Earl of Exile

by Tammy Andresen

  She let out a harrumph. “Might be worth it, just to prove my point.”

  He couldn’t help it, he laughed. “Ye’re a prickly one.”

  “I am.” She held her chin higher. “Bossy too. Loud, opinionated. I’ve even been called brash.” Her skirts swished as they continued to walk. “You might find me beautiful now but just wait.”

  He pressed his lips together as he gave her a pointed look. She was convinced that her personality would deter him. The truth was, he liked her just the way she was. “If you ask me, ye’re pretty near perfect. Yer problem isna that ye’re too much of anything. Ye’re just English.”

  She spluttered then, twisting toward him and grabbing his arm. “You don’t like that I’m English?”

  “I dinnae care either way.” He smiled, knowing that he confused her, but he honestly found this conversation more amusing by the second. She was bloody fun when she was annoyed. “My mother was English and it’s her family home that I live in now.”

  “Then what did you mean?”

  Her little foot stomped again. She had a temper to be certain. He’d like to kiss that foot and then the ankle he’d caught a glimpse of. He wanted to kiss higher still, over her calf and…his cock jumped again. Gritting his teeth, he answered her question. “Just that the English seem to want women with no personality at all. Any Scot would jump at the chance to be with a woman of such high…spirit as yerself.”

  “Oh.” She slumped, her fingers pressing to her cheek. “That was actually a lovely compliment and I—”

  “There you two are,” Darlington called, emerging from the darkness just ahead. “We should go back inside. We’re here to be seen and so let’s be seen and be done with it. As you ladies know, we need to speak with Jack about why he and Emily eloped. We’re meeting them in a few hours’ time.”

  Exile grimaced. Partly because he didn’t want to end their garden chat. But also because he wasn’t looking forward to the conversation with Jack, who had been engaged to Diana’s sister, Emily, when the two had unexpectedly eloped. That decision had sent all of them, men and women alike, spinning into quite the mess and this conversation was sure to be a difficult one.

  “Don’t be too hard on him.” Minnie reached for her husband’s arm. “He’s sure to have a good reason.”

  “He’d better,” Daring replied.

  Exile agreed.

  Diana stood in the ballroom watching the dancers spin about. Tonight was odd, indeed. Normally she’d be out there with the rest of the ladies, but tonight she was content to partially hide behind Lord Exmouth.

  She supposed she was unsettled by the events of the past few weeks. Cordelia’s abduction, Emily’s elopement, and her own broken heart had left her feeling exposed and vulnerable.

  Then, of course, there was the fact that she’d allowed Lord Exmouth to kiss her. Why had she done that? Hadn’t she learned her lesson already?

  Many men found her intimidating, but last winter she’d met one who seemed to enjoy her for who she was. Much like Exmouth, Charles Crusher had looked her in the eye and kept looking. Then he’d pursued her. Relentlessly. Every party, he found an invitation. Every calling hour, he’d been there. Even in the driving rain, he’d come to visit. They’d gone for sleigh rides in the snow, and long winter walks, wrapped together under the winter sun.

  He’d found opportunities to pull her from the paths and steal kisses when her chaperones weren’t looking.

  Much like Exmouth had tonight. Her breath caught. How had she allowed another man to take such liberties? Apparently, for all her strength, she was a plain fool when it came to handsome and determined men.

  She took another step back and surveyed Lord Exmouth. His hair was longer than most and pulled back into a queue. Rather unconventional and her first clue he was up to no good. Only pirates and thieves wore their hair like that, not earls. Large, broad shoulders tapered down to a thin waist and, heaven help her, a muscular rear that only accented his powerful thighs. Why were a man’s thighs tempting? She wasn’t certain but a sudden vision of her legs wrapped about his made her flush with heat.

  “I feel ye staring at me,” he said not turning around to look at her.

  She sniffed. “Please. Don’t be ridiculous.”

  He turned his head to the side so she could see the slight smile that curved his lips in profile. “Should we take another walk?”

  “No!” she said too quickly and far too loudly. Then she smoothed her skirts. “I’ve already told you, you needn’t be here at all.”

  “Then why stare?” His eyes brows rose as he continued pivoting toward her.

  She straightened her shoulders. She’d never tell him that she’d been contemplating the feel of his body against hers. Such nonsense would only encourage him. “Trying to figure out how I’m going to get rid of you.”

  He laughed then, deep and rich, and her own cheeks flushed. She liked that he didn’t get fussed about her barbs. That he was strong and confident enough to laugh at them. “Touché.”

  She stepped next to him then. “How much longer does His Grace think we should stay?”

  “Not too long. We’re meeting at the club in an hour.”

  Her insides fluttered at the reminder. Jack was going to explain why he and Emily had eloped. And Diana had every intention of speaking with her sister as well. “Can I ask you a favor?”

  “O’course,” he answered.

  “Will you tell me what Jack says?” She looked over to him.

  He grimaced and then shook his head. “I dinnae think that’s wise.”

  Stepping closer, she looked over to where Minnie and Daring stood with their heads bent together. Thank goodness her cousin was newly married. Her mother allowed the couple to chaperone but they were so wrapped in one another they barely paid attention. “I’ll tell you what Emily shares with us tonight.”

  He straightened. “What happened between them is no’ my concern.”

  She cocked her head to one side. “They’ve called you all together. What if what happened jeopardized the club?”

  He swore under his breath. She thought it might be Gaelic. “Ye’ve got a point there, lass.”

  Moving a bit closer, she dropped her voice. “I knew the countess would do something awful. Though I never imagined that she would steal away my sister. Mark my words, she isn’t done. If we’re going to fight her, we must first understand her.”

  He narrowed his gaze. “Are ye making plans?”

  She pressed her lips together. The truth was…she was. The countess seemed to target the women who were still single. Neither Grace nor Ada were as strong as Diana. They also had spotless reputations and excellent prospects for marriage, unlike herself. “No plans. I just want to be prepared in case she tries to take my cousin or my sister.”

  “Or ye,” Exmouth said, his voice dropping low. “Which is why ye won’t shake me no matter how hard ye try.”

  One of her hands cocked on her hip. “So to be clear. You won’t share information with me nor will you leave me be. You’re just going to buzz around me like a common fly?”

  “What’s that now?” Darlington asked, coming up behind them. “Is Diana insulting you?”

  Exmouth straightened. “O’ course no’. She’s the picture of feminine decorum.”

  She nearly laughed out loud but managed to keep it in. Those were words that weren’t used about her ever.

  “Good.” Darlington stepped up next to her. “I think we’ve been seen enough for one night. Let’s go, shall we?”

  Diana frowned. If Exmouth wasn’t going to share, how would she find out what transpired during that meeting?

  Chapter Three

  Exile sat in the dimly lit back room of the Den of Sins. The gaming hell he ran with his friends had become like a second home to him over the past few years. Its smoke covered walls a place of comradery and laughter. But not tonight. All five men stared at each other, the tension so thick, he could have cut it with the Celtic short sword strapped
to his hip.

  A bottle of scotch sat in the center and glasses were in front of each man, but no one drank. The crystal tumblers remained empty.

  Each of the men had a nickname that was used only at the club. The Duke of Darlington sat just to his right; Daring, they called him. The man had gotten married recently and hadn’t been in the club since. Daring fingered his glass but didn’t reach for the scotch. “Why are we here, Effing? Why don’t you tell us why you ran off?”

  Lord Jackson Effington looked about the room. “I think the other men need some backstory first.”

  Daring gave a terse nod, his chin taut with tension. “As many of you know, Lady Abernath, my former fiancée, kidnapped Malice’s new wife, Cordelia, in an attempt to punish me on Countess Abernath’s part. She wants me outed as the owner of this club and my reputation as an upstanding duke tarnished. Apparently, Lady Abernath is willing to go to almost any length to see her goal accomplished.”

  The men grumbled around him, but Exile remained silent. He knew all of this already. He also understood that Lady Abernath hadn’t done the deed herself, instead she’d hired her lover, Lord McKenzie, to steal Cordelia from her home. Exile had delivered McKenzie to a boat and made sure the man had sailed for France. He’d wondered several times if he shouldn’t have sunk McKenzie to the bottom of the Thames instead. Ewan had died attempting to show mercy to a man who’d been a horse thief. The man had repaid that kindness with a blade to the side. “The countess is clearly willing to go to lengths we are no’,” he said, just loud enough for everyone to hear. “Unless we fight harder, she’ll win.”

  Bad grimaced. “I know you’re right, but it’s bloody hard fighting a woman.”

  Strong women were difficult to fight, indeed.

  He closed his eyes as the image of Diana danced before him. Damn, the woman had felt bloody amazing in his arms tonight. And she sounded just as good. She had a warrior’s spirit. He spread his hands out on the table in front of him. Perhaps he should consider sharing the events of this meeting with her. She might be a great help. Then again, they would be together enough without adding secret meetings of sharing information to the list of times he’d spent in her company. The woman was tempting enough. And he had to resist her in order to honor his cousin’s sacrifice. Even now, guilt stabbed behind his breastbone.

  “Where is Lady Abernath now?” Vice, the Viscount of Viceroy, asked, leaning forward and snatching the scotch. He poured himself a healthy glass.

  “We don’t know.” Daring ran his hand through his hair then cleared his throat. “When we rescued Cordelia, a fire broke out and Lady Abernath escaped in the chaos.”

  Exile knew all of this but it still made his stomach churn. “Is there anything else we should ken before Jack begins?”

  Daring hung his head. “When Malice was leaving, he rescued a small boy. It turns out that boy is Lady Abernath’s child.” His head shook back and forth and he clasped his hands in front of him. “What’s worse is, because of his age, there is a possibility he could be mine.”

  Vice sucked in his breath. “Does Minnie know?”

  Daring drew back, his face ashen. “Not yet. I don’t want to upset my wife if it isn’t true. The child looks nothing like me. I…” His voice tapered off.

  Jack spread his hands on the table in front of him. “He could be Lord Abernath’s son. She married the man a month after you ended it with her. That tells me they were likely already involved.”

  “I agree.” Daring nodded. “And Abernath did claim the boy already, so even if we learn he isn’t Abernath’s child, publicly, we never share. Lord Abernath died last month. The little boy, Harry, is already the new earl.”

  The men nodded in understanding. Exile relaxed a bit. Daring was using his head at least. “It’s best for Harry if there’s no scandal about his name.”

  Daring cleared his throat. “But I also know there was a third man she was sharing her bed with. The reason I ended the relationship was because I caught them together. I never learned who the man was, but I know it wasn’t Abernath.”

  The room went silent. Not a chair scraped, not a glass clinked against the table. Finally Jack swallowed. “That’s what I wanted to say to you first, Daring.” Jack held out his hands in front of him. “The man you caught her with was me.”

  Daring stood suddenly, his chair flying back against the wall. Exile stood too, worried he might need to intercede between the two men. The last time he’d engaged in a brawl, his cousin had died. His insides pitched but he held his ground.

  Daring leaned his fists on the table. “We’ve been friends for four years and you’re just telling me this now?”

  “I didn’t know you then.” Jack remained seated, his hands out. “At the time the affair happened, I had no idea she was involved with anyone else. I thought we were in love. I thought we’d marry.” Jack closed his eyes. “I didn’t know she was engaged. Hell, no one did. For all we know she was engaged to you and Abernath at the same time.” He scrubbed his face. “She cleaned out what little money I had. Emptied my coffers and left me with a mountain of debt.” Then he drew in a long breath. “But that isn’t all of it. I know for certain that she was also involved with Lord Pennington when she was with me. The day after I ended it, I found them walking in the park together and followed them until I saw…” Jack stopped, his head dropping as he pressed the palms of his hands to his eyes.

  Daring slumped over, as though that name took all wind from his sails. “Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. Harry looks just like Pennington.”

  “He does,” Jack answered. “I noticed it the moment I saw him.” He leaned closer. “And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t put it all together until recently and then I wasn’t sure if it was wise to tell you what I’d learned. We were already friends. Hell, we’d started a business together. You’d moved on with your life and I thought it might hurt you more to know.”

  Daring looked down at the table for so long, the men began to shift in their chairs. Finally, he looked up. “The honest truth is catching you in bed with her saved my life.” His fists wrapped on the tabletop. “You should have told me. But I do believe she managed to hurt you worse than she did me. She really cleaned you out?”

  Jack nodded. “It’s why I came to you to start the club in the first place.”

  Daring scrubbed his face. “We’ve got a much larger problem now. The women who have been dutifully keeping our secret are in danger. You’ve each agreed to keep one safe. You’re going to have to double your efforts.”

  Exile drew in a long breath. Diana rose in his thoughts. What had started as a simple task had already begun to feel complicated, his attraction to her the largest of them all. “Circumstances have changed since we first made that agreement. Originally we were just supposed to make sure the ladies didn’t share our secret. Now we’re trying to protect them from a woman who’s unhinged.”

  “The Chase women have proved more than loyal and Lady Abernath is insane.” Daring looked around the table. “You’re right, Exile. It’s a difficult task to be certain.”

  “I don’t give a bloody bullocks about the task. What’s the story with all of you marrying?” Vice took a long swig of his drink. “Makes a man damn nervous.”

  Exile looked down at the man who appeared to be an angel but was devilish to be certain. “We’ll all have to marry eventually.”

  “Not you too,” Vice sneered. “Are you thinking about offering for that dark-haired beauty, Diana?”

  “No,” he bit out, crossing his arms over his chest. But excitement zinged through his veins just thinking about her. Bloody hell, that did make things complicated.

  Diana sat between Minnie and her sister, Grace.

  “What do you think they’re discussing?” Emily wrung her hands together. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Jack has been so worried and that makes me anxious for him.”

  Diana cleared her throat. Emily had always been the most nervous of the Chase girls. “I appreci
ate your concern, Em. But I think you owe us an explanation before we delve into what’s happening with Jack.” Emily and Jack’s relationship had been filled with bumps.

  Ada poked Diana in the back, whispering in her ear, “Be nice.”

  Diana let out a long breath. “I am being nice.” Wasn’t anyone going to call Emily out on the fact that she and Jack had eloped with barely a word, leaving them all very worried?

  Emily stopped pacing, her face twisting in pain. “I’m sorry for that. When we were at the family party, I got a surprise visit from Lady Abernath.”

  The girls all sucked in her breath. Grace clutched Diana’s hand. “Did she try to steal you away?”

  Emily shook her head. “Cordelia gets that honor. But she did threaten me. Said that if I didn’t expose Daring, she would tell the world about Jack and his club. She also said…” Emily flushed a bright red.

  “What?” Minnie asked, standing to cross to Emily, then wrapping her arms about her. Diana frowned.

  A tear slid down Emily’s cheek. “She somehow discovered that I was pregnant with Jack’s child. She threatened to expose the baby as a bastard. I know Jack would have married me anyway but we were worried Mum and Dad might cancel the wedding after they learned about Jack’s club.”

  Diana stood, any irritation with Emily burning away at the fire in her belly over what Lady Abernath had done. “So you ran away before Mum and Dad could stop the wedding?”

  Emily nodded. “Even if she ruined Jack, at least we’d be wed and the baby would be safe.”

  Emily shook her head. “She knows something about Jack. Something that could send him to prison. We married and we transferred much of his funds into my name, anything not entailed, which is most of it because of the club.” She swallowed. “If Lady Abernath does strike against him, he wanted both me and the baby provided for.”

  Diana stepped to Emily’s other side, her hand touching Emily’s arm. “So you ran before she had a chance to strike and you’ve returned now that he’s secured your future.”