Safe in the Earl's Arms

by Liz Tyner

  Warrington touched a marred spot on the mantel, tracing where the stone no longer matched the rest of the leaves. ‘I’ve had long enough to mull over it. With me dead, Dane would not be near enough to scold her sweethearts. She could be in mourning, cloistered with a bevy of suitable friends to ease her grief.’

  Melina saw him pour more amber liquid into his glass and the bobble of his throat when he took another sip. She could feel the brandy’s warmth in her own body while she watched him. No woman of sanity would poison a man who appealed to the eyes as Warrington did. Even in his stained shipboard clothing she had been aware of him. He had the form of a lean Hercules. No, much better. She tilted her head to the side. ‘Don’t soak your memories with brandy and make things worse.’

  ‘I’ve told you my wife could have poisoned me. You know she had another man’s child and you think I’m making things worse?’ His voice lowered. ‘If she had shot me while I slept—would you have told me I must have snored and disturbed her rest?’

  ‘You could think of it every day for the rest of your life. It will not punish her. You will only torture yourself.’

  He moved back to the decanter and filled his glass, a challenge in his eyes. ‘At this point, if a valet nicks my face shaving, I’m certain he is thinking how lucky I was to lose such a wife and that caused his shaky hand, and I blame Cass for the cut.’

  ‘You admit it?’

  He nodded and gave a slight shrug. ‘She did enough while she was alive that I can feel justified blaming her for every storm cloud in the sky for the rest of my life. I saw Ludgate and his shaking hands and his movements. He didn’t act like himself, nor did he once look me in the eyes. He knows I didn’t father the child.’

  He drained his glass. ‘It just jabs at me she has the last word. I cannot see the little chit without remembering. Yet, the child is innocent. Unaware of her circumstances. Born to my wife in my marriage. My property. To care for. And I can hardly bear to be in the same house with it.’

  His lips firmed and his fingers clenched on the glassware in his hand. He walked to the mantel and stared at the picture over the hearth. ‘I’ve grown so distrustful I did wonder if Daphne would truly tell me everything. Perhaps she is more like Cass than I imagined. So earlier I sent Broomer to watch outside their home. He has coins and instructions to be quite friendly to any servants who might be leaving or entering the house. True servants—not ones like Broomer. Ones paid to be invisible and often so good at it their masters and mistresses don’t realise they are watched. And the employers often don’t understand the hint of information given in front of one maid is often shared with another who might have heard something else until a whole story is pieced together.’

  A clattering sounded at the entrance and Warrington turned, listening.

  ‘I know the way,’ a female voice carried up the stairs. ‘I lost a bracelet and I had it when I was…’ In moments, Daphne rushed into the hallway.

  ‘I considered what you asked. And I…’ Daphne spoke as she crossed the threshold in front of Warrington. Her gaze stopped on Melina, froze, and Daphne took a step back. Her shoulders dropped, and her voice came out dazed. ‘Perhaps we should talk privately.’

  ‘Melina is as much aware of the thorns in my past life as I am.’ Warrington walked to Melina and introduced her, not by the Hawkins name. ‘She needed passage on Ascalon and I agreed to help her locate lost family members here in England.’ His hand went to the small of her back, and then to her waist, holding her beside him.

  Daphne took a deep breath and registered the situation. The edges of her lips dropped before she spoke. ‘If you don’t care for her knowing, then I suppose I don’t, either.’

  She paced to the mantel, making the space seem smaller with her flurried movements, her hands clasping and unclasping. Warrington stayed at Melina’s side. Daphne faced them both.

  ‘Warrington…’ Daphne spoke cautiously, at first, and threaded her fingertips together. Then her words rushed out. ‘I know Cassandra wasn’t always as demure as a wife should be. When you were ill, she came to my house and I took her in. She was afraid for Jacob’s health. But…’ she shrugged ‘…you know how she was…’

  ‘You cannot simply give me the name of the man?’ Warrington’s voice slashed the air.

  Daphne strode to the window, and stared out, her back to the room. ‘After all I’d done for her. I took her in—and I believed every word. I knew her. She spent more time thinking up lies and missteps than most people spend awake. She lied, but never to me—never—I believed. She hated your father. Hated him. I understood. He was a tyrant. But you’d been so good and she came to me when you were sick.’ Daphne turned back to the room, her eyes narrowed and lips pinched. ‘You were sick. I hadn’t expected that. She left you and pranced right into my house like she owned it.’ Her voice became shrill. ‘I was supposed to just hand her my handkerchiefs and lend her my maid, and wait until her hair was done before I dared leave the house in the morning, taking her here and there in my carriage.’ Daphne crossed her arms. ‘Always expected me to put her little world back together. And her…’

  ‘So who do you think she could have met?’ Warrington’s voice slashed out the words.

  ‘Half the town of London for all I know.’

  ‘Thank you for making me feel better, Daphne.’

  Her face changed, softened. ‘I didn’t mean to say that. I truly didn’t. She did things and then regretted them.’

  ‘Then she had many regrets.’ His lips twisted into a wry line after he spoke. ‘I need to know who the man was. Is there a servant you have now who could help me learn who her last lover was?’

  ‘How are you so certain he was her last?’ The words tumbled from Daphne’s lips.

  ‘Fine, then. Is there anyone who could help me make a list of her last lovers? I can hire an expert in mathematicals if you think I might need help with the numbers.’

  Daphne shook her head, rapidly. ‘No. No,’ she said, a blush sweeping her cheeks. ‘I didn’t mean that, and I’m certain she—’ Her voice became brittle. ‘I’m certain she couldn’t have had but one affection. She slept half the day and we went to the shops until they closed.’

  ‘I’m only interested in learning who the man was. You can’t convince me you don’t know. You knew her better than anyone and you would have sensed what she was about. And don’t concern yourself about hurting my feelings if he is someone I trusted. Right now, I cannot look at a man in London without wondering if he bedded my wife.’

  Daphne spoke, compassion in her words. ‘You did care for her, though. I watched you dance with her as if the clouds floated at your feet.’

  ‘I don’t wish to talk about how I felt for your sister when I first met her. Our feelings were never simple. After she had another man’s child in her belly—after it was too late for me to ever look at her the same again—she told me what a mistake she’d made. She said she hadn’t even cared for his touch. I believed her. I knew it to be true by the way she smirked about the agonies she caused him by threatening to expose him. She was full cracked, or evil—or both.’

  Daphne’s face twisted and she didn’t speak, just stared ahead.

  ‘Who did my wife share company with when she left me on my deathbed?’ Warrington asked again.

  She shook her head and clasped her hands in front of her, but her words snarled. ‘I don’t want to talk about it any more. I believed you loved her. You’re no different than my sister.’ She speared a glance at Melina.

  He left Melina’s side, taking a step towards Daphne. His words were stone hard. ‘Yes, I am different. I was faithful to Cassandra—against my better judgement. I am a widower now and I am free to do as I wish.’

  ‘An earl doesn’t dally with the servants.’

  He stood directly in front of Daphne, towering over her. ‘Daphne—you could close your eyes to my wife prancing around with another man while I lay ill and you dare find fault with my behaviour. Nor can you disparage Melina. Sh
e has the peerage in her family history.’

  Daphne scowled disagreement. ‘You and Cass were made for each other. I was going to tell you, but now I won’t. I couldn’t tell you before because I didn’t want you to know that I knew. I knew, but by the time I found out, it was too late.’ She turned, her skirts flying around her feet as she rushed out.

  Warrington went to the door and kicked it shut, swearing. The slam caused Melina to jump.

  ‘So I misjudged Daphne, as well.’ He whirled to face Melina. ‘She’s a traitor to our friendship. She knows who I’m searching for. I cannot believe she would not tell me. Well, perhaps I can. She is Cassandra’s blood.’

  ‘She loved her sister long before she cared for you.’

  ‘And Daphne always protected Cass. Everyone in her family protected Cass. And to listen to my wife—how I hate that word… To listen to Cass she was misunderstood and never given her due. She didn’t even believe she should have to share the stars.’

  Sighing, he made a sweeping motion with his hand. ‘It doesn’t matter that Daphne won’t tell me.’ He walked to the decanter and arranged the glasses neatly, and didn’t refill. ‘Just wait with me, Melina, and let me have the silence to collect my thoughts. Before the night is out, I expect to have my question answered.

  He sat on the sofa, his body in a relaxed pose of his arm along the back, his feet apart and his fingers tapping.

  *

  Within an hour, clumping footsteps sounded on the stairs.

  ‘Broomer’s not one to tiptoe.’ Warrington’s face changed, hard and dark. ‘He’s not much of a butler, but that face of his can smile and words just tumble out of people. Me included. And he can break bones and describe the snap like a musician describes the sound of the pianoforte. A good man indeed.’

  Warrington walked to the door and Broomer bounded into the room, stopping by grabbing the facings.

  ‘I don’t know if it’s the truth…’ Broomer’s words tumbled out, between his gasps for breath ‘…but I’ve been told every servant in that house believes it’s one man who was dallying with the fair-haired woman.’

  ‘Speak.’ War near bit the word in two.

  ‘Ludgate.’

  The small lines at the sides of Warrington’s eyes tightened and his face moved forward, as if he needed to hear the word again. ‘Ludgate?’ he repeated. He reached to his boot and pulled out the knife. ‘Ludgate was not the one who dropped this at my feet.’

  ‘Can’t explain that.’ Broomer’s breath slowed to normal. ‘But around that time, enough crockery was flying in that house to keep the servants sweeping up for weeks. The man sleeps with his door locked, if he stays at the home. They’re married, but they keep out of each other’s sight most of the time. Was a rare thing for them to go out together like they did tonight. The maids considered it odd.’

  Warrington stood perfectly still. ‘I won’t need you again just now. I’ll see you are rewarded for your efforts. However, do not drink overmuch until after we have discussed this again. I suspect you may be needed.’

  Broomer smiled, gave a tilt of his head and then the most proper bow. ‘Whatever your lordship needs done.’ Then his large form turned and he left, each footstep soft.

  Warrington strode to the door, but Melina caught his coat sleeve in her hand, moving forward, putting herself in his view.

  ‘Leave it, Melina.’ He tried to shake her away.

  ‘I’m going with you. You won’t kill him with me present.’

  His voice held irony. ‘I would not bet a farthing on that. I fed him drink until he was sotted. Then I mistakenly helped him down the stairs so he wouldn’t go head first.’

  ‘At least wait until daybreak.’

  Melina felt the cessation of movements in his body, so sudden it seemed more of a jerk than stillness.

  ‘Enough. It’s a singular betrayal, Melina. And duelling is outlawed. I see no reason to break two laws. One would suffice for this matter.’

  ‘Murder.’

  ‘I prefer to think of it as justice.’

  ‘And should you be hanged, how will Jacob feel? Proud that his father died by a silk rope instead of a hemp one like the common folk?’

  ‘I don’t expect to be punished any more than I have already been.’ He pressed his lips together and then seemed to pull words from deep inside himself. His eyes flashed a look, a different kind of anguish than she’d ever seen in anyone’s face. ‘Broomer will happily attest to the fact I never left the house if I need him to. He’ll send for a physician and say he sat at my side, praying for the man’s quick arrival. Broomer will have two plans, or three, by the time his foot hits the last stair tread. He is extremely loyal and knows his way around, through, under and above the law. He also knows about justice.’

  ‘Justice?’ she gasped, tightening her hold on him.

  He pulled free and took both her wrists. ‘Melina. You should not know of this. It is not your concern.’

  ‘You are my concern. You have already suffered enough because of your wife. You do not need to have more problems.’

  ‘Don’t you understand?’ His hands tightened on her wrists. His hair fell forward, brushing at his brows. ‘It is not merely my wife who betrayed me. It is the whole lot of them. Cass. Daph. And Ludgate. All.’ He dropped her hands. ‘Ludgate. Cassandra despised him. I know she did.’ He swallowed. ‘But now that I think of her, I wonder if any soul lived she didn’t hate.’

  ‘Don’t let her hurt you now she is dead.’

  He put his back to her. ‘Daphne and I have had a family affection since soon after Cassandra and I wed—or so I imagined. We were both in her thrall.’ He stood in front of the painting he’d retrieved from Melina’s father. ‘We were both wronged. I had heard nothing, ever, at the clubs of Ludgate stepping outside his marriage. And when he strayed, he certainly did not look far.’ He whirled around. ‘I will hear no more kind suggestions. Do you understand that I need vengeance for Daphne as well—and against Daphne? How could she not tell me?’

  ‘She couldn’t want to speak the words that her husband bedded her sister.’

  ‘I can understand that. But I will take him out of her life.’

  ‘You will regret it.’

  ‘Possibly as soon as Ludgate breathes his last. But at that point I can make no changes. Now I have regrets he is alive. So I am to be plagued with so-called regrets. At least this one will be of my choosing.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Daphne. I don’t know now whether to hate her or pity her. Cass betrayed her, as well. Nothing can coat the blade of a knife thrust into a person’s back like family blood. The added twist of someone you’ve known your whole life—who you’ve shared whispers with and dreams with… And they betray you. With no care. Like Cass did with me. And I know it. How we planned for our son before Jacob was born—but the plans were all mine. She listened and agreed—probably planning her next liaison or slippers. Daphne told me once how she could close her eyes to Cass’s selfishness because she’d never seen her any other way and had loved her from childhood. Daphne’s eyes aren’t closed now.’

  His body racked back against wall and his face turned upwards, before lowering again. He grasped Melina’s shoulder. ‘And she knows. She must have known since before the birth of the babe. She had too much anger to be unaware.’

  He let out a long breath. ‘Nothing will happen to my old friend tonight, Melina. That is a solemn promise you can believe. I want him sober.’

  Chapter Eighteen

  Warrington sat in his sitting room and could not keep his boot from tapping the desk leg.

  He felt as if he’d spent the night drinking. He should have named his demons. They’d lived so close to him for so long. And they had not grown smaller. He fed them well.

  And now they tortured him and Melina had spent an hour talking, trying to convince him of a higher ground, and the merits of forgiveness, while he watched her lips move, knew words flowed from them and tried to devise a way to make his point with Ludgate.

&n
bsp; Before Jacob came into the world, War had stayed at Cassandra’s elbow. Awed. She grew even more beautiful.

  With the second one, he’d had to shut it from his mind and he moved into the town house. Ben had been at sea and knew little of the true events. Dane moved to the bachelor house with Warrington and each night they visited clubs and sometimes attended soirées, where Dane played the bashful rake while Warrington tried to forget he was married, but couldn’t.

  Melina rose, walked to him and took his face in her hands, her palms cool. She engulfed him in the scent of cleanliness. He didn’t know how anyone could smell so innocent and pure. Perhaps it was the new fabric mixed with her soap. And he was surprised she didn’t complain of wearing the formless sack. He thought a plain dress would keep her from tempting him so much. A foolish plan that could never have worked.

  ‘You’ve a son.’ Her voice soothed. ‘You no longer have to let Cassandra’s memory rule your actions. Let her rest or not. But you don’t have to punish Ludgate because she couldn’t honour your marriage. Think of Jacob. Is this the father you wish for him to have?’

  ‘Melina.’ He took her fingers from his face and let them fall from his grasp.

  ‘My father doesn’t care for me,’ she said, giving a twitch to her shoulder. ‘He doesn’t have feelings for my sisters. And I can’t believe he loves his other children. I’ve known all my life that we are not as much to him as art. He’s told us often. My gift is my purpose. My gift must be above all else. You at least care for Jacob. Do not let him grow up with tales of how his father attacked someone because of an unfaithful mother.’

  ‘He’ll surely hear the stories of Cassandra.’

  She stood in front of him, face earnest, fist clenched at her breast. ‘But she’ll only be a wisp in his memory. You are his father and he needs you. And he needs more than ever to be able to look up to you and respect you. Do not let him feel he was born of two tainted parents. At least give him one he can know is noble.’