Always His Earl (8 page)

N
ot wanting to be far from his sister after that episode, and wanting to give Minnie and Mrs. Blake a little time off, Myles set up camp in his sister’s room after dinner. George joined him, and it took a weight off Myles’ shoulders.

“I rather expected Basil,” Myles said.

“I finally sent him to bed. He needed to hear everything about Philips. Then he needed a few drinks. I dropped a bit of laudanum in one so he’ll sleep soundly.” George sat on the other side of Claire’s bed.

“She looks so much better.” Myles examined her healing hands.

“Much. The bruising is bad but that will heal in a little time,” George agreed.

Myles dreaded asking the question but it had to come out. “What do you think

Philips would’ve done if he found her?”

“I don’t know. Tried to drag her home possibly. Interrogate the doctor. Call the authorities.”

“What could any of us be charged with? She came here of her own will. You cared for her. The doctor said not to move her.” Myles wouldn’t let George or Basil be punished for his family’s failings. His father had no right to push his sister into such a marriage and leave her to rot.

“We wouldn’t be charged. I outrank him anyway. They would force her return if that were what Philips wanted. The danger isn’t for us. Claire’s life hangs in the balance,” George said.

“I can’t go back,” a soft voice said.

Myles checked the door first, but it was Claire who spoke. “You’re awake?”

George rang the bell. “What do you need?”

She smiled. “I’m really here. It wasn’t a dream. Myles. Lord Thistledown.”

Myles hugged her gently. “You’re feeling better?”

“My head is clearer.” Claire tried to sit up, and Myles helped her rest on a pile of pillows. “I am sore everywhere.”

“Laudanum?” George offered.

“No, it’s not that bad. I want to talk to my brother.” Claire smiled as tears filled her eyes.

The sparkle in her blue eyes made him feel at ease. “I’m so sorry. If I’d known what a bastard you were forced to marry, I’d have done something.”

“What could anyone do? Marriage is for life.” Claire’s smile disappeared.

The door opened and Mrs. Blake entered. “She’s awake! You look so well, my lady.”

“Thank you.” Claire nodded.

“Mrs. Blake, please bring her something more than broth: bread, cheese, and meat. Also wake my brother. That might take some effort,” George said.

“Right away, my lord.” Mrs. Blake dashed from the room.

“Basil,” Claire said softly.

“Your husband didn’t care for you speaking to my brother. Is that why he did this?” George asked.

“Don’t upset her.” Myles glared at George.

“Please, don’t quarrel. I need you both as you were before our lives went to the devil. No, Philips won’t like my having left. He was so angry about Basil. I had to get away.” She pressed her hands to her face and winced. “All the glass. He smashed my dressing table, the mirror and all the bottles.”

“You’re safe now, and your hands will heal. Don’t worry about a thing.” George nodded at Myles.

Myles smiled. “Exactly. We’re going to take care of it all.”

“How? He won’t let me go. He holds onto his possessions like a miser. I’m nothing more or less than a prize horse. He thinks I’ve failed because I haven’t had a child yet. After two years of trying, the beatings started.” Claire sighed.

“We’ll find a way,” Myles insisted.

The door swung open and Basil, still dressed for bed, stood and stared at her.

“You’re well?”

“She’s better. Take care.” George moved aside to avoid being run over.

“I’m so sorry I dragged your family into this. Please believe me. I had nowhere else to go. He separated me from all of the friends I had before the marriage. No one would side with me. When I saw you two at the ball, I knew I was saved. You were my only hope. Philips flew into such a rage that night. I had to escape.” A tear slid down Claire’s cheek.

“If you hadn’t gotten away, he might’ve killed you,” George said.

“I’m much better than last night.” She shook her head.

“You’ve been here many nights, my lady.” Mrs. Blake walked in and set a tray over her lap.

“Days? We’re still in London? Oh God. He’ll be coming for me.” She grabbed Basil’s hand.

“He won’t get to you. I’ll kill him first.” Basil kissed her bandaged hand. George grabbed his brother’s shoulder. “Basil, stop.”

“Will there be anything else, my lord?” Mrs. Blake asked.

“No, thank you. Go to bed, Mrs. Blake. Lady Claire will need you more tomorrow.” George waved her off.

Basil resumed his argument the second the door closed. “Someone has to stop that lunatic Philips. The law may be on his side, but we weren’t raised to let women, children, or animals be beaten to death. Our family is not like theirs. Old man Harris ruined everything.”

“If she were dead, Philips would be in prison. I promise you that. We can try to smuggle her out of the country when she’s better.” George paced the room.

“I’m sorry; I didn’t think about the position I’d be putting you in. I just wanted to go home. I knew Myles was returning. Somehow, I had this dream of moving back to where I grew up. Going back to the times before the navy and the marriage ruined our lives. My father ruined so much. I was a fool. I have to go back,” Claire said between small bites of food.

“No, you’re not going back,” Myles said firmly. “If the doctor approves of moving you when he sees you tomorrow, we’ll make plans to get you out of the country.”

“I agree. We can’t be too obvious, but sooner is better. I just don’t want to risk her health,” George said.

“He’ll never stop.” Claire took a sip of water and leaned back into the pillows.

“Are you tired?” Basil asked.

“A bit. Don’t go.” She held Basil’s hand. “Please don’t challenge Philips. I can’t stand the thought of losing you.”

Myles looked at George, who shook his head. George cleared his throat. “I think

Harris and I need to discuss some things in private. I’ll send Minnie in for the night.”

“You think I’d take advantage of her in this state? I love her; I’m not an animal. I want her properly,” Basil said in a hushed voice.

“In that case, you won’t mind a chaperone, and you will not challenge Philips, no matter what happens,” George replied.

“No, I won’t. Because Claire asked me not to.” Basil’s stare challenged his brother.

“She’s my sister, Basil. If you don’t respect your family, respect me. I had no control over being put in the navy. My father disposed of me as cruelly as he did Claire. I won’t let her suffer all her life because of it. You must allow me the chance to set things right.” Myles stood his ground against the younger and emotionally exhausted man. Harris’ honor seemed in tatters and he had to repair his family and their good name.

“I understand. Philips is no better than your father. We can’t hope fate will strike again. You must act.” Basil turned back to Claire with intent attention.

Myles steered George out of the room. “He’s hurt.”

“I know, but he must be sensible or it’ll end in disaster.” George shook his head as they headed to their bedchambers.

“You don’t need to send in a maid right away. They need some time alone. I don’t doubt Basil’s honor or intentions, especially with Claire so weak.” Myles wanted his sister to have some happiness.

“I have no intention of sending anyone in there. Claire needs peace and clearly Basil comforts her. Even if he infuriates us.” George rubbed his forehead and tried to smile. “Her health is what matters in the end. What did you mean about not choosing the navy?”

“We need to put all our cards on the table. Maybe you’re willing to listen now? Please put aside the hate, anger, and hurt and just listen. I think it’s time for an early night.” Myles headed for his bedchamber.

* * * * *

G
eorge heard Myles’ door close and opened the adjoining chamber door. He charged into what used to be his mother’s bedroom and saw Myles sitting on the bed.

“You didn’t join the navy on your own?” George stood over the other man.

“No. Why would I choose that over you? My father forced it on me. It was my punishment. He found out about us.” Myles shook his head. “We were all in London for the Season. My father and brother dragged me off to a brothel after one late party. I wasn’t being social enough with the young ladies. After my mother died, those two were always drinking, whoring, and gaming. They paid a woman to give me confidence. I went in and couldn’t perform.”

Myles’ face burned like the noon sun on deck. George knelt down as he felt the world shifting beneath his feet.

“You’re not a good liar.” George smiled.

“Never have been. Though war teaches you some skills, I suppose. I tried to pay her off to say I’d done the job. But my father and brother were listening at the door. We went back to the house, and Father tossed my room like I was a thieving servant. He found your notes to me.”

George shook his head. “You and Claire deserved better than the family you were born to.”

“Father wouldn’t look the other way. He lost his mind. I told him we’d go into business together. No one would know.

“Basil would marry Claire and we’d all be one family. I tried to convince him his grandson would be an earl.” Myles rubbed the back of his neck.

“He didn’t believe you? Or didn’t care. Your father never liked me.” George’s shock grew. What Myles had to endure alone... Old man Harris was the devil. He hadn’t only threatened George but his own son.

“A young man with a title and more money than he’d ever need? If
you
had married Claire, Father would’ve loved you. Your honor got in the way. In that one discovery, he had all the power in the world over me. He threatened to expose you. I pointed out it would ruin our family as well, and I’d be hanged while you’d end up in exile somewhere.”

“So he shipped you off into the navy.” George hugged the man he’d hated for so long.

Myles nodded. “He said if I went to see you before, he’d spread the word you were seen at a Molly-House after I’d left. He’d bribe people to back his story. Even have our servants claim you’d abused them. I knew he’d do it. Since I never heard anything, I assume he never actually had to.”

“Not that I’ve ever heard about. Why didn’t you write to me? Tell me it was all your father’s doing?” George sat next to Myles.

Myles leaned back. “He said if I had any contact with you, he’d expose you. If you knew, you might have confronted him, and he’d make good on the threats. He had your notes so he could prove it. He also promised he’d disown me if I left the navy or if I contacted you. He could ruin us both and walk away. He still had his heir so Father had no use for me. I could’ve taken it. With a little warning, I’d have run off somewhere, but trapped on a navy vessel there was no out.

“If the men on the ship caught wind of my tastes, I’d be arrested. Sex with men because there are no women is acceptable, but if you wouldn’t rather have a woman, you’re a criminal. If the navy found anything in my letters, it’d be the same problem. You have a title and people counting on you as well. Going into exile would’ve been devastating. After seeing what trouble our notes caused, there was no way I’d dare put anything in writing that could be misconstrued.”

“I don’t blame you. Your father was a bastard. I thought you went to the navy for variety and escape. Your father told me...” George pressed his lips together. “He deceived us both. He had the whip hand, and we fell for it.”

“It wasn’t a game. He’d have acted on his threats if we stepped out of line. Plus, he’d enjoy it. Taking down an earl. Look at what he did to Claire. She never did anything wrong. I have to know all the truth. What did he tell you?” Myles asked.

“I went to see Claire and find out about your decision for the navy. Instead, I was faced with your father and brother hurling accusations at me. They said that you’d shown them the notes. That you claimed I’d forced you into the tryst and you were afraid to end it. By their account, you’d chosen the navy to get away and your father helped so I couldn’t get to you. They accused me of rape and abuse. I’d talked a younger man into hideous things and should have been ashamed. They’d have nothing to do with my family, and if I tried to write you or see you again, they’d make it public knowledge. Warn my servants. Make it a scandal and you’d be the victim who’d testify against me.”

George had fallen for the lies and the deceit. “When you never wrote me...”

“You believed that shit?” Myles demanded.

George closed his eyes as the fear and the shame washed over him. “I am older, only by a couple years, but I did start it all. At first, I didn’t believe it. I thought I’d hear from you, but year after year there was nothing from you, not even a letter from Claire telling me it wasn’t your choice. When your father married Claire off to that devil Philips, I knew he was serious about no connection with my family ever.”

“He was a heartless bastard to everyone. Not just us.” Myles shrugged.

“I blamed myself for Basil’s heartbreak. He resents me even if he doesn’t know why. With that guilt, it was easier to blame myself for roping you into a life you might not have wanted. You could’ve been anything. Army, barrister, vicar, navy, or any profession you chose. I pushed you to be my lover. Our siblings to be our mask.”

“No. No! I wanted you. I still love you, damn it. I wanted our plan. Basil and Claire together, making us family. A business and a life of traveling together was all I wanted.

Never once did I long for variety.”

“Neither did I. Why couldn’t your father leave us alone?” George rested his forehead on Myles shoulder.

“He put us both through hell in many ways. I had an earl but couldn’t marry him. Father wanted to punish us. I never said a word against you. I swear.” Myles pushed George back onto the bed and climbed on top of him.

“Is it true about the naval ships? There were other lovers in your years at sea, I’m sure,” George said.

Myles took a deep breath. “I gave in, I admit it. I was weak. My father picked his punishment well. Plenty of men, plenty of sex, and plenty of nothing else when not in battle. I don’t suppose the fact that I thought about you makes it any better, but it was a matter of survival.”