Vexing the Viscount

Braden stared at his wise woman as she gazed at the street below her. Her reasons for going to London to get away from a life where she’d done nothing but help other people made some sense, but he felt she was hiding something from him. Perhaps she truly needed a little holiday to refresh herself. But why would she think Jonathon needed her? She couldn’t possibly know of all his problems.

Could she?

“Why?” he finally asked.

“Why what?”

He sighed and felt his head start to spin a little. Damn her. She must have sneaked some laudanum into his brandy. She should have asked him first. “Why does Jonathon need you?”

“I promised him I woul

d not speak of it to anyone.”

He scowled. Perhaps Jonathon had admitted his past transgressions to her. Braden doubted that his brother would have confessed his sins to someone he barely knew, but it was possible. Had their relationship progressed farther than Braden had thought? And why did that bother him? It certainly should not. They were both adults and could live their lives any way they wanted . . . as long as Jonathon had stopped the opium.

“Miss Featherstone, this is my brother we are discussing. I am worried that something might have happened to him. Now, what do you think you know?”

She shook her head. “He told this in confidence and I will not break that confidence.” Tia moved to the table to gather her things as if to leave the room.

Ignoring the biting pain in his arm, he reached over and grabbed her arm. Tugging her back to the bed, he forced her to sit down. He sat up and leaned closer until their noses were almost touching. He stared into her amber eyes. “Tell me.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything. And even if I do, chances are you will never remember it come morning.”

The spinning in his mind was driving him mad. Or was it her nearness? Either way, he needed some control. He forced himself to lie back against the pillows. “Why?”

“Because in about a minute, you will be fast asleep.”

Braden fought for control but that damned drug was making him sleepy. “You did this on purpose, didn’t you?”

Her light laugh filled the room. “No, but now I am quite happy I did.”

He closed his eyes, but when he tried to reopen them he found his lids too heavy to lift. The bed squeaked as she rose. There was nothing he could do to stop her.

“Good night, my lord.”

And then darkness overcame him.

Chapter 4

Tia awoke early the next morning and rang for assistance. Her encounter with the viscount last night had emboldened her. Mrs. Abbott arrived a few minutes later with a sour look upon her face.

“Back in your bed, I see.” The woman folded her arms over her measly bosom.

“Mrs. Abbott, I would like a suitable dress to wear immediately.” She tilted her head and gave the housekeeper smug grin. That old biddy could believe whatever she wanted. Tia Featherstone could take care of herself.

“Lord Middleton has not ordered me to give you any clothing.”

“Why?”

Mrs. Abbott stared at her. “He didn’t want you to run off.”

Tia laughed. “Where would I go? I have no money and have no friends in town.”

Mrs. Abbott shrugged.

“Besides, Lord Middleton is in no condition to give orders.”

Mrs. Abbott’s face drew pallid. “I heard he was hurt but nothing more. I assumed he was perfectly well since the surgeon was not called for.”