His brother chuckled. “There are many stories about rivaling brothers, and one is always stronger than the other. Oftentimes it is the younger who is the weaker of the two, and he always learns that the elder is the better man.” He narrowed his eyes, the grin now gone. “I have conquered your wife as I have your home. You see? I am the stronger brother!”
Nathaniel pushed past the man but stopped in the doorway. There, hanging from the latch, was indeed a strip of cloth. A sickening feeling rose in his throat, and he closed his eyes, praying that the image would disappear. However, when he reopened them, nothing had changed.
Except that the moon had emerged from behind the clouds to cast light on the figure of his wife lying in the bed.
“Oh, Harmony,” he moaned. “Tell me it is not true.”
For a moment, he waited as his heart thudded against his chest. Was she awake? Or had she fallen asleep?
Then what little hope that had remained disappeared as she pulled the blanket tighter around herself and turned so her back was to him without so much as a word.
Nathaniel took a step back and closed the door. His life, his marriage, and everything he knew had finally come to an end.
***
Harmony woke to a pounding headache and the brightness of the sun filtering through the window making it difficult for her to open her eyes. Her throat was parched, but even the thought of drinking water made her stomach flip.
With a heavy heart, she recalled the night before and the sherry she had consumed to hide her pain. Yet rather than temper the agony, all it had done was amplify it, the aching head a testament to its effects.
Finally forcing her eyes open, she glanced at the window. Blue filled the skies. Good, the storm had finally passed. Blinking twice, she went to pull herself up and gasped when her gaze fell upon Nathaniel, who stood at the foot of the bed. His face was haggard, his eyes heavy, and there was a deep sadness about him.
“I had your things packed,” he said. “All if it is ready for your departure.”
Harmony sat up straight, ignoring the objection of her head. “Departure? Are we going on holiday?” Then she smiled. “Have you decided to give up this battle so we may take up residence elsewhere?”
“I will be remaining at Scarlett Hall for another week,” he replied. Why was he so cold? “I must finalize various accounts and see to other matters. When I have concluded my business here, I will go to live at Chatterly Estate.”
“You are sending me there ahead of you?” she asked, still confused. Drat Lydia and her sherry! “I may be of some help to you. I would much prefer to go to our new home together.”
“You will not be joining me there. I have set you up in a house that is a part of the Parker inheritance. It is located about twenty miles from here. I will see you receive a monthly allowance to cover whatever costs arise; you are still my wife after all.”
Harmony tried to make sense of what he was saying, but her muddled brain would not allow her to do so. “I am sorry, but I do not understand. You want me to leave?”
Nathaniel snorted. “Do you believe I am the one who made this choice?” he asked, his voice cold and hard.
Harmony nodded. Who else would have chosen where she was to live? How she wished she could take back last night! If she could do it all over again, she would refuse that blasted drink!
“It is not I but you who has forced my hand,” he said. She wished he would not shout so; it made the pounding in her head worse! “You were the one who allowed my brother into your bed!”
Harmony stared at him. She knew she was gaping, but how could she not? “My bed?” she asked. “I did not…”
“Do not lie to me!” he screamed, and Harmony pushed her back against the headboard. “I returned home last night and found Isaac leaving your room wearing nothing more than his breeches. And when I looked in…” His voice trailed off for a moment. “So you see, it was you who made the choice, not I.”
“No!” Harmony cried out as tears filled her eyes. “This cannot be. Surely that did not happen.”
Yet as the words left her lips, a memory flickered in her mind. She had gone to Lydia’s room for guidance and comfort. Lydia had opened a bottle of sherry, and now that Harmony thought about it, the woman had not consumed a drop. Had she purposefully gotten Harmony drunk? There was a distant echo of the lady’s maid whispering in her ear, words of apology and something about saving Harmony’s marriage. Had it been a dream? Or had Lydia gotten her drunk to prepare her for Isaac’s arrival?
Harmony’s stomach reeled in disgust at the mere suggestion of such a betrayal. The last memory she had of the night before was lying down on Lydia’s bed and the most recent was waking in her own.
She glanced about. Yes, she was in her own bed! Did that mean…?
Nathaniel scowled. “Your face tells me all I need to know.”
“I must speak to Lydia!”
“She has gone into the village with the other servants,” Nathaniel said. “Only Forbes remained behind. Although he denies it, I sense the man has looked the other way concerning you long enough. His loyalty has never been for the men of his house, but rather the women.”
“Nathaniel, if I can only explain. If you would just listen…”
“There is nothing you can say that will make me reconsider,” he said in a low growl. “The carriage will be out front in an hour to take you to your new home. Be ready, for if you are not inside it, it leaves without you and you will be forced to walk there.”
As he exited the room, Harmony called after him, but he could have been deaf for all he heard. How she had any more tears to weep, she did not know, but weep she did. Had she truly betrayed her husband in such an unspeakable manner? She still had no memory of it, but her heart was broken all the same, for all the evidence pointed to her guilt.
And Lydia, how could a woman she trusted so deeply do this to her? Rather than saving her marriage, it had destroyed it.
***
It had been no more than four months since Harmony had returned home to Scarlett Hall following her honeymoon, a time full of love, laughter, and whispered promises of wonderful years ahead together. What began as a dream quickly had become a nightmare as she stood beside the carriage while Forbes stored away the last of her bags.
She kept her eyes on the front door, praying Nathaniel would come to see her off. Yet, he did not.
Instead, Isaac emerged, a look of victory on his face. As he descended the staircase, a swagger to his step, she did not miss the smirk that underlay his smile. He certainly thought a lot of himself.
Pursing her lips for a moment, she waited for him to approach. “What happened last night?” she asked in a near whisper.
“Do you not remember?” he asked with mock surprise. Then he threw his head back and laughed. “I knew you had consumed quite a bit of alcohol if your breath was any indication, but so much? Such a pity, too. We had such a lovely time. Even better than I had expected. I must say, I was unsure if you would agree to my terms, but it was a pleasant surprise to find that cloth on the door latch.” He grinned at her, and she had to grasp her skirts to keep from striking him.
“If what you say is true, then you will hand over the document you signed, correct?”
The return of his laughter told her all she needed to know. This man’s vileness knew no bounds! “I find it amazing…No, that word does not quite describe it. Wonderful. Yes, it is wonderful the lengths you went to for your husband. To allow another man into your bed…”
He took a step forward and stared down at her. She was reminded of a falcon in a tree as it watched a mouse skitter across a patch of dirt before it swooped down and snatched it from the ground with a claw.
“No,” he replied. “I believe I will keep it as a keepsake as I take my rightful place here at Scarlett Hall.” He placed a finger under her chin. “Just know that every time I think of our night together and the devastation on my brother’s face when he learned of it, I will pull out that do
cument and read it over and over as I think of you.”
“You are abhorrent,” she said, seething as she pulled away from his touch. “I wish Lucifer himself comes for you while you sleep!”
She pulled her hand back to give him a right slap, but he grabbed her wrist and twisted it, causing her to cry out in pain.
“Release her!”
Harmony glanced at the top of the stairs to find Forbes hurrying down the steps.
“Release her, I say! Do not test me, for I will make you live to regret it.”
Isaac pushed Harmony away and turned a glare on the butler. “Take the harlot with you, old man,” he spat. “Perhaps she can entertain you as she did me.” He gave a hearty laugh, shook his head, and walked over to lean against one of the columns. “Now, get off my property. Both of you.”
Wiping tears from her eyes, Harmony glanced up at the house one last time. In a window, she saw her husband staring down.
“Oh, Nathaniel,” she whispered, praying he could hear her, “I love you.”
But rather than hurrying to her side, the drapes shut, proving that the chasm between them was forever set.
“Come, Lady Lambert,” Forbes said, gently taking her by the arm. “We will leave this place for now, but I will see you find a way to return.”
“Return?” Harmony asked as she stared at the butler through watery eyes. “After what I have done…” She glanced up at the darkened window. “My husband…Oh, Forbes, everything is now lost.”
“Love is never lost, my lady,” he replied as he led her to the carriage. “Sometimes it is simply misplaced.”
Harmony gave a cynical laugh. “No, it is indeed lost. My husband hates me, his brother will soon take his place in the barony, and it is all my fault.”
“Let us discuss this later,” Forbes said as he handed her into the carriage. “For now, it is time for us to leave.”
Harmony sat on the bench as Forbes closed the door. It appeared he would be driving, which she found strange. Yet, if he was being forced to leave, he may as well be her driver.
As the vehicle pulled away from the front of the house, Harmony drew back the curtains and looked out the window at Scarlett Hall, wondering if she would ever see it again.
Chapter Thirty
Isaac took a sip of his wine and stared at the array of food that sat before him. It had been a day since Harmony left Scarlett Hall — an unexpected twist in his plans. It had been his hope that the beauty would remain to allow him to ease any further desires.
Alas, it was not meant to be, but to see the misery that single act had caused his brother had been well worth the loss. His marriage to Harmony was over, and Isaac could not have been happier. Once the barony and all the benefits that came with it were transferred to him, he would write to his sisters to introduce himself to them.
He sighed. Despite his newfound happiness, he found the empty table unappealing. What he needed was a bit of entertainment, someone with whom he could share in his victory. However, before he could decide with whom he would share his triumph, footsteps came to his ear, and Nathaniel entered the room.
“Have you come to dine with me, Brother?” Isaac asked. “Sit! Eat and drink to your heart’s content. And tell me of the pain you feel concerning your wife.” He exulted in the wince those words produced.
“I am here to inform you that I will remain here in Scarlett Hall for one week. There are business matters I must complete before I go.”
Isaac smirked before taking a bite of the succulent roast beef the cook had prepared for him. “Only a week?” he asked with a raise of his brows. “Do you not wish to remain here and celebrate with me when I take your title? I will soon be hosting a grand party to make a formal announcement of my new barony to the ton.”
“Do not count me as one of your guests.”
Isaac laughed. “Our sisters will attend, I am sure. And while they are enjoying the festivities, I will make my announcement and watch them as they writhe in pain when they realize they are the true bastards.” He clapped his hands together with glee. “And all this will take place in the company of their closest friends and acquaintances! Will that not be spectacular?”
“If you have sought to destroy everything good, then you have no doubt succeeded. But why you would choose to maltreat those who are innocent is beyond me.”
Isaac snorted as he set his fork on the plate with a clink. “It is I who suffered without a father,” he said, that familiar rage rising within him. “While you and your sisters enjoyed a life of leisure, I was forced into a life of servitude, and for that, you shall all pay!”
Nathaniel took a step forward. Would the boy be foolish enough to attack him? “More important things exist in this life than a title,” he said. “I am just beginning to understand that. You will no doubt live a life of leisure, but you will do so alone. The only people who will want to be at your side are those who want your influence and wealth and nothing more. It is a sad life to live, I guarantee it.”
“Your wife would argue that point,” Isaac said but then gritted his teeth as Nathaniel rushed up to him and grasped him by his coat. “Release me or I will see you hurt in ways you cannot imagine.”
For a moment, he believed Nathaniel would not heed his warning, but finally the boy released his grip. “Harmony was innocent in all this,” Nathaniel hissed. “Pure and good. You have ruined the one person who thought you decent. Enjoy your life alone.”
Isaac rolled his eyes and reached for his wine as Nathaniel stalked out of the room. What did he care about what his brother thought? He shot a glare at one of the footmen — he had demanded that all attended him, especially on his first night as the baron — who hurried over to right the chair that had toppled to the floor.
As he continued eating, Isaac considered the months ahead. Nathaniel was right in one sense — the chances of being alone were quite high. He would need to find a woman to at least satisfy his carnal needs and perhaps then secure a wife. Even if she was a greedy minx, he could control her as easily as he controlled a hunting dog. And with his new title and wealth, he could have any woman he chose.
A figure appeared in the doorway, and Isaac sighed. “Why does everyone believe they can interrupt my dinner?” he demanded. “Are you here to admonish me, as well?” He gave an irritated stab at the lamb.
“No, Lord Thorne,” Lydia replied.
Isaac looked up at the woman. “What did you just call me?”
“Lord Thorne. That is your true name, is it not, my lord?”
Joy filled him as he looked the wheat-haired beauty up and down. She was close to his age and the tiny smile that played at the corner of her lips sent delightful shivers down his spine. “You are correct,” he replied. “Tell me, Lydia, what brings you to my dining room? I typically do not appreciate my meal to be interrupted by a servant.”
The woman lowered her head. “My apologies, my lord, but I was hoping to speak to you…” She looked up at him once more. “About what transpired.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. So, she did want one last chance to berate him for what had happened between him and her mistress, did she? He would allow her to speak her mind and then give her such a talking to her, she would leave Scarlett Hall in tears. “Go on.”
“It is none of my business, of course,” she said. “But I know what happened between you and Lady Lambert.”
Laughing, he sat back in his chair and crossed a foot over the other knee. “You could not be more correct; it is none of your business. But please, continue.”
The innocence of her gaze made his head feel light and his loins to stir, yet she seemed to have no awareness of what she could do to a man. Perhaps he could use her in the same way he had used her mistress. The thought only increased his desires.
“I know she tried to play a game with you, my lord, and in the end, she learned an important lesson.” She swayed toward him, and he had to grip the arms of the chair to keep from placing his hands on her hips as she stood b
efore him. “You’re a powerful man, my lord. I’d ask that you allow me to remain here. With you.”
“Why would I do that?” he asked. “I have no need for a lady’s maid, for I have no wife.” He laughed. “Unless you believe you will make a worthy bride, which I assure you will never come to pass.”
“Not at all, my lord,” she said. He never realized how sultry a voice she possessed. “But I can fulfill one role no proper lady would ever consider, even after you’ve taken a bride.”
He studied the woman. Her words were enticing, indeed. “Are you and that driver, David? Are you and he not interested in one another?”
She laughed, a sparkling sound of crystal. “He was quite…boring, if that’s the right word. He only wants to work and gain favor with his employer. I want something very different.”
“Oh?” Isaac asked in a choked voice. “And what is that?”
Placing a hand on his cheek, she replied, “To be near a man of great power. A man who conquers women and destroys other men.”
He thought his heart would explode through his chest when she leaned over and brushed her lips against his.”
“Only one man I know has that ability,” she whispered, “and he sits before me right now.”
She had yet to stand, giving him a luscious view of what lay beneath the fabric of her dress. Isaac could not stop himself from licking his lips, and he raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
“A glass of wine for the lady,” he said, knowing full well no lady stood before him. Then he extended a hand toward one of the chairs. “Please, sit. We have much to discuss.”
***
Although the offer had been made, Isaac had yet to invite Lydia to his bed, for he needed to test her honesty to assure himself that her allegiance was truly with him. He was not as foolish as many here likely believed. Yet, he knew firsthand how far a servant would go to appease his or her employer in order to get special treatment. Perhaps that was how Lydia had gotten into the good graces of her mistress.
Cry of the Baroness: Secrets of Scarlett Hall Book 9 Page 19
