When an Earl Turns Wicked

by Dawn Brower

  “True,” Shelby agreed. “But I still have no desire to go.”

  “Suit yourself.” Jonas laughed. “You always do.”

  “That I do…” Shelby said as he motioned for his horse to move. They rode side by side until they reached the end of Rotten Row. Then Shelby nodded at Jonas. “See you later at the club.”

  Jonas nodded and turned in the opposite direction. Shelby heading home, and he toward Coventry’s house. It didn’t take him long to arrive. He rode Ares directly to the stable. The trip from the park hadn’t been long, and he hoped Marian had already returned. He rather liked talking to her and wished to do it again. What was happening to him when he looked forward to titillating conversation with an unmarried lady?

  “My lord,” a groom greeted him.

  Jonas slid off his horse then handed him the reins. “Take care of him for me.”

  “Of course,” the groom replied and led Ares to a nearby stall. “He’ll be safe here with us.”

  Jonas nodded and headed toward the house. He hopped the steps two at a time and stopped at the front door. He rapped on it several times with his knuckles and waited for the butler to answer. The door creaked open, but it wasn’t the butler who was behind it.

  “Found riding in the park boring and had to follow me home?” Lady Marian baited him. “Don’t you have better things to do with your time?”

  “Plenty,” he agreed. “Doesn’t your father employ a butler? Why are you answering the door?” He was glad to have her greeting him, and it warmed him to find her home as he’d hoped.

  “I just arrived and was the closest one to it. Do you have a problem with a lady answering the door to her home?”

  He was growing to adore her. She amused him a great deal and couldn’t help the laugher that spilled from inside of him. “Let me in, sweetheart. I came to see your father.”

  She slid the door open wider to allow him to enter. He brushed past her, stopping once he was completely inside. Her breathing hitched as he passed by. Her lips fell open slightly, and the urge to kiss her filled him. He didn’t act on it though. It would be a serious breach in etiquette, and her father might insist on marriage. Jonas took his vows seriously. So he held back when everything inside urged him to claim her.

  “He’s in the study,” Lady Marian told him. “It’s where he always is this time of day.”

  “I know the way,” Jonas replied. “Don’t do anything scandalous without me.” He didn’t wait for her to respond. Her mouth fell open even wider. She was stunned by his statement. Good. It would keep things interesting, and she wouldn’t ever know what to expect from him. He liked that he could keep her guessing. He had to have something to look forward to in his life.

  He reached the study door and leaned against the entrance. Coventry was staring at a ledger on his desk. He tapped his fingers on the mahogany wood absentmindedly. “Something bothering you?”

  Coventry glanced up. Surprise was etched on his face. He lifted a brow and said, “Harrington, I didn’t know you were stopping by today. Did I forget an appointment?”

  “Not at all,” Jonas reassured him. He walked over to a nearby chair and sat. “I thought I’d come and visit. It’s been a while since we had a chance to have a conversation between just the two of us. I thought I’d rectify that.”

  He hoped he could gauge Coventry’s health without coming right out and asking him. If he had a spell of some sort at Tattersall’s, then he might have one again with Jonas present. The earl was a proud man and might not like anyone questioning how capable he was.

  “You’re correct,” Coventry agreed. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you for a while now. I was hoping I could set it aside a bit longer.”

  “Oh?” Was he going to admit he was sick? Jonas hoped it wasn’t anything serious and that Grayson had imagined it. “What did you wish to discuss?”

  “Your future,” he answered. “More importantly, what you plan on doing with it.”

  That was one conversation Jonas didn’t want to have. As far as he was concerned his future was already set in stone. He’d remain a bachelor for the rest of his days and be the longest ever member of the earl’s club. That sounded like a perfect future as far as he was concerned. He’d always have a place to go and reliable people in his corner. What more could he possibly want?

  “I don’t follow,” Jonas replied. “What about my future do we need to discuss?”

  “When do you plan on finding a wife?”

  “Never,” he retorted. There was no other answer he could give. “I don’t need one, so why would I look?”

  The older man sighed. “I’m not going to live forever. I had hoped you’d settle down and find some happiness. Marriage to the right person can be a good thing. I loved my wife dearly, and I want you to find someone to love. What can I do to convince you that you need that in your life?”

  “Nothing.” He shrugged. “You know why I won’t marry.”

  “I do.” Coventry frowned. “You can’t let the duke control your life in that way. He doesn’t have a hold on you anymore.”

  “Doesn’t he?” Every action Jonas had taken since his father died had been either to counteract something his grandfather had done, or to prevent something he might do. “As long as that man is alive he’ll never allow me peace. I’m afraid even in death he’ll have a grip on me.”

  He hated to admit that much, but it was the truth. Jonas never believed in lying to himself, and he wasn’t going to start now. It was the one thing that kept him sane in a world filled with madness. What kind of man would he be if he brought a woman he loved into it?

  “That may have been true in the past,” Coventry said evenly. “If you let him have control, he’ll have it. At some point you’ll have to take the time to realize that and accept you can have more in life.”

  “My grandfather is in town actually,” Jonas replied. “I think I will go to Harrington while he’s in London. The idea of both of us being in one place at any given time is a recipe for disaster.”

  He hadn’t considered leaving London until that moment. Jonas had come to see Coventry to discover the state of his health. Things had escalated into a territory he didn’t want to visit. The old man was well aware of Jonas’s feelings on marriage and how the duke played a part in it.

  “If you want to leave town, perhaps you can do me a favor.”

  “Possibly.” He stood, preparing to leave. Jonas would find out later what was wrong with Coventry. There was no doubt something was off, but it could wait for now. He couldn’t deal with anything else at the moment. “What do you need?”

  “Marian and her friend want to attend a house party.” He tapped the desk again. “I haven’t had a chance to speak to Shelby about it. Would you consider convincing him to go and accompanying them?”

  If he was leaving town, a house party wasn’t a bad idea. It was a good enough reason as any to put some distance between him and the duke. The added boon of spending more time with Marian appealed to him. That was one of the benefits of the upcoming journey. His fascination with the lady was growing with each moment that passed. “I’m not making any promises, but I’ll talk to Shelby. It’s all I can offer.”

  “Thank you,” Coventry said. “Thanks for the visit. Next time you’re at the club we’ll have to chat longer and have a drink.”

  Jonas nodded and exited the study. He hadn’t seen any indication of an illness, but the old man was crafty. He wouldn’t put it past him to divert Jonas’s attention by talking about the duke. During the conversation, he hadn’t considered that, and it was too late to go back in. He’d have to monitor Coventry and figure what his plan was later. The old man always had something up his sleeve. Why should that have changed now?

  He had to find Shelby and convince him to take his sister to the house party. He wasn’t even sure what the party was or where, but he suddenly wanted to go. Admittedly part was to escape his grandfather’s plans, but mostly it was the prospect of spending more time with Ma
rian. He wanted to know her better, and if he were to be honest—kiss her. In the country, he’d have more opportunities for both. He rather looked forward to the possibility of both. Marian would give him hell, and the sadistic side of him enjoyed it. Persuading Shelby of the wisdom of his plan would take a lot of drinks and probably as many promises. He rather looked forward to it…

  Chapter 7

  Jonas strolled into the club in search of Shelby. It was unlikely he’d be any other place, but even if he had gone elsewhere to find entertainment, someone at the club would know where he’d gone. He pocketed his special key to the front door into his pocket and clicked the door shut, then went to the main room. Laughter echoed throughout as many of the earls played cards, downed their preferred alcohol, and flirted with their mistresses. Not all of them brought females into the club. A select few were permissible, and only after Coventry approved them. Some of the women were too gossipy.

  “Harrington,” one of the earls called out to him. “Come join our game. We need a fourth.”

  He shook his head. “I’m looking for Shelby. Is he here?”

  “Upstairs with Bess,” he replied. “You might as well sit down and play. He’ll be a while.”

  Shelby did like to take his time… Jonas sighed. “Are you sure you want to lose your allowance?” He laughed. “Doesn’t daddy still hold the purse strings?”

  “Shut your mouth,” Carrington said. “I’m my own man. My father stopped wiping my nose years ago. He has no say in what I do with my money.”

  “Is that so?” Jonas sat in the empty chair at the table. “Do you want to up the stakes then?” His heart wasn’t really in the game. He itched to leave London, and he wanted Shelby with him when they left. “How long has Shelby been upstairs?” He could only joke around so much before he came back to the real issue.

  “He went up almost immediately upon his arrival,” Carrington said. “He seemed to be in a mood.”

  “Ah,” Jonas said. He could probably deduce what or rather who had put him in that mood. Hopefully Bess helped him work off that irritation and left Shelby more willing to travel. “What are we playing?” Not that he cared. The game never mattered. There was a time he’d been rather horrid at cards. Time and patience had given him the skills he needed to be one of the best. The days of losing all his funds in a hand of cards had ended a while ago. In some ways, his luck had improved over the years and turned him nearly golden. The downside was always his awful grandfather.

  “Whist,” another earl said. “We’re not raising any stakes. The pot remains small and friendly. I wouldn’t want anyone to lose the money they need to pay the rent on their quarters.”

  Some of the earls had rooms in the club. They paid a fee for keeping them, and other rooms were designated for the use of any of the men from time to time. They all paid their dues, no matter what. It was what kept the club running and paid for their pleasures. Jonas still had his own room at the club from the days when he had nowhere else to go. Coventry suggested it until he found his own way. It gave him a measure of safety from his grandfather and a home when he needed it most. Now he had a house in town, and his grandfather no longer terrified him. The room was more for nostalgia or the nights he was too tired to find his way home. He turned to the earl who’d spoken about the stakes being left as they were and asked, “Are you afraid you’ll lose?”

  “You won’t bait me, Lord Harrington,” he replied then laughed. “My father didn’t raise a fool.”

  “Good to know.” Jonas grinned. “This world is full of far too many idiots these days. It’s nice to know there is one less nitwit in the world.”

  Carrington dealt the cards. Whist wasn’t one of Jonas’s favorite games. Truthfully, cards had become boring and predictable. He had to do something to pass the time though, so he studied his hand. They played until each one of them had one card left in their hand. Each partnership had six tricks, and the last hand would determine the winner. Jonas’s partner was probably glad he’d sat down. His reputation of rarely losing preceded him. What the other earl didn’t know was he had a crap card, and if they were going to take the trick he had to do it. Win or lose, Jonas didn’t care. That wasn’t why he’d sat at the table. One, two, three…each person laid their card on the table until it came to Jonas.

  “What do you have?” The young buck who was Jonas’s partner asked. The lad was nervous for no reason. By some rare bit of luck, he had the winning card yet somehow thought Jonas would be the victor overall. He laid his card down and his partner smiled. “We won.”

  “We did,” Jonas agreed. “You keep the winnings. I have to go pull Shelby out of his warm bed.” He pushed his chair back and stood. As he turned, the very person he was going to search for strolled down the stairs at a leisurely pace. “Shelby,” he called out.

  “Harrington.” His lips slowly tilted upward into a lazy smile. “Didn’t expect to see you until later. Want to go to another ball with me tonight?”

  He shook his head. “I hate balls.”

  “Don’t we all. Did you go see Coventry? He hasn’t been at the club much in the past month. I didn’t realize it until Grayson spoke to me earlier.”

  He still didn’t know what was going on with their leader. Jonas would address that another time. There was something going on, but the what wasn’t evident when he’d visited prior to coming to the club. “I did,” Jonas replied. “He’s acting normal enough.” No reason to worry Shelby without all the information. “I have something else I wish to discuss with you.”

  “More important than Coventry’s declining health?”

  “There’s nothing more important than that, but I think he’s fine.” At least for now… “He’s as manipulative as he always is.”

  Shelby laughed. “Said something to rile you up, did he?”

  More than he wanted to admit… “What he said doesn’t matter. I need to leave town for a while. My grandfather opened up his townhouse, and I have to put some distance between us. What can I do to convince you to go to that house party?”

  Shelby scrunched his eyebrows together. “Why do you need me to go. You can go on your own if you need to rusticate in the country that bad.”

  “I don’t even know where, let alone who, is hosting this particular party.” Jonas sighed. “Besides, it would be good for you to escort your sister there, and perhaps there’s a local maid you haven’t sweet talked into your bed. Think of the possibilities.”

  “What are you two discussing in secret over here,” Asthey said as he walked up behind Jonas.

  “Harrington wants to go to a country party.” His voice was the very epitome of boredom mixed with annoyance.

  “Splendid,” Asthey replied. “I could use a change of scenery.”

  “Fine,” Shelby gritted out. “I can’t fight you both.”

  “And as a show of good faith—” Jonas tilted his lip upward. “—Asthey and I will go to this ball tonight.”

  “Speak for yourself.” Asthey glared. “I’m going to return home to pack. I’ll meet you two in Kent.”

  With those words, Asthey spun on his heels and exited the club. Jonas turned to Shelby and asked, “How does he know where we’re going?”

  “I may have complained loudly earlier. He was nearby and heard it all.”

  “Fabulous. What ball is tonight?” He hadn’t even looked at one of the invitations he’d received. He didn’t go to balls unless Shelby needed him to.

  “The Silverton ball,” he said. “I’ll meet you there.” Then Shelby exited the same way Asthey had. His two closest friends had a flair for the dramatic…

  “Shelby is being ridiculous,” Samantha whined. “He is refusing to take us. I’ve never seen him so intractable before.”

  “It must be a family trait…” Marian blew out a breath. She was going to have to accept that she wasn’t going to Kent, and she was not going to meet the Duchess of Weston. There was no hope left. Her dream of being a physician was gone because of the stubbornness of
men. “Don’t worry about it. There will be other opportunities.” The duchess had to leave the safety of Kent at some point. She didn’t want her friend to feel bad because her brother was so obstinate.

  “I wish I could change his mind.” She pushed her bottom lip out into a spectacular pout.

  “Sam, darling,” Katie said with a laugh. “You pout better than any woman we know, but it doesn’t work on us.”

  They had managed to drag Kaitlin out with them. Shelby was off in the card room with Lord Harrington. Shelby escorted them to the ball and promptly left them alone to greet his friend. Both men had ignored the ladies, and for some reason, that bothered her. Lord Harrington had been charming her every time they met, and this time he nearly ignored her. She didn’t understand what was going on with him.

  “I need to practice on someone,” Samantha said. “I’m hoping if I get it right I will convince my brother to take us to Kent.”

  “Hello, brat,” Lord Shelby said from behind Samantha. “What are you plotting now?”

  Samantha crossed her arms over her chest. She flashed him the pout she’d been practicing. “I’m not doing anything. I’m still upset you won’t take me to the country party.”

  “About that…”

  Harrington walked up and patted Shelby on the back. “He’s going to take you after all.”

  Marian’s mouth fell open. She had to have heard wrong. Why would Lord Shelby have changed his mind, and what did Lord Harrington have to do with it. She couldn’t allow herself to believe it yet. There was a lot on the line with this, and if it fell through again she’d be devastated.

  “Really?” Samantha said excitedly, then threw her arms around her brother’s neck.

  “Not so fast,” Lord Shelby said, pushing her back. “I have rules, and you have to follow them.”