The Madcap Marriage (27 page)

“Absolutely not!”  He pounded on a table.

His violence unleashed a temper she’d never before lost. “If you insist on being perverse, sir, Mrs. Everly and I will repair to Paulus Grange. I would rather raise eyebrows by setting up my own establishment than forgo the perfect companion.”

“But—”  He sputtered for nearly a minute before continuing. “If you must have a bedamned female hanging on your skirts, at least examine the options. Don’t hire the first floozy who raps on the door. What do you know of her?  She might intend to rob me.”

“Hardly.” She repeated Mrs. Everly’s history. “I have examined her references closely and find them impeccable.

“You can’t have contacted an agency this quickly,” he protested.

“That is true. I’ve hardly had time to think since Papa died. Rafe’s secretary handled the initial interviews.”

“Rafe?  If the woman claims he sent her, then you know she’s lying. He is a dishonorable cad, an uncaring wastrel who never looks beyond the desire of the moment, a self-centered—”

“Wrong!”  For a moment she thought he would expire from shock. “I spoke with him two nights ago, sir. He was furious at your disregard for my reputation. This is his way to make amends.”

“But that isn’t like him at all.”

“How do you know?”  His bewilderment confirmed her suspicions. “You are so busy maligning him that you never observe him. Isn’t it time to discover what sort of man he truly is?”

“I know very well what sort of man he is.”

“Then why does this surprise you?  Why did you ignore his refusal to wed me?  Why do you condemn him every time you open your mouth?  Mrs. Everly finds him generous and caring. No one has seen anything deserving censure in ten years.”

“Where there is smoke, there is fire, and the newspapers reek of smoke. Not a week goes by without new tales.”

“Forget that old adage,” she dared. “Society sees smoke long after the flames have died. People love scandal and look for it everywhere. If their expectations are foiled, they are quite happy to speculate – it gives them something to do. But that does not mean the tales are true.”

“How can you defend him after the way he treated you?”  He again pounded the table, an intimidation tactic he must use often.

She nearly quailed, but giving up might cost her Mrs. Everly. “How can you cling to your hatred when evidence proves you wrong?  Rafe is a man, not a substitute for your wife.”

“How dare—”

“I dare because everyone knows about your long feud – your public arguments made you laughingstocks. I dare because I won’t remain here if you try to draw me into your battle. Lady Hillcrest is dead. Perpetuating the past by attacking Rafe serves no purpose. He is not responsible for events that occurred before he was born. Lay that feud to rest.”

“Enough!” he roared. “He took her side. He—”

“Only because you forced him to choose sides.”

“Are you really so coldhearted that you would champion the man who jilted you?” he demanded.

She sighed, shaking her head in disgust. Hillcrest was the most pigheaded, impossible man she had ever met. She could not afford to retreat, yet entering his war would nullify standing up to him. She tried a simple fact. “Rafe did not jilt me. On the rare occasions when we met, he made his disdain clear. It was you who insisted that a betrothal existed.”

“Pauling—”

“No. Father had nothing to do with it. We will not discuss it again.”

“How dare you imply—” he sputtered. “A girl your age should know her place. No gentleman—”

“I do know my place, sir. It is you who ignore your place. You call yourself a gentleman, but no gentleman would blacken his son’s name merely to score points against his wife. How can you brand Rafe a jilt over a betrothal he refused?  Don’t you understand what you demanded?  Wedding me would have forced him into debauchery worse than the most exaggerated tales. How else could he have tolerated your injustice?”

He gasped.

“You cannot change a man’s character by force,” she continued, clasping her hands to control their shaking. “Rafe is too full of life to accept the rustication you enjoy.”

“He would have settled down.”

“Not until he’d withered and died. Lay your dreams aside, sir. If demanding he wed me was meant to expand Hillcrest’s coffers, then Rafe has done better without your help.”

“If you believe her.”

“I do. And you will, too, if you send your secretary to London with orders to collect facts. Rafe is not stupid. He knows his wife’s godmother very well and has heard many tales of her over the years. He told me that meeting her in person was like meeting an old friend. When your secretary returns, I will expect your apology. Without it, I will move back home and petition the court to appoint a new guardian.”

His face purpled. Again he leaped up to tower over her, trying to intimidate her into submission.

She concentrated on sitting still, though every instinct sought flight. Even reminding herself that he’d never been violent couldn’t lessen her fear.

But he finally resumed his seat.

“I appreciate that, my lord.” Rising, she headed for the door. “I must thank Rafe for sending Mrs. Everly. You might do the same. And you owe him an apology.”

“No.”

She paused with her hand on the latch, but his raised hand halted her reply.

“You are headstrong to a fault and too willing to think well of people you don’t know. The only way to remedy that is to prove you wrong. We will leave for Audley in the morning.”

What had she done?  She swallowed hard. This was not at all what she wanted. “Only if you keep an open mind, sir. I won’t subject Rafe to another of your tirades.”

“So be it. I’ve nothing to fear. You will admit your mistake and accord me proper respect in the future.”

That sounded ominous, but Alice knew she would win no more concessions today. She would have to see that he kept that grudging vow.

Chapter Fourteen

Helen tensed as they stopped at yet another inn to change teams. She needed to get out of this carriage so she could breathe. Rafe didn’t even have to speak to seduce her.

He’d moved to the opposite seat after lunch, but escaping his wandering hands and the brush of his thigh didn’t relax her, for she couldn’t keep her eyes from straying to his form. His presence filled the carriage, suffocating her with awareness until her heart pounded and her lungs gasped for air. His every glance tightened her nipples and pooled moist heat between her legs. Each twitch of his fingers raised memories of their wedding night. If only she hadn’t passed out. She’d been willing – nay, eager – to carry out her duties. But no more.

She grimaced. Part of her still longed for his touch, but knowledge had added a layer of fear – of the pain an attachment would cause if he left; of the pleasure he offered, for it threatened her control; of failing to meet her father’s expectations. Until she banished those fears, she could not bed him. Yet only trust could banish them.

And that was the rub. How could she trust him after seeing him with Alice?  She couldn’t even ask about that kiss, for his denials would mean nothing.

“Come inside,” Rafe ordered, flinging the door open. The words conjured images of beds until he added, “We will have a bite to eat and refresh ourselves.”

“We can eat at Audley. We’ll be there within the hour.”

“Helen.” He shook his head. “Think. Do you really want to face Steven on an empty stomach?”

Reality crashed back. “You expect him to be there, don’t you?”

“No, but he might be. So you must be strong. Come inside and eat. You will feel better for it, and it won’t delay us more than a few minutes.”

He was right, but she resented that he could remain so calm while his eyes seemed to strip her, turning her legs to mush and melting her mind. It was more proof that he cared little for her.

A servant entered as they were washing up in the Blue Boar’s private parlor.

“Tessa!” gasped Helen.

“Miss Helen!”  Tessa’s tray wobbled, spilling tea and ale.

Rafe rescued it.

Helen hugged Tessa. “My God!  Are you all right?  What are you doing here?  I’ve been so worried about you. Steven swore you’d taken a better post, but I knew you’d never leave without a word.”

“I take it you know each other.” Rafe leaned against the mantel, arms crossed.

Helen jumped. “Of course. Tessa was my maid – one of the servants Steven turned off. Tessa, my husband, Mr. Thomas.” The name rolled easily off her tongue.

“Married!  I hadn’t heard.”

“We wed last week. But why are you here?  Surely with your training you could do better than serve at an inn.” And not a very good inn at that. They had left the turnpike several miles earlier.

“I’m lucky to have this post, Miss Helen,” admitted Tessa. Her eyes flattened. “Without a reference, I mean. Sir Steven vowed he’d have me up for theft if I went near another lady. I didn’t steal nothing, sir!”  She appealed to Rafe.

“Of course you didn’t,” he agreed. “We know he turned you off because you remained loyal to your mistress.”

Helen nodded. “Frankly, I need you back, Tessa. I have no maid at all just now.”

“Really?”  Hope lit her eyes.

“Of course. You are a very good maid. And you can hardly enjoy working here.”

“No, ma’am. It’s a rough place and not what I’m used to. Serving’s the least of what they expect of me.”

“That’s over now,” said Rafe soothingly. “You can be sure I’ll hold Sir Steven accountable for what you’ve suffered.”

“Th-thank you, sir.” Tessa burst into tears, turning toward the corner to hide her emotion.

Helen laid a hand on Rafe’s arm. “You mean she had to—”  Her whisper died before she could put her fears into words.

He nodded, pulling her close. “Don’t question her. A girl without family or position has no other choice if she wants to survive. And she’s pretty enough to draw interest. With time, she will put it behind her, but she will be fragile for a while.”

Helen agreed. Females were helpless without men to protect them. Even her own supposedly secure position hadn’t kept Dudley from trying to assault her. But Rafe’s tolerance was a surprise. She hadn’t expected compassion from a rake. It was one way he differed from Alex, who had never noticed servants, let alone imbued them with humanity.

She met Rafe’s gaze. “How could Steven turn her off, knowing he was condemning her?”

“I doubt he wasted a moment’s thought on her – which is yet another insult for which he must atone. The upper classes have many privileges, but they also have responsibilities. One is to care for those dependent on them.” Tessa was wiping away the last tears with her apron, so he returned to business. “Where is your room?  I’ll collect your things.”

“Leave them,” she said, sniffing. “There is nothing here I value. McGee will know if you go upstairs. He won’t let me leave without a fuss.”

“In that case, we’d best depart. Wrap up the food, Helen. We’ll eat in the carriage.”

“Here,” said Helen, settling her shawl around Tessa’s shoulders to cover her ragged gown. “And take my bonnet. Go with Mr. Thomas. I’ll follow with our dinner.”

* * * *

“Have you heard anything about Audley since you left?” Helen asked Tessa half an hour later, seeking a diversion to occupy her mind. Rafe had shared her seat since the Blue Boar, sending sparks along her nerves whenever a bump brushed him against her. The corner of her mind that wanted more was already whispering that Rafe was not like other men. She should trust him and seduce him. Yet the corner still reeling from Alex’s betrayal countered that Rafe had too many secrets and would use her to achieve goals that didn’t include her.

“A little.” Tessa’s response made Helen jump, for her thoughts had moved far afield. “Rose’s parents live near the Blue Boar, you might recall. She visits them on her days off. We met twice. She swore you were betrothed to Mr. St. James.”

“No, though Sir Steven wished it. He wants Audley.”

“Everyone believes he owns it,” said Tessa. “I tried to set them straight, but McGee accused me of putting on airs. I needed the post. Even at its worst, the Blue Boar is better than the workhouse.”

“Why would people believe Steven’s claims?” Rafe asked Helen. “Surely they know about your father’s will.”

A good question, she conceded. Inheritance news made prime gossip, especially when a will left everything to a daughter. Not that it would have surprised anyone. Her father had described his intentions for years.

“Damn,” she murmured, suddenly sick.

“What?”

“There was no formal will reading. Mama’s collapse threw everyone into a tizzy. The doctor was sure she would die any minute. When Mr. Fielding’s clerk arrived – Mr. Fielding was too ill to travel – we spoke privately at her bedside. I told him to pay out Papa’s bequests to the servants. Everything else was in the trust and required no immediate action. But within the week, Steven replaced everyone who had known Papa’s intentions. Probate was in London.”

“So no one actually heard his words.” Rafe frowned.

“Exactly. How could I have been so stupid!”

Rafe squeezed her hand. “Sir Steven claims that Audley is his?” he asked Tessa.

“Yes, sir. And he has run it for so long that no one questions his right. He explained that Sir Arthur had arranged Miss Helen’s marriage to Mr. St. James to assure her security.”

“That would prevent questions,” conceded Helen. Many neighbors would have applauded his apparent change of heart. They had paid lip service to her authority while her father lived, but she’d known she would face battles once he was gone. In her concern for her mother, she’d forgotten that. “What else has Sir Steven been doing?”

“He doubled the rents, then turned off old Quigley when he couldn’t pay.”

“Oh, no!”  Helen stared. “Are you sure?  The books show no increase.”

“Positive. Quigley stopped at the Blue Boar on his way to his cousin’s house in Devonshire. That must be six months ago now. He said others will have to leave, too, unless the crops bring in more than usual this year.”

Helen clenched her fists. Steven must have kept two ledgers, setting up to cheat Dudley.