The Marquess’ Temptation

by Bennett, Jessie

  The thought softened his heart a little and he looked at her as compassionately as he could manage.

  “What is it, Liza?”

  “You have not been out carousing have you, William? You are still my husband, are you not?”

  He nodded. “Of course I am still your husband.”

  “You are not meeting with any other women, are you, Will?”

  William shook his head and looked at her with gentle eyes. “Of course not, dear Liza. You know I only have eyes for you.”

  “But where were you last night? You didn’t come home until the morning light was starting to fill the sky. The sun was not quite up yet. I…I was watching for it.”

  “And me?”

  She blushed. “Perhaps, yes.”

  “I’ve told you before not to wait up for me, Liza. I have many business dealings that last well into the night.”

  “But you didn’t come home.”

  “I stayed at my brother’s. He and Meg were there. I didn’t feel like returning home, as late as it was, so I slept in a guest room at Abe’s.”

  “I talked to Meg yesterday.”

  William blinked. Was this her telling him that she knew he was lying about where he’d been the night before? He tried not to freeze up. “Oh? And what did you talk about?” He asked the question in a guarded voice. Liza didn’t seem to notice any of his anxiety.

  “She said that you are behind on your payments to them, for the upkeep of your father’s estate.”

  Relief swept through him. If Meg had any intention of opening her mouth about his behavior, she would have done so when she called on Liza, but she’d kept the information to herself. He took that as acceptance, and decided he would use his sister on more occasions from then on. He was sure he had probably been seen, in the last year or so, at some of the balls he had started attending. There was a chance at least a few people that knew him would have seen him leave with a young lady who was not his wife. He thought back on several occasions fondly. The memories made him a smile slightly and his eyes drifted from his wife’s face.

  He brought his eyes back into focus, resting his hand on hers as she continued clinging to his arm. “My dear Liza, they are mistaken. I will have a talk with them and we will sort this out later today.”

  “All right, William. I know father’s money has not been touched since our marriage. We will always have that to rely on should the estate expenses be too high.”

  William masked his annoyance with a bright smile. “Of course, dear. I’m going to wash and dress for the day. Would you please excuse me?”

  Liza rose up onto her tiptoes and planted a warm kiss on his lips. He reacted with surprise. It had been months since she’d done something like that. He’d almost forgotten how it felt to kiss her. He put a hand around her small waist and gave her a small boost so that she could lift up for another one. He prolonged the kiss, and she reacted just the way he wanted. She nearly fainted in his arms.

  He righted her firmly, holding her up as she swayed slightly. She put one hand to her chest.

  “My goodness, William. I don’t know what to say.”

  “A man can’t kiss his wife when he wants to?”

  “It’s just…been some time since you have…shown me any affection.”

  “Perhaps that is something that needs to be changed.”

  Liza’s eyes opened wide.

  “I will visit your room tonight.”

  The shocked woman quickly blinked half a dozen times, her eyelashes fluttering. “Oh…all right…”

  William made sure she was standing upright on her feet before brushing past her to go to his room. He knew she was watching him as he left. It made him feel completely satisfied. His confidence was soaring. The pretty little maid in the Worthington manor had made him feel like the King of England. So much so that he was planning a visit to his wife that night, for whom he’d felt no desire or intimacy for in two years. In truth, he wouldn’t that night either, if one took into account that he would be thinking about another woman and not the one who was physically there.

  6

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  “I…I have been summoned to the Worthington Estate. They have urgent business that I need to address.”

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  CHAPTER SIX

  THE SUMMONS

  Abraham watched as Carter tapped the outside of his egg with the small fork. He broke the shell all the way around and opened the top.

  “You have a specific way of doing just about everything you do, don’t you, Carter?” He asked.

  Carter looked at him with a smile. “Yes, Papa. I like to make sure that there are no pieces of shell left in my egg. I have gotten a piece of shell between my teeth before, and it’s not a pleasant feeling to bite down on one. It feels strange in my mouth.”

  Abraham nodded. “I understand, son. Will you be having another this morning?”

  “I don’t think so, Papa. I won’t be…”

  He stopped when the door to the kitchen swung open and one of the scullery maids entered carrying a folded piece of parchment paper held together by a red ribbon.

  “My Lord,” she sounded anxious. “You have a message.”

  “Who is it from, Tammy?”

  “It is from the Worthington’s, my Lord.”

  Abe lifted his eyebrows in surprise. Why would the Worthington’s be sending him a message? He hadn’t seen the Duke or Duchess for some time now. His father dealt with the man on occasion, because Duke Worthington owned Fairbanks and all of its inner counties, provinces and territories.

  He took the note from her and nodded, so that she would know to leave. She turned on her heel and hurried out, no doubt to go talk to the cook and the other servant girls and speculate about what the Duke of Fairbanks could possibly want with him.

  He could see Carter was watching as he unfolded the letter and began to read. The blood drained from his head and into his feet as he processed the words written there.

  “What is it, Papa?” Carter knew who the Worthingtons were. Abe had personally taught him the ins and outs of politics, the royal family, the Worthington cousins who ruled Fairbanks and all of its counties and how they were connected to those families. He wanted Carter to be prepared to take over the ruling of Fairfield when it was time. Nigel Huntington, the Duke of Paddington, who was their nearest neighbor, was his oldest and closest friend. The first thing that ran through Abe’s mind was that he would need to take a long ride today and consult with Nigel.

  Something was afoot.

  “Papa?” Carter repeated to get his father’s attention. Abe’s eyes shifted to his son.

  “I…I have been summoned to the Worthington Estate. They have urgent business that I need to address.”

  “You?” Carter’s eleven-year-old eyes opened wide. Abe was happy that his son was so smart but it would have perhaps been better, in this case, if he weren’t. He folded the letter and tucked it into the small side pocket of his shirt, knowing his son realized the implications. “Well, it doesn’t necessarily have to be something bad, does it, papa? You have told me yourself that the Worthingtons are a fine family and they are to be respected and admired.”

  “Yes.” Abe nodded, adding under his breath, “from afar.”

  “I heard you, Papa.” Carter was always blunt. Abe sucked in a sharp breath but closed his mouth before he could utter a response he might later regret.

  “Yes, son, they are to be admired and respected, but they also have a lot of power and with one simple decree, have everything one has worked for his entire life taken away.”

  “But what is the logic in that? Why would they do that to you, especially, Papa? You have wronged no one.”

  “While this is true, there have been occasions when someone has been accused of something by someone else, who is vindictive and seeking revenge for a slight. That slight does not have to be anything major. If someone finds fault with you in any
way, it can set off a firestorm of innuendo and gossip. These are things that can destroy a reputation.”

  “Why do we need a good reputation? Why must we care what other people think?”

  Abe leaned forward. “You must remember this, Carter. You may need it in your future. The key is to be discerning about whom you trust and whom you don’t. Befriending the wrong individuals and then remaining unaware to the fact that they intend to turn around and stab you in the back can destroy a reputation. This situation can happen to anyone.”

  “As it appears to have happened to you, Papa. Because if anyone has accused you of wrongdoing, I can certainly verify that you have not a dangerous or violent bone in your whole body.”

  Abe laughed. “As a warrior, that statement should make me cringe, but since I am no longer in the Queen’s army, I’ll take it as a compliment.”

  “Thank you, Papa, it was meant as one.”

  “Well, then thank you, my son.”

  “Would you like some company for your visit to the Worthington Manor, Papa?”

  Abe chuckled. His son was being sly. He wanted to visit the Great House, for it was well-known throughout all of Fairbanks. It had been built in the style of the great castles of old. There was nothing like it in the land.

  “Next time, Carter. This time, I feel I better go alone. There is something menacing about this note. It makes me uneasy.”

  “Don’t let it worry you, Papa. Worry never did anyone any good.”

  “You are a very wise young man.”

  “Thank you. It would be hard not to be wise with a father like you.” The little boy smiled widely.

  Abe was overwhelmed at first and then realized his son was teasing him. The boy’s sneaky smile was filled with laughter.

  “Flattery will not get you on this trip to Worthington Manor, my son.” Abe winked at the boy. “But nice try.”

  Carter threw his head back and laughed. The sound brought joy to Abe’s heart. He was proud of Carter. He was going to be a fine adult, a man to be reckoned with on all levels. Strong and handsome like his father and uncle; Abe was sure, with intelligence that would keep him in the finest of company.

  He would be a wonderful Duke someday and would govern Fairfield with a kind and just hand.

  He stood up, pushing his chair back with his legs. “I am going to make arrangements to leave today. I will be gone for the next two, perhaps three days. Will you be all right?”

  “You know I will, Papa. Barbara is here to help me with whatever I need.”

  Abe gazed at his son for a few minutes before turning away. His chest was bursting with pride.

  As he turned away, he prayed earnestly that there would be no problems between the Worthingtons and himself.

  7

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  “I must tell you the truth, I had my doubts that the young lady in question gave an accurate name. I could not believe that you could be capable of such a thing, but who would use your name, Abraham? And why would they dare to put such a blight on your reputation?”

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  CHAPTER SEVEN

  THE AGONIZING TRUTH

  Abe stared at Duke Worthington, stunned speechless.

  “I’m sorry? I…I have not attended a party here in over six months. My Lord, you know who I am. You know I would not do something like this.”

  “I must tell you the truth, I had my doubts that the young lady in question gave an accurate name. I could not believe that you could be capable of such a thing, but who would use your name, Abraham? And why would they dare to put such a blight on your reputation?”

  “I am not sure, your Grace.” Abe looked down at the floor, running through a list of suspects in his mind.

  “Regardless, the young woman has been left with child. The Duchess and I feel it is imperative to find out who the father is. She is very taken with him, it seems. It took all that we had just to get the name out of her. She feared for your safety.”

  “If you would like to call her in, my Lord, I will be happy to stand trial in front of her, she can confirm that I am not who she thinks I am.”

  “Yes, we will do that to establish that it is a mistaken identity.”

  “I would very much like to see her, my Lord.”

  “I will send for her.” He nodded to a man standing against the wall. “Nathan, fetch Abigail for us, if you would.”

  “Yes, your Grace.” Nathan nodded, turned and went through the door to the kitchen.

  “Do you suppose Abigail has seen this man since their first encounter?”

  “I do not know. She has only spoken to the Duchess about the situation. She is too ashamed to speak to me.”

  “Do you think she will be able to speak freely now? She will see I am a different man.”

  “I suspect she will be hurt to see that the man she has given herself to is not the man he said he was.”

  Abe hadn’t thought of that. “It will be a betrayal of great proportions.”

  “Yes. I fear that will be the case.”

  “Perhaps I can try to help her find out who has done this to her.”

  “We are all anxious to know. She believes that she is about six or seven weeks into her pregnancy. That means the ball we held the month before last. We cannot narrow it down further than your name, sir, because all of those who registered have been accounted for. Since you say you were not in attendance, someone has used your name.”

  “And that someone could be anyone.”

  “Correct.”

  “Very unfortunate.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  The kitchen door swung open and a very frightened looking Irish girl came through it. She glanced at Abe, and there was no trace of recognition, though he was certain he saw a slight start. She looked almost surprised for a moment.

  “Abigail, this is Abraham Montgomery.”

  Abigail frowned at Abe. “I am sorry, my Lord. You are not the Abraham Montgomery I know.”

  Duke Worthington nodded. “It is as we suspected. Someone assumed the identity of Lord Montgomery in order to gain access to our event. We should begin searching the house and grounds for anything that might be missing.”

  Abe lifted a finger. “If you please, my Lord.” He looked back at Abigail. “You seem confused, my dear, but perhaps not because you are just coming to find out that your lover is not Abraham Montgomery. There seemed to be something more to it than that. What have you to say for yourself?”

  Abigail swallowed, her lips twitching nervously. “You are not Abra…the Abraham I know, my lord, but you look…similar to him, in some way. I am not sure…how.”

  “I have only one brother, Miss, and he is married. Surely you can’t mean him.”

  “I would have to see him, my Lord.”

  “Your Grace, if you would permit. I will attempt to get my brother to come here and see Miss Abigail. If, as I suspect, he refuses to come, we will find another way to determine whether he is the perpetrator of this fraud. If he is, allow me to make reparations of some sort.”

  “That would be much appreciated, Abraham. I know that you are a respectable man. I would very much like to know if your brother has committed this act.”

  “If we make appropriate and acceptable reparations, may I ask that we keep this deceitful action under wraps? It would damage my family name beyond measure. In addition, my brother’s marriage and reputation would be destroyed.”

  Duke Worthington looked unhappy and slightly angry. A slice of nervousness slid through Abe as he watched the Duke contemplate what he was saying.

  “Abigail is a good servant and a good woman. She has never done harm to us or to anyone else, as far as I know.” Duke Worthington looked at Abigail. “Have you, Miss? Have you harmed someone else during your lifetime?”

  Abigail looked surprised that she was being addressed so informally. “N…No, your Grace. I have not intentionally harmed anyone else in spirit or in flesh.”<
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  The Duke turned his eyes to Abe. “The man who has done this to her has betrayed her in an unacceptable fashion. Justice must be done. If that man is your brother, do you not agree that his wife should know about his philandering?”

  Abe swallowed, he and Meg had talked about telling Liza what William was doing. They never agreed that it was the right thing to do. He was beginning to think they had made a mistake by withholding the information from her.

  “Your Grace, the Lady Montgomery is a fragile creature with a weak countenance and a deep love for her husband. We have always thought it best to keep this kind of information from her as long as possible.”

  “We?”

  “William and I have a sister, Meg. She and I had a discussion about this fairly recently. In fact, I believe it might have been right around the time of the ball where William attended as me.”

  “I see.”

  “I understand that you are upset by this, your Grace. I would consider it a personal favor if you would allow me to see that justice is done without harming my entire family along with my brother and also this dear young lady’s reputation. I will pay for everything necessary for her to have a private birth and I will ensure that her and her child will not be wanting for anything as long as they live.”

  The Duke’s features softened somewhat. “You speak as though you already know the man we seek is your brother.”

  Abe frowned. “Unfortunately, your Grace, this is the type of thing that my brother would do. He can be a scoundrel. I suspect that he is the man we seek and I want to make things right without causing any more of a stir than necessary.”

  The Duke nodded. “I understand, Abe.”

  “If you also would allow me to let my father know about this?”

  “Yes, Abe, that is acceptable.” The Duke looked less irritated than he had when Abe had first entered the room. He was happy about that. It was the only thing he was happy about. He wanted to make things right but there was no real way to do that. William had stepped into deep water this time.