The Marquess’ Temptation

by Bennett, Jessie

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  William snorted. “I got her pregnant? How unlikely. She is trying to extort money from our family.”

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  CHAPTER EIGHT

  WILLIAM’S PILE OF BAD DECISIONS

  He waited patiently for the tall door to open so that he could be ushered in, out of the pouring rain. He carried an umbrella with him wherever he went, just in case a storm broke out while he was walking somewhere. He listened to the raindrops patter against the roof of the deck and shook his umbrella a few times, spinning it to get all the excess water off.

  Finally, the doors were opened and James, William’s butler, greeted him. “Good afternoon, James. I need to speak with William.”

  “Yes, my Lord. Please come in. Allow me to take your coat, hat and umbrella, my Lord.”

  “Thank you, James.”

  He waited while James put his things in their appropriate places and followed him through the great foyer, toward the back of the house. He stopped at the library door and opened it wide.

  “Your brother, Lord Abraham Montgomery, to see you, my Lord.”

  William leaned forward in his high backed green and gold colored chair, pulled the pipe from his mouth and peered at Abe. “Hello, brother! To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

  “Good afternoon, William.” Abe stepped into the room, passing James with a nod. The butler nodded back and left, pulling the door closed behind him.

  William raised his eyebrows. “My brother uses his serious voice. Has something happened that I should know about?”

  “Do you remember attending a Worthington ball a month and a half back, William?”

  William looked up at the ceiling, contemplating his exploits. “Hmmm. I do believe I went to the Worthington event recently. Why do you ask?”

  “There is a certain maid there who claims to have had relations with someone with my name. Upon meeting her, she knew instantly that it was not I. However, she says that the perpetrator has similar features, which she failed to mention. Did you bed a maid in the Worthington household that night, brother?”

  William stood up, holding his hands up in an “I surrender” pose. “All right, look, Abe, it was a once in a lifetime experience, all right? I have always wanted to know if it feels different to bed a servant and she was a beautiful, little, Irish girl with a stunning face and a beautiful body. How could I resist?”

  “You are a married man, William! How could you behave in this way? You are a scoundrel and a deceitful, unfaithful husband.”

  William shrugged. “It felt good at the time. I contemplated going back for a few more tries with that little Irish girl, but I never found the time or a good enough excuse to do so either. Without a reason to see the Duke, there was no reason for me to go there.” He chuckled. “However, they will be having a ball in a few weeks, and I am planning on attending.”

  “You will not attend that ball, brother. You have gotten the young lady pregnant. Do you even know her name?”

  William snorted. “I got her pregnant? How unlikely. She is trying to extort money from our family.”

  “No, I disagree. I spoke with Duke Worthington and…”

  William sat up straight and stared at Abe. “You spoke with the Duke? You told him of this?” He looked angry.

  “I did not tell him, no. The young lady, Abigail, did.”

  Abigail. Just her name made William remember the feel of her soft body against his, her tantalizing lips, the feel of her gentle hands on his skin. He got chills and a smile crossed his lips.

  But now that she was pregnant, she would lose that lovely little body of hers. She would probably end up a large woman with many children by many different fathers.

  “There is no proof the child is mine. That maid could have been with a dozen other men in the week I was there alone. Why, she might have been with another man after I left that night!”

  “Duke Worthington is not convinced this is Abigail’s fault. He believes she was seduced. He says that she is a good servant and a good woman. Good women don’t behave in that fashion. You must have seduced her or somehow made her fall for your charms.”

  “She may not be the good woman her master sees her as.”

  “I cannot allow you to ruin our family name by having an illegitimate child that you will not claim. We must do something to make restitution for the young lady.”

  William snorted again. “I feel no guilt nor any need to do anything extra for the little trollop you say might be carrying my child. She has no proof it is mine and I won’t spend a dollar of my money making recompense, when another man could easily be the father.”

  “Duke Worthington will not take kindly to this, William. He sees it as an affront.”

  “Again, I don’t understand how anything a maid does makes any difference to the Worthingtons.”

  “Perhaps they care about their servants, instead of treating them like slaves.”

  “If they are receiving a wage upon which to live, they are not being treated like slaves. We would not have to pay slaves.”

  “I detest the way you talk about the servants as if they aren’t people. Did you not consider this young Abigail’s feelings when you took her to bed?”

  “Why should I care about her feelings? She got as much pleasure out of it as I did, I assure you.”

  “You are a disgusting pig. You have not considered Liza in all of this either. It would be true justice if you were to be found out, lose your home and your wife, and be dismissed by father and mother.”

  William sneered at his brother, as he stood up and walked over to the bar to pour himself a drink. “You aren’t going to do that, brother. You aren’t going to tell anyone. If you did, you know what the consequences would be. This type of scandal might even cost dear father his seat on the Prince’s council.”

  “I find it so hard to believe that you can be this callus, William. Do you ever think of anyone but yourself?”

  “I try not to.”

  “That is quite apparent.”

  William looked at his brother over the rim of his glass as he brought it to his lips. Abe’s frustrated face amused him and it showed. This only proved to infuriate Abe all the more. William chuckled.

  “I can see you are unhappy with me, my brother. I’m sorry about that, I truly am, but I am who I am and I have not changed since we were very young men, serving in the Queen’s army.”

  “As far as I recall, you were just as lax with the rules and with dignity as you are now.”

  “You are no better than me, brother. I have nothing more to say on this matter. Unless you have come to have dinner with my wife and I, you are free to go back home to your son.”

  “Why did you use my name, William? Did you not realize how that would make me look?”

  William shook his head. “As you have so eloquently pointed out, Abe, I am not concerned about other people, only myself, remember?”

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  “We can come up with a solution. I’m sure of it.”

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  CHAPTER NINE

  NIGEL’S ADVICE

  Abe’s temper had nearly gotten the best of him. He had to escape his brother’s home quickly or he was afraid he would beat the man to a pulp. He was as angry as he could possibly get.

  He didn’t even bother to open his umbrella. He stomped to his carriage and pulled himself in with one swift movement.

  “Take me to Huntington manor.” He told his driver.

  As the carriage rumbled down the long dirt pathway that led back to the main road, Abe attempted to calm himself. His brother was no doubt one of the worst scoundrels he had ever encountered in his life. It was a shame that a child would finally be born to the man and he didn’t even care. Liza had never been able to get pregnant. The doctors had diagnosed her, after their marriage
and many years of trying to conceive, as being “too fragile” to carry a child. Since her body knew this, it had refused to become pregnant. That’s what they said. From that moment on, William had treated his wife as little more than the lowliest of servants, only there for something pretty to look at.

  Nigel would have some good advice. He always did.

  * * *

  A young boy, with skin the color of chocolate, answered Nigel’s door. Abe bowed at the waist.

  “Good morning, Master Matthew. How are you today?”

  “I am well, Lord Montgomery. Please come in. Papa is in the study. Shall I take you to him?”

  “You can if you so desire, Matthew. I won’t keep you if you are busy with other things.”

  “No, my Lord, I am taking a break from my studies.”

  Abe nodded and followed the boy out of the large foyer and through a door that led to a hallway that took him to the West Wing of the mansion. He had not been surprised when the boy had answered the door. Matthew took regular constitutionals around the large mansion. He had been a slave in his home country of Jamaica. As a British man, Nigel had no trouble purchasing the boy. As soon as he had done so, he had papers drawn up signifying that Matthew was free from the bonds of slavery and would be until the day he died, as would all his descendants. Matthew was seven when Nigel purchased him and had received the finest education ever since. Now, at nearly thirteen years of age, Matthew was already known in Fairbanks as the brightest young man, of his age, in all the land.

  The boy opened the door to the study and let it swing wide. “Papa, Lord Montgomery is here to see you.”

  Nigel looked up from his seat behind an enormous, finely crafted, cherry wood desk; he first looked at Matthew, then at Abe. He looked back at Matthew and pursed his lips.

  “Why are you bringing him to me? Are you practicing to be a butler?”

  Matthew chuckled softly. “No, Papa. I was walking through the foyer when the bell rang and so I answered it. I didn’t think about letting Lucas get it. He was nowhere to be seen.”

  “Well, we can’t expect to him stand next to the front door waiting for people to arrive unannounced all day, can we?” Nigel chuckled.

  “No, Papa. That would make him a wasted, valuable resource.”

  Nigel and Abe both laughed. Abe crossed over to the desk and took a seat, stretching his legs out in front of him.

  “Are you enjoying your lessons today, Matt?” Nigel asked.

  “Yes Sir, very much.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.”

  “I will let you visit with your company, Papa. I will see you again in a few hours.”

  “All right, thank you, son.”

  Matthew gave Abe and Nigel a parting smile before backing out and closing the door behind him.

  “That is one fine young man you are raising there, Nige. Good job.”

  Nigel’s smile widened. “I was truly blessed when I ran across that little boy, Abe. He keeps me grounded sometimes. It serves as a constant reminder that under different circumstance, I could have been just like him growing up.”

  “Yes, very much so, I’m sure. What was his name before you changed it to Matthew?”

  “Ayutunda, he takes such pride in himself and his work. I am very pleased with his progress.” Nigel sat forward and studied his friend’s face. “You look very concerned, Abe. Tell me what the problem is, and I will help you solve it.”

  “My brother has fallen into a mess, Nigel, and I will need all the help I can get to drag his sorry behind out of it. If that’s even possible.”

  “Let me guess.” Nigel sat back, one arm stretched out in front of him, his long, slender fingers tapping out a soft rhythm on top of a small pile of papers. “He was caught with another man’s wife.”

  Abe shook his head. “It is far worse, I’m afraid.”

  Nigel raised his eyebrows. “Oh my. Well, tell me what’s happened, my friend.”

  Abe sucked in a deep breath. “It seems that about six or seven weeks ago, William went to a ball and registered there using my name, telling everyone he was me.”

  “This in order to dance with unmarried young ladies as an unmarried man.” Nigel deduced.

  “Exactly. While there, he met and seduced one of the maids.”

  Nigel looked up at the ceiling in exasperation.

  “And now it turns out the young woman is pregnant.”

  Nigel pulled in a sharp breath. “This just keeps getting worse. Is there more?”

  “I’m afraid so. The maid works for the Worthingtons.”

  “Good God!” Nigel exclaimed, he flattened his hand on the desk and slapped it down once firmly. “What is wrong with William? Has he completely lost his mind?”

  Abe shook his head. “It appears so.”

  “What will be done? Have you spoken to the Worthingtons?”

  “They know that I was not the one who seduced the girl that night, that much is secure. However, I have no evidence to prove to the Worthingtons that it was William. I want to devise a scheme in which Abigail has the opportunity to see William and point him out to the Worthingtons, but so far, William is not willing to visit the estate with me and probably will never return there because of this. He denies the child is his and says that the maid was probably making her way around many beds at the time. I doubt this, as I have met the young woman and the Worthingtons speak very highly of her. Their judgment is not in question. My brother’s, however, is.”

  “Yes. I understand.”

  “What would you suggest?”

  “Well, my friend, why don’t you have the Worthingtons and Abigail meet you in a restaurant that you have invited your brother to? She can point to him and they will know who he is. Then they can deal with him.”

  “I don’t want the Worthingtons to deal with him, Nige. I need to keep this under wraps. Father’s businesses could be hurt by this scandal. Our family would be put in jeopardy, and our reputations tarnished.”

  Nigel nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

  “Will you help me, Nige?”

  Nigel smiled at him. “You know I am always here for you, my friend.”

  “And you always come up with excellent ideas, Nigel. That’s why I’m here.”

  “We can come up with a solution. I’m sure of it.”

  Abe nodded. “As am I.”

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  Allow me to spell out the plan that has been arranged.

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  CHAPTER TEN

  DEVISING A PLAN

  A cool breeze blew over Abe as he stood waiting in the garden for Lady Worthington and Abigail. He had been asked to stay in the garden to wait while the women were fetched. It was a bit odd, but he didn’t really mind. Being out in the sunlight surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscaping in the country was not exactly an unpleasant way to spend an afternoon, and he was sure it wouldn’t take long to find them.

  As he suspected, not long after he had sat down on a white iron bench seat, he saw the ladies approaching down one of the narrow pathways between flowers, shrubs and carefully trimmed bushes. He stood up again to greet them.

  “Oh dear.” Lady Worthington held out one hand to him. “You are not the gentleman I met the night of the ball.” She looked down at Abigail. “If anyone doubted you, Abigail, we shall set them straight.”

  Abigail looked grateful. “Thank you, my Lady.”

  “I have been told an imposter used your name, Lord Montgomery. I am very sorry to hear of this travesty. We must set the matter straight as soon as we can. Have you any confirmation that the man in question is your brother William?”

  Abe shook his head. “I have no proof to offer, my Lady, other than the verbal denial my brother issued me yesterday. I do appreciate you and the young lady taking the time to meet with me today.”

  “We need to have this matter settled as quickly as possible.” Lady Worthington said, gest
uring that she and Abe should sit on the bench while Abigail stood in front of them, her hands clasped together in front of her apron.

  “My Lady, I know that you and your family have no good reason to do my family a favor other than good will but I must ask you for cooperation in keeping this not only time sensitive but also as discreet as possible.”

  Lady Worthington nodded. “Our family is very generous, my Lord, and you personally have given us no grievances. How would you suggest handling this?”

  “Allow me to spell out the plan that has been arranged. If it is pleasing to you, I would like to invite you to meet me at the Lock and Chain tomorrow evening at 6:30. I will also invite my brother. At some point, I will leave his table to find you and allow you to spot him in the crowd. This way, if you bring Abigail along, or just come yourself, you will recognize him. With this confirmation, we can bring justice to the situation. I know you do not often bring your maid to a restaurant, but I feel it would be best if you both recognized the same man. This will put away any doubts that it could be anyone but William.”

  Lady Worthington looked up at Abigail. “This young lady has been working for us for some years now. She is a good woman and a hard worker. She is always respectful and we respect her in return. What has happened here is a travesty.”

  Abe nodded, he had to bite his tongue to keep from saying that it took two people to make the child growing in Abigail’s belly, but he said nothing.

  The lady must have seen the look on his face because she nodded and said, “We know that Abigail must bear her part in this, that she is by far guilty of indecent behavior, along with the man who may be your brother, but she will be paying for this for at least the next six or seven months and then after that, as she tries to survive on empty promises from men who will give her nothing.”