by Stacy Reid
“I was advised by Mother to take an interest in several charities. I find I am very keen on the idea,” she said with a smile. “But I have no notion where to start.” She cleared her throat. “Would you…would you like to take a stroll through the gardens and discuss the merits of which charities would benefit from my patronage? I confess, I do not like the dowager countess’s recommendation, and I shall not heed her advice,” she said with evident pleasure.
“A stroll?”
“It is a beautiful day out.”
He considered her. “I am involved in a project with the Marquess of Westfall. We are working on building homes and schools for the more poor and destitute of our society. Buildings are being constructed as we speak. There is one that will be finished in a few weeks. It would be good if you could produce some paintings to brighten the house.”
Pleasure lit her eyes and the smile she gave him was so brilliant, he was rendered momentarily speechless.
“That would be wonderful, Tobias. And when you say the more vulnerable of our society…women and children?”
“Yes…those who were rescued from brutal situations. Orphans. The homeless. Invalided soldiers.”
There was a sharp knock on the door. “Yes?”
The knob twisted and their butler, Ferguson, entered with what appeared to be a letter on a slaver. “This was left for you by Lady Francie, my lord. She gave strict instructions that it was not to be delivered before ten a.m.”
Tobias took it, and the butler excused himself. He retrieved the letter opener from his desk and slit the seal. He read the note, then read it over again, sure it must be a jest on Francie’s part.
“Tobias, is all well?”
Dear Tobias,
Please do not berate me too harshly when you receive my missive. I instructed it to be delivered when I was well away from the estate, and in truth, by now I am sure I am Mrs. Browning. I’ve run away to Gretna Green with Mr. Jasper Browning, your steward.
Tobias was even more certain now that this could only be an elaborate ruse. He glanced at his wife. “Did you put Francie up to this nonsense?”
Olivia’s brow arched. “I have not seen Francie since last night, and I assure you, I have not put her up to anything.”
The confusion in his wife’s voice had foreboding slithering through Tobias. “Her note is dated yesterday.”
Olivia leaned over. “May I?”
He nodded and she plucked the note from his grasp. She started to read and then paled alarmingly.
Cold fury surged through his veins. This was not a jest. “Read aloud,” he bit coldly, pointing to where she should resume.
The hands holding the letter trembled. “Tobias, I—”
“Aloud, countess.”
She shifted with perceptible uneasiness. Smoothing the edges of the paper, she read, “I love Jasper, but I knew you would not hear of my affections for him. He is romantic, a poetic soul who loves everything about me. I’ve been in love with him for several months now. I had doubts, but in confiding in Livvie, I saw how much I must follow my own heart and to not be misled by society’s opinion or my family’s dictate to wed a gentleman of their choice. Jasper is the man of my dreams and I have followed it. Livvie assured me if I married my heart, you would not be cruel enough to remove me from my inheritance. I only pray that she is right. I have her love and approval, and upon our return, I pray to have yours and Mamma’s.”
His wife’s fingers tightened on the letter, then she glanced up. “Oh dear.”
Oh dear?
…
Cold rage leaped in Tobias’s eyes, riveting Livvie to the spot. Instincts told her the remainder of the morning would not unfold how she had imagined—strolling by the lake while discussing what’s next in this unexpectedly thrilling but very frightening adventure they’d embarked upon.
Oh, Francie, what were you thinking?
He gave her a sharp, impatient look. “I await your explanation, wife.”
She had never seen him this angry before, and for some unfathomable reason, his quality of stillness made her unaccountably nervous. She walked away from him, needing the space from his imposing presence to think. God, what had Francie been thinking? To elope?
“I knew Francie was in love with someone and that she was worried about your reaction. I thought he was a younger son of a lord or an impoverished lord. I…I never imagined he was your steward.”
Tobias strolled to the side mantle and poured himself a splash of brandy, which he downed in one swallow, then he poured another before walking over to his desk. He lowered himself onto the edge with his legs sprawled. Livvie was not fooled. She could feel the tension vibrating from him. She was grateful for his restraint.
“My sister is now ruined and you encouraged her in her fancy,” he murmured.
“The letter says they are to be married,” she said softly, though her heart was twisting. How would they weather the scandal to come? What if someone had recognized her before they were married? Livvie pressed fingers to her pounding forehead. Even when they were recovered it would be perceived as a disaster. The daughter of an earl married to a commoner.
She met Tobias’s gaze and faltered. He was glaring at her with accusation and what seemed like contempt. “Their marriage—”
His hard mouth curved faintly. “And are you naive enough to believe marriage will render my sister respectable after she slipped away in the night with…Mr. Browning, a man who is obviously a debauched fortune hunter, unchaperoned?” The glass filled with amber liquid snapped between Tobias’s fingers, betraying the depth of his fury. With cool aplomb, he dusted away the shards, placed the remnants of the broken glass on the desk beside him, then withdrew a handkerchief and cleaned his bloody fingers.
Her heart jolted at the controlled anger evident in his actions. She looked to the broken crystal and swallowed. The rumors she had heard hinted at a terrible temper, though she had yet to see it. Not that she believed him to be good-natured and amiable, but certainly not as fearsome as a few of the ladies had hinted at behind their fans at the last ball. In fact, the man before her now appeared as if his emotions were locked away in a cold, remote place inside of him. “You’re bleeding, Tobias,” she said as ruby drops settled on the peach carpet.
“It’s negligible.”
She glanced up into dark eyes. “Let me assist you.”
“A small cut is not important in the circumstances, countess.”
“I am truly regretful Francie acted in such a ruinous manner. I do believe her to genuinely love Mr. Browning and that he holds a strong attachment for her. I cannot credit she could—”
“Since our acquaintance, you have continually courted the edge of propriety. With her willful action, my sister has shown she has little respect for her stance in society or the power of scandal that has already gutted our family. Your stupidity in believing in love and fairytales are what prompted my sister to act in such a wanton and reckless manner.”
Anger stirred in Livvie’s breast. “I—”
He pushed from the desk and prowled closer. “From the moment I saw your reckless and unseemly influence I should have moved to reduce your effect on her,” he snapped.
Tears burned in her eyes, and she brushed aside the uneasiness his words triggered. “I assure you, I did nothing but advise your sister to act according to her heart. I told her to inform you of the attachment she formed. I never imagined she would elope. I would have advised her against it, Tobias.”
The coldest green eyes considered her. “The deed has been done. Now I must once again work to fix my family’s foolish behavior.”
“If they are already married—”
“I assure you, I will not allow such a marriage to stand. I will ensure a legal declaration is made to a solicitor of law and then the magistrate will sign all relevant documents.” He was, in this moment, the epitome of a man sure of his strength.
“And if Francie truly loves him and he her?”
“With
out her inheritance or monetary support from her family, his supposed love will wither,” he said with cutting scorn.
A pang sliced through her heart as she recalled one of Francie’s passionate assurances as she’d spoken about her mysterious suitor.
He loves me, Livvie, truly. We are two souls connecting as one.
“Would you prefer your sister to be trapped in a loveless marriage, one without any genuine affections and respect? Is it truly better for Francie to be wedded to a man who has no regard for her beyond her fortune, but because he is a lord, the marriage is a good match?” Livvie demanded, shocked by his pronouncement.
“Yes.”
She jerked. “You are cruel. It was ill judged of Francie to act in such a ruinous manner, but I believe she was being true to her heart. Mr. Browning has been your steward for some time. Should you not know the manner of man he is, and know whether Francie will be cared for?”
A hard, cynical smile twisted his lips. “I know exactly the kind of man he is, and I am still trying to decide if I will kill him when I recover my sister.”
Alarm filled her. “Please tell me what you know.”
“I am leaving. I must find my sister, have the ridiculous marriage annulled, and squash a scandal. It’s best when I return that you are at another of my estates.”
She recoiled. What? “You’re sending me away?”
“It is wise, countess, for you to be elsewhere for a while. Your presence is not calming or reassuring, for I have been envisioning wringing your pretty little neck and am doing my damnedest to convince myself otherwise,” he growled, the anger burning his eyes even greener.
Then he marched away and closed the door with a soft snick.
Livvie sucked in a deep breath and hurried after Tobias. His long strides took him up the stairs and it was as if the household exploded into a flurry of action as he clipped orders and they acted with alacrity to obey. She lifted her dress and dashed up the stairs. Upon reaching his chamber, she burst in. His valet, Mr. Ackers, lifted a startled glance in her direction.
“If you will excuse us, Mr. Ackers, I would confer with the earl in privacy.”
Tobias did not spare her a glance. Instead, he continued shrugging into his jacket without the aid of his valet.
“I…I am traveling with you. Francie will need me.”
He took a greatcoat from the armoire and dragged it on, then placed his hat firmly on his head. “No.”
“I must accompany you, Tobias, please.”
“No.”
“I will order the carriage and travel to Francie on my own. I cannot in good conscience abandon her now.”
His lips twitched, but she did not think he was amused. “It seems you have forgotten that we are married. Let me enlighten you, countess. I can give orders for you to not leave the estate and it will be enforced.”
Good Lord, was he serious? Livvie suppressed her outrage and glowered at him. It was important that Francie have an ally when he caught up to her. Though she had the boldness to elope, Tobias’s personality was so forceful and ruthless, neither she nor Mr. Browning would stand a chance in the face of his resolve to procure an annulment. If Livvie could convince him on the trip to Scotland that what his sister felt was genuine love and not some foolish fancy, then maybe Francie would have a chance at happiness.
“You are being wretched. Your sister…I know you love her and her heart will be greatly relieved if I am with you when you catch up with them. My presence will be a comfort to her. I can only imagine how uncertain she is at this very moment.”
“No.”
“Tobias, please—”
“I have no intention of traveling by coach. I will be taking my fastest and strongest stallion and in a few hours I shall be in Scotland. The way I intend to travel is no way for a lady.”
She steeled herself against his anger. “I am just as skilled as you at riding horses. Think of how good such a journey would be for us as well, we can get to know each other.”
“I see you have forgotten that my thoughts are filled with wringing your neck.”
She pursed her lips. This man! “I believe I know where Francie and Mr. Browning are headed.”
The intensity in his look almost frightened her.
“You are truly in denial of your position, aren’t you?” Then he took a menacing step toward her.
She backed up warily and he froze.
“Are you afraid of me?”
He held himself so still that she recognized her answer was of crucial importance to him. “You can appear intimidating, but I am not afraid.”
A soft sigh of what sounded like relief slipped from him.
“Pack lightly. I will order a coach with a team of two for you.”
A strong sense of relief washed through her. “It will only be a few hours to cross the border, I am happy to ride beside you on my horse.”
Cold eyes caressed her face, before a fleeting smile touched his lips. “Is that so?”
“Yes, do you think me unequal to the task?”
“Perhaps.”
“I have ridden past the River Eske before into Scotland with my papa before he died. I was ten. It is one of my fonder memories of him. I assure you, I am an excellent rider and that way, we shall be in Scotland in only a few hours and at the Rose Cottage before nightfall.”
His eyes as he stared were piercing, and she suddenly felt vulnerable. Why had she mentioned her father? She hardly ever spoke of her memories of him with anyone.
“I should have known…the Rose Cottage. We visited several times when our grandmother was alive.”
“Francie never confided in me that she was running away there, but she often spoke of it with love and wistfulness. I also know she has not been there in years and it…it seems likely to me she would head there with Mr. Browning instead of an inn surrounded by strangers.”
“Be ready within the hour, wife.”
He grabbed a cane from his armoire, and strode from the room, no doubt heading to the stables.
She hurriedly rang the bell for her lady’s maid.
Exactly an hour after the news of Francie’s elopement, Livvie was packed lightly but sensibly for a trip to Scotland. Her hair had been plaited in a very tight coronet and she dressed in her finest and most practical riding habit with a pleated skirt, comfortable sturdy riding boots, and a dark blue velvet over jacket. She hurried down to the stables to see two of the most magnificent stallions in the earl’s stables saddled and ready. Tobias was already seated atop his horse.
“You are allowing me to ride Arius?”
“Yes.”
She glanced at his fittings. “Astride?”
“I have observed you riding several times, you are a capable rider.”
She fisted a hand on her hip. “Capable?”
“In truth, I have never seen a better horsewoman.”
Pleasure warmed her. “Thank you, Tobias.”
He launched from his horse and strolled over to her. He took the small valise and secured it at the back of her horse, then gripped her waist and helped her astride. “Are you comfortable?”
She smiled, happy he was not cold or snarling. If he was still angry, it was carefully buried. “I am.”
The housekeeper hurried outside with a tightly wrapped bundle. She handed it to Livvie.
“Just something to tide you over milady. Bread, cheese, a few apples, and a flask of wine.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Potter,” Livvie said warmly, and the housekeeper glowed.
After ensuring the food was properly secured, she grabbed Arius’s reins and cantered off, following Tobias. She said a swift prayer, hoping they would indeed find Francie and her lover at the Rose Cottage. She didn’t want to think of how Tobias would react if they didn’t.
Chapter Fourteen
Lust was making a mockery out of his will to be in control in all aspects of his life with his new countess. Tobias never imagined he could be so…well, weak with a female. This did not bode well fo
r the future state of their marriage. He rode ahead on his horse, not trusting himself to ride alongside her.
Somehow during their argument, he had deemed it safer for his wife to accompany him in retrieving his sister. Olivia had not manipulated him with tears and tantrums. Instead, she had only been kind. She had been worried about Francie, a sentiment he shared only too well. He’d finally realized she would need the comfort of a woman, especially if the bounder had seduced and abandon her, as most cads in society did to the young ladies they preyed on.
Tobias had been at a loss where to start his search, only knowing to head to Gretna Green first. Hopefully a few coins tossed here and there would provide a trail as to where she had headed with his steward. He feared it was already too late to prevent the marriage, but by God if they traveled without stopping, they should make it to Rose Cottage before their consummation of the vow.
Tobias thought of the possible scandals and the influence he would have to exert to protect Francie. She would be cut by all who had called her their friend and she would no longer be welcomed in any drawing room. He wondered if she had even considered the full consequences of her actions before she decided to elope. It was damn likely not, for no doubt she had convinced herself she was acting with her bloody heart. Stupid chit. What in God’s name had she been thinking? Tobias fought down his rising uneasiness. Nothing good was ever accomplished by giving into rash emotions.
There was a clatter of hooves and his countess appeared beside him. He fished his watch from the top pocket of his coat. Olivia had managed to last two hours riding in silence. He was impressed. He glanced at her and softly sucked in a breath. She glowed. It was then he realized she was in her element. In the ballroom she had seemed so restricted, but now…a smile bloomed on her lips, her posture on the horse was one of supreme confidence, and there was joy in her face. A yearning to truly know her welled within him. “Tell me about your father.”
She shot him a startled glance. “My father?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I am curious about you.”
