Thornbrook Park (A Thornbrook Park Romance)

by Sherri Browning

  “Better the boy gets used to it,” she’d said.

  Besides, Brandon had his dog, the pointer he’d chosen from the litter and named Scout. With Brandon settled, Marcus was free to head off to London to catch up with Eve. He didn’t care what his brother had to say about it. Eve could be in danger, and he wasn’t about to leave her out there alone. Or alone with Tom Reilly, anyway. Reilly was a man, after all, and Eve was a beautiful woman…

  Marcus had just stripped off his shirt when a knock on the door interrupted his musings.

  “Yes?” He opened it without thinking, hoping to find Eve, expecting it might only be George, and startled when he saw one of the maids on the other side instead.

  She took advantage of his stupefaction to ease by him and into his room.

  “I’m sorry. I’m about to go to bed. Is there something you need, miss?” A footman, specifically George, would be sent with important news or to tend him late at night. This one was up to something, and he wanted her gone.

  “Ginny. My name is Ginny.” She reached out and stroked a hand down his chest. “Going to bed sounds just right to me.”

  He blinked, stunned, then gestured to the door. “Please leave. I’m tired and I would like to sleep. Alone.”

  She placed her hand on the door and closed it. “That’s not what I think.”

  “You apparently have the wrong idea.”

  “I don’t think so. I think you like to have company in bed. I’m offering my services, Captain Thorne.”

  “Your services are quite unnecessary. You have a lot of nerve, Jenny. Do you have any idea how improper—”

  “Ginny. And it will serve you well to remember it.” She sat on the bed. “Plush. It will do. Look, Captain Thorne. I’m making it easy for you. We can do what you like right here, in the privacy of your own chamber. No one needs to know.”

  His patience ran out. “And I’m telling you one last time, leave now and I won’t inform the earl of my recommendation that you be dismissed for this serious lack of judgment. I don’t want what you’re offering.”

  “Yet you had no qualms with Mrs. Kendal. What is it? Am I not your type?” She stood and unbuttoned the top buttons of her black frock, revealing a red corset underneath. “Some say I’m pretty.”

  “Stop. Leave.”

  “Come now. I saw everything. In the library?”

  “Everything?” His heart lurched. Had she witnessed their lovemaking?

  “I was cleaning when you and Mrs. Kendal came in the other day, pretending to look for a book. All too obvious. The attraction between you was unmistakable. And then I happened to see her go into your room. And she didn’t come out with any speed, either. It would take a fool not to see it. But perhaps I’m working for fools, if they haven’t deduced your feelings yet. I’d be happy to inform them.”

  “Unless I make it worth your while?”

  She put her hands to her ample bosom. “I love a man who understands me. We could be a great team.”

  “We’re no team. You’ll be lucky to have a job tomorrow.”

  “I will hold my position. You wouldn’t dare say anything, lest I tell Lord Averford what I know about you and Mrs. Kendal. I have a feeling that you don’t want that.”

  “I don’t. But I refuse to be held prey by a scheming seductress.”

  She threw back her pretty blond head and laughed. “Paint me in the role of seductress? Yes, I like the sound of it.”

  “You’re lucky that I was being kind. How much?”

  “I’m sorry?” She blinked.

  “How much will it take to get you to leave here and keep your mouth shut? I don’t care what my brother thinks of me, but I won’t have you tarnishing Mrs. Kendal’s reputation. Name your price.”

  “Twenty pounds? But I planned to make it worth your while.” She dropped to her knees.

  He pulled her up again. “Get up. You’ll take your money and get out. I’ll give you ten pounds now and the rest in a week, as long as you don’t breathe a word to harm Eve Kendal.” A week should be enough time to figure out how he was going to tell Gabriel, but he would be paying this woman to keep quiet for as long as it took. “It’s the best deal you’ll get.”

  “I’ll accept.” She took the notes, stuffed them in her corset, and buttoned up. “Pleasure doing business with you, Captain Thorne.”

  “I don’t care for your sort of business. Take care not to be seen going away from here. Someone might get the wrong impression and blackmail you.”

  He closed the door behind her. It would be his pleasure to get Ginny sacked, but it would have to wait. One week. It was essential that he hasten to London to help Eve figure out her situation. Gabriel would probably remove the promise of the farm, but Marcus would figure something out for the Coopers. Eve was his primary concern now. If she had her own money back, she could pursue her dream of writing without any interference. The thought of her being threatened set his teeth on edge, and he couldn’t easily forget that he’d put her in such a position. It was time he set matters right, even if it meant losing her for good.

  Twenty

  “Mr. Sutton?” Eve asked over breakfast at Averford House the next morning. “Have we a morning paper?”

  “The paper, Mrs. Kendal? Why, of course. My apologies. Lady Averford never reads the paper when she is here. But then, you’re not quite the same as Lady Averford. I should have thought to inquire.”

  “Don’t take yourself to task, Mr. Sutton. I’m not all that much unlike her. We’re friends, after all. I only want to glance at the society pages before I leave for my train.”

  “A few moments, please.” Sutton bowed, left the room, and returned a short time later with the freshly pressed pages. “Here you are.”

  “Thank you.” Eagerly, she glanced through the articles until she found the one she sought, a few lines at the top of the gossip section. As promised, Reilly had avoided dragging Lord and Lady Averford through the mud. Thornbrook Park wasn’t referred to by name.

  Scandal at a Country Estate!

  A certain visiting Comte seemed to have forgotten his manners as the guest of a well-respected Countess this past week. Imagine her surprise when the proper and esteemed Lady A walked in on Le “strange” Comte and her dear friend mistaking her beloved estate for a Yorkshire pleasure palace! Bertie, have a care and keep a better eye on your foreign friends.

  “Oh, it’s perfect.” Eve clapped in delight. “It says just enough without saying too much. I like the way they fit in Lestrange. And the suggestion that our comte is a special friend of the king? It will confirm my story for Mrs. Lawson, who is sure to be checking the papers for validation. She will have no reason to suspect foul play. Mr. Reilly is an absolute gem. “

  “I beg your pardon, Mrs. Kendal? Mrs. Lawson? Mr. Reilly?”

  She waved him off. “Never mind, Mr. Sutton. I was talking to myself. I’m afraid I must get ready to leave you now, but I will be back within the week. Possibly sooner.”

  Depending on how Sophia reacted when she confessed to her weakness for Captain Thorne. But first, she had to find Marcus and convince him that they needed to make an honest start with Gabriel and Sophia. Gabriel seemed a reasonable man. Certainly he wouldn’t take his disappointment with Marcus out on Brandon and Mrs. Dennehy by removing the boy from the farm. And Sophia had to forgive her. They were friends. Besides, no one had consulted Lady Alice as yet, and Alice’s feelings toward Marcus, or lack thereof, might make all the difference in the world.

  At the station, Eve waited patiently for the incoming passengers to disembark before she could board. She dropped her overnight case in astonishment when she saw Marcus step off the train.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, as his eyes lit up at sight of her.

  “Coming to save you from imminent danger. What are you doing here? I thought you were tending to your affai
rs.” He closed the distance, picked up her case, and held on to it.

  “I’ve tended them, at least as much as I can for now. I have an appointment to wrap things up next week, but there’s nothing to be done for now.”

  “What do you mean?” His eyes narrowed. “Wrap things up? Have you recovered your money?”

  “I would love to tell you, but we need to talk and I hate to miss this train. Do you have any other business to keep you here?”

  “Checking in with the Coopers, but it can wait. Come on.” He took her arm and escorted her to the train.

  “But you just got here.” She hesitated.

  “And I’ve found you safe. I have no other pressing concerns. We can hold our discussion on the way back to Thornbrook Park.”

  “All right.” They boarded and settled into seats before they resumed their conversation. She felt herself becoming annoyed with him. Coming to save her? “Before we begin, I feel the need to point out that I do not need you to save me. I’ve been handling matters rather well on my own.”

  “On your own with Tom Reilly?” He cocked a brow.

  “Of course. Thank you for keeping him informed. Perhaps I do need a little assistance here and there, but it hardly means I’m a helpless female in need of saving.”

  “You’re right.” He toyed with his collar. “Poor choice of words.”

  “Hmm. I hope so. If you think I’m in need of a man to guide me through life, you’re sadly mistaken.”

  “Eve.” He reached for her hand. “I know you’re capable of managing on your own. You’re remarkable. But you’re dealing with an unsavory lot. I know you don’t believe me, but that man had a knife.”

  “I believe you.” She had to confess as much. “Scotland Yard turned up Mr. Strump’s body, confirming that he had been murdered. And Mr. Reilly turned up much more on the connection between the Lawsons and Mr. Strump.”

  He listened patiently while she told him the whole story. When she was done, he shook his head. “I can’t believe Tom let you go in there alone.”

  “Oh, that’s all you take from this?” She scooted a bit away from him on the seat, crossing her arms. “I’ve unfolded a whole sordid tale, not to mention my brilliant plan to catch the villains in a confession, and all you can say is that I should have been more closely supervised?”

  “Eve, that’s not it. I–I was worried sick about you all night long. You have to understand.” His eyes darkened with the recollection of fear.

  She softened. “I suppose I understand. Tom didn’t want me to visit Mrs. Lawson on my own, either. And I was a bit nervous, to tell the truth. But all is well. We’re on the verge of tripping them up.”

  He entwined his fingers with hers. “But Oliver Lawson is still unaccounted for. He could be anywhere, lying in wait.” They both looked around them on the train. Plenty of men in black bowler hats, but none of them looked like Lawson.

  “Not for much longer. I’m sure his wife will be in contact and get him to attend our meeting.”

  “Perhaps,” he agreed, finally easing back in his seat. “Now, then, we have other matters to discuss.”

  “We do.” She took a breath, unsure of how he would react. “I want to tell Sophia of our affair. I feel terrible hiding things from her, Marcus. She’s my best friend, and she has been so kind.”

  “I agree.” To her surprise, he nodded along. “As soon as we get back to Thornbrook Park, I’ll find Gabriel and confess, while you have your talk with Sophia. We can’t go on as we have been, hiding and sneaking.” He told her of the maid, Ginny, and her blackmail.

  “We’re confessing none too soon, then. She’ll have no power over us after today. It was lovely, though, while it lasted.” She hated to end it, but it had to be so. She would find a small flat and something to do in London. He would marry Alice and make an heir for Thornbrook Park. “Thank you for reminding me of how restorative love can be.”

  “Was lovely? What do you mean?” He turned to her, alarm flashing gold in his amber gaze.

  “We can’t continue, Marcus. You know we can’t. You have your Coopers and the farm and Lady Alice. I think you still have a chance with her. Thornbrook Park needs an heir.”

  “No one says it has to be with Lady Alice. Well, besides Gabriel and Sophia, but I think we can change their minds. And if not…”

  She couldn’t let him give up on everything he’d worked to set up with Brandon and the Coopers at the farm, all the while destroying Sophia and Gabriel’s hopes for an heir. Marcus was a noble soul. She knew he would offer, and she loved him for it. She loved him. It was why she had to set him free. She forced a smile.

  “I’m flattered, but we can’t fool ourselves into thinking we have any sort of future together. I’m not planning to marry again. Your brother has plans for you. I don’t think our brief indiscretion will put him off, or even change Sophia’s mind. If you can win Lady Alice’s affections, there’s no reason not to go on as planned.”

  He dropped her hand. “Just like that? You don’t plan to marry? You don’t intend even to give us a chance?”

  “Marcus,” she placed her hand on his cheek, savoring the warmth and roughness of his slight growth of beard. He must have run off without shaving this morning in his haste to get to her. It made what she needed to say that much harder. Her heart ached. She felt a scorching emptiness in the pit of her soul that she didn’t remember feeling even after losing Ben. But it had to be done. “I care about you a great deal. And I know you care for me. We’ve made memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life. But I think we both know that our affair has run its course.”

  “I didn’t know.” He pulled away. “I didn’t know until just now, but it’s all becoming clear. I think we’ve said all we need to say.”

  They rode together in silence for the rest of the journey back.

  ***

  On arrival back at Thornbrook Park, Marcus didn’t feel anger as he stomped off in search of his brother. He felt sadness and loss, a pain deep in his gut not unlike the grief that had overwhelmed him upon losing William Cooper. Had their affair been a mere diversion for Eve? Something to restore her after losing her husband? A lark? He’d nearly lost his heart to the woman. Nearly. Now he only felt like a fool.

  Nonetheless, he would confess his foolishness to his brother, who would no doubt use it like a club to beat the wayward Marcus back into submission. That will teach you for attaching yourself to willing widows! Marry Alice. Produce an heir. Or else!

  The black rage edged in, overcoming his sadness. His brother, the high and mighty earl, making the rest of them dance like puppets to do his bidding. How dare he? Perhaps Marcus couldn’t have his heart’s desire, Eve, but it didn’t mean he had to accept what his brother wanted for him. He didn’t need Gabriel. He didn’t need Thornbrook Park or his inheritance. He could find something else for the Coopers, some other way to make a living without his annuity. He didn’t need Eve Kendal. Dash it all!

  He stormed into Gabriel’s study. “Brother, I’ll have a word with you.”

  Gabriel looked up from his desk, one golden brow arched in annoyance, or was it amusement? “Yes, have a seat.”

  “I’ll stand.”

  “As you wish.” With his elbows on the desk, Gabriel tented his fingers and waited for Marcus to go on.

  “I’ve been having an affair with Eve Kendal. Did you know?”

  “An affair?” Gabriel dropped his hands. “Do you mean the two of you have actually been carrying on? I knew you were flirting. Any idiot could tell you had an interest in each other. But a full-blown affair? I had no idea. I wouldn’t have expected it of her.”

  “Of course. You expect it of me, but she’s a lady. A fine, upstanding, remarkable woman, if we’re being honest. ‘Lady’ doesn’t do her justice. It seems weak somehow. And she’s anything but. She’s—” Marcus paused, desperate to gather his
thoughts. He was rambling, he knew. Making a mess of this discussion when he’d meant to be the one in control. But there was no hope for it. Not an hour earlier, on the train, his heart had been smashed to bits, and what he really wanted was to run to a dark corner and have a good cry. Like a child. A wounded little boy. No, he was stronger than that. “She’s exquisite, Gabriel. I’ve never known anyone like her.”

  “You love her.” Gabriel stood, seemingly astounded by the news. “You mean to tell me you’ve fallen in love with Sophia’s friend?”

  He shook his head. “No. Yes. I–I do love her, but she doesn’t return the feeling. She cares for me a ‘great deal.’ But that’s not love. It’s hopeless between us. She said so. Our affair has run its course. But I wanted you to know.”

  “Thank you for your candor.” Gabriel nodded. “Now that you’ve got all that out of your system, I suppose you’re ready to step it up with Lady Alice?”

  Marcus, who found that he’d been pacing though he’d hardly realized what he’d been doing, stopped in his tracks. “Step it up?”

  “You know, make more of an effort to court her properly? To win her over instead of taking all your time chasing Eve Kendal’s tail. Lovely as it is.”

  “Do you care to repeat that?” Marcus stepped closer to Gabriel, who stood behind his desk.

  “Repeat what?” Gabriel came around to the other side of the desk, standing at full height, keeping his dark eyes trained on his brother’s. “That Eve Kendal has a lovely backside? I’m married, Brother, not dead. And she’s apparently willing to show it off.”

  Marcus didn’t hear his brother’s last words for the sudden pounding in his head, like a train running off the rails, the rage in full force, clouding his vision and dulling the rest of his senses, all except one, the sense of touch. He balled his hands into fists. His brother stood in front of him, growing fuzzy around the edges perhaps, but Marcus could still see that smug, self-satisfied grin, his brother’s look of triumph.

  He felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction at last, the rage ebbing, as he smashed his fist squarely into Gabriel’s jaw. Gabriel recoiled, falling back, but it only took a second for him to right himself and hit back, delivering a sound punch to the side of Marcus’s head. Good. This Marcus knew, fighting. This he could best his brother in at last, after all the years of taking Gabriel’s beatings when they were young. He bounced on the balls of his feet, just as he’d shown Eve how to do in the Averford House library.