Lord Heartless

by Tessa Berkley

  “She came around just as you had left for your meeting with Norfolk, sir.”

  “I see.”

  “But I did not let her in.”

  “Yes, do so from this point forward. I do not want that woman in my house.” Landon flipped the card over and notice it was sealed with wax.

  “Should you like, the correspondence can be misplaced or lost.”

  Landon cut his eyes to the man standing on his right. “No, that would be deceitful and I have given up those ways.”

  “Yes, I can see that.”

  Landon placed the correspondence back on the tray and stared. “The ladies are in the music room, are they not?”

  “They are, sir. Madame Beatrice has brought a new gown for her ladyship and samples of new fabric.”

  “I think I’ll pop in and see what it is about then. Just leave the tray with me.”

  “Very well, sir.” Simmons gave a nod and walked away.

  Landon blew out a deep breath and picked up the tray. Juliet had said nothing of receiving an invitation or note from the Scarborough’s since the affair at the opera. But he knew Lady Scarborough to be a spiteful sprite. In the past several occasions when they had met, she’d tried to draw him away but he had refused. The Duke of Norfolk and the wives of his friends had shielded Juliet from her tongue.

  It had to be hard on Lady Scarborough to see his wife, a simple country maid, rise to the social forefront in such short a time. Yet, he understood others saw the same as he, a woman of quiet disposition, beauty and grace, all that he could ever want.

  He paused at the doorway and stared down at the note. Perhaps, it was time to face her and put an end to this harassment. Landon rapped lightly upon the door.

  “One moment,” his wife called. He listened for her footsteps and waited until she opened the door.

  “Lord Montague, what a pleasant surprise.” She opened the door farther and allowed him to enter.

  He stopped to kiss his wife’s cheek and whisper in her ear. “Pleasant surprises? I could think of a few.” Then speaking for all to hear, he said, “I bring your mail. Poor Simmons is complaining about the ringing of the bell. He swears he shall have to hire a new footman just to answer the door so he might get his work done.”

  “That is the price one pays for having such a beautiful wife.” Madame Beatrice smiled.

  “Then the pleasure is all mine.” Landon could not agree more. He watched the color on his wife’s cheeks bloom under his stare. “And here I thought you might claim it came from your handiwork.”

  “Truth be told, your wife has brought me business. I was just telling her I have been called to Kensington next week.”

  “Oh my, does that mean my coffers will become lighter?”

  “No, no, Lord Montague.” The seamstress held up her hand. “The House of Montague will always have a special place in my heart.”

  She paused to gather her things and tuck them inside a basket.

  “Mother, Simmons has been telling the callers that you are out. Perhaps, it might be best to let Madame Beatrice out the back entrance.”

  “Ah, I believe you are correct.” The countess rose. “Let me call a maid and we shall gather your things. I’ll show you the way.”

  As she rang for one of the maids, Landon moved back to his wife.

  “I shall have to ask Cook to make some of her pastries for next week.” Juliet’s hand stilled at the note.

  “You can ignore it.” He waited, wondering if she knew how strong enough their union was. He’d done all he could to calm her nerves.

  She turned it over. “I could, but it is time to put this matter to rest,” she said as the Countess showed Madame Beatrice out. Dampening her lips, she drew her finger beneath the flap and broke the seal. “We have been married for nigh on six months. I would think she might see how you have changed.”

  “True,” he said. Thinking back, he could not remember a time he’d been to the club to play cards or gamble. His solace came now not in the amount of money he made, but in the arms of his wife and the laughter of his son. He stepped close and captured her chin with his hand before bestowing a kiss upon the edge of her lips. “I am so thankful the fates crossed our paths, dear wife. I hope you know that.”

  “I do, Lord Montague, more than you can imagine.” She turned her cheek against his hand and for a moment they merely stared into each other’s eyes.

  “I suppose you best read it.”

  Juliet pulled the folded paper from its covering and flipped open the card. “It seems Lady Scarborough has invited us to a ball.”

  “A ball? Well this cost me yet another creation from Madame Beatrice? Should I call her back?”

  Juliet laughed and grabbed his arm. “No such thing is needed. I have far more than my share to wear.”

  “Oh, what are we discussing?” his mother asked, moving into the room.

  “Whether or not to accept Lady Scarborough’s invitation to a ball, Mother.”

  “Humph,” she grumbled as Juliet handed her the note.

  They waited while she scanned the contents. “Well, we must go. The list of attendees is impeccable. If we do not go, it will show a slight.” She looked at Landon. “They will orchestrate something in your honor no doubt.”

  “No doubt,” he agreed.

  “Then you must be on your toes.”

  Landon nodded.

  “At least the Duke of Norfolk will be there,” his mother said.

  Juliet walked to her husband and took his hand. Landon pulled her to him and she rested her head upon his shoulder. “Always remember, I love you,” Juliet whispered.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Juliet glanced out the window and smiled. She would almost be glad when the time came and she could retire quietly for a while to Holly Grove. She and the countess had secretly taken the carriage to London, where she had been introduced to Dr. Hodges. Tonight, after the Scarborough ball, she planned to confide the little matter to her husband. The dowager had covered for her long enough by pretending to be too tired or ill.

  “Lady Montague, are you all right?”

  The Duchess of Norfolk’s voice brought her attention back to the gaiety around her. “Forgive me. I was enjoying the music.”

  The duchess flipped her fan open and stirred the air furiously. “I hear they paid quite a price for it. Lord Scarborough’s pockets have grown rather thin. I dare say the festivities we see tonight came from his wife’s purse.”

  “How so?” Juliet blinked.

  “My dear, she comes from an old family whose great wealth elevated them to the highest level of the Ton, but she sullied herself before her marriage to Lord Scarborough.”

  “Perhaps it is nothing but idle gossip, milady.”

  The duchess closed her fan and placed a hand upon Juliet’s arm. “You do think the best of those around you, even the ones bent on hurting you the most.”

  Juliet took a deep breath and gazed across the way at the dark-haired woman flirting with the men on the dance floor. “They are but petty games. Odds are she has fallen victim to the imaginary world her mind has created. My husband and I are quite happy. She will see that her manipulation is folly, and yet….” She looked back at the duchess. “I admit, when it comes to her ladyship, I find it hard.”

  “She has more than once tried to trap your husband.” Another in the circle spoke. “But he has been wise to keep his own council and ignore her barbed taunts and insinuations.”

  “Yes, my lord is wise,” she murmured. Looking over to the other side of the ballroom, she caught sight of Landon, standing beside the duke talking trade nonstop. It had become his passion in recent months and to that end, had made quite a tidy sum.

  “I hear Holly Grove is nearly complete.”

  “Yes.” Juliet turned with a smile. “We are going out to see the improvements in the next few weeks. Perhaps this fall you would honor us with a visit?”

  “Oh, I would love to,” the duchess said. “Will the countess be
there?”

  Juliet nodded. “We have designed some rooms just for her. I believe she will be well pleased.”

  She turned her head and found Landon looking directly at her. Her pulse quickened as he lifted his glass in her direction.

  “Exchanging lover’s glances?” the duchess leaned over to whisper.

  Juliet dipped her lashes coyly to her cheek. “I am afraid I am guilty.”

  The ladies chuckled.

  “It is good to be so in love, my dear.” The duchess patted her arm. “There are those among us who envy that.” She sighed. “All this talk has made me thirsty.” She waved her hand and a servant moved toward them with a silver tray of flutes filled with French champagne.

  “Milady?” He turned to Juliet.

  She shook her head.

  “Nothing for you, my dear?”

  “Champagne does not sit well with me, duchess.”

  “Of course.” She winked.

  Across the back of the dance hall, she saw the dowager signal to her. “If you will excuse me. I must see to the dowager.”

  “Certainly.”

  Making her way over to the dowager, Juliet sat down upon the empty seat by her side.

  “I thought you might like this.” She pressed a flute into her grasp. “They won’t give us old biddies anything more than water with the zest of a lemon, but I think it suits you right now.”

  “Bless you.” Juliet took the glass and sipped.

  “So far, so good.” The dowager leaned toward her. “Lord Montague seems to be having his ear bent by the gentleman from the Privy Council. I can’t recall his name.”

  “I am not sure either. I do not wish to interrupt, but I have had my fill.” She grimaced.

  “I am sure you are ready for your feet to be up, my dear.”

  “Lady Montague, mind if I have this dance?”

  The dowager’s hand tightened around hers. Looking up, Juliet came face-to-face with Lord Scarborough.

  “Evening, Lord Scarborough,” the dowager began. “My daughter-in-law is fatigued. In fact, we were just about to signal his lordship and retire for the evening.”

  “Fatigued, madam? Why, you have spent so little time upon the dance floor. You are young. Shall we throw caution to the wind? Or are you afraid that your country life is not match for the dance moves of the ladies of London?”

  Juliet’s face grew hot. “I do not wish to dance, Lord Scarborough, but thank you.”

  “Come.” He ignored her words. “That dress was made to be seen, besides, I have some questions that only you can answer.” He reached down and took her arm. The dowager’s cane came down upon his hand.

  “You are forcing yourself upon my son’s wife.”

  A sneer pulled the flesh of his lips from his teeth and Juliet grew alarmed. “I am merely returning the favor your son showed me. Come.”

  The ladies gasped as he shoved off her cane and hauled Juliet to her feet. She wrestled her arm from his fingers. Giving the countess a reassuring smile, she glowered at the man towering next to her. “Very well, one dance and no more.”

  She refused the arm he held out from her and kept her distance as they walked onto the dance floor. Turning to face him, she saw the dowager stand and raise her cane above her head. Juliet knew she had signaled Landon. One move around the dance floor and her husband would come to rescue her.

  The music began. Lord Scarborough stepped up and placed a hand upon her waist. She put hers lightly at his shoulder and he grasped her free hand. Anticipating the opening chord, she rose on the balls of her feet and he took that moment to pull her close. Her eyes widened and she braced her arm against his, shoving him back. “Lord Scarborough, I do not wish to be held so tightly.”

  “Why?” His eyes narrowed. “Because I am not as wealthy as your husband I am below your standards?”

  “How dare you, sir?” Juliet spoke loud enough to garner the glances of the dancers who stood beside them.

  “Come now, there is much we can discuss.” He pushed her through the first steps of the waltz and spun her beneath his arm.

  “Really, I doubt that,” she told him curtly.

  “Tell me, with your husband so embroiled in his new business for the crown, does your bed grow cold? Have you thought of seeking other pursuits?”

  Juliet’s feet stilled. “You have gone too far. Good evening, Lord Scarborough.” She dropped her hands and took hold of her skirts to walk away. Looking across the dance floor, she could see the duchess and the dowager on their feet, their expressions worried. Suddenly, a hand encircled her upper arm in its viselike grip. Juliet cried out as Lord Scarborough turned her around to face him.

  “What did you do? Cry and crawl into Montague’s bed? Could it be you claimed to be with child? We all know that he spent a week out at Holly Grove. Did he seduce you like he has done before or was it the other way around?”

  Juliet raised her hands to cup her cheeks, hoping to hide her embarrassment. “How dare you?”

  “How dare I?” He put his hands to his hips and made a big show of looking around the floor as the eyes of the Ton were all upon them. “Come now, tell all of us, for I find it hard to believe that a snip of a country girl could snare a rake known as Lord Heartless.”

  “Ours is a marriage of love,” she cried. “You heard me tell the queen thus.”

  “Ah, such an innocent lie. We all know that Lord Montague has no heart to love.”

  Juliet anger spilled over. She marched up to him and with an open palm slapped his face. A gasp rose from the crowd. Lord Scarborough reached out and snagged her hand. “You shall learn not to touch your betters.” He shook her hard.

  “Let go of my wife.”

  Landon’s voice echoed in the hall. Men moved their partners to the back and stood before them to keep them safe. Scarborough’s grip loosened and Juliet found herself in the waiting arms of the Duchess of Norfolk and the dowager.

  “Come, leave the men to do this.”

  “Landon,” she whispered.

  “He will be safe,” the duchess murmured. “Scarborough has bitten off more than he can chew this time.”

  Juliet looked over her shoulder and to see her husband remove his jacket and hand it to the duke. “You have made slanderous accusations against my wife, Scarborough. I demand satisfaction.”

  Tears filled Juliet’s eyes.

  “Tell me, Montague,” Scarborough asked, removing his own jacket. “Did you cheat to win Holly Grove? Was it that which pushed Lord Gilbert over the edge?”

  The room began to spin. Juliet could feel the air around her grow almost too hot to breathe. She clutched the ladies hands tightly. “Please stop,” she begged. They drew her to a spot just outside the ring and the dowager gripped her arms as her knees grew weak. Her husband took a stance and sent a blow Scarborough deflected. A second bounced off Landon’s shoulder.

  “Stop, make them stop. Please,” she cried.

  Landon reached back, and this time his fist went square into Scarborough’s face. A sickening crunch followed and the man crumpled.

  ***

  Landon shook his hand as the Duke of Norfolk shouted. “Someone clean up this mess. Lord Montague, are you all right?”

  “I….” But he could not complete his sentence; the screams of women filled the air. He turned to watch his wife swoon to the floor. He rushed to her and bent down to lifted her still body into his arms. “Juliet, my love.”

  “Take her to the library,” the duchess ordered. “You there, a bowl of ice water and a towel. Be quick about it.”

  With the Duke of Norfolk leading the way, they moved quickly into the library and Landon gently laid her onto the couch.

  “Undo her laces, my boy,” his mother called. “I will see if there is a doctor in the crowd.”

  Landon rolled Juliet on her side and made quick work of the satin buttons on her royal blue gown, but the strings on her corset were too tight. “I need a knife, something to cut these strings.”

 
“A letter opener.” The duke pulled it from the desk blotter and handed it to him. The sound of ripping cords followed.

  Landon eased her back over and took hold of her hand. “Please, my love, please come back to me.”

  The door opened, but Landon did not take his eyes from her face.

  “Here.” The duchess pushed a cold, damp towel into his hand. “Place this upon her forehead.”

  Landon laid it over her brow and waited for her color to reappear. “If he has hurt her,” Landon growled, “there will be no place for him to hide.”

  “Take heed, Lord Montague, if any harm has indeed come to your wife, there is a not a soul outside that would raise a hand to stop you from seeking restitution,” the duke said.

  Landon nodded, panic churning in his gut. “Perhaps smelling salts?”

  The door opened and his mother walked in.

  “Step aside, Landon. Let Dr. Harden have a look,” his mother ordered.

  Landon rose as the elderly man removed his coat and handed it to his mother. “Lord Montague, I am a physician at Kensington. If you please, I can look to your wife.”

  “Yes, please.” Landon stumbled back. “She cannot be lost. She cannot.”

  “Come.” The Duke of Norfolk put an arm to his shoulders. “I think a glass of brandy is what you need.”

  He looked back. “But my wife….”

  “Leave her to the ladies; they often know best.” The duke led him across the room to the sideboard and poured a small splash of Scarborough’s best into the glass. Pressing it into his hand, he commanded, “Drink. You can still see her and are within arms’ distance should they need you.”

  Landon lifted the glass to his mouth and let the alcohol burn down the back of his throat. “I cannot live without her.”

  “You will not have to, Montague. Women are delicate in nature. She was overwrought. Scarborough said horrid things. Your wife will be fine.”

  “Landon.” His mother motioned for him to come.

  “There, young man, go to her.”

  Landon walked back to the couch and saw his wife’s eyes opened. “My darling.” He dropped to his knees and took her hand pressing her palm to his cheek. “You are all right?”