Tainted Bride (26 page)

Fenton and Jasper rushed in and attacked Pundington, but the maniac was tall and strong for his age.

Fenton took a hard blow, but the effort unbalanced Pundington and Jasper ran headlong into his gut.

They were wrestling on the floor when Thomas walked in, pulled Alistair to his feet, and punched him in the nose.

There was a satisfying crack and he went to the floor holding his bleeding nose.

Jasper leaped to his feet and helped Fenton to his. “Shall I throw him to the curb, sir?”

Thomas surveyed the room. “Listen to me carefully. Go call a hack to come around to the back door. Fenton, are you well enough to get a few footmen to put this trash in the hack and see he is taken away?”

“Yes, sir.” Fenton straightened his vest and collar.

“Good. See to it then and take him out of here.”

Sophia sat on the couch holding her cheek and straightening her dress.

The servants grabbed Alistair under the arms and dragged him from the parlor as if he was a sack of flour.

“He will always come for me,” Sophia said. She clutched the shoulder of her torn dress.

Thomas sat next to her. “He’s gone. You are all right now, Sophia.”

“My lady?” Marie ran into the room. Wide-eyed, she gaped at Sophia.

“I’m fine, Marie,” Sophia said softly.

“We should call the constable. You have been injured,” Marie said.

Thomas touched her bruise lightly. “She is right, Sophia. We should call the constable and a doctor to have a look at you.”

“I don’t need a doctor and I don’t want the authorities. There will be a scandal if we call someone.”

“You will tell Daniel what happened.”

Daniel would be furious. Her past would always follow her and poison everything good in her life. She had done a fine job of that herself. Better for him not to know and maybe they could start again.

“If you do not, then I will.”

“I thought you were my friend, Tom.”

“That is precisely why I’ll tell him. I know you think we are all soft Englishmen, but your husband and I have served this country in many ways. We are not without resources.”

Thomas had always been so affable. Why was he so determined when she needed secrets kept?

“I did not know you were in the Army. Was Daniel a soldier?” Daniel had told her little about his past after Eton.

“I was not in the army and we were both soldiers of a sort. It is a long story and one better told by Daniel. I’m sure he would not appreciate my divulging a past best forgotten.”

“What is going on here?” Anthony was so tall he filled the door, but he was only beginning to fill out so he was lanky. His anger was obvious but his youth just made him seem petulant.

“Anthony, what are you doing here?” Sophia asked.

“Your sister has been hurt. Do you know where his lordship is?” Thomas said.

“She was hurt and you just happened by to assist her.” Anthony pointed his long finger.

“Tom.” Sophia touched his arm to keep Anthony from incurring his wrath. “It might be best if you left. I’ll explain things to my brother.”

“Explain what to me? I need nothing explained. I have eyes and can see for myself what is going on here. You are—”

Thomas rushed forward and grabbed Anthony’s cravat. He pulled him so their noses were an inch apart. “Do not finish that thought, boy. Because of my friendship with your sister, I’m not going to call you out for what you are suggesting, Braighton. I’ll warn you, I shall not do you this service again.”

Thomas released Anthony, bowed to Sophia, and left Fallon House.

Sophia sat on the high backed chair. “Please, sit down, Anthony.”

He turned his back to her. “I would prefer to stand. Who hit you? What was Wheel doing here? Where is your husband?”

He thought she would engage in a dalliance so soon after their father’s death and a few weeks after her marriage. Answering might leave him with an even worse impression of her. Her first instinct was to make up a story to tell him. She wanted to protect him from the truth and preserve the innocence that had been ripped away from her. She opened her mouth ready with a plausible lie, but he didn’t even look at her. Lies had gotten them to this point. She had to tell him everything.

“It would be easier if you would sit, Tony. You are not going to like what I have to tell you, but I swear to you it is all the truth. Please sit with me for a few minutes if only because I’m your sister.”

He sat several feet away from her. He looked ridiculous perched on the little chair as if he might leap up at the slightest provocation.

“What I’m about to tell you is difficult for me, but I should have told you a long time ago. I don’t want to tell you, but it is clear the price of keeping my secret is losing my brother. The cost is too high.” She told him everything of the night three years earlier and how she’d never wanted to marry. She explained about Pundington tearing her dress at the ball and finally, she told him what happened earlier that day.

By the time she was finished, she was exhausted and Anthony was kneeling before her with his head in her lap. She combed her fingers through his soft, dark hair.

“I have been an ass. How can you ever forgive me? Why is that bastard not rotting in a jail cell?”

A smile tugged at her lips. “There is nothing to forgive, though you probably should apologize to Thomas Wheel.”

His head snapped up and he looked like a boy. “My God, yes, I must. I shall try to find him today.” He stood and brushed himself off. “The earl knows about all of these past events?”

“He knows. I told him before we were married.”

Every emotion and thought shone in Anthony’s eyes, his initial surprise at learning Daniel knew the state of her virginity, followed by admiration.

She cursed herself for her recent treatment of her husband. Though he’d been late in arriving in London, he’d come and he’d not railed against her when she refused to share his bed. She had seen his anger but not feared him. Her night terrors made her send him away, but now it was clear how foolish it was.

The large clock in the corner read half past four. Daniel should have been home. She hated that he never discussed his business with her.

“Is something else wrong?” Anthony asked.

She shrugged. “No, I was just wondering where his lordship is at this hour.”

He sat on the tiny chair again. “I’m sure he will be home shortly. Sophie, forgive me for asking, but why have you not prosecuted Pundington? He belongs in prison for what he did.”

“It would have brought a scandal down on the entire family. It would have ruined me and likely made it difficult for you to marry as well. Mother and Father did not want to risk it and I just wanted to hide from the world.”

“And now?”

The idea of letting the world see the true Alistair Pundington was tempting, but she cringed at the public knowing her story. “Now, I would like him to pay, but I don’t want to cause scandal and trouble for Daniel. I don’t think I could tell my story to a stranger. Look at how long it took for me to tell you.”

“Have you discussed prosecution with his lordship?”

His question was so simple, yet so complicated. “I have not.”

He smiled at her. “I won’t tell you what to do, Sophie, but perhaps you should talk to him. He seems a reasonable fellow.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Anthony stood and straightened his cravat. “Will you be all right if I leave? I want to check and see if I can find Wheel at the club.” Anthony had fallen into London fashion with ease. He appeared quite the dandy and it distracted her from her problems.

“I’m fine. Fenton will not allow anyone else in the house today unless they are family. I’m tired anyway. I think I’ll nap until supper.”

He kissed her cheek. “Then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Even with her face bruised and sore, Sophia was still lighter somehow. The weight of her secret had suffocated her. Shedding the shame she’d carried around like a turtle’s shell lightened her heart. Now, exposed to all the people who mattered, it amazed her that they all still loved her. The vulnerability she’d expected transmuted into a kind of freedom.

Wherever Daniel was, he would be home soon. She would nap, bathe and then dress for dinner. When he arrived home, she would be irresistible to him. Repairing her marriage was the most important thing.

Thomas sipped his brandy and thought seriously about going home early. On the way he would stop at Fallon House and speak to Daniel then spend a quiet evening at home.

Anthony Braighton cleared his throat and looked sheepishly at him.

Thomas frowned. “What do you want, Braighton. I warn you, I’m in a foul temper.”

“I owe you an apology, Wheel. I jumped to a conclusion and it was the wrong one. I have already apologized to my sister, but felt I should find you and do the same.”

“Have a seat, Braighton.”

“I’m indebted to you for arriving at such an advantageous moment.”

He shrugged. “The footman and the butler were already making good progress. I merely finished the job.”

“Still, I owe you.” He paused and his inner struggle appeared in every twist of his expression.

Thomas laughed. “Never play poker, Braighton. You and your sister have the easiest faces to read that I have ever seen.”

Anthony grinned. “I try to avoid the card table. Unless I’m extremely lucky, I always lose.”

“You have something you want to ask me?”

He looked around nervously. “It’s about Pundington. I have been foolish and given him some money for a deal. I’m now worried he might be doing something illegal. I’m not sure what to do.”

Thomas frowned. “Did you discuss this with Marlton?”

“I will, but he was not home.”

“When did you leave Fallon House?” Thomas’s heart beat faster. Years of training to serve the crown snapped him to attention.

Anthony sat up straighter. “I just left there thirty minutes ago.”

Thomas looked at his watch. “He never showed up for our appointment.”

“Perhaps he was delayed.”

He narrowed his eyes at Anthony. “I have known Daniel Fallon for over twenty years and in that time he has never missed an appointment. Never.”

“You’re concerned there has been foul play?”

“I do not know. I’ll look for him and we shall see. Perhaps you are right and he was merely detained by his morning appointment.”

“I’ll help you look.” Anthony bounced and slapped the table. Thomas gave Anthony several places to check, but kept the more delicate locations for himself. He hadn’t been to the opera in a while, but it seemed he was going there tonight. Checking his watch again, he had time to check a few other places first.

They parted, saying they would meet at Fallon house at eleven the next morning.

After checking two pubs of questionable reputation, Thomas discovered Daniel had not been in either one in years. He also recalled why they had grown up and stopped frequenting such pitiful places. The stench of the last place lingered on his coat and he shuddered at the memory of the actual rank odor encountered when he opened the door. He was glad his lost youth was lost and they had outgrown such folly. They might have ended up like Michael’s father and sent their families into ruin over bad drink and crooked gambling.

The opera house was a much more pleasant sight and the air was far better. Thomas strode to the back of the theatre and gained passage to Miss Charlotte Dubois’s dressing room.

She wore a red gown with black lace that caressed her figure. He hadn’t noticed what opera was being performed, but he would certainly pay to see Charlotte in such a dress for a few hours.

“Hello, Madam.” He bowed deeply.

“Monsieur Wheel, how wonderful to see you again. It has been too long. Have you come to hear me sing?” She turned fully toward him showing off the daring cut of her gown.

Thomas gazed at the expanse of full breasts blossoming out of her dress. He smiled and looked back up to her face, which was also lovely even with all the makeup required for the stage. “I’m afraid not, Madam. I’m searching for my friend, Lord Marlton. I was wondering if you have seen him lately. It is of great importance that I find him.”

A sad smile crossed her face, but transformed to her normal bubbly façade. “I’m afraid, no. I have not seen him in months. Not since the night we went to the theatre together. It was clear then he was enamored with a lovely girl with dark hair and unusual eyes. I knew then I would never see him again.”

Thomas was both sorry she hadn’t seen him and glad Daniel hadn’t taken up with his mistress after his marriage. He smiled coyly. “Do not tell me that a woman of the world such as yourself was toppled by love.”

She didn’t laugh as he expected, but sobered. “Love…no, but I did like his lordship quite a lot.” She shrugged and beamed before walking closer. “Perhaps you would enjoy taking me to the theatre one evening, Monsieur Wheel?”

Charlotte’s luscious curves and bright wit tempted him. She displayed herself like a candy in the store window eager to be gobbled up. “I can think of little I would enjoy more, but I do not think Daniel would like it even if he is blissfully in love.”

“Is he? I have heard a rumor that this is not the case.”

“London is full of rumors, as you well know. This one will pass when the ton is bored with it.”

She shrugged again. “I’m both happy and sad. I thought perhaps his lordship’s marriage would not prevent us from being friends, but if you say it is not true then I must look for another friend.”

“I’m certain you will have little problem finding an excellent friend, madam.” He kissed her hand, bid her good night, and rushed from the opera house.

At one o’clock in the morning, he instructed his driver to take him home. He was exhausted and drunk. He’d gone to every club and pub he remembered, where Daniel might be found. In each one, he had a drink to encourage easy talk from the other patrons. It had all been for nothing. No one had seen the Earl of Marlton.

Knowing he must be missing some clue to Daniel’s whereabouts, he couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned. “Damn.”

Thomas tossed the covers aside, grabbed his robe and went to his office. It would be a long night. He rang for coffee and went over all the events once again.