Where the Viscount Met His Match, page 20
“I knew he had a…penchant for young women, but until then, he hadn’t made any untoward advances toward me. He…backed me up into the library and held me against the wall. I tried to…fight him off, to call for help, but he clamped a hand over my mouth…” Mara took a deep breath, reliving it as if it were happening all over again. “That’s when Lily showed up. Somehow she’d managed to sneak into the house from the servant’s entrance. The moment she saw what was going on, she flew at the viscount.”
Now the words were coming out nearly on top of one another. Mara didn’t look at Roarke. She couldn’t. All she could do was get the rest of the sordid story out.
“She surprised him, so he stumbled backward.
That’s when she grabbed a letter opener and shoved it into his chest. Your mother walked in as the blood was dripping onto the carpet and his face was turning ashen. The look she wore likely mirrored the one I had, but once she saw my torn dress and the laundry basket overturned on the floor, she knew what had happened. I quickly explained who Lily was, even though I know I was probably babbling the entire time.” She swallowed. “We tried to help Lord Eversleigh, but there was so much blood…” She shook her head. “Lyra and another housemaid came upon us as we were helping your father to his rooms.
The servant took one look at the viscount and sent for the doctor immediately, but it was already…too late.”
“I was told my father suffered a heart condition.”
Roarke’s voice was so flat and unflinching that Mara felt her stomach sink even further.
“Your mother paid the doctor for his silence and made sure there were fresh bandages on his wound to hide the damage, but…infection set in. She thought it was for the best to keep the gossip at a minimum. I guess she assumed you would take your place as rightful heir when your father died, and she wanted the transition to be as easy for you as possible. That’s why I left. She was afraid that my presence would only fan the flames.”
“So she did it all to keep her precious place in society.”
Mara had never heard such bitterness in Roarke’s voice, unless it was when he’d first learned of her perfidy.
She dared to reach out and touch his arm. “Roarke, I know what you must be thinking of your mother, but she was just trying to safeguard your future—”
He cut her off with a wave of his hand. “She didn’t care one whit about me, only to make sure our name was up to ton standards.” He brushed Mara off and stood. “I…need some time.”
“Of course,” Mara said quietly.
With that, he turned on his heel and left.
Roarke kept to himself for the next three days, closeted in his study with only Carter allowed to enter and exit as he brought a new bottle of brandy and took away the empty one. Mara yearned to go to him, but she knew that he had to sort it all out on his own, and she figured he wouldn’t have appreciated her presence anyway—considering her sister had murdered his father.
At least there were no more secrets between them.
Either way, she knew she couldn’t remain in England after this, knowing that the man she loved would never forgive her. When he was in India, she could pretend that he was as dead to her as she had been to him, but now it would just be too painful to remain. She’d decided that once she was back in London, and as soon as Bentley was found, they would travel to America. She would accept the money from Lady Rockford, but only as a temporary loan in which she would pay back in full once they got settled.
Mara heard the distant sound of the front door closing and went to the window. She watched Roarke walk out to the stables, and a moment later he appeared leading Abel. She was glad to see that he wasn’t weaving, so hopefully some of the alcohol was out of his system by now. She hoped the ride would do him good and help to clear his head, and perhaps today he might finally decide to put something else in his stomach.
Time was running out, for if Lily were indeed headed to Eversleigh Hall, she would likely be getting close. If she had managed to gain proper transportation. But without any funds, it was hard to say where she might be. At least Mara had the foresight to write to Mr. Tuke at the York Retreat upon her arrival at Eversleigh Hall, so that if they had any more updates on Lily, they might pass them along to her.
So far, there had been nothing.
For lack of anything else to occupy her mind, Mara turned away from the window where Roarke had ridden out of sight and decided to go downstairs to the kitchens to see if there was something she could do. But the sound of a carriage pulling up the drive caught her attention.
She immediately rushed downstairs. Mara hit the bottom step just as the butler opened the front door to admit Lady Eversleigh, Lady Weston, and a man who looked vaguely familiar.
Lyra was the first to speak. “Mara!”
As the countess came forward to envelop her friend in a warm hug, she didn’t see the curious glance that Carter shot them. But when his gaze lit on Mara, she knew her suspicions about downstairs gossip had been correct.
He knew. And now they all would.
Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do about it now but weather the brewing storm.
“I assume Roarke is here too?” Lyra went on to ask, not realizing that she’d kicked over a hornet’s nest.
“He is,” Mara said evenly. “Lyra, I must speak with you—”
Lady Eversleigh piped up. “We all need to have a chat. Immediately.” With that, she led the charge into the parlor like a general commanding her troops.
“Shall I have refreshments brought in, my lady? No doubt you are weary from your travels from London—”
“No, thank you, Carter.” Lady Eversleigh interrupted, “We don’t wish to be disturbed. However, if my son makes an appearance, please send him in at once.”
“Yes, my lady.” With that, the butler bowed and took his leave.
As all four of them settled in various places about the room, Mara and Lyra sat on the settee facing Lady Eversleigh in one of the wingback chairs by the fireplace, while their companion stood near the mantle. Mara didn’t feel any of their faces boded well for the conversation to come. She just hoped it didn’t concern Bentley.
“What’s this about?” she asked hesitantly.
Lady Eversleigh lifted a haughty brow. “You don’t know?”
Lyra shot her an impatient look. “Mother, please.” With a roll of her eyes, she turned to Mara. “Mr. Davis,” she nodded to indicate the silent sentry.
“Is a Runner working for Bow Street. As you know, my brother hired a team of investigators to find Bentley.”
When Mara’s face must have gone as pale as it felt, Lyra was quick to reassure her. “As far as we know, he is still missing, but the man who had taken him has returned to England and Mr. Davis’s superior, Mr. Andrews, believes that we may be in danger. That’s why we’re here, to warn you and Roarke.”
“But why would we be in peril?” Mara asked numbly.
“Because, as usual, trouble follows in your wake,” Lady Eversleigh snapped.
Since it wasn’t a claim she could readily deny, Mara allowed the barb to hit its mark. “What does he want?”
“Money, of course!” Lavinia retorted in disgust. “It’s what people like him are always after. That’s just more of my son’s money wasted on—”
“I guess I can spend my funds on whatever the hell I want.”
All four heads swiveled around to see Roarke stride into the room with all the force of a gale wind.
The hard look in his expression brooked no argument as he pinned his mother to her seat with a firm glare.
In turn, he ignored Mara and Lyra completely as he strode over and shook the investigator’s hand.
“Mr. Davis. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to greet you. I was out riding, but I turned back upon seeing the carriage coming up the drive. I must say it’s good of you to come all this way to protect my family and warn me of any dire developments.”
“You pay us well for our loyalty, Lord Eversleigh,” the man returned evenly. “But I’m afraid I have some rather distressing news to impart.”
Once he’d informed Roarke of the new developments, the viscount frowned. “I see. So, Mr. Larkin intends to take charge of his destiny by forcing my hand in the matter.”
“It appears so,” Mr. Davis agreed.
“Do we know where he is at this point?”
Mr. Davis glanced at the women before he lowered his voice slightly. “I am given to believe that he may be headed here.”
Roarke nodded. “I will make sure and put all the servants on high alert for anything suspicious.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Lyra asked.
For the first time since he’d walked in the room, he acknowledged his sister’s presence. “Stay inside.”
He turned back to the investigator and said, “Come. Let’s take the rest of this nasty business to my study and leave these ladies to their own devices.”
As Mara watched the two men depart, she had to swallow against the heartache boiling up in her chest. Not once did Roarke even look at her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The moment the door shut behind Roarke, Mara’s lips twisted, for Lady Eversleigh wasted no time in ripping into her. “I suppose you’ve been doing your best to seduce my son while you’ve been here all alone.”
“Mother! That’s completely out of line, even for you.” Lyra exclaimed, immediately coming to Mara’s defense.
Mara laid a hand on her friend’s arm and shook her head slightly. It was time she finally stood up to the viscountess. For too long she’d allowed the older woman to intimidate her, and while she would always be grateful for her care of Lily, she couldn’t allow her to rule her life any longer. Whatever the cost, come what may, she wasn’t going to be forced to choose anything over Roarke’s love again.
He would have to be the one to tell her to go this time.
As she boldly looked into Lavinia’s harsh gaze, Mara said, “I suppose if you might consider the fact that I’ve told him everything a seduction, then yes, that’s exactly what happened.”
Lady Eversleigh couldn’t speak for a moment, but her face rapidly filled with color until Mara wondered if she might have an apoplexy. She stood up, only to grip the back of the chair she’d just vacated. “You dare to tell me that Roarke knows about…” Her voice trailed off as if the very idea was unfathomable.
“It was time.”
“We had an agreement!” Lady Eversleigh hissed.
Mara stood her ground. “And I’ve kept that bargain for the past seven years!” She countered, but her words fell on deaf ears.
“You will come to regret this.” With that parting threat, Lavinia swept out of the room.
In the wake of her departure, all was silent, until Lyra reached out and grasped Mara’s hand. “You did the right thing. In fact, if you hadn’t told him, I had my mind made up to do so.”
Mara gasped. “You were?”
“Yes,” Lyra’s dark eyes were just as stubborn as they had been long ago. “It’s time my mother learned she can’t go around trying to browbeat everyone who doesn’t suit her expectations. Trust me, for the longest time I was a failure as a daughter until I finally gave in and married Roger.”
Mara recalled the funeral and asked gently, “How did the burial go?”
Lyra shrugged. “All right, I suppose. I fear there weren’t an overabundance of attendees or tears.” Her mouth twisted. “My husband was not always known as a…favorable sort of man.”
As Mara recalled the memory of the countess’s battered face not so long ago, she could well understand that Lord Weston might not have been highly revered.
“Of course, his parents have been deceased for some time, although his younger brother and wife were there, along with an older sister, who is also a widow. While they weren’t…overly friendly, they didn’t cause any trouble either.”
“At least that’s something,” Mara said with a friendly smile.
“I suppose,” Lyra returned with a heavy sigh.
“Why don’t you go upstairs and get settled in?” Mara suggested. “You’ve had quite a few chaotic days to contend with lately. I’ll have Mrs. Hunsaker send up some tea—and maybe some fresh fruit and heavy cream?”
Mara knew such a treat was one of Lyra’s favorites, so she smiled when Lyra nearly pounced on her offer. “That sounds heavenly. Thank you.”
As they parted ways, Mara decided that instead of ringing for the housekeeper, she would go downstairs herself. She was still unsure of what was being said about her, especially now that Carter had given her that rather decided look earlier, so she felt it was best to address the matter head on.
Unfortunately, it was worse than she’d initially thought.
The moment she walked into the kitchen, nearly all activity ceased. The cook gasped as if a wayward street urchin had just wandered into her vicinity, while one of the footmen and even Sophia eyed her askance before she quickly lowered her gaze in a particularly contrite manner.
As the housekeeper came around the corner, her keys jangling at her waist, she stopped upon seeing Mara. As she clasped her hands before her, her tone was decidedly frostier than it had been upon Mara’s initial arrival. “Can I help you, miss?”
“Actually, yes. I was hoping that Lady Weston might have a tray of tea, fruit, and cream taken to her room. She’s rather weary after her journey from London.”
Mrs. Hunsaker nodded. “I will see that it is taken care of straight away, although you didn’t have to bother coming down here yourself to relay the message.”
Mara caught the barely hidden meaning. Don’t do it again. “Of course.”
Since there was nothing else she could say or do to help the situation, she gave a sigh before taking her leave.
“I was wondering when you were going to run me to ground.” Roarke made no apologizes for his crass tone when his mother dared to invade his private sitting room without being asked to enter.
Luckily for her, he was fully dressed.
“I wasn’t sure if you were going to come down to dinner.”
He turned away from his dressing table where he’d just finished tying his cravat and splayed his arms wide. “As you can see, I am fully presentable for my guests and this twisted little house party where I seem to have become the reluctant host.”
He shrugged into his jacket, ignoring the irritated sound she made in reply.
“I trust that you are going to behave in the manner of a gentleman?” she prodded.
He merely set his hands on his hips and regarded her calmly. “Do you know what happens to a badger when it is continuously baited?”
For the briefest second, her eyes flared with uncertainty and alarm, but it was quickly veiled behind her usual wall of testiness. “You are my son. You don’t frighten me. Now I expect you to—”
He cut her off. “Don’t tell me you want to do this now.”
She blinked. “What do you mean?”
He shook his head. “I suppose you want me to pretend that everything is fine, that I should simply walk downstairs and play the consummate lord of the manor to suit your wishes. If that is the case, you can forget it. After what you’ve done to me, I owe you no such esteem. I no longer dance to your tune, Mother, and the sooner you realize that the better for you.”
“How can you be so cruel?” she cried.
Roarke ran a hand through his hair. She just didn’t know when to stop, and he’d reached the end of his tolerance. “Enough!” he shouted, ignoring it when she flinched. “You want special consideration from me? How about you explain the fact that you can live with your conscience after you told me my fiancée had died and then turn around and lie about the circumstances regarding my father’s own demise?”
Lavinia lifted her chin. “A mother does what she can to safeguard her children’s welfare—”
“I’d believe that if there was any sort of honesty to it,” Roarke snarled ruthlessly, “But the only person you’ve ever thought to protect is yourself. You never once had a care for my feelings, or Mara’s, or even Lyra’s for that matter. You hated the thought of no longer being the darling matron of the ton, so you covered up a murder and made sure to pay off anyone that might challenge you. Can’t you see you’ve been playing with people’s lives! Doesn’t that affect you in any way?”
Her eyes flashed. “For years I did what I must to protect the Garrott name, including covering up your father’s petty liaisons. Mara Miller…” she practically spat the name, “…was merely one in a long line of servant girls that he tried to seduce. Some succumbed to him in the hopes that it might further their position in the household, and others dared to hold out and try for blackmail.” She stiffened her spine. “When it became apparent that you and Mara were getting close, I assumed it was merely his influence taking over. How was I to know she wouldn’t try to use her association with you to her own advantage? You were both young and naïve, and I felt the infatuation would pass.”
Roarke lifted a censorious brow. “And now?”
She narrowed her eyes. “If you wish to detest me until your last breath, I suppose that’s your choice, but I will not defend my actions any longer. Only know that my marriage was a humiliating sham, and I didn’t wish the same for you.”
She spun on her heel, slamming the door in her wake.
Roarke pressed the heel of his palm against his pounding head. He had no idea that his father had been such a libertine, but if what his mother said was fact, then he supposed she’d kept his indiscretions hidden rather well.
Regrettably, that didn’t make the knowing of it any better.
Mara was waiting in the parlor with Lyra and Mr. Davis when Lady Eversleigh joined them in somewhat of a huff. Her lips were pinched, and she walked over to the window overlooking the drive as opposed to joining their trio.
Mara had a feeling that Lavinia had just had a rather uncomfortable confrontation with her son, but when Lyra would have gone over to speak with her, Mara laid a hand on her arm. “Let me.”
