest. “We find Jonathon.”

“Of course we will. But not tomorrow. I want you in bed all day.” Her cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

He raised an eyebrow at her.

“I meant, you must rest one more day before returning to your normal activities.”

“I believe I proved an hour ago that I am up to any task.”

She gave him a humorless look. “You shall rest one more day.” Tia sipped the last of her brandy and rose. After placing the glass on the table, she said. “I shall go up now.”

“Good night.”

“You're not coming up?”

“I suppose if I don't, my wise woman will scold me.” He rose slowly, feeling weaker than he wanted to admit to anyone. “Sleep in my room tonight. We made a mess of your bed.”

“I couldn't do that,” she said, walking toward the threshold.

“I shall be a perfect gentleman.”

“And who would want that,” she muttered so softly he almost didn't hear her.

Braden smiled. “Come along.”

She hesitated when they reached the door to his room.

“Why are you stopping? You've been sleeping in my room for the past few nights.”

“In a chair.”

“Well, you can sleep in a chair tonight if you prefer it to a nice, soft bed.” He brushed past her and opened the door. “I promised to behave tonight.”

“Very well.” She walked into the room and then into the bedchamber. Quickly, she slipped off her shawl and crawled under the covers.

Braden tossed some coal on the fire before sitting on the edge of the bed. After removing his shirt, he unbuttoned his trousers and slid them off. For her modesty, he kept his drawers on. Once under the covers, he drew her near.

“I thought you were to be a gentleman tonight?”

“I am. I just want to hold you,” he whispered, then kissed her head.

She released a long sigh. “Why did you make that vow to reform? You couldn't have been all that bad. I know you said you'd been with too many women, but that doesn't mean you have to be celibate like a priest.”

“It wasn't just women. It was everything. Before my mother died, she made me promise that if I inherited the title, I would do better in life. Settle down and find a fine woman to marry. Stop gambling and chasing women.”

“And have you done that for her?”

“I am trying, Tia. I really want to make the estate profitable again.”

She pushed up on his chest and stared down at him. “The estate is not profitable?”

“It is not what an estate of that size should be making. I have money from the Red Door to invest in Middleton Hall. By making a few changes, things should improve. We're far from bankrupt, just not where I want the estate.”

“And if things don't improve?”

“They will.”
They must
. He was determined to give his children a better life than he'd had. Braden closed his eyes as he thought about his children. He had always been so careful with other women to be sure he didn't spill his seed inside them. The last thing he'd wanted was some bastard-born child or a woman attempting to coerce him into marriage. But with Tia, he hadn't even thought about it. She could be carrying his child right now.

The idea that she might be carrying his child warmed his heart and soul. With her caring nature, she would make a wonderful mother. But he also knew that unlike most women, wise women didn't care if they had children outside of marriage. So even if she were to become with child, there was no certainty that she would marry him.

She was without a doubt the most vexing woman he had ever met.

T
ia awoke the next morning with a heavy arm around her. Deep breathing from behind her forced the weariness from her eyes. She blinked and looked around slowly, remembering what had happened last night. She had given herself to Braden.

Willingly.

She'd told herself that it wouldn't matter. No one would care if she succumbed to his charms, but she'd been terribly wrong. She cared. In a way, she had broken her own vow.

She had done the one thing she'd criticized her own sister for too many times. God, what would Mia think of her now? Tia wondered if Mia had finally succumbed to the earl's charms as she had to Braden's. A wave of homesickness came over her. She missed her sister and even her mother. She wanted to walk the fields to see the tenants, tend their ills, and help them through this hard life they led. A tear fell over her nose to the pillow.

“Why are you crying?” Braden whispered in her ear before kissing the nape of her neck.

“I miss them,” she whispered.

“Who?”

“Everyone. My mother, Mia, Selina, all the tenants, and the servants at the hall.”

“Shh, sweetheart,” he murmured. “Do you want me to have a carriage take you back to Middleton Hall?”

She shook her head. “Thank you, but no. We need to find Jonathon.”

“All right. Unfortunately, this little poisoning has set us back again.”

“Yes, it has. I need to leave before your valet comes in to dress you.” Tia lifted his arm and slid under it to get out of the bed.

“You could stay here with me all day in bed,” he said in a husky voice.

She glanced over her shoulder and her knees went weak. The coverlet was down to his hips, exposing his broad shoulders and bare chest. The urge to climb back into bed was overwhelming. But she couldn't do that. She had work to do today.

“Do you mind if I go to the park? With a maid, of course.”

“That should be fine. Why are you going to the park?”

“I need to speak with Emily and I thought that might be neutral ground for the both of us.”

“As you wish.”

“Thank you, Braden.” She gathered her shawl and raced to her room. She wrote a quick note to Emily and then rang for Mrs. Abbott. Before the housekeeper arrived, Tia had already pulled out a day gown, changed into a fresh shift, and was waiting for her.

“My goodness, you are a in a rush today,” Mrs. Abbott said as she entered the room. She glanced over at the bed. “So, things went as you had hoped?”

“Yes,” Tia said, handing Mrs. Abbott her stays. “Please help me dress. His lordship has allowed me to walk to the park as long as I have a maid to accompany me. Would you like to be my escort?”

Mrs. Abbott laughed. “I have far too much work to take a leisurely walk in the park. I need the maids, so you can have one of the footmen. It's safer that way.”

Tia frowned. “Safer? What do you mean?”

“Someone attempted to kill his lordship. And possibly not for the first time. The past two viscounts died under suspicious circumstances. People already know you are his mistress. If someone is trying to kill him to inherit and they suspect you might be carrying his heir, you will be in danger.”

Tia bit her lower lip. What Mrs. Abbott said made some sense. Still, as long as she didn't marry him, she could be no threat. “I will consider your words carefully. Do you have any ideas on who might be involved in this matter? All the rumors are that it was his lordship who murdered the previous viscounts in order to inherit.”

Mrs. Abbott tightened Tia's stays. “Do you believe that? Because I certainly do not and neither does the rest of the staff.”

“No, I don't believe he had anything to do with the deaths. But who, then?”

“I would have to wager Mr. Jonathon Tavers. No one has seen him. He came to town and didn't stay at his brother's house.”

“I cannot believe Jonathon would try to kill his own brother,” Tia remarked. “He loves his brother.”

“Yes, but he might love the title and all that goes with it even more.” Mrs. Abbott slipped the sage dress over Tia.

Jonathon? She couldn't imagine Jonathon trying to kill anyone, much less his brother. Did Braden suspect him? Perhaps that was the real reason Braden wanted to find him. She had to discover the truth.

“Thank you, Mrs. Abbott. I will be down for breakfast in a few minutes. I must speak with his lordship about something.”

“Of course. I will let Mr. Nelson know you need to borrow a footman.” Mrs. Abbott headed for the door.

“Mrs. Abbott, might I ask a favor of you?”

She stopped and nodded. “Of course.”

“Would you take the linens off the bed? I should hate for anyone else to see them.”

Mrs. Abbott's face softened. “Of course, my dear.” She looked over at the bed and stared at the stained sheets. “So you really were a good girl. Did his lordship offer to make you a respectable woman?”

“Yes and no,” she mumbled.

“I don't understand,” Mrs. Abbott said as she removed the sheets.

“He said we should marry, but he never exactly proposed to me. Not that it matters. I could never marry a viscount. Could you ask a footman to deliver this for me?” Tia handed her the missive for Emily.

“Of course,” Mrs. Abbott remarked. Once the sheets were removed, she left the room and Tia to her thoughts.

She had to ask him about Jonathon. Could he really suspect his brother of trying to harm him? Tia walked to Braden's room and knocked softly.

“Come in.” His deep voice sent shivers down her back. It brought back memories of last night.

She opened the door and found him already dressed and sitting at the small table in his salon. “Why are you out of bed?”

He tilted his head and smiled at her. “Indeed? Back for more already? I should think you might be a tad sore.”

“I need to speak with you about something and then you are to get back in bed. I told you that you need one more day of rest.”

“Tia, I am not going to spend my day in bed . . . unless you are with me. I promise not to exert myself today. But I need to speak with a few people.”

She put her hands on her hips. “You are not going out. Someone is trying to kill you.”

“Exactly. And the last time it happened in this very house.” His voice grew louder with every word. “Now, what do you need to talk about?”

“Do you suspect Jonathon?”

He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “I don't know. In all honesty, yes, it has crossed my mind that he might be the one involved.”

“How could you believe that?”

“I have no wish to believe my brother is embroiled in two murders and two attempts on my life.” His shoulders sagged. “But who else could it be?”

“There has to be someone else.”

“I know you want to believe the best of Jonathon, but he has changed in the past few years.”

She finally sat down in the chair across from him. “Do you honestly think Jonathon could be caught up in this mess?”

“I don't want to believe that, Tia. I truly don't. But I don't know what to think anymore. I know I wasn't involved in the previous viscounts' deaths. Someone has taken a shot at me and then attempted to poison me. Who else could want the title enough to kill for it?”

Tia stared at his handsome face. He had shaved this morning, which gave him less of a dark look. His blue eyes shone with frustration. There had to be someone else involved. “What about your cousin . . . Alistair?”

“Alistair would have to get through four people to become viscount. The previous two viscounts, me, and then Jonathon. He would never survive the scandal. The suspicion would fall directly on him. He's a smart man. He knows if he befriends the current viscount, he can ask for whatever he needs.”

“But why Jonathon?”

“If he inherits, the estate and my personal fortune fall to him, giving him the funds to continue his habits.”

Tia blinked quickly to keep the tears at bay. It couldn't be Jonathon, but hearing Braden's logic made her wonder.

“I am sorry, Tia. I know how you feel about him.”

He knew how she felt about Jonathon?
She
didn't even know how she felt about him. The only thing she was certain of was that she didn't love him. As least, she wasn't
in
love with him. She would always love him, but more like a brother. “Thank you. I believe I shall go for my walk now.”

“With a maid,” he commented.

“Actually, Mrs. Abbott needs all the maids, so she suggested I take a footman.”

He smiled at her. “Even better.”

What was it about his smile that made her heart skip a beat? “What are you going to do?”

“I need to speak with Mr. Brady, the runner I hired to find Jonathon. After that, I want to discover if Adams has seen Jonathon or heard any rumors about him.”

“Very well, I shall see you at dinner then,” Tia said and then walked to the door.

After a quick breakfast, she went to the park and sat on a bench overlooking the Serpentine. Thirty minutes passed with no sign of Emily, then an hour. She wasn't coming. Slowly, Tia rose from the bench and started to leave.

“Miss Featherstone!”

Tia turned at the sound of Emily's voice. “Oh, thank God!” She raced back to the bench and sat down next to Emily.

“We mustn't talk for long,” Emily said, scanning the area. “I'm sorry, but I can't be seen with you. My husband would have my head.”

“I understand. Have you heard any more of Jonathon?”

“Yes, my husband said Mr. Tavers was at the club last evening.”

“Which club?”

“White's, of course,” Emily said, as if Tia should know that fact.

“Oh.” Tia certainly couldn't go there.

“And he then went to Lady Bunworth's soiree. I did not attend. I find myself very tired lately.”

“That's to be expected,” Tia said quickly. “It will get a little better in the next few weeks and by the end you will be tired again. Is everything else going all right?”

“Yes, I am well. My husband found a fine physician.”

Tia shuddered, remembering her mother's story of the London physician whom she saw deliver a baby with filthy hands. The poor woman almost died and her mother blamed the physician. “Please tell him to wash his hands before coming near you.”

Emily turned and looked at her strangely. “Very well. What are you going to do now?”

“I would like to pay a call on Lady Bunworth, but I do not expect she will see me.”

“She will. Just tell her you are Middleton's betrothed. That will set her on her ear,” Emily said with a laugh. “She'll hate the fact that he was able to find a bride with his reputation. And despise you for being that woman.”

“Then why will she see me?”

Emily giggled again. “You have so much to learn! She will see you because you will soon outrank her.”

Tia's head spun with all the nonsense of Society. It was enough to make a person mad. “The woman will see me because she believes that one day I shall outrank her?”

“Yes. Would you like me to accompany you? This could be interesting,” Emily said with a grin.

“No, you go home and rest. How has your husband been toward you?”

Emily sobered. With a shrug, she said, “He has already found a new mistress and has told me that he won't visit my bedroom again until after the baby is born.”

Tia sighed. “I'm so sorry, Emily.”

“There is nothing I can do to stop him.” Emily's lips tightened into a straight line.

Was it any wonder Tia had no desire to marry? Although, she knew not all men were like that. Her own father had been a wonderful husband for her mother . . . and a great father. If she could find a man of a similar nature, she would marry with no hesitation.

“Very well,” Tia said. “I will pay a call to Lady Bunworth to see if she can give me any information on Mr. Tavers.”

“Good luck.” Emily scanned the area before giving her a quick hug. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too.”

“Perhaps we can meet in a few days.” Emily stood and then said, “Send me a note.”

“I will do just that.” Tia watched as Emily left. She did miss being able to talk with another woman. Mrs. Abbott was a fine woman, but nearly twenty years her senior. She longed for a friend closer to her age.

She watched as Emily ambled toward the awaiting carriage. Tia needed to call on Lady Bunworth. There was just one issue, she had no idea where Lady Bunworth lived. Tia rose from the bench, ready to run toward Emily, only to see her carriage slowly pulling away. She would never be able to catch her.

Now what would she do?

As she strolled back toward Middleton's house, she wondered how he would feel about visiting his cousin. They didn't seem to get on terribly well. And she still wondered if Alistair had something to do with the poisoning. Mary had been in his employ for his sister Constance before coming to work for Middleton. Tia wondered why Constance hadn't brought her to Lord Bunworth's home.

Once Tia reached the house, she made her decision. She would ask him to accompany her. If he chose not to, she would go alone.

“How was your walk, miss?” Nelson asked, closing the door behind her.

“Very nice. It is a beautiful fall day.” She removed her bonnet and handed it to him. “Thank you, Nelson. Is his lordship in the study?”

“Yes, miss, but he has company.”

“Oh?”

Nelson smiled at her. “Mr. Cranborne and Mr. Adams.”

Her curiosity piqued. What were both men doing in the study with Middleton with the door closed? Perhaps if she went to the library, she might hear something. “Nelson, I will wait in the library for his lordship to finish his meeting.”

“Would you like tea?”

“Yes, please.” She walked to the library and then stared at all the books. Unable to hear anything but mumbled voices from the room next door, she pulled out a book. The collection here was nowhere near as extensive as at the estate, but excellent just the same.