He must. She would have to ensure that he accepted her decision once and for all. The thing was…Portia sighed; she was not sure she believed it herself. Suddenly a life without Marcus in it seemed bleak indeed.
Chapter 17
The police station to which they brought Marcus was housed in a narrow building off Piccadilly. They kept him in a cramped room belonging to the officer-in-charge, who was busy elsewhere, with a constable on guard near the door in case he decided to make a run for it.
They seemed to think he was a desperate criminal, and Marcus supposed that at the moment he resembled one. There was a bruise on his cheek and another near his eye and several on his shins from the dais steps, which meant he limped. His coat sleeve was torn at the seam, hanging untidily down his arm, and he was missing a couple of buttons. Apart from these minor physical injuries, he was suffering from some emotional hurt—to his pride, mostly.
From masterful lover to miserable convict in one fell swoop.
The day hadn’t turned out anything like he’d visualized it.
“So, little brother,” said a familiar voice.
Marcus’s head came up and his eyes filled with relief. “Seb! About time.”
The constable watched them impassively.
“I came as soon as I could,” Sebastian replied mildly, strolling into the room. “It’s not every day my brother is held by the police for causing an affray in a public place. Well done, that must be a first for you.”
“A ridiculous mistake,” Marcus burst out, unable to restrain himself. “I wasn’t going to hurt anyone. As soon as I touched her the crowd went berserk. They were literally baying for blood. I think the police brought me here more for my own safety than anyone else’s.”
“Of course, that must be it,” his brother said dryly.
Marcus felt his momentary animation giving way to gloom. He surveyed his drab surroundings with a grimace. “Are you going to get me out of here?”
“I’m doing my best, Marcus. Be patient.”
A gentleman appeared in the doorway and murmured something to the constable, who left. Middle-aged and flabby about the waist, he looked as if he had not slept for many hours, but when his tired eyes met Marcus’s, his expression was sharp and intelligent.
“This is Chief Inspector Jack Fellows, from Scotland Yard,” Sebastian said. “Jack, this is my brother, Marcus.”
Chief Inspector Fellows gave him a little nod. “Well, Mr. Worthorne, you’ve certainly caused us some aggravation. That mob were all for marching down here and tearing apart the station to find you, but we managed to persuade them not to. Mind you, we had to call out over a hundred of our men to stop them. It was almost a riot.”
“If I could have been allowed to explain—”
“They wouldn’t have listened. They haven’t forgotten the attack on Her Majesty by that lunatic with the cane. The ordinary Londoner is beginning to think there must be dozens of these monsters roaming the streets, searching for respectable women to do harm to. Mind you, the newspapers aren’t helping. The masses are ripe for a rumpus, and today you gave them the very trigger they needed when you grabbed hold of Lady Ellerslie. You’re lucky you weren’t torn apart.”
“I didn’t ‘grab hold’ of her. I resent the implication.”
“Marcus,” Sebastian warned him. “Remember where you are.”
“You have caused the constabulary considerable disruption and expense,” the chief inspector continued. “And we saved your skin!”
“Apologize, Marcus,” Sebastian growled.
Marcus sighed. What was the point in arguing? He needed to get out of here now. “I apologize, Mr. Fellows, for any disruption I may have caused, and I am grateful for being arrested in order to save my skin.”
The chief inspector smiled. “I’m glad to hear it, Mr. Worthorne. I do understand that your intentions were to assist Lady Ellerslie, and a statement to that effect has been given out to the newspapers. Let’s hope they print it in the evening editions and the public believes it. I wouldn’t want you to be the victim of any more mob violence. In the meantime you are free to go.”
“Free?”
“You are not under arrest, sir. We have spoken to Lady Ellerslie and she confirms what you told us. We are letting you go, and your brother has offered to take you safely home.”
Marcus rose to his feet.
“I hope you have learned your lesson,” the chief inspector added.
“Learned my lesson?” Marcus glared at him. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”