Vexing the Viscount

ith trepidation. The voices became clearer to her.

“How could you bring her into my home like this?” Braden shouted. “This is utter madness. He will kill you.”

“I don’t care. I had to protect her.”

Tia inched closer. That voice sounded like Jonathon. Who had he brought with him that had Braden so upset?

“Why are you so upset?” Jonathon asked. “He will not come after you.”

The sound of a glass breaking split the air. “Have you completely lost your mind? Of course he will blame me just as much as he will you. She is a married woman. She belongs with him, not you.”

“Look at her. I cannot bring her back to that bastard,” Jonathon’s voice boomed. “She needs medical assistance. I heard Hart married Mia. I will have Mia come over to help her.”

There was no need for anyone to call Mia while she was here. She opened the door and gasped at the sight of Emily’s battered face.

“Tia?” Jonathon stared at her in disbelief. “Oh, this is just too much.” He turned back to face Braden. “Now I understand why you don’t want Emily here. It makes perfect sense. Tia was the woman in your bedchamber making such a din. You never told her about Emily, did you? Or was this just to get back at me for stealing Emily away from you?”

“What?” Tia uttered. Braden and Emily had been what? Lovers? Courting? “What are you talking about, Jonathon?”

“Tia, it was nothing,” Braden said slowly, approaching her.

“Do not tell me something is nothing when I can see it on all of your faces.” Tia crossed her arms over her chest. “Why would Jonathon say you were trying to get vengeance for him stealing Emily from you?”

Jonathon shook his head with a scowl. “He had been courting Emily. But the first time I saw her, I fell in love with her. My brother was terribly jealous. He knows that you and I formed an attachment, so what better way to get even than to make you his mistress. You haven’t changed a bit, Braden.”

“That is not true,” Braden said roughly. His face was dark with a murderous rage.

“I can’t hear any more of this,” Tia cried. She ran from the room, knowing she had to leave him forever.

Chapter 25

Braden collapsed into a chair as he watched Tia leave. He steeled himself against the emotions screaming at him to follow her. He couldn’t bear her believing this story. Tell her the truth, he said to himself, but he could not do that. He rose to chase after her until his brother stood to stop him.

“Do not go after her,” Jonathon warned. “We have to wait and make sure she leaves.” Jonathon returned to his seat next to Emily on the sofa.

“That was the hardest thing I have ever done,” Braden admitted slowly. He walked to the window and stared outside as if to catch a glimpse of her one last time. He doubted it was the best decision, but Jonathon convinced him that he could not marry her until after this mess was settled. Braden wondered if she would ever forgive him for the deception.

“I know, Braden,” Jonathon said. “After what you and Emily told me, I am sure we can convince her that this was purely for her safety. If she was married to you, the next viscount could not make a claim for the title until after it was determined she was not carrying your child, and that could take months.”

“We could have told her that. She would have understood my reason for not marrying her tomorrow.”

“No,” Jonathon said vehemently. “She needs to be away for her own safety.”

“I understand, but it does not make the matter easier to swallow.” He glanced away from them. “I fear she will never forgive me.”

“Of course she will,” Jonathon said. “I can explain it to her.”

“No,” he said harshly. “I will make this right with her. No one else.”

“He is right, Jonathon,” Emily finally spoke up.

“I will send for Mia at once,” Braden said. He walked to the hall to speak with Nelson. “Has Miss Featherstone left yet?”

“She stormed out of here a few moments ago, my lord. Is everything all right?” Nelson looked down. “Please excuse my impertinence, my lord.”

“She and I had a slight disagreement.”

“She took her valise with her,” Nelson added.