Vexing the Viscount

“I don’t know what you mean,” she replied in a hushed tone.

“Yes, you do. Were you upstairs with Jonathon?”

“How could you think I would do such a thing to my husband

?” She pulled her arm out of his grip.

“Because I know exactly the type of woman you are, Emily. My darling Emily,” he sneered.

She looked visibly shaken. “Please don’t tell Tia about us. She is the only friend I have in town.”

“Where’s Jonathon?”

“The last door on the left. But I don’t know if he’s still there.”

“No one has else has come down those stairs.”

She nodded. “I realize that, but the servant staircase is right next to that room.”

“Dammit. Find Tia and tell her I went back upstairs for a moment. And do not let her leave without me.”

“Of course. Where is she?” Emily asked as he reached the middle step.

“The gaming room.”

Braden raced up the stairs and then ran down the corridor. When he reached the last door on the left, he threw open the door so hard it bounced against the linen press. As the door sprung back, he hit it with his fist. “Dammit!”

The room was completely empty. Once again, Jonathon had managed to evade him. He returned downstairs via the servants’ staircase, but as he expected, there was no sign of his brother. He found his way back to the hall, where Tia and Emily waited for him.

“Look who I found,” Tia said. “What were you looking for upstairs?”

“I thought I had dropped something in the bedchamber we . . . searched.”

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Emily asked in an innocent tone.

Braden only shook his head. “No. I was mistaken.”

He was tired of chasing him. Tired of trying to make Jonathon understand how important it was to be responsible. Feeling defeated, he sighed. “Lady Eldridge, may we share a ride with you? I came with my friends, but they are not ready to leave just yet.”

“Of course, my lord.”

By the time they returned home, it was after midnight and Tia was exhausted. The difficulties of trying to find Jonathon had worn them both out. Braden walked to her room and then stopped.

Dark circles lined his eyes. She reached up and cupped his cheek. “You need your rest.”

“Stay with me tonight,” he murmured. “I know you are tired. So am I. I just . . . I just need you with me tonight.”

Tia blinked back tears. “Let me get my night rail.”

She grabbed her night rail before following him to his bedchamber. “Can you help me?” she asked, turning her back to him.

Braden quickly helped her out of her dress and stays. “How much do you know about Lady Eldridge’s relationship with Jonathon?”

She shrugged before putting on her night rail. “Emily didn’t speak much about it, except to say she wasn’t sure if he was the father of her baby or her husband. There was only a week between the last time she saw Jonathon and her wedding. Why?”

He climbed into bed. “She’s hiding something from you, Tia.”

“What do you mean?” Tia slipped under the covers and then snuggled up against him. She inhaled the scent of his soap with a sigh.