What the Earl Needs Now (The Earls Next Door Book 2)

by Michelle Willingham

  And in her other hand, Lily saw the glint of a knife.

  Matthew searched for Lily, but she was not standing where he had left her. He held a glass of lemonade, feeling foolish while he stared at the ballroom guests.

  “There you are,” James called out. He hurried toward him, and Evangeline trailed behind. Both appeared out of breath, and he wondered what had happened.

  “Have you seen Lily?” he asked.

  James exchanged a glance with Evangeline. “No, but I overheard a conversation between your cousin and Lord Davonshire. It seems that both men are attempting to cause more trouble.”

  Likely the rumors were spreading rapidly, and he guessed, “Because of Miss Carlisle?”

  James shook his head. “There’s something far worse. If you will come with me now, I’ll explain, in private.”

  He couldn’t imagine what was worse, but his greater concern was his fiancée. “Let me find Lily first. I told her I would bring her a glass of lemonade, and she may want to hear this, too.”

  But James caught his sleeve and lowered his voice. “There isn’t time for that, Arnsbury. It seems that Adrian brought a. . .guest with him this evening. He’s trying to push you into madness, the way you were when we returned from India.”

  “Nothing he could say or do would accomplish that,” he answered. Over the past few months, he had managed to shut away the past, locking it out of his consciousness. And regardless of his cousin’s machinations, Matthew intended to remain strong for Lily’s sake.

  James started to argue, but then Evangeline paled. “Lord Penford, I think we should go to your sister. I saw Lily on the terrace, and she—”

  “Yes, I agree.” Matthew turned around, intending to go after Lily.

  James joined him, but before Matthew could take another step, his cousin Adrian blocked their path. Beside him was Thomas Kingston, Viscount Burkham.

  “I’ve been wanting to speak with you,” Adrian began. “I was just telling Lord Burkham of your trials in India.” His voice was silky, as if he delighted in Matthew’s ordeal. “You were imprisoned there for such a long time. Any man would go mad after such torture.”

  Matthew ignored the man, knowing that his cousin was only trying to bait him. “Excuse me, Adrian.”

  But the man refused to move. “In fact, I spoke with other members of Parliament over the past few weeks. They know what you suffered and how you’ve struggled since you returned to England.”

  At that, Matthew stopped. “Spreading lies and rumors does not become you, Cousin. Anyone with half a brain”—he eyed Viscount Burkham—“would see that you are trying to claim Arnsbury as yours. But you are not the earl, nor can you take command of my property.”

  “Not while you are here, no,” Adrian admitted.

  “Is that a threat?” he demanded. “Because everyone here knows of your debts. You hope to gain Arnsbury so you can strip its wealth away for your own gain.”

  “I have no need to threaten you,” Adrian answered. “You may put on the airs of a man who has recovered, but your true nature will reveal itself.”

  Matthew shook his head in exasperation and pushed his way past his cousin. But before he could take another step, Adrian added, “In fact, once you see Lady Lily, I believe all of your madness will come roaring back. Everyone will see exactly the man you are—one unfit to care for the estate.”

  He didn’t know what Adrian was talking about, but it was clear that he was trying to provoke him. And right now, he needed to find Lily to ensure she was all right. He eyed James, and his best friend nodded in silent agreement.

  Matthew pushed his way past Adrian, walking across the ballroom to the doors leading to the terrace. James trailed behind him, his expression grim.

  Outside, it was freezing cold, and the stone terrace was slick with frost. Matthew hurried toward the far end of the garden where two women stood.

  Fury roared through him when he recognized Nisha Amat. This woman had caused the torment and vicious nightmares. She had broken his spirit and mind, until he’d thought he would never have a normal life. The very sight of her made him want to close his hands over her throat until she breathed her last.

  He didn’t have to wonder how or why Nisha was here. Adrian had arranged her transportation—and Matthew now knew exactly what his cousin had plotted and why. God above, Adrian had planned all of this. He had hired Nisha to abduct and kill him in India, for if Matthew was dead, Adrian would inherit the earldom to pay off his debts.

  Now, his cousin hoped to provoke him past the edge of sanity by forcing him to face his torturer. Matthew’s gut hardened, as the pieces slid into place. If he were locked away in an asylum, Adrian would have full command of the earldom and its fortunes.

  Lily cried out, struggling against Nisha, and all Matthew could think of was protecting her. He ran hard toward the women, his mind seething with rage. Nisha was gripping Lily’s wrist, and in her other palm, he saw a curved blade.

  Dimly, he heard James warning him to be careful, but he ignored the words. He cared nothing about himself—only shielding Lily. Never would he allow Nisha to hurt the woman he loved. With one stroke of the knife, his torturer could end the happiness and peace he had found. And God help him, he would snap Nisha’s neck first.

  Time ground to a stop, and the world blurred. Matthew pushed back all rational thoughts, surrendering to actions. He threw himself toward the woman and felt the blade sink into his flesh. He didn’t feel any pain, but he reached for Nisha’s throat, closing his hands around it. Abruptly, she stumbled, twisting, as he pressed her toward the ground.

  He heard none of the voices calling out to him, nor was he aware of what was happening. All he knew was that he would give up his own life for Lily.

  Strong arms dragged him backward, and the blade clattered to the stone terrace. His blood pumped wildly through his veins, and he saw the fallen body of Nisha. Lily was doubled over, blood all over her gown.

  “No!” The hoarse cry tore from his throat when he saw her sobbing.

  Two men pulled him away, and he saw James kneeling beside his sister. There was a pounding echo in Matthew’s ears, and he fought to free himself from the men grasping his shoulders.

  “My lord, you must leave now,” a servant was saying. “Go with your men back to your carriage. The duchess has demanded it.”

  “Lily—” He needed to know if she was all right, but dizziness washed over him, and he dropped to his knees. The two men hauled him upright, and he grew aware of a searing pain in his side.

  “We must go.” The footmen should not have been able to overpower him, but Matthew realized that Nisha had indeed wounded him with her blade. His hands were covered in blood, and it seemed he’d been stabbed in the ribs.

  He tried to break free of the men, but dizziness made him stumble. “I need to see if Lily is hurt.”

  “Her brother is looking after her,” the footman insisted. “But my lord, you are bleeding. You should go home and order your servants to summon a doctor.”

  The servant’s words made little sense. He could have sworn Dr. Fraser was among the guests, but the men were pulling him back inside the house.

  “Send the doctor to. . .Lady Lily,” he gasped. He fought to remain conscious, but the loss of blood made it impossible. His vision wavered, and his last image was of Lily cradled in her brother’s arms beside the fallen body of his torturer.

  “I must go to him,” Lily told James. “I-I need to see if he is all right.” Her hands were trembling, and she hardly knew what had happened. When Nisha had pulled the blade on her, Lily had not been afraid for herself—she had known the threat was meant to drive Matthew over the brink.

  And so it had. Everyone had witnessed him diving at the woman, his hands closing over her throat.

  Everything had happened so fast, yet for Lily, time had seemed to slow down. All she remembered was being pushed away while Nisha staggered forward with the blade in her hand. The woman had slashed Matthew deeply,
but he didn’t seem to feel the pain at all. Instead, he gripped Nisha by the shoulders to keep her away from Lily. Then he tried to force her to the ground.

  Lily didn’t know what she could do to help, but she kicked Nisha’s leg hard. The woman lost her balance, and when she stumbled forward, she fell upon her own blade. Within a few moments, she was dead.

  God help her, Lily had only been trying to save Matthew. Others were already saying he had killed Nisha for her sake, but that wasn’t true at all. The blood and the guilt lay upon Lily’s shoulders. And the very thought made her sick.

  Her brother had guided her into their carriage, and she hoped they were following Matthew. But within minutes, she realized he had taken them home. “James, I need to see him. Take me to his townhouse.”

  “Give it a little time, Lily. They are investigating the cause of death, and I don’t want you there.”

  She knew full well what the cause of death was. “I will not stay at home. I need to know that Matthew is all right. He was injured by the blade.”

  Because of me.

  She now understood the terrible guilt he had suffered when she had dislocated her arm. He had never meant to harm her, just as she would gladly have sliced her own skin before wounding Matthew.

  “Lily, there was an uproar after he left. It’s not a good idea to go and see him so soon.” Her brother reached for her hand and squeezed it before he opened the carriage door.

  “I will go with or without your approval.” In this, she would not be swayed.

  His mouth tightened as if he didn’t want to, but at last he nodded. “Then I will take you there myself. Unless you. . .want to change first?”

  She realized that her ball gown was covered in blood. James was right—she could not visit Matthew looking like this. It looked as if she had been wounded herself, and that might cause him even more distress. “All right, but quickly.”

  She followed her brother into the house and rang for Hattie to help her change into a demure gray gown. Her hands trembled as she donned her gloves once more, and James waited to escort her.

  “You don’t have to come with me,” she argued. “I can take a footman.”

  But in this, he was adamant. “After all that has happened, I am not leaving your side.” He guided her outside to the waiting carriage, and she admitted to herself that she was grateful for his protection.

  Lily needed to see how badly Matthew had been wounded. Although his cousin had tried to provoke him, she knew within her heart that he had not fallen into madness. He had reacted out of rage and the desire to protect her. Afterward, she’d heard him calling out to her. It made her believe that he’d known what was happening and had done everything he could to keep her safe.

  Lily felt a dark sense of satisfaction that the woman was gone. Though she had never wanted to cause anyone’s death, she was grateful that Nisha could not harm either of them again. She only prayed that they would not be blamed for her death. Surely enough witnesses had seen the attack and would know the truth.

  James helped her climb into the carriage, and she sat across from him, her worry multiplying with every minute. But then he interrupted her thoughts, asking, “Why did Nisha Amat travel this far from India?”

  “She came of her own accord, because she was hired to kill Matthew. Adrian only paid her a portion of what was promised. And because she. . . wanted to finish the task and kill him.” Lily closed her eyes and clenched her fingers together. Another thought took hold, and she regarded her brother. “Did Nisha torture you in the same way?”

  James shook his head. “They questioned me but only to get information about Matthew, I see now. I tried not to tell them anything, but. . .” He grimaced. “It was difficult to hold my silence. And they didn’t really care when I escaped.”

  She didn’t ask him what had happened. Instead, she reached out to hold his hand. “I am glad you came back, James. Thank you for bringing Matthew to me.” It was then that she noticed her gloves were stained with Matthew’s blood. She should have changed them when she’d chosen another gown, but now it was too late.

  The journey to Matthew’s townhouse was short, and James helped her disembark from the carriage. Her brother rang the bell, and when the footman answered, James said, “We came to see if Arnsbury is all right. Did you send for Dr. Fraser?”

  The footman frowned. “Lord Arnsbury is not here. He was attending the Duchess of Worthingstone’s ball and has not yet returned. Has something happened?”

  Lily froze, exchanging a glance with James. Her brother prompted, “Then his carriage is not here?”

  The footman shook his head. “No, my lord. Is there. . .anything we should do?” The servant appeared uneasy about the turn of conversation. “Was Lord Arnsbury hurt?”

  James shook his head. “We will go and find him.” He didn’t bother explaining himself to the footman. Instead, he led Lily back to the carriage once again.

  She waited until they were both inside before speaking. “What’s happened to Matthew?”

  James’s expression turned sober. “I fear Adrian or his servants may have taken him somewhere. But I cannot say where.”

  She was not going to give up so easily. If it meant confronting the man herself, she would find Matthew and bring him back.

  “We should return to the duchess’s ball,” she informed her brother.

  “He won’t be there.”

  “No, but we can ask questions of the servants. Someone might know where Matthew was taken.” Emotions swelled up within her, fear that he was still wounded and in danger. Though she didn’t think his cousin would go so far as to take Matthew’s life, he might let him bleed to death.

  Her brother thought for a long moment, his expression furrowed. Then he looked back at her. “Evangeline and I overheard a conversation at the ball that we weren’t meant to know about. Adrian Monroe was conspiring with Davonshire. They wanted to take command of Arnsbury’s estates and wealth to pay off their own debts.”

  A coldness gripped Lily’s senses, though she tried to hold back the fear. “Do you think they’ve taken him?”

  “I don’t know,” James answered. “But I think Monroe was trying to prove that Matthew was incapable of managing the earldom. He wanted everyone to believe that Arnsbury went mad after what happened in India. Then Adrian would be in charge of the estates.”

  “But what does Davonshire have to do with it?” Lily shook her head, not understanding.

  “He and my cousin are close friends. Both are heavily in debt,” her brother said. “Perhaps Davonshire intended to renew his courtship of you, hoping to get his hands on your dowry.”

  “He did come to pay a call on me when you were gone,” she said. “He was trying to discredit Matthew, telling me he was illegitimate and should never have been named earl.” The more she thought of it, the more she wondered what else Davonshire had done.

  She sat back in silence, trying to keep her hopes up. If those footmen had not led Matthew home again, where could they have taken him? And then, the answer came to her.

  “We should go to Adrian Monroe’s residence. He must know something.”

  Her brother called out to the coachman and gave the orders. “It’s possible.”

  Lily was afraid to get her hopes up, but she held faith that they would find Matthew before it was too late. “We will find him,” she insisted. “No matter how long it takes.”

  Matthew’s head was pounding, and it felt as if his brain had been encased in cotton. Every muscle in his body was frozen, and he could hardly move. He was dimly aware of blood seeping from a wound near his ribs. The pain had been constant, a dull ache that gripped him and would not let go.

  He hadn’t recognized the two footmen who had taken him from the duchess’s ball, but he’d been furious at the sight of Nisha threatening Lily. It had been a living nightmare, one he hadn’t wanted to believe.

  One of the footmen had forced a tonic down him, and the opiate effects of the drug had not yet wo
rn off. His lips were dry, and he could not rid himself of the bitter aftertaste. His vision blurred, and he heard voices talking as they approached. He closed his eyes, hoping he would learn what Adrian wanted.

  “What do you want to do?” came the voice of Lord Davonshire. “Blame him for the murder of the woman? If he is imprisoned, he cannot oversee the estates.”

  “There were too many witnesses who saw Nisha pull the knife on Lady Lily.” Adrian let out a disgruntled sigh. “Already they are saying the earl was only defending her. That the death was accidental.” He let out a foul curse and muttered, “There has to be another way. He was supposed to lose all sense of reason and show that he was unfit to be the earl.”

  “And so he did,” Davonshire agreed. “All you have to do now is prove his madness.”

  “No one will believe it.” But he thought a moment and said, “But they might believe a doctor. If we take him to an asylum, they can fill him with enough opium that he won’t even know his name.” Adrian’s tone brightened, and he added, “We can bribe someone to testify that he isn’t fit to manage the estates.”

  “He’s still bleeding,” Davonshire reminded him. “Should we have a doctor heal his wounds?”

  “It’s better if he dies,” Adrian answered. “He was supposed to die in India, so that I would become the earl.”

  “Why did you hire a woman to kill him?” Davonshire asked.

  “I didn’t,” Adrian snapped. “But her brother was aboard the ship with them, and he turned Arnsbury over into her hands.”

  Matthew kept his eyes closed, feigning an unconscious state. But inwardly, he felt cold inside. His cousin’s greed was boundless, it seemed—enough to want him dead.

  “We should bring him to Bethlem Hospital,” Adrian suggested. “No one will think to look for him there.”

  Matthew gritted his teeth. He would rather bleed to death than be committed to an asylum.

  The sound of their footsteps retreated, and their voices grew quieter as they departed. When there was only silence, Matthew forced himself to open his eyes and discern his surroundings.