Vexing the Viscount

Braden stopped walking and scowled. “Tia might be safer alone than with me right now.”

“You seriously think that maid tried to poison you?”

“Do you have any other ideas on how that belladonna got in my brandy? Tia told me it had come from her bag. Then Mary disappears.”

Hart shrugged. “Poisoning is a woman’s method of killing. But you didn’t know her, so who hired her to do it? I doubt she just decided to join your household staff and murder you.”

“That’s what I want to know, but no one has seen her. I spoke with Alistair and he seemed genuinely upset by everything. I just don’t think it was him.” Or maybe Braden was losing his touch at knowing when a person was lying to him.

“Well, he should be upset if it wasn’t him. After you and Jonathon, he’s next in line.”

“True, indeed.”

“What is so important about this title that has people killing over it?” Hart asked. “It makes no sense to me. Was it well-off?”

“The estate is slightly profitable, but scarcely worth killing over. But we can finish this discussion later.” He nodded to the ladies walking out of the salon.

Tia had a large smile on her face that warmed him. He was glad her reunion with her sister went better than she’d expected. But he did wonder what they had been plotting.

Once they were all seated, the footmen served them a fine breakfast of ham, eggs, sausage, bacon, kippers, rolls, coffee, and tea. Braden’s stomach rumbled as he smelled the aromas in the room. “Thank Mrs. Abbott and Cook for arranging this on such short notice.”

Mr. Nelson nodded.

“So I am assuming you two would like to spend the day together,” Braden said to Tia and her sister.

“You don’t mind, do you?” Tia said with a smile. “It has been weeks since we’ve had any time together.”

“Of course not.” Braden felt a rush of relief through his body. Now, she wouldn’t insist on going with him to Emily’s. “Hart and I are going to search an area of town for Jonathon. It is not a good area, so I would prefer you stayed with the countess.”

“The countess?” Mia said with a laugh. “You are going to be my brother-in-law. Please call me Mia.”

“Thank you, Mia,” Braden said before staring at Tia. “But am I to be your brother-in-law? I have not heard anything to be certain.”

“Give her time, Middleton,” Mia replied with a smile.

As breakfast finished, Braden ordered a coach, allowing the women to use Hart’s if they wanted to go out. Before leaving, he did ask them to take an armed footman shou

ld they decide to go anywhere.

Hart and Braden arrived at Emily’s home just past eleven. It was early for morning calls, but Braden didn’t care. He would prefer no one discovered he and Hart were here. By now, hopefully Eldridge would be at the club or riding through Hyde Park.

Hart gave his card to the butler at the door and they were welcomed into a small salon. It took Emily twenty minutes before she finally arrived at the threshold of the salon and then she stopped.

“Middleton, I was not told you were here,” she muttered.

“You know why I am here,” he replied.

“Yes, but not why the earl is with you. And congratulations on your marriage, my lord. I would love to meet your wife.”

“Thank you. You have already met her sister. In fact, you know her quite well,” Hart said with a slight grin.

“I have?” She entered the room hesitantly, choosing the chair closest to the door.

“Yes. Miss Featherstone is my wife’s twin sister. Though, they look nothing alike,” Hart added.

Emily’s face went pale. “Tia is your wife’s sister?”

“Yes, she is.” Braden said no more as a footman brought in tea. Once he left, Braden continued, “But we are not here about the women. I want to know where Jonathon is, Emily.”