Lord Phillip's Folly Page 9

  The blue eyes of the father met the identical set in the son from across the room and the tension sizzled.

  Lord Manchester finally spoke. “I look forward to hearing it. We are an old and noble family and if there is justification for your actions, we can overcome this tittle-tattle currently spreading amongst our peers.”

  More might have been said, but the butler arrived to announce dinner was served.

  Lord Manchester escorted his wife to the dining room and Lord Westcombe provided a double escort to his wife and sister.

  ~*~

  Stilted conversation marked the meal, covering events among the beau monde.

  Penelope delighted in detailing for them all the various men who had been vying for her attention.

  Phillip dutifully gave his impressions on the worthiness of each seeking her hand.

  When the ladies departed so the men could enjoy their port, Lord Manchester spoke. “Tell me all now, Phillip, so we may put this behind us.”

  Phillip bristled but hid his emotions as he sipped his wine. “Beth came to me at Penny’s ball, seeking help. She was to be forced to marry Lord Wolton. She was terrified. Lord and Lady Remington provided a safe shelter for her and removed her to Rose Hill the next day.

  “I came to visit out at Rose Hill a few days after and realized that I cared deeply for her. To keep her safe I obtained a Special License and wed her immediately before Follett or Wolton could force her. She is of age. Her inheritance is hers. I had no need of a dowry.”

  “No need? How could that be? You cannot expect to support a wife on your allowance.”

  “I’ve tried to tell you before, Father, that I am financially solvent. My estate prospers, as have my investments. I can support a wife with ease. Not luxury, but definitely with style.”

  “Hrmppff. As long as there were no dirty dealings on your part or inappropriate behavior. You didn’t compromise the girl, did you? If you had I could have bought her off easily enough and spared you—”

  “I did not bed her until our wedding night and I find I am well-pleased with my choice of bride.”

  “That remains to be seen.”

  “Will you support me in this?”

  “For the sake of the family name, I will. I’m disappointed in you. I fully expected you to aim far higher in seeking a bride.”

  “I doubt I would have found one as well-suited to me as Beth is. I am content in my marriage.”

  “At least you are not foolish enough to be in love. What a disaster that could prove to be for you.”

  Phillip sighed inwardly. Love? Maybe he didn’t go into marriage in love, but he feared he might be well on his way there. He neglected to speak of the attack on the journey to London and the danger he and his wife might be in. “Have you heard anything about Lords Follett and Wolton?” Phillip asked.

  “No. Strangely enough there’s been no talk and it wasn’t until the notice of your marriage appearing in the paper that speculation about the matter was resurrected. They’ve not been seen or heard from.”

  Whatever was going on with Elizabeth’s father and erstwhile groom, they were keeping their secrets close. Phillip understood the danger of assuming their silence guaranteed any safety for him and his bride.

  ~*~

  Beth sank into the squabs on the way home and he squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. They will come around to loving you as I do.”

  “I hope so, Phillip.” The look she gave him indicated she doubted the veracity of his words. He had much to prove to her about just how much he really did care for her.

  ~*~

  Lord Wolton,

  You have failed to deliver on your promise. Where is Lizzy Follett? The wench was supposed to satisfy yours and Follet’s debts. If she is not delivered to me soon my wrath will be terrible. No more delays or the next neck sacrificed to the Dark Lord will be yours.

  Black Diamond

  The Black Diamond sealed the letter with blood red wax. He almost wished he could deliver the message in person to watch the man tremble in fear. But his identity must remain a secret and Lizzy needed to be found lest she share things she didn’t even realize she knew. He settled back in his chair. Ah, the future would definitely be bright once he had her under his power.

  8

  “How dare she show her face back here in town!” shouted Lord Wolton as he once again paced the worn carpet of the Follett house.

  Lord Follett was drunk. Insensibly inebriated since the notice appeared in the paper. The noose was tightening around his neck with every step Lord Wolton took. The letter from the Black Diamond only added to his despair. “It’s all over,” he moaned.

  “No, it’s not over. She will yet be mine. She has always been mine and I am at an end with the years of waiting you have put me through to get her. And now this?” Lord Wolton walked over and leaned down, nose to nose with Lord Follett who cowered at his approach. “If she is not back with me by the end of June and standing before a clergy pledging her troth to me, you, Folly, will be the one to pay dearly. And pay dearly you will. I have no problem serving you up to the Black Diamond on a silver platter with an apple in your mouth. I’ll not take the fall should the truth be known. Your daughter knows too much and whether or not she has told Westcombe is irrelevant. He needs to be taken care of. Permanently.”

  He stood back up, red and panting. Taking out a handkerchief, Wolton wiped his balding head of the perspiration that arose from his ranting. The room was cool with no fire lit but his passions were high. Follett would be trembling if his extremities weren’t already so numb from the cheap brandy he’d been drinking.

  “Those goons botched the first job. Why didn’t you tell me she had a crow keeping guard over her and her lover? We need to eliminate the bird as well.”

  “Crow? What crow? I’ve never allowed her to have a pet. Any animals that we’ve found have been used for sacrifices.” Lord Follett again shivered before leaning over to retch onto the floor by his chair. The room possessed a dank stench from previous such episodes in recent days but neither man seemed inclined to clean up. Household staff remained out of sight.

  Lord Wolton sneered. “She is mine and always has been.” His eyes glittered pure evil. “From the very first time I touched her and she trembled with fear and begged me to leave her alone. Every time I tortured her to get her to submit I bound her to myself. It was her, and that glorious red hair and those terrified green eyes that were to be our ultimate sacrifice. But now the Black Diamond demands her of us due to your foolishness. She was to be mine!” The man bellowed and rushed at Follett, grabbing him by the coat and shaking the man before tossing him into a heap on the floor.

  Lord Follett relaxed there hoping the rant would end so he could suffer in peace.

  “I still believe you had some part in her leaving. You resented me from the day of your wife’s ‘accident.’ What a weak man you are to not better protect your wife and daughter from such as I. Too late now. The web is wound too tight around you, Folly. She will be mine.”

  With that Lord Follett slipped into darkness.

  ~*~

  Phillip escorted Beth around town to inspect various potential homes. Nothing pretentious, as Phillip did not anticipate spending too much time in London, and as a second son was not expected to be doing major entertaining. They finally settled on a place on St. Edmund’s Terrace, just northwest of Regent’s Park. The mews were conveniently a block away and sufficient for their stabling needs while in town. The fully furnished home allowed them to move in the following day as soon as Fenway could find a cook, housekeeper, and butler. As the modiste returned for another fitting on some of the gowns Beth ordered, he left her to deal with that and headed to White’s.

  Lord Remington appeared just as Phillip settled into his favorite spot with a cup of coffee.

  “You’ve returned to town, Remy?” Phillip asked.

  “I posted back as soon as I got notice from the Ministry of Defense at Whitehall. I realized a sheet of fools
cap would fail to convey what I needed to share with you.” Marcus sat across from him.

  “Something to drink?” Phillip asked.

  “Nothing. We have no time for such things.”

  Phillip’s eyebrows rose. “What have you discovered?”

  “There has been some illegal activity in the east near Ipswich.” Marcus spoke in hushed tones.

  “Near the Follett estate?”

  Marcus nodded.

  “What kind of dealings?”

  “Treasonous. Lord Follett is up to his neck in debt and Lord Wolton is holding something over him.” Marcus stared at Phillip. “I have a bad feeling about this, my friend. I’m beginning to believe your wife did not exaggerate the danger you are both in.”

  Phillip sat up a little straighter. “Perhaps that bullet was not just from a common highwayman,” he mumbled.

  “What bullet?”

  “I was grazed as I rode behind the carriage on our return to town. Duke managed to save me from more serious injury.”

  “You need to remove her from town. Her life is in danger and we cannot investigate this and keep you and her both safe.”

  “Your proposal?”

  “Take her to Rose Hill to stay with Josie. They seem to get along well and I will fare better knowing Josie is not alone while I’m assisting you.”

  Phillip nodded. “We were moving to our home tomorrow but I can take her to Rose Hill instead. I’ll tell her the house needs work and I do not want her to be inconvenienced by the noise. I will not have her living in fear.”

  “Does she not already suspect the danger?”

  “She does. I won’t add to her anxieties on my behalf. You did not inform Josie of the danger she was in last year, did you?”

  Marcus shook his head. “No. She would not have listened. At the time, she was furious with me for my alleged indiscretion.”

  Phillip gave a bark of laughter. “What a tangled web that was. In the end, you prevailed, have wed well, and are expecting a child. Perhaps I can look forward to such a future when we are past this.”

  “You surprise me, Phillip. I thought you were opposed to marriage yet here you are, concerned for the safety of your new wife. One might suspect you of being in love.”

  “One might.”

  ~*~

  Early the next morning a rented carriage left the nearby mews bearing Phillip and Elizabeth. Phillip had discovered men watching the hotel so they sneaked out the back and through several alleys before meeting up with the Remington equipage. Elizabeth yawned but relaxed against his good shoulder. Tomorrow, unbeknownst to her, he’d be returning to London. Alone. This would be their first separation as a married couple.

  “Are you sure it’s necessary to leave London? We haven’t circulated amongst the ton as you desired.”

  “Your wardrobe has not been completed and I fear at this moment it might be counterproductive. Why? Were you eager to dance and flirt now as a married woman?”

  She turned her face to his. “Only with you.”

  She kissed his cheek and he captured her lips with his. Their time together was limited and he was determined to enjoy every moment he could.

  It was late afternoon when they arrived at Rose Hill.

  “Phillip. Elizabeth. What a surprise. Here I was lamenting how alone I would be with Marcus gone and then you arrive to relieve my tedium.” Josie helped them get settled and they had a quiet meal together.

  “Did you meet with Marcus in town?” Josie asked.

  “No,” Beth answered.

  “Yes,” Phillip replied at the same time.

  “You did?” Beth frowned.

  “We met at White’s. I didn’t expect to share every conversation of my day with you.”

  Beth’s eyes narrowed. “Did the conversation spur any actions on your part? For instance, taking a ride to the country with your wife?”

  Phillip’s face grew warm.

  “He was well?” Josie asked after an uncomfortable silence.

  “Marcus is in good health and hopes to return as soon as his business is finished.”

  Josie smiled. “At least I shall have Elizabeth to keep me company when you leave, Phillip.”

  Beth frowned. “You’re leaving?”

  “We’ll discuss this later.” Phillip’s stern tone might have ruffled his wife’s feathers but she didn’t argue.

  The reprieve only lasted until they were alone in their rooms. Phillip sat Beth down and joined her. His thumb caressed the back of the hand he held. “I return to London in the morning.”

  Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You’re abandoning me here?”

  “I’m sorry, my dear. I have work to do.”

  She gulped hard and pulled her hand away.

  “I want you to be cautious. Even here. No riding without a groom or walking alone. I would prefer you did not leave the house.”

  “Rose Hill is my cage? Am I a prisoner here? For how long?”

  He took a deep breath. “I do not know. I expect you to heed my request.”

  “I’m to obey you without understanding why?”

  “Yes. I do this only because I care for you and long for you to be safe.”

  Beth turned to face him, eyes narrowed. “Am I chattel to you? A dog to do your bidding, put on a leash or secure in a pen? How dare you keep telling me to ‘do this’ and ‘do not do that.’ Commands. Not requests. No courtesy was given to me as a human being, much less as a wife.” She stood and walked over to the unlit fireplace.

  “I apologize if I came across as dictatorial. For too long I lived alone and have only had to consider my own needs and desires. I have had the obeisance of my staff. You are more to me than any mere servant could be. I am only concerned for your safety. I would be grieved if harm befell you.”

  “What harm? What do you know, Phillip?” She waited for him to speak.

  “There is possible danger from Lord Wolton. I want to be cautious. In light of that will you give me your assurance you will obey?” He rose to his feet.

  “I suppose.” She turned to walk toward him. “In the future, please do not make demands of me. Ask. There have been too many instances in my past where I have been bullied into obedience and threatened.” She tipped her head back and lifted up on her toes to kiss his cheek.

  “Ah, dear wife, if that is what it takes to please you, then you find me your most obedient slave.” Phillip wrapped his arms around her and grinned.

  She pulled back, grabbed his cravat, and proceeded to drag him toward the bed. “In that case…”

  ~*~

  Beth stretched under the sheet. The room was warm even with the breeze from the open window. Phillip indulged her by leaving the fire lit instead of banking it. Light streamed in. She was unable to spend an entire night locked in Phillip’s embrace even though part of her longed for that kind of affection and security. She couldn’t stand any sense of confinement. She rolled over lazily to reach for her husband.

  He wasn’t there.

  She sat up and the room spun. She collapsed back into her pillows. He left? She slowly rose again and rang for Elsa to come and help her dress. Perhaps he was eating. She rushed down the stairs to the breakfast parlor to discover food on the sideboard and no one at the table. She served herself.

  A footman pushed in her chair and left her in peace.

  Beth stabbed at the eggs and attacked her toast with a vengeance as she buttered it and spread it with preserves. How dare he leave without saying a word.

  “Good morning, Elizabeth!” greeted Josie cheerfully as she entered the room. “Has Phillip departed for town already?” Josie was serving herself and couldn’t see Beth’s scowl.

  With a deep breath to calm herself, she replied, “Yes. He left.”

  “It’s just the two of us. I’m grateful Marcus thought to have you join me here while they sort things out in London. I will enjoy more time with you.” Josie frowned as she looked at Beth. “Are you well?”

  “I am vexed tha
t my husband departed without a fare-thee-well this morning.”

  “I think it is sweet that you miss him. It is an indication that your marriage, for all its inauspicious beginnings, is bearing fruit of potential happiness for you both.”

  Beth shook her head. “I believe you misunderstand me.”

  Josie set her cup down. “You share a strong affection for each other. That much is obvious or his departure would not be causing you grief. It is something I understand all too well.”

  “Perhaps. I lack friends, other than you and Marcus. Phillip is all I have to cling to.” Beth let the lids fall over her eyes as they brimmed with tears. “I fear for him. He is in danger and I would be cast adrift should anything happen to him.” She used her serviette to dab at her tears.

  “My heart cracked wide open when Marcus almost died, having fought valiantly to rescue me. Phillip gave a good account of himself in that battle. Marcus, Lord Harrow, and Sir Tidley will all strive to protect Phillip from harm. Lord Westcombe is not without mettle either. While he may be a fastidious dresser with nary a hair out of place or wrinkle in his coat, he is strong and fierce in fighting for those he cares about.”

  “I have no doubt of Phillip’s strengths. My fear is that he will underestimate the power of the enemy he faces. There are no rules to this fight. I wish I could shake this fear inside me.”

  “Let me help you with that since I cannot ease your fears regarding your husband’s capabilities.” Josie drank the last drop of her hot chocolate and rose.

  The women walked to Josie’s cozy retreat at the back of the house. The intimate room overlooked the gardens. She motioned Beth to a seat near the window.

  Josie sat in a chair adjacent to Elizabeth’s. “This battle you and Phillip face is spiritual as well as physical. Am I correct?”

  Beth nodded. “How…?”

  “The evil you described to me on the night we first met, didn’t seem to be real. Something else had to be at work. Have you spoken to Phillip about your past?”

  Beth shook her head. “I did not want to give him a disgust of me. As long as we were hidden away at his estate, I believed no harm could befall us. I hesitated to bring that darkness into our marriage and shatter our tentative happiness. Shame kept me quiet.”