by Anna Small
“I had no idea you knew him.”
Mrs. Leister laughed softly. “I knew them all, dearie, when they were students. Jack and Edward and…your brother…used to come to the theatre to see me. I was friends with them all.” She spoke this last in a dignified manner, as if she dared Georgiana to judge her.
Georgiana bit her lip. Whatever happened in the past was long over. Besides, there wasn’t time to be jealous or suspicious. Jack needed her.
“What do we do to stop him?”
Mrs. Leister’s sigh revealed she was helpless in the matter.
Georgiana stuffed the note into her reticule. “May we not go to the authorities? Surely, there must be something we can do.”
“I do not know where they will meet. Short of killing Edward ourselves, there’s not much we can do.”
Georgiana hesitated. She had never hurt a living thing in her life. Couldn’t bear the sight of little Tibby, Edward’s bastard child, living in dismal surroundings. So why did the idea of killing Edward not disturb her in the least?
“Where is Jack now?”
“I don’t know. Preparing for their duel, I expect.”
“Then I shall find Edward.”
Mrs. Leister’s brows drew together. “He cannot be reasoned with, Mrs. Waverley.”
Georgiana laughed sharply. “I do not intend to reason with him.”
“It won’t matter if you find him. His enmity with Jack began years ago. He’s already made his decision, and once Edward Mitford makes up his mind, there’s no stopping him.” She shook her head. “You don’t know him like I do, dearie.”
Georgiana rang for her carriage. “And you do not know me.”
Chapter Forty
The carriage circled St. James’s park twice, but Georgiana was unable to locate Edward. Roberts inquired at Edward’s usual haunts, generously provided by Mrs. Leister, but they had turned up nothing. The opinion at Edward’s club was that he took a daily constitutional in the park with his newest conquest: a rather plain widow in possession of a large fortune, but it seemed as if the park would also yield nothing.
The day was unusually sunny, the clouds scattered enough to allow children to run through the grounds, their shrieks filling the air, but Georgiana hardly noticed. Within the course of a week, her life had gone from filled with the promise of a future with Jack and their unborn child to a nightmare threatening their happiness. She hoped to end the nightmare by addressing its personification.
One good thing had come of Edward’s deception. She’d sent her housekeeper to fetch Maisie and Tibby and bring them safely to Kensington Gardens. Heaven only knew what she’d do with them, but her conscience would not allow her to leave Maisie to the squalid life to which Edward confined her.
She was about to give up her search and tell Roberts to take her home when a small crowd parted across the green. Edward’s tall, unmistakable form was visible among them.
Roberts stopped the coach and a footman handed her out. Straightening the short edges of her spencer, Georgiana ambled across the path toward him, pretending she was just another lady of quality enjoying the park. Edward didn’t notice her. He leaned down to speak to his companion, a richly dressed older woman who clutched his arm and giggled at every word he spoke.
She wished she could take the woman aside and tell her exactly with whom she was involved, but it wouldn’t make a difference. Edward could be quite charming when he wished. She of all people knew that.
He dressed more elegantly now than when she’d known him, what felt like a lifetime ago. If Jonathan hadn’t come after her—if there hadn’t been a delay at the crossroads when another carriage had broken a wheel and they’d stopped to help—it could be her, instead of poor Maisie Smith, caring for his child. She stifled a shudder and forced herself to place one foot before the other. Each step brought her closer and closer to the thing she dreaded, and her courage began to fail.
His companion noticed her and said something to Edward, who glanced at her twice before stopping in his tracks. Dark violet bruises beneath his eyes and a crooked set of his nose marred his usual beauty. He bowed extravagantly when she stood before him.
“My dear Mrs. Waverley.”
She curtsied, every bone in her body rebelling at showing him any civility.
“I’d like a word with you, Mr. Mitford, if you please.” She gazed directly into his eyes. His mocking smile threatened to disarm her.
“I am your humble servant.” He glanced at his companion. “Will you excuse me, Blanche? I must see to this charming lady’s demands.”
The woman curtsied uncertainly at Georgiana, who nodded back. When she’d gone on a few paces, Georgiana turned to Edward, whose icy gaze hadn’t wavered.
“To what do I owe the honor, Georgiana? Or have you already tired of that rogue Waverley? I’d be happy to service you in any way you desire.”
She drew in a slow breath so he wouldn’t notice her agitation. “You will stop blackmailing my family immediately.”
He chuckled as if she had told him a joke. “Your esteemed brother and husband have been making false accusations.”
“My brother?”
His brows furrowed. “Did Jack not tell you everything?”
“He didn’t have to. I’ve met Maisie Smith.”
“Who?”
“The mother of your child.”
“Ah, yes. You are referring to the mother of Jonathan’s child. Or the caretaker of yours.” His smirk returned. “I can never remember who the little bastard belongs to.”
“My child? What are you talking about?”
He seemed taken aback. “I thought you said Jack told you.”
Her lips parted to speak, but she couldn’t fathom any sort of response. He sighed in a show of boredom.
“I informed your husband of the sorry truth that he is married to a woman who, in the impetuosity of youth, bore a child out of wedlock. The unfortunate Maisie Smith will sign a statement affirming she is raising the child as a favor to the Lockewood family.” He smiled slightly, his eyes narrowing. “He didn’t tell you.”
“A preposterous lie does not merit a reply.”
“Your husband didn’t seem to think so.”
She almost felt a physical blow in the pit of her stomach at the realization of what Jack had done. His nights of gambling and boxing had not been a result of his refusal to accept responsibility but as a means of replacing the money before she noticed it was gone. Just as he had said.
“He was not paying you to save his face, but mine.” Her voice quavered. She lifted her chin, every nerve sparking with action. “It matters not whose child he is. You will cease your threats, or pay the consequences.”
“If I am arrested, you can be assured your husband’s and brother’s pasts will come to light. The respectable Jonathan Lockewood may not want you to open a trove of his indiscretions. Nor will Jack’s esteemed grandfather be pleased with revelations his heir has married an immoral girl. Tell me…” He rubbed his jaw, staring directly into her eyes, trapping her. “Does Jack know the extent of your wantonness? You were quite the eager one in our carriage ride to Gretna Green.”
She gritted her teeth. “We both know nothing happened. You were drunk.” Memories flooded her, all sour and bitter. “And cowardly,” she couldn’t help but add.
His eyes flashed. “You didn’t seem to mind, then. And from the way you are looking at me, probably wouldn’t mind now. Jack’s extramarital activities must be taking their toll. Did you know he once shared the beds of five different women in a single week?” He clucked his tongue. “I don’t know how you can stand being married to such a rogue.”
“I did not come here to discuss the past with you, Mr. Mitford. Only the future. You may say what you will about Jack or me. Do what you like with spreading scandal. But I believe Maisie will take my side. Especially since she is now under my protection.”
He didn’t have to speak. His eyes widened almost comically, but he didn’t reveal any mo
re of his feelings. “Bravo, Georgiana. You’ve solved the issue of Maisie’s brat. However, your brother always had an eye on rising through the government. It’s a pity how a scandal can destroy a man’s aspirations. One false word carries more weight than the truth.”
“My brother is secure in his marriage and his friends. You, unfortunately, do not have such security and must rely on deceit to move forward. I wonder what lies you’ve told that poor woman.” She indicated his lover with a nod.
“Since when did you become a supporter of the downtrodden? Spoiled Georgiana Lockewood, who stomped her feet and cried her way through life until she got exactly what she wanted?”
She rocked forward in her desire to scratch his eyes out. “I grew up, Edward, which is more than I can say for you. You are still the conceited, self-serving boy you always were.”
“And you loved me in spite of it.”
It was the only weapon he had, and he knew it. A lump rose in her throat, but she realized with surprised relief it was not of tears. It was determination and conviction.
“Yes, Edward, I loved you.” She chose each word carefully. “Or what I thought was love. I only discovered what true love is when I married Jack. You will never know how precious that can be. You will remain alone, regardless of how many rich widows you entice, or how many innocent heiresses you connive upon. You will die alone and unloved.”
He stared at her with a mixture of amusement and confusion plain on his chiseled features. “That’s a pretty speech. But how will you accomplish saving your brother’s and husband’s futures?”
“You will not receive another penny from either Jonathan or me. Write the newspapers. You may advertise around the country my brother’s and husband’s supposed misdeeds all you like. I do not care what you do. But you will stay out of our lives from here on.”
Turning on her heel, she walked deliberately away from him, keeping her back as straight as a pole even though her insides quivered.
“What if I do not obey? Perhaps we can come to our own special arrangement.”
Before she considered her actions, she spun around and walked back, her heels squishing into the damp grass. She looked directly into his eyes.
“If you ever speak to me or my family again, I will see it is the last thing you do. Further, you will abandon this duel you’ve arranged with Jack.”
“Fighting his battles for him, are you? A cheap little thing like you?”
An image of Jack appeared starkly in her mind as he demonstrated the punch that had knocked out “the biggest Irishman I’d ever seen, Pudding Face. I drew back my arm like so…” Her bicep tensed as she lifted her arm. “And then I crunched my fingers into a hammer.” Her knuckles cracked as she gripped an invisible ball in the center of her hand. Her nails dug into her palm through her thin gloves. “The poor bastard didn’t know what was coming.”
Edward’s high-pitched scream broke the still afternoon. Blood streamed between his fingers and spattered his waistcoat as he clasped his re-broken nose.
Georgiana shook her hand and gingerly flexed her fingers. “I now understand why my husband is so enamored with boxing. It was rather enjoyable crushing your nose. Thank you, Mr. Mitford, for being such an amenable object of demonstration.”
Some boys playing on the grass laughed and pointed. One elderly gentleman out for a stroll tipped his hat. Edward’s companion pointedly turned and headed the opposite way. Georgiana hastened to her waiting coach.
Roberts handed her in, his face carefully blank as if he’d just fetched her from a social appointment. “Home now, ma’am?”
“No, to my brother’s house. And not a word of this to anyone.”
Roberts cleared his throat and shook out his handkerchief, which he handed to her. “You’ve a spot of blood on you, ma’am.”
She brushed at the red drop on the front of her pelisse. “So I do.”
Chapter Forty-One
Jonathan got into the coach without a word, as if he sensed Georgiana’s arrival was of an urgent matter. She told him all she knew in two minutes. When she was done, he shook his head, his eyes sorrowful.
“I should have told you both what Mitford had done to me. But I was…” He clasped Georgiana’s hand. “I was ashamed. My past is something I wish to keep from Sophie.”
“It isn’t worth it, dear brother,” she whispered, squeezing his hand. “Sophie will forgive you anything. You should have told Jack when Edward first came to you.”
“How could I?” His eyes were shadowed and creased. “After I’d accused him of marrying you for your fortune, how could I tell him I was living my own lie?”
“He cares for you as a brother.”
“I know.” He kissed her forehead. “We should get you home, dear. I will seek out Jack myself. This night air is not good for you or the baby.” Georgiana silenced him with a look. He grinned. “I keep forgetting you are an old married woman and need not listen to a bossy big brother any longer.”
“I keep reminding Jack the very same thing.” At the mention of his name, her heart threatened to burst through her chest. She was nearly bouncing in her seat, stricken with anxiety and the urge to find him soon, soon, soon…
An hour passed, and then another. Bleary-eyed, she’d nearly fallen asleep on Jonathan’s shoulder when he gently shook her. Sitting up straight, she peered through the carriage window at the darkness by the edge of a wooded park. The eerie silence assured her they were far from London.
“Edward told me about this place long ago. He’d had one duel already. God knows how many others he’s had since. But I thought we would try here first, as I assumed the leopard would not change his spots.” Jonathan pointed to a spot beyond the clearing. “There,” he murmured.
A small group of figures stood by three carriages, their shadows flickering in the light from the carriage lamps.
“Is Jack among them?”
“I’m going to find out. Wait here.” He rapped on the roof, and Roberts brought the horses to a halt. Closing the door quietly behind him, Jonathan disappeared into the blackness.
Her chest squeezed so tight she could barely breathe. She gripped the edge of the window, straining to see. A figure suddenly appeared before her, and she stifled a scream behind her gloved hand.
“Didn’t mean to startle you, dearie.” Mrs. Leister’s face appeared ghostly white in the darkness.
“What are you doing here?” Georgiana hissed.
“I’ve come to stop them, the same as you.”
Georgiana opened the door and stepped down, taking the woman’s offered arm. She spoke before she could stop herself. “You love him.” Then, as if she should clarify her statement, “You love Jack.”
Mrs. Leister nodded briefly, her lips pinched tightly together. Georgiana found she no longer had the urge to hate the woman.
“Then, help me.”
Together, they moved through the trees and bushes, hiding in the shadows although no one noticed them. A flash of steel caught the lantern light and Georgiana gasped.
She would have been relieved they were not using pistols, as both men were dead shots, until she recalled Edward’s boastful words years ago, when he was a schoolboy.
“I won the prize for fencing. Jack and your brother were green with envy. Neither of them can touch me. Our fencing master said I should make a great pirate.”
Jack and Jonathan had teased him to no end, provoking him into giving a demonstration of his exceptional skills with a blade. Decidedly proud of his friend, Jack had clapped him on the shoulder, his face beaming. “I pity the unfortunate soul who ever comes upon you in a fight, Mitford,” he’d said.
Mrs. Leister’s voice brought her back to the present. “I do not see anyone else coming, Mrs. Waverley. Perhaps it is a legitimate fight.”
She had no sooner spoken when a clattering of horse hooves in the distance reached them. The two women sprang back into the bushes, Georgiana clutching her companion’s arm for balance. “It’s a patrol,” Mrs.
Leister hissed in her ear, holding her low to the ground. “I suspected he lured Jack out here to have him arrested for dueling.”
Georgiana twisted away and scrambled to her feet. “We must get Jack away! Quickly!”
Without considering the prudence of her actions, she broke through the bushes and ran toward the men. Jonathan was already there, and his voice rose above the noisy group of men, pleading and threatening for the fight to cease.
She pushed past two men jostling for position and halted in her steps as if she’d struck a wall. Gasping back her fear, she took in the terrible sight.
Bereft of coats, Jack and Edward were in a grim fight for their lives. Their sabres clanged together, swishing in dangerous arcs within inches of their marks, but even still, Jack’s shirt was torn and bloodied in long slashes, whereas Edward bore only a cut on his left arm. Out of breath and panting, Jack doggedly stumbled around the makeshift circle of men, swinging too wildly one moment, coming up short the next. Edward whooped with triumph before slicing close to Jack’s ear.
Mrs. Leister wrapped her arms snugly around her waist. “Stay back,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “Do not distract him.”
Panic threatened to overcome her. Georgiana clutched her hands into fists, helpless to do anything but watch the gruesome scene. Any second, Jack would falter, and Edward would deliver the deathblow. She could not save him. She could not stop the fight. She met Jonathan’s pained expression, and he shook his head slightly. Let it be, he silently told her. I will not, she replied.
“Edward!”
Her voice crackled in the moonless night. Edward’s foot struck a rock as his head swiveled toward her voice. Without turning to look at her, Jack nimbly slashed at his opponent’s arm, and Edward cried out as he dropped his sword. Jack held the tip of his bloodied sabre at Edward’s throat.
“Leave…my…family…alone.”
Edward nodded rapidly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he gulped for air, sputtering and sobbing his penance. Jack carelessly tossed his sword to Jonathan and picked up Edward’s, throwing it as far as he could into the nearby thicket. He then faced Edward again and drew back his arm and…
