Vexing the Viscount

The earl approached the bed and gently kissed his wife’s cheek. “Baines said you were not feeling well, so I came up to check on you.”

“My new friend has helped me feel much better.” Emily quickly introduced them. “I was just trying to convince Miss Featherstone that her reputation might be in jeopardy by staying alone with Viscount Middleton. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she stayed with us? She could accompany me to the parties you are unable to attend. And she could give me someone to talk to while you attend to your duties.”

“You are more than welcome to stay with us, Miss Featherstone. For my wife’s sake, I hope you will.” He gave a quick bow and then left them alone again.

“See,” Emily said with a tight smile. “Eldridge would give me anything I desire as long as I don’t make a fuss about his mistress.”

Tia cringed. This was no marriage.

“Say you will stay with me,” Emily implored.

“Middleton will be furious.” That alone should make her want to stay with her new friend. After what he did to her last night, he deserved a little retribution. But staying with Emily also would give her access to her friends in Society. This might help her find Jonathon.

“He doesn’t have to know you’re here,” Emily said with a smile.

“I suppose he doesn’t.”

And if he could not find her, he couldn’t force her to return to a position she no longer wished to do. Even as a tingle of worry crept over her, Tia said, “I’ll stay.”

Chapter 5

Braden woke slowly with a muddled feeling in his mind. He blinked a few times before lifting his hands to rub his eyes. A searing pain tore through his right arm. “Damnation.”

Looking over at this arm, he noticed the bandaging and then closed his eyes in an attempt to remember what took place the previous evening. He remembered attending a party and finding Jack. They went to a gaming hell . . . but what happened after that? Dammit, why was his brain so fuzzy this morning? Had he imbibed a bit too much?

He wondered about that for a minute. There was no sign of nausea, no headache, but his arm was aching like the devil and bandaged too. He slowly reached over and rang the bell for a footman. Not more than two minutes had passed before a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” he said gruffly.

“Good morning, my lord,” Nelson said in an unusually soft tone. “Can I get you anything?”

“My memory.” Braden eased into a sitting position. “What the bloody hell happened last night?”

“You don’t remember, sir?”

“No. I went to a party and then a gaming hell. That is the extent of my memory.”

Nelson cleared his throat. “You were shot outside the gaming hell, my lord. Miss Featherstone patched you up. She did a fine job too.”

That was not what he wanted to hear. Now he would be indebted to the little hoyden. Nelson’s words helped clear some of the cobwebs from his mind. “Thank you, Nelson. Ask Miss Featherstone to come in here. I need to thank her. And bring up some tea and toast.”

Nelson stared at his feet.

“What is wrong?”

“Miss Featherstone went for a walk in the park this morning. She told Mrs. Abbott that she would return before noon when the dressmaker is scheduled.”

Braden closed his eyes as fury rose from deep within. “You let her go for a walk. How did she even get a gown to wear?”

“Mrs. Abbott felt that since she saved your life, Miss Featherstone should be rewarded with a dress and the ability to get some air,” Nelson said softly.

“And since when is Mrs. Abbott in charge of this house?”

Nelson continued to stare at the floor, unable to meet his gaze. “I am terribly sorry, my lord. I should have stopped Miss Featherstone from leaving.”

Braden raked his fingers through his hair. “Please tell me she took a maid or footman with her.”

“I am sorry, sir. She did not.”