by Lisa Reisner
“The audacity of that monster!” Annie turned red in the face. She was a woman that rarely got angry, but Lord Bainbridge’s sadistic behavior had always made her irate. “That man is pure evil!” Annie echoed the feelings of the entire village.
Annie’s diatribe was interrupted by the sound of Jane’s soft voice as she was coming down the stairs. “What seems to be the problem, Annie?”
Annie lowered her voice, suddenly aware that it was late and the children were all sound asleep. “Henry Tinsley needs to stay the night. He was let go from his position.”
The fact that Clayton had fired an elderly employee, after decades of service, did not surprise Jane in the least. She hated that ogre with every ounce of her being. His treatment towards his staff had always been reprehensible, but his violence and inhumanity toward Abigail was unforgivable. The man should be locked away somewhere so he could never hurt another human being ever again.
Jane looked at Henry with genuine sympathy. The man had always been so kind and caring. When Henry was spared some time off from his job, he would always read stories to the younger children or help the older ones with their studies. He did not deserve to be tossed away like he was a piece of rubbish.
“Well, Lord Bainbridge’s loss will be our gain,” Jane said with conviction. Jane wanted to assuage Henry’s bruised pride and make him feel needed again. So she thought of the perfection solution. “It is no secret we are desperate for teachers, Mr. Tinsley.” Henry’s sudden expression of hope only added to Jane’s anger toward Clayton. How dare that beast make this dear man feel so worthless! “I have often thought to hire you, but the compensation at Sacred Heart is not quite up to par with a man of your position. Would you perhaps be interested in coming to work for Sacred Heart?”
Henry’s smile was infectious, and Annie looked like a child that had just stumbled upon a freshly baked batch of cookies.
“That would be splendid, Miss Whitworth! You will not be disappointed with your decision. I will work hard to be the best teacher Sacred Heart has ever seen.”
“The position only offers room and board in terms of compensation. I wish I could offer more, but our budget is quite stretched enough, as it is. Will that be all right?”
Henry did not give it a moment of thought. “Absolutely! What more does a man need than a hot meal and a soft bed at night?” Henry exhaled sharply; his relief was very apparent. “I actually think it is fate that brought me here. Besides, I am much better off not being under Lord Bainbridge’s watchful eye. That man is clearly insane. You should have heard his reaction to just a mere post he received tonight.”
“What post are you referring to Mr. Tinsley?” Jane’s thoughts were of the frantic letter she had just received from Abigail. Something in the pit of her stomach told her the news Clayton received had something to do with that. “What was his reaction?”
Henry furrowed his brow and tried to recall the details of the night. “I am afraid I do not know the exact contents of the letter, but I heard him scream out something like ‘how dare she make a fool of me’.” Jane’s heart started to race. “Then he ordered his valet to ready him for a trip to London tomorrow. Of course, it was not before he gave Molly a brutal beating. I pray the poor girl recovers.”
“That bully,” Annie announced. She had known Molly since she was a girl. “I must go see her first thing in the morning. Perhaps I could help her recuperate.”
Jane slowly sat down on the bottom step of the stairs and clutched the banister for support. Her head felt foggy and her body was gripped with fear for Abigail. He knows. The bastard knows! She whispered, “Abigail...Abigail.”
Annie ran her palm over Jane’s cheek. “Of course, Molly’s situation brings up bad memories of how he treated Abigail, but your friend is in a much better place now. She’s at peace with her maker.”
Annie’s words of comfort snapped Jane into action. She grabbed Annie’s hand and looked directly into her eyes. “Annie, please forgive me for not telling you the truth sooner, but we thought it was the safest solution for everyone.”
“What in the world are you talking about, my dear girl?”
Jane knew she wasn’t making any sense. She decided to be as straightforward as possible. “It was all a ruse, Annie. Abigail was never ill. She faked her own death to be free of that despicable tyrant and I helped her escape.”
Annie’s expression was incredulous. “Did you sample the homemade gin that Mr. Sampson made?” Jane shook her head in response and slowly, signs of recognition appeared on Annie’s face. She finally took Jane’s words for the truth. “Where is she now?”
“I found her employment in London as a governess. Everything was going just swimmingly until now.” Jane stood up, eager to head upstairs. She needed to gather a few items before she made the journey to London. “I must go to her immediately and warn her that Clayton has learned of her hoax.”
“You will not make the trip alone. The streets of London are no place for a woman late at night. I will wake Thomas and he will accompany you,” Annie demanded like a worried mother hen.
Thomas ran the orphanage’s stables. He was a rather large man who most people would be intimidated by if they did not know of his soft-hearted nature. Jane had to concede it was much safer to have him along. “You are right, Annie. I will bring Thomas.” Annie and Henry watched Jane as she disappeared up the stairs.
“I know I should be speechless with surprise, but for some reason, I am not,” Henry said. “I always knew Mrs. Bainbridge had spirit. No matter how many times he tried to beat it out of her.”
Annie shivered. “I can’t even imagine what that girl will endure if he manages to find her.”
Henry gently put his arm around Annie’s shoulder. “Don’t fret, Annie.” Henry gave Annie a meaningful glance. “Things always have a way of working out for the best.”
Chapter 22
Marcus was sprawled out on the large leather settee in his study, trying desperately, without success, to sleep off the considerable amount of whiskey he had imbibed throughout the evening. In a valiant attempt to rally his friend to forget his troubles, Jordan had guaranteed to show him a good time. Unfortunately, the only thing he gained from the night was a massive headache and perhaps an even deeper sense of loneliness.
The past two days were amongst the most wretched of his lifetime. Except for his brother’s death, Marcus could not remember feeling so completely miserable. His anger over Abigail’s actions had subsided and had been replaced with a deep void; he felt empty inside. For the short time they were together, Abigail made him feel truly happy. It was an emotion he had never quite experienced before and would likely never experience again.
Adding to his desolate state, Olivia could not even bring herself to look him in the eye. She spent her days locked away in the nursery, burying her head in her books or gazing off into the distance. Marcus couldn’t bear to see his niece this way. Olivia was like a flower that bloomed under Abigail’s tutelage; she had come so far, only to retreat into the shadows. In retrospect, maybe his actions were a bit too hasty, selfish even. Just because things went sour between him and Abigail didn’t necessarily mean she wouldn’t continue to do right by Olivia.
But could he really have continued to live with Abigail under his roof? Every time she would leave his town house, he would have envisioned her in the arms of Liam Stone. Even now, his stomach clenched with jealously, another emotion Marcus had never experienced until Abigail. He had often read books in which jealously caused the protagonist to harm or murder another, and he found himself unable to identify. Now he could. Marcus wanted to smash Liam Stone’s face through a wall and beat him to a bloody pulp. He knew it was a childish reaction, but he couldn’t help it. She was mine, damn it! Her soft skin and warm smile, her satiny hair and contagious laugh, they were all his. And that bastard took it all away!
“But not without a fight,” Marcus announced to himself, his voice strained with fury.
Within mome
nts, Marcus was inside his carriage, ready to confront Liam Stone for his crimes. He realized barging into someone’s home, practically in the middle of the night, was lunacy, but he simply didn’t care. Marcus wanted answers, even if it meant he would have to pummel them out of Liam.
When he arrived at Liam’s door, he was ready for a fight and admittedly, looking forward to it. “Open up! Open up!” Marcus demanded, pounding the door with his fist. “I know you’re in there. Come out and face me like a man!”
“Looking for me?” Liam asked, as he stood behind Marcus. Liam had just arrived home after a long night of investigative work. His face was a mask of calm, almost as if he had expected this moment.
Marcus lunged forward, grabbed Liam and threw him against the door. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
Liam was a formidable opponent, but he just stared back at Marcus, refusing to enter into a physical match with him. “What do you want to know?”
“You are damn well aware of what I want to know.” Marcus gritted his teeth and rammed his knee into Liam’s stomach. “How long has the affair been going on?” Marcus’s head snapped up and his gaze narrowed on one of the upstairs windows. “Where is she? Is she staying with you? I demand to see her at once.”
“What are you talking about? There is no such affair,” Liam said in a fit of violent coughs, trying to regain his composure after Marcus’s vicious blow. “I think we should talk inside.”
“Liar! We will discuss this right here, right now,” Marcus commanded. He was furious. The least the man could do was own up to his actions. Stealing Abigail away was one thing, lying about it was quite another. “I want all the details. When did it start? Is she to be your mistress? Was she easily seduced?”
Marcus’s torrent of questions was followed by a right hook Liam was quick enough to avoid. He broke free from Marcus’s hold and backed way, gaping up at him. “You have it all wrong.” Liam dodged another jab and noticed Marcus’s precarious position on the steps. He took full advantage and pushed Marcus backward.
Marcus landed smack in the middle of a rose bush. “You are going to pay for that.”
The door to Liam’s townhouse opened and a sleepy footman peered out. The footman looked at Liam and then noticed Marcus trying to squirm his way out of the shrubbery. “Mr. Stone, is everything alright? I thought it was a few young ruffians making the commotion.”
“Everything is just fine, Hobbs, but can you put on a pot a coffee?” Liam requested, turning to Marcus. “Lord Everton and I need to have a long talk.”
Marcus was finally able to extricate himself from the rosebush. His tan colored waist coat was covered in thorns and he noticed his hair was full of petals. Before Hobbs went to retrieve the coffee, he eyed Marcus with a peculiar grin. Marcus realized he must look absolutely ridiculous, probably because he was being ridiculous. His anger seemed to fade, and he was suddenly overcome with weariness. It was useless to fight. He had lost Abigail and he needed to accept that fact.
Marcus lowered himself to sit down on the step. He had fought and lost military battles before, but he had never felt quite as conquered as he did in this very moment.
“Congratulations, Mr. Stone, she is all yours,” Marcus whispered in defeat. “I hope you know how lucky you are.”
Liam’s face was grim as he sat down next to Marcus. “Abigail was never mine. Our relationship was strictly business, Lord Everton. Regrettably, that brave, sweet girl belongs to a horrid man named Clayton Bainbridge.”
“What in God’s name are you talking about? Stop trying to refute your relationship with Abigail by filling my head with statements that don’t make any sense. I saw the both of you at The White Bear Inn, she was stroking your arm, don’t try to deny it.”
Liam impatiently ran his fingers through his hair. “That part is true, but she was only trying to comfort me over a mistake I had made. If you will give me a moment to explain, I will clear everything up for you.”
Marcus was trying his best to fight a fresh surge of rage when Hobbs reappeared with a tray in his hands. “The coffee is ready, Mr. Stone.”
“Good, because we are both going to need it.” Liam stood up and turned to Marcus. “Let’s discuss this in my office. This isn’t something the neighbors should overhear.”
Although Marcus doubted Liam had anything of importance to share, he could not deny his curiosity was piqued. If he didn’t listen to Mr. Stone’s explanation, he might regret it, and the only thing Marcus knew for certain was that he had had quite enough regrets already. With great reluctance, he followed Liam into his office.
Marcus slumped back into the large leather sofa and accepted a large mug of piping hot coffee. Liam Stone had been right to assume his need for a boost. He took a small sip and was momentarily sidetracked by the superior quality of the blend.
Liam must have noticed his sigh of pleasure. “The coffee beans are from the plantation I own in the West Indies. The natives there are truly gifted in their craft. I haven’t been able to find better.” Hobbs finished pouring for Liam. “That will be all Hobbs.”
Marcus waited for Hobbs to leave. “Is that why you asked me here, to discuss, popular morning beverages?”
“How did you guess? In a moment I am going to read your tea leaves,” Liam quipped.
Normally, Marcus would have found his comment amusing, but the visualization of Liam wrapped up in Abigail’s warm embrace obliterated his sense of humor. “I’m waiting.”
Liam stood up and unlocked the door of a large cedar cabinet. “Locks were installed on these cabinets yesterday.” He leafed through a bunch of files, until he found one in particular. Liam handed it to Marcus. “Hopefully, this will help to explain matters.”
Marcus eyed Abigail’s name written on it and opened the folder, noticing the contents were empty. “Is this some sort of joke?”
“Hardly,” Liam said with a dour expression. “It is actually a great failing on my part. Miss Jenner’s file was stolen, right from under my nose, just a few days ago.” Marcus shot him a look of confusion and Liam continued. “There is really no easy way to say this.”
“Just start from the beginning and make it quick. My patience is wearing thin,” Marcus snapped, on the brink of losing his control. “This better be good or you will regret wasting my time.”
“It isn’t good, but I can assure you it will not be a waste of time.” Liam took a large sip of coffee and began his explanation with haste. “Several weeks ago, Lady Applewood approached me to investigate Miss Jenner. Apparently, she viewed Miss Jenner as a threat to her daughter receiving an offer of marriage from you.”
Marcus did not like the direction this was taking. “Go on.”
“Personally, I dislike the Applewoods immensely and I did not want to pursue the case, but my instincts told me to take it anyway.” Liam paused to look at Marcus. “Are you a man that trusts his instincts?”
Marcus thought of Marissa, and now of his current situation with Abigail. “It seems my instincts in regard to women could be a tad off.”
“Well, I always trust my instincts. They have saved my hide countless times. This time in particular, I am glad I followed them.” Liam’s jaw hardened, as he began to relay the details of what his investigator uncovered. “Jenner is Abigail’s maiden name. Her married name is Bainbridge. She has been married to Clayton Bainbridge, the Viscount of Barclay, for a little more than three years.”
Liam’s astonishing announcement reverberated in Marcus’s mind. For a moment, Marcus though he had heard wrong. “That is preposterous. You cannot really be serious!” He searched Liam’s face for signs he was lying, but all he was saw was truth. Marcus felt numb, as if his entire body was paralyzed by shock. He had been prepared to deal with Abigail’s promiscuity, but this kind of deception was beyond anything he could have imagined.
Had everything been a lie? Marcus recalled the tender moments which made him fall in love with Abigail. A poignant image of a raven-haired beauty, laughing and
eating ices flashed in Marcus’s mind. The gentle way she nurtured Olivia’s fears after her terrible nightmare, or the aching sweetness of gifting him with her body. “It hurt at first, but now if feels rather nice. Like the most natural thing in the world.”
His former lovers were all enamored with his wealth or illustrious title, but Abigail never seemed to care about those things. When she gazed in his eyes, Abigail made him feel unique, as if she truly liked him for who he was, not what he merely represented. “You are an extraordinary man, Marcus, and believe me, I have become a very tough judge of character.” Abigail’s sweet voice danced in his head. “Your nature is kind, Marcus, that is why you did not detect such darkness in another.”
How could he have been so blind? Barely able to speak, his voice was a low whisper. “She was lying to me all along. I’m such a fool.” Marcus’s initial astonishment gave way to fury. “That little witch! I should have her brought up on charges of fraud!”
“I am afraid the situation is not so cut and dry,” Liam interjected. “And I do believe Miss Jenner has suffered quite enough already.”
Marcus could not believe his ears. Who did this man think he was? “You have quite a lot of gall, Mr. Stone.” Abigail was not present, so he unleashed his wrath on Liam. “I was living with a goddamn imposter and you failed to inform me.”
Liam did not appear surprised by Marcus’s reaction. “You have every right to be angry with me. In retrospect, I should have come to you with my findings, but at the time, I feared for Abigail’s safety.” Liam paused, as if realizing for the first time why he withheld information from Marcus. “For some reason she reminded me of my own sister, and I was acting under the misguided notion of protecting her against anyone who may have done her harm.” Liam stood up and peered out the window; the sun was rising. “I take full responsibility for not informing you sooner and I apologize for my actions. The truth is I have become quite leery of nobility and was not sure if you could be trusted.” Liam inhaled sharply and then went back to take his seat behind his desk. His eyes were solemn and filled with regret. “Lord Everton, I am truly sorry. If you will allow me to continue, I will explain the reasons behind Miss Jenner’s subterfuge.”
