A Kiss of Lies (31 page)

He had to play for time and signal Hadley to go and warn Serena to stay hidden.

“I beg your pardon. I don’t believe we have been introduced,” Christian said, trying not to portray any emotion, keeping a grip on the bloodthirsty rage surging inside him. All he wanted to do was leap across the desk and throttle the man with his bare hands. Dennett had hurt Serena—defiled her, abused her, and caused her untold pain. But killing him, no matter how satisfying, would do Serena no good.

“I’m Christian Trent, Earl of Markham, and you are …?” he uttered as if he were unperturbed, extending his hand to the enemy.

“My lord, may I present Lord Peter Dennett from Virginia,” said Hadley, moving forward to make the introductions.

Ignoring Christian’s outstretched hand, Dennett’s steely gray eyes looked right at him. “I don’t have time for this. Where is she?”

“I don’t mean to appear rude, but as I don’t know you, I’m highly unlikely to have had the pleasure of meeting your wife.”

Christian kept his eyes fixed on Dennett, who stared steadily back at him. He could feel the hatred pouring out of the man. Emotion was playing all over Dennett’s evil face—anger, hostility, and, yes, triumph.

Christian took his measure. Dennett was in his late twenties, well dressed and exceedingly handsome. Christian’s mouth twisted in wry surprise. The way Serena had described her husband, he’d thought Dennett would be as ugly as hell. It appeared he was only ugly on the inside.

Christian’s guts twisted at the thought of Serena having belonged to this man. Sickening images plagued his mind. It was as if his nightmares had sprung to life. Dennett couldn’t still be alive and here to claim her. This couldn’t be happening, he told himself, even though his mind knew the truth of it.

“Are you sure you’re in the right house?” He had to buy himself time to think. How long would it be before Dennett learned she was at Sebastian’s house? He had to warn her.

With a sly smile, Dennett ventured, “She told you I was dead, didn’t she? Silly bitch—she only knocked me out.”

Christian offered no comment and watched with satisfaction as Dennett’s mouth grew taut in displeasure.

“Lady Serena Castleton is my wife,” Dennett stated, “and she is legally bound to me. As
you are clearly a gentleman, had you known of this, I’m sure you would have sent her home, where she rightfully belongs. Obviously this has come as a shock, and I forgive you your oversight. However, as I have now made the situation clear, would you be so kind as to summon her? I intend to take her home.”

From the look in Dennett’s eyes it was clear he forgave nothing. If Dennett believed they had been lovers, he certainly wouldn’t forgive Christian for sleeping with his wife. Christian swallowed his bile. He knew who would pay for the affront—Serena.

“I employed a Mrs. Sarah Cooper, and she left this household soon after she’d come forward as a witness to help clear up a misunderstanding surrounding me.”

Dennett’s smile taunted him. “Don’t lie. I’m not some stupid lackey you can fool with your status and title. My brother is a marquis. Where the hell is she? Bring her to me!” He thumped his riding crop against his knee-high boots for emphasis.

Thoughts ran wildly through Christian’s head, crashing and sliding and almost tipping him over the edge of sanity. How long could he hold Dennett off before the law would force him to hand her over? He had to get her away from here. He looked at Hadley. Hadley gave a slight shake of his head, as if to say,
I can’t help you
.

Christian gulped at his brandy, hoping to wash down the bile that was threatening to choke him.

He set the tumbler back on the desk. “I think you may be mistaken,” Christian coolly stated. “The only young female under my roof and protection is my ward. I think, Mr. Dennett,” he almost sneered, “you’d best take your leave.” That was all Christian could think to say on the spur of the moment; he had to get rid of these unwanted guests, and fast. He would die before he gave Serena back to her husband.

“Sarah Cooper is Serena.”

“That hardly seems likely, but as she is no longer in my employ”—that was the truth, she wasn’t—“it does not concern me. If you can’t keep hold of your wife—”

The man standing behind Dennett interrupted, “She was here this morning. I saw her.”

Christian chanced a glance at Hadley, who nodded. Christian prayed he understood his meaning—get to Serena promptly. Hadley, unobserved, edged closer to the door.

“Are you calling me a liar?” Christian said, his tone icy.

Christian knew the law. Serena had no rights here. Dennett could take her; she legally
belonged to him. But they would have to go through him to do it. He’d been too young to protect his mother, but he would protect Serena, always.

“Lord Markham, don’t take me for a fool. Serena is my wife and I know she’s here. I have sources, people who have seen her.”

“I’ll admit a Mrs. Cooper was in my employ, but I state categorically that she is no longer employed in this household,” he said in a frigid tone.

“Mrs. Cooper is Serena. I want the woman who is masquerading as Sarah Cooper brought in front of me now, or I’ll have my men search this house from top to bottom.”

Christian didn’t move. He stood calmly, defying Dennett. He would not allow himself to lose his temper and let Dennett get the better of him.

“I have missed her terribly. The nights have been so lonely without her.” Dennett grinned lecherously at Christian. “I have a lot of lonely nights to make up for.…”

Rage roared in Christian’s head. Images of Serena and this man in bed possessed him. His stomach rioted with nausea. It took all his self-control not to leap across his desk and thrash Dennett senseless, but that would give the game away.

“Mr. Dennett, there is no call for that tone. Lord Markham is a gentleman, and if he says Serena is not here, then we must take his word for it.” Hadley had finally come to his aid. “After all, it is not Lord Markham’s fault you have, ah, misplaced your wife.”

Christian almost smiled.

Dennett’s face grew purple with rage. “I should simply take his word because he is a gentleman?” he spat.

“Well, as a gentleman, I should be asking you how you came to lose your wife in the first place. What would make her want to leave you, run from you, hide from you—attempt to kill you? Perhaps your wife did not find the nights as pleasurable as you did, Dennett.” Christian’s voice was cold.

Dennett’s companions held him back as Dennett lunged at Christian. “You son of a bitch! You have Serena and I’m not leaving here without her, even if I have to tear this place apart stone by stone. Bring her to me
now
.” Dennett was ranting, mad, a man possessed by uncontrollable rage.

In a dangerously quiet voice Christian said, “You will take your men and leave this house immediately. My patience has ended. I’ve said Serena is not here. My word is all that matters in
this house.”

As if on cue, the door to the study opened to reveal two further Libertine Scholars—Maitland Spencer, the Duke of Lyttelton, and Arend Aubury, Baron Labourd.

Hadley smiled. “Did I forget to mention I’d invited these gentlemen for a nightcap?”

“Can we be of service, Christian?” Maitland asked as he leaned nonchalantly against the door frame, filling it with his massive bulk.

Seeing the two men, especially Maitland, the fight left Dennett and his men. “This isn’t finished. I will have my wife,” Dennett snarled. “Serena is not yours. She belongs to me, and I’ll never let you have her. I’ll petition the Crown if I have to. There is not a court in this land that will rule against me.” Peter Dennett turned and stormed out of the study.

Hadley lagged behind, waiting until the three men had left the house. “They have no idea she’s at the Coldhurst house. I’ll follow them to see what they will do next.” He looked bleak. “This won’t end here and you know it. The law is in his favor. In their eyes, he has every right to take his wife.”

“Not if we can prove abuse, surely. Do you think that would be the honorable thing to do? Hand her back to someone from whom she fled thousands of miles, risking life and limb and reputation?” Christian held his temper in check at the unfairness of the situation, but only just. He hung his head, running his fingers through his hair in exasperation and despair. “We’ll help her fight for a divorce. We can prove his cruelty.”

Reaching the doorway, Hadley turned to Christian. He hesitated before saying, “May I give you some advice, Christian? Get Serena as far from here as possible. A man like Dennett does not fight fair. Who knows what he might do if he finds her,” and he quietly left the study.

Maitland, with his usual cool, clear logic, said, “I’ll put a discreet watch on the Coldhurst residence. We need to know if any of Dennett’s men are sniffing around. But I agree with Hadley—get Serena out of town at once. Is there somewhere you could take her where they’d not think to look?”

Christian sank into his chair, head in hands. What a mess. Fullerton was right. The law was not on his side. But in spite of that, right was.

Arend interrupted his morose thoughts. “I have a cottage near York. No one knows of it. My mother and I stayed there when we first arrived from France. I bought it years later for sentimental reasons. I never go there. You’re welcome to use it.”

How appropriate—they’d come full circle from York, Canada, to York, England. “Thank you. But how can I help her from York? I’m of more use here.” He humbled himself. “Could you take her there?” he asked Arend.

Arend Aubury was more English than French, even though he was French by birth. His family had fled the revolution when he was a child. He had a debonair presence the ladies could not resist. His dark coloring labeled him as foreign. His olive skin was highlighted by his brown hair, and his almost black eyes gave him a Mediterranean look. His heritage was there for all to see, and Christian trusted him like a brother.

Maitland spoke up before Arend could answer. “If you stay, on what grounds will you fight her case? You know the law. For women, adultery is no grounds for a divorce even if the husband does agree. As far as mistreatment is concerned, it’s his word against hers regarding his cruelty. Unless Serena can prove that her life was at risk, it will be almost impossible for her to get a divorce, particularly if Dennett does not agree.”

For one moment, Christian wanted to hit his heartless friend. He bristled like the black, short-cropped hair on Maitland’s head. Short and to the point was Maitland, there was no doubt of that. He had no idea of polite discourse, nor did he care. But Christian didn’t need the helplessness of his situation spelled out so plainly. “She can prove it with scars.”

Maitland’s cool demeanor seemed to desert him momentarily. “Scars? Bloody bastard.”

“Better idea: we’ll make her a widow.” Arend’s slight French accent sounded so evil.

Christian was sorely tempted by his suggestion but shook his head. “If I could do it in an honorable fashion, I would, but as for cold-blooded murder? That would not be principled. I’m damned if I’ll stoop to his level.” He gulped down his brandy. He jumped to his feet. “That’s it. A duel. I’ll challenge him to a duel.”

Maitland rose and pushed Christian back into his seat before going to refill his glass. “I concur. Your honorable solution is logical, since she can show he mistreated her. The world will be a better place without Dennett.”

“We need to keep her safe and hidden from Dennett until then.” A possessive fire inflamed his skin. Serena was his. She belonged to him, and he was not about to give her up to anyone, especially not to a husband who’d likely sail away to ensure she disappeared for good. He didn’t even put it past Dennett to kill her.

“Even killing Dennett honorably in a duel, Prinny will be hard-pressed to pardon you.
After all, Serena is Dennett’s wife, and his brother is a marquis. However, if the Prince could be persuaded that it is a question of a lady’s safety … Lady Serena always was one of his favorites. Besides,” he drawled, “Prinny is always in need of money, and you, Christian, have a lot of it. Hadley has secured a signed pardon for Sebastian, so let us pray that when Prinny sees Serena’s scars and hears of her treatment, a large amount of coin will soften his stance.” He shook his head. “And let us pray the Marquis is not overly fond of his brother!”

So Christian had his solution. “Damn! I should have challenged him tonight. Even if I have to flee England, I can take Serena with me, and I’ll at least save her from that monster.”

Arend burst his euphoria. “Aren’t we forgetting something? Your right shoulder does not function well. Is it your shooting arm? Has the burn damage affected your ability to hold steady and aim? What if he kills you? Then who will help Serena?”

“One of you will. Sebastian has already promised to help her.” The thought of any man with Serena cut him up inside, but if he died in this duel, he’d want to see her protected. He’d want to see her happy.

Arend smiled. “A better solution would be to ensure he doesn’t kill you. I’d like to see you practice, and perhaps we could treat the tightness in your shoulder.”

Christian rotated his arm through the air. “Serena has been rubbing liniment into the muscles, and it does help.”

Maitland stood. “Good. Then we have a plan. A risky plan, I admit, but the odds are in your favor. Dennett has never fought a duel. He prefers to run and hide.”

Christian rose too. “Then what will make him fight this one? I don’t want Dennett taking drastic action in an attempt to avoid a duel—it might put Serena in further danger.”

Maitland patted him on the back. “We will have to challenge him in an open forum, in a place where he will have no option but to accept. Then I’ll start a wager on the outcome at White’s. If it’s public knowledge, it would look very suspicious if anything happened to Serena.”

Arend rose and collected his gloves off the table by the door. “I agree with Christian. Dennett will try to run. He only brutalizes those weaker than himself. We will have to ensure we keep Serena safe and away from him until after the duel. With a dishonorable man like Dennett, there is no disputing she’s in danger.”