Vexing the Viscount

by Christie Kelley

  “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.

  She opened the books of herbs and scanned. It appeared to be very old, but fine, resource. Finding a chapter on belladonna, she read through it again until sadness overwhelmed her. If only she’d had this book a year ago. It might have saved that little girl’s life. She flipped a few pages and read the chapter on herbs that helped ease labor pains.

  Braden waited for his friends to say something, but they seemed to be dumbstruck by his comment about Tia. Finally, Jack blinked and looked over at Adams, who only shrugged.

  “He is obviously lying,” Jack commented.

  “I most certainly am not!” Braden exclaimed. “She rejected my proposal.”

  “You expect us to believe that a woman who has nothing refused to marry a wealthy, titled gentleman?” Adams folded his arms over his chest.

  “Why would I lie about such a thing?” Braden’s irritation grew.

  “Because you want us to believe you didn’t break your vow,” Jack said. “A woman like Miss Featherstone would do anything to become your wife.”

  “Indeed?” Braden rang the bell for Nelson. “We shall see about that.”

  Nelson knocked before entering the room. “Do you need something, my lord?”

  Jack sniggered. “I still cannot get used to people calling you ‘my lord.’ ”

  “Has Miss Featherstone returned from her walk?” Braden asked, ignoring his annoying friend.

  “She has, and is in the library reading. Is there anything else?” Nelson asked quietly.

  “No, and thank you, Nelson.” Braden rose from his seat. “I believe we shall now set the record straight. Come along.”

  Both men followed him out of the study to the library. Braden paused for a moment and stared at her. Tia’s windblown hair had fallen out of the coiffure, leaving red tendrils framing her face. She appeared so at peace here. He cleared his throat to gain her attention. “Miss Featherstone, my dearest friends have a rather personal question they would like to ask you. Please do not feel you have to answer them if you believe it too delicate.”

  She smiled as she turned her head at them. A devilish twinkle entered her eyes. “Well, my lord, it would depend on the nature of the question.”

  “It regards a certain proposal of marriage from me.
”

  “Indeed? And what would the gentlemen like to know about that subject?”

  Jack took a step into the room. “Did he propose marriage to you and then you rejected his offer?”

  Braden stared at her for a long moment. She had such a twinkle in her eyes, he wondered if she would tell them the truth.

  “If you call being told you would marry a person a ‘proposal,’ then I suppose he did. Personally, I did not feel that was a proper proposal. What do you think?”

  Adams stifled a laugh. “She’s starting to grow on me, Middleton.” He turned his attention on Tia and said, “I would to agree with you, Miss Featherstone.”

  She smiled, revealing a slight dimple in her right cheek. “Not that it mattered.”

  “How so?” Jack asked.

  “I would have rejected a proper proposal as quickly as I did an improper one.” Tia’s brow rose.

  Jack laughed. “Come now,” he said, walking to the chair across from her. “A wealthy man who happens to be a viscount makes an offer and you would refuse?”

  “Yes, I would,” Tia replied. “Why would a man like that want to marry a poor country woman? Now, if love were involved, then I might change my mind. But do you honestly believe a man like Middleton could fall in love with me?”

  Adams looked between them both and slowly nodded. “It might be possible.”

  Braden stared at his friend. “Why do you sound so surprised?”

  This time, Tia giggled. “With your reputation?”

  “I am not the same man I was six months ago,” Braden said in a defensive tone. “I have no wish to return to that lifestyle.”

  “It wasn’t all that bad,” Jack muttered.

  “I have to agree with Jack,” Adams said. “You didn’t seem all that upset about your lifestyle until after—”

  “I just didn’t show it,” Braden interrupted his friend. He had no desire for Tia to learn exactly who had been the impetus for him to change his life. “I could be a good husband.”

  “Perhaps,” Adams drawled.

  “Yes, but until Jonathon is found, nothing else matters,” Tia spoke up. “And I was told he paid a call on Lady Bunworth last evening.”

  “He did what?” Braden asked. “Why didn’t you tell me as soon as you returned from your walk?”

  Tia put aside her book and rose. “You had callers.”

  “It’s them,” he said, waving his hands at his friends. “They already know that we are looking for my brother.”

  “Well, I believe we should pay a call on Lady Bunworth,” Jack said with a grin.

  “We cannot all go pounding on her door,” Tia said. “His lordship and I will go. My friend also told me, Jonathon was at White’s last night. So you two, go there.”

  “I can’t go to White’s,” Jack replied. “I’m not a member.”

  “I am,” Adams said with a shake of his head. “You can enter as my guest.”

  “And you,” Tia said, looking over at Braden, “will introduce me as your betrothed.”

  “Will I?” he said, cocking an eyebrow at her. “I don’t believe you have accepted my offer.”

  “No, I haven’t. But your cousin is not aware of that fact. I am quite certain that she will not accept me into her home under any other circumstances.”

  “You are most likely correct on that mark. Very well,” said, holding out his arm to her, “shall we go visit my cousin and set London on its ear?”

  “How so?”

  “You have just caught a viscount, my dear. The world will never be the same.”

  Chapter 17

  Tia took Braden’s arm as he helped her out of the carriage. Looking up at Lady Bunworth’s house, a shiver of fear swept across her. She hadn’t thought about the repercussions of being introduced as his betrothed. Her only thought had been to gain entrance into the home. But news of their engagement would spread like fire all over London. What would happen when the truth came out that they weren’t to marry?

  “Middleton, please wait,” she said, before they walked up to the house.

  “Come along, Miss Featherstone. Do not think of the future, only now.” He forced her forward either deliberately to ignore her concerns or because he didn’t want to be seen skulking in front of his cousin’s home.

  “But—”

  “Not now. We will discuss this later.” He knocked on the door and they waited in silence.

  “My lord,” the butler said with a bow. “Please come in.”

  They walked into the home and the butler showed them to a small salon. The house was much smaller than Middleton’s house in town.

  “Please tell Lady Bunworth that I am here with my betrothed,” Middleton said.

  “I shall see if Lady Bunworth is at home,” the servant said stiffly.

  The butler left and Tia couldn’t help but giggle. “Surely he knows if she is at home.”

  Middleton stifled a smile. “True, but he doesn’t know if she will accept us into her home.”

  Tia shook her head. She would never understand these people. “Why would she not? You are her cousin.”

  “True, but if she doesn’t wish to speak with me, then the butler will say she is not at home. It is common courtesy.”

  Footsteps announced the return of the butler. “Lady Bunworth will be down presently, my lord. I have ordered tea.”

  “Thank you,” Middleton said.

  Once the butler walked away, Tia whispered, “What will happen once everyone finds out we are not engaged?”

  “Not now, Tia.”

  Lady Bunworth appeared at the threshold. Her lips were pursed, her face drawn, and her eyes narrowed. “You had the nerve to bring that woman into my home, cousin?”

  He rose and bowed. “You are speaking of my future wife, Constance.”

  Lady Bunworth inhaled and slowly released the breath. “Very well, Middleton. Welcome to the family, Miss Featherstone.”

  “Thank you, my lady.”

  “You may call her Constance,” Middleton said with a smile.

  His cousin eyed him critically. “You are looking well, Middleton.”

  “Thank you, Constance.”

  “Where is the tea?” Constance turned and shouted down the hall.

  “Coming, my lady,” a voice called from down the hall.

  Constance walked to the sofa and sat down. A footman rushed into the room and placed the tea service on the table between them, before leaving the room with all haste. She poured the tea and handed a cup to each of them.

  “So,” she drawled. “Other than to announce you have decided to make Miss Featherstone an almost respectable woman, why are you here?”

  “Ah, Constance,” Middleton said. “Always straight to the point.” He sipped his tea as if to make her wait for an answer. Finally, he set his cup down and looked over at her. “I heard a rumor that my brother paid you a visit last evening. Is that true?”

  Her face went pallid. “Yes, he called on my husband. Why?”

  “I haven’t seen him since I returned to town. I would like to speak with him.”

  Tia watched the expressions running through her face.

  “You haven’t seen him at all?” Constance sounded truly surprised. “I spoke with him briefly before Harold came downstairs. Jonathon said he had seen you only two days ago.”

  Middleton’s shoulders sagged. “No, he has not paid a call on me.”

  “How odd,” Constance said with a shrug.

  “Is Bunworth home that I might speak to him about this?” Middleton asked.

  “No, he is at his club. Was that the only reason you stopped by?”

  “Yes,” Middleton said.

  “No,” Tia said.

  Middleton turned and stared at her. “It is not?”

  “No,” Tia said again. “Why did you not take your maid with you when you married?”

  “Mary?” Constance shrugged. “She and I had a falling out over a certain hairstyle I wanted. She thought it was inappropriate for a
soon-to-be-married woman. So I insisted Bunworth hire a new maid before I married him. Why?”

  “Do you have any idea where she is?” Tia asked.

  “Alistair told me she was in your home, Middleton.” She quirked a brow and looked over at Tia. “For her.”

  “She was, but she left suddenly and with no notice. It was quite odd,” he replied.

  “Hmm, no, I have not seen her.” Constance rose from her seat. “I really must ask that you take your leave now. I have to call on my mother.”

  “Of course,” Middleton said as he rose. He gave her a quick bow. “Good day, madam.”

  “Good day.”

  Constance said nothing to Tia as she walked past. Tia stopped and said, “Good day, Lady Bunworth.”

  “Good day, Miss Featherstone. And good luck getting that one to put a ring on your finger.”

  Tia trailed behind Middleton, who seemed to be in a big hurry to leave his cousin’s home. Not that she could blame him. The woman was a witch. Tia scrambled into the carriage while Middleton followed her. “Well, that was fruitless.”

  “Not at all. We know Jonathon was there last night and was lying to Constance about seeing me. We also know that Adams and Cranborne are both at White’s right now. They know we were speaking with Constance, so they will strike up a conversation with Bunworth.”

  “Do you believe what she said about Mary?” Tia asked.

  Middleton released a sigh. “Honestly, I don’t know. It doesn’t take much to get a maid sacked. Perhaps Alistair felt Mary wasn’t in the wrong, so he kept her on. I don’t know.”

  “Something just doesn’t feel right,” she whispered.

  “On that we can agree.”

  She looked up to his handsome face and smiled. “Now what?”

  “We go home and rest until Adams and Cranborne return.”

  “I agree that you should rest, but is there nothing else we can do?” There had to be something. “Perhaps we could go to White’s—”

  His loud laughter caught her off. “Sweetheart, we could never go to White’s.”

  “And why exactly not?”