Vexing the Viscount (26 page)

“Thank you for all your assistance, Mr. Adams. You are a good friend to Middleton.”

Adams acknowledged the compliment with a nod.

They drove through Mayfair in silence, each trying to formulate their upcoming conversations. As the carriage rolled past the Bunworth home, Adams glanced out the window. Tia tried to see what he looked at, but the man's body blocked her sight. He sat back and pounded once on the roof of the carriage.

Before she had a chance to ask, the carriage slowed to a stop. “Am I to assume they are at home, then?”

“Yes.” He waited in the carriage as the driver helped her out. “Do not take any chances, Miss Featherstone. Middleton will kill me if some any harm befalls you.”

“Thank you,” she said softly. Her nerves were tight while she walked down the street. She had to get Constance to confess. Tia just had no idea how she would even get the woman to speak with her.

She approached the door with trepidation. She lifted the brass knocker and let it fall from her hand. The door opened and the butler stood at attention.

“Miss Featherstone to see Lady Bunworth.”

“I shall see if she is at home. Please wait here.”

Tia was certain he only let her in so she could get out of the light rain that had just started to fall. The butler whispered to a footman and then returned to his post. Tia waited for close to five minutes before the footman returned.

“Lady Bunworth will be down presently.” He gestured to the salon. “Please wait here.”

Tia walked into the salon and prayed this was the one that backed to Bunworth's study. She had no way of knowing if it did. This was the same room in which Constance had entertained her and Braden.

“Well, this is a surprise indeed,” Constance's voice sounded from the hall. “Why would Middleton's mistress pay a call on me?” She entered the room with a bluster of black bombazine. “I could only think of one reason and the answer is no.”

Tia rose and gave her a quick curtsey. “I have no idea to what you are referring, Lady Bunworth. I only came to give you my condolences on the loss of your brother.”

Her face softened slightly, almost making Tia think she had the wrong person. “Thank you, Miss Featherstone.”

The front door opened and Tia heard Adams's voice.

“Now who is it?” Constance asked in an annoyed tone.

The butler walked past the door. “It's a Mr. Adams to see Lord Bunworth.”

Constance's eyes widened as if in panic. “Mr. Adams?”

“Yes, my lady.” The butler continued on with Adams following on his heels.

“Are you all right, Lady Bunworth? You look quite peaked.” Tia felt a pang of concern for the woman.

“Do you know of Mr. Adams?”

“No, is he someone of importance?” Tia asked, wondering how the lady knew of him. There was only one way that made sense. And that changed her tactics.

She shook her head. “No, he is not important at all.” She sat in the chair across from Tia. “Why exactly are you here, Miss Featherstone? I doubt you came all this way just to give me your condolences when a simple note would have sufficed. I suppose you came here to beg me for money?”

Tia smiled at the bitter woman. “Why would I have a need for that? Oh, I am dreadfully sorry. You must not have heard that Middleton changed his will. Since I was to be his wife, I am the sole beneficiary to his fortune. Of course, the estate will go to the next heir, but Middleton confessed to me that the estate was doing poorly.”

“I beg your pardon?” Constance rose from her seat and glared down at her. “He left his fortune to you, not the next viscount?”

“Yes, Lady Bunworth. Apparently, we both received what we wanted. Me, the money. And you, the title. That was what you were after, wasn't it?”

T
ia wondered how long it would take to get a reaction from the woman. She had barely counted to ten before Constance's ire exploded.

“How dare you enter my home and treat me so disrespectfully!”

Tia tapped her lip with her finger. “Oh my, did I get that wrong? Were you after his money too?”

“Get out of my home.”

“Do calm down, my lady. I only speak the truth. I would hazard a bet that if I searched this home, I would even find a certain maid still in your employ. It was truly brilliant to keep Mary at your brother's house, should you need her to use a poison on him.”

Constance raised a brow at her. “And yet you saved Middleton from poisoning. Why?”

Ah, curiosity. It might just be the lady's downfall. “I had no choice. We were not betrothed yet. I needed him to commit to marriage to get him to change his will. But saving his life did bring us closer . . . much closer.”

Constance sat back in her seat. “I never expected you to be so ruthless, Miss Featherstone. But I had no part in the fire. That was all God's doing. Unless you had some part in it?”

“No, my lady. I was visiting with my mother in the Midlands.”

“That's not to say you couldn't hire someone to start a fire.”

Tia leaned forward with a smile. “Is that what you did?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about, Miss Featherstone,” she said with a slight laugh.

The woman was evil. Tia had no way of finding out if she truly had been trying to kill them. “I did feel bad about Mr. Jonathon Tavers and your brother being with Middleton. I hadn't expected that.”

“But how did you realize I was next in line?”

Tia smiled again as she pulled the book out. “This book. I had started to read it one day to ease the stifling boredom of Middleton's attentions. It has several interesting facts.”

“I read the book and that is how I determined I was in line for the title.”

“And you wanted the title, didn't you?”

Constance leaned forward. “Wouldn't you? I'll bet you would have married the bastard for it. Just like your sister married for one.”

“No, my lady. It was purely the money.”

“Hah! You loved being in Society until Middleton turned you into his mistress.”

“But now that I have his money, I can do whatever I want. Once the war is over, I can leave the country and start a new life as a wealthy heiress, while you are stuck with a title and an estate that was poorly managed.” Tia knew she was getting under the woman's skin.

“What do you really want?”

“I just want to hear you admit it.” She shrugged. “I would even be willing to pay for the privilege.”

Constance looked out toward the hall as her husband's voice boomed from the study. “How much?”

“How much do you need to settle what you owe Mr. Adams?”

She blinked and stared at Tia with her gaped, bow-shaped mouth. “I thought you didn't know who he was?”

Tia tilted her head with a smile. “My late betrothed was a partner at the Red Door. Yes, I know Mr. Adams. And seeing your reaction to his appearance here, I can only assume you like to gamble.”

“Whore,” she whispered.

“Bitch,” Tia retorted. “How much, Lady Bunworth?”

“Five hundred pounds.”

Tia couldn't imagine anyone wagering that kind of money. “Done.”

“Yes, I hired someone to kill Middleton, my brother, and Mr. Tavers.” She leveled Tia a smug grin. “And you would be right that Mary is upstairs brushing out my gown for tonight's soirée. But the fire was nothing to do with me.”

“Thank you, Lady Bunworth. That was worth every pound.” Tia rose. Noting Adams and Bunworth in the hall, she inched to the side so Constance wouldn't see them. “Tell me, did you not wonder why I wasn't wearing black?”

Constance shrugged. “I assumed you were already looking for your next keeper.”

“No, my lady. I have no need to grieve for a man who is still alive.”

Her eyes widened. “What are you talking about?” she demanded.

The front door opened and the gentlemen walked inside. Alistair glared at his sister. “Will you not welcome me back from the dead, sister dear?”

 

Braden and Hart walked back into the salon, where Tia and her sister sat drinking tea. It had been a very long day, but he was so happy to be home again. Soon he and Tia would refurbish some of the rooms and make this truly their house.

“So what will happen to Lady Bunworth?” Mia asked. “Will she hang?”

“My, what a bloodthirsty wife you have, Hart,” Braden said with a laugh. He sobered, remembering poor Bunworth's face. “No, she will not hang. Bunworth is having her sent to Bedlam, which may be worse.”

“Oh my,” Mia said with a shiver. “That is a horrid place.”

“But at least now, you and Jonathon and Alistair will be safe,” Tia said. “That woman needs whatever help Bedlam might be able to provide her. I have never seen such an evil look in a person's eyes before today.”

“How is Alistair?” Hart asked. “It can't be easy to live with the fact that your own sister tried to have you killed.”

Braden nodded. “Louisa is with him. We will check on him before we leave on Wednesday.”

“How is Jonathon doing?”

“Not well,” Braden admitted. “Hearing that Eldridge forced Emily back to his home sent him over the edge this afternoon. He went to see Dr. Simmons. Jonathon is afraid he might be tempted to go back to the opium.”

“Very wise choice,” Hart said. “That is where we took Charlie for his opium problem. We visited him yesterday and he is doing so much better.”

“It's only been a few weeks, but already Charlie looks clearer in the eyes and mind,” Mia added. “I hope they both do well there.”

They went silent when they heard a knock on the door. Nelson said, “Your Graces, I am certain they will see you in the salon.”

Selina raced into the room just as Tia stood to greet her. Selina threw herself into Tia's arms and jumped up and down.

“The Duke and Duchess of Northrop, my lords,” Nelson said, suppressing a smile.

“Not the most proper greeting, my dear,” North said with a laugh.

“Do be quiet, dear. These are my dearest friends and we are in their home alone, so no one cares what I do. I might even take off my shoes.” Selina pulled back from Tia's embrace. “I am so happy for you.”

“Thank you, Selina,” Tia said happily. “Now that you are in town, you can come tomorrow for the wedding!”

“Once I heard from your mother all that was going on, I insisted Colin take me to London.” Selina giggled. “Don't I sound like a proper duchess . . . insisting people do what I request.”

Braden turned to North. “Are we really supposed to let these women out in Society next spring?”

“Not mine,” he said with a grin. “She will be far too big with child for the Season. I would suggest you and Hart get busy. If we keep them with child, we might never have to face the scandal these three will produce in town.”

Braden sat back and sipped his brandy with a smile. “I think we should let them create the biggest scandal in town. They most likely will, anyway.”

After a long day and an evening full of friendship and love, Braden and Tia finally retired for the night.

“Should I sleep in my room tonight?” she asked shyly.

“No, your room is now in here,” he said, opening the door to his room. “This is our room. I don't believe a man and his wife should sleep apart. That is what leads men to mistresses and I have no intention of ever having anyone but you in my bed.”

She turned in his arms and kissed him. “Are you happy? Are you concerned about marrying a poor wise woman who might be off delivering a baby when you want to make love?”

“Not at all. I will be the one accompanying you.”

“Forever?” she asked with a smile.

“Forever,” he said, before kissing her again. “I love you, Tia. More than I have ever loved any woman. And I will never forsake you for another. You are my love, my life.”

Don't miss Selina's and Mia's stories!

 

 

Bewitching the Duke

 

ONLY HER DESIRE . . .

 

After losing his wife in childbirth, Colin Barrett, Duke of Northrop, does not trust healers. So when he discovers Selina White cleansing his home, he is livid. As duke, Colin is accustomed to his charges taking orders from him. But the fiery Selina has the audacity to defy him when he asks her to leave his lands. More infuriating, he cannot stop thinking about the seductive sway of her hips when she walks.

 

 

CAN HEAL HIS HEART . . .

 

The sick tenants of Northrop Park depend on Selina, and she's not about to let a man tell her she must leave her village—even if he is a duke. And while Selina does not fear Colin's temper, she is afraid of the secrets she keeps from him and of the desire he sets off in her every time he is near.

Enticing the Earl

 

 

ONLY HIS PASSION . . .

 

With his estate near bankruptcy, Simon Blakesworth, Earl of Hartsfield, already has a perilous secret to keep. Still, when he finds Mia Featherstone badly beaten, he doesn't hesitate to shelter her in his home . . . and offer marriage to protect the lovely healer from her attacker. But Mia is concealing a danger this honorable earl never imagined—and can't resist . . .

 

 

CAN SAVE HER LOVE . . .

 

Mia's valuable discovery on Simon's land saved her patients' lives. Now the only way she can help the man she's always loved save his home is to secretly find the rest of a cache of hidden artifacts. But their passion is making it impossible for Mia to ever walk away—even from a love that may not survive the truth . . .

And be sure to look for all of Christie Kelley's Spinster Club series!

 

Every Night I'm Yours

Every Time We Kiss

Something Scandalous

Scandal of the Season

One Night Scandal

Award-winning author
Christie Kelley
was born and raised in upstate New York. After seventeen years working for financial institutions in software development, she started writing her first book. She currently writes regency historical romances for Kensington and now lives in Maryland with her two sons. Come visit her on the Web at
www.christiekelley.com
.