Part 23 (1/2)
Thalia stared at Gordon, Lord Kemp, and fought the clammy chill that slithered over her skin.
She hadn't seen him in more than five years, so coming face-to-face with him tonight, of all nights, was a shock. He'd aged very little in the intervening years. There were just a few additional lines at the corners of his eyes and some gray hairs now scattered through the black. He'd always been absurdly proud of his appearance and handsome features. But even now, she had no trouble seeing past the pleasant exterior to the arrogant superiority and cruel calculation that lay underneath.
She fisted a hand at her side. ”Your wife? Might I remind you, Gordon, that we ceased being husband and wife long ago. You divorced me, if you will remember, in full view of Parliament and the rest of Society.”
His lip curled with amus.e.m.e.nt. ”Now that you mention it, I do recall something of the sort. Still, when I think of you, I still regard you as mine.”
”Then I would urge you not to think of me at all.”
He tossed his head back on another laugh. ”As I said before, I miss our little tete-a-tetes. It had quite slipped my mind how amusing they could be.”
And how unpleasant.
”So, how are you, Thalia?”
”Thriving.” She forced a broad smile and leaned closer to Leo. ”Now, I'm sure you don't wish to miss the beginning of the second act, so pray do go on.”
”I will after I meet your new companion.”
The crawling sensation skittered over her skin again, her instincts rebelling against the idea of him even knowing Leo's name.
But Leo was his own man and spoke before she had time to formulate an excuse. ”Lord Leopold Byron,” Leo stated. ”And you are Lord Kemp.”
”Indeed. I am acquainted with your brother the duke. We sit together in the House of Lords.”
”Really?” he said in a bored tone. ”Edward has never mentioned you. But then, there are several hundred lords who sit in Parliament. I'm sure he can't remember them all.” Leo glanced away, his expression even more arrogant than Gordon's. In that moment, he looked every inch the son and the brother of a duke.
Leo gazed down at her. ”We're done here, I believe.”
She sent him a little smile. ”Yes, we are.”
Together they turned away.
”At least you've picked a protector with funds, Thalia,” Gordon called after them. ”If you're a good girl, maybe he'll give you some cash and jewelry as payment for your services.”
She gasped softly, then looked back. He'd bullied her often during their marriage; she would not let him bully her now. ”You mean in order to replace the personal possessions and heirlooms you stole from me, such as my great-grandmother's pearls?”
Gordon's eyes narrowed. ”I stole nothing. If your great-grandmother's pearls have gone astray, you've only yourself to blame. You really should learn to take care better care of your belongings, Thalia.”
”And you should learn how to be a better liar, Gordon. But we both know the truth, don't we? About everything.”
She would have walked away then, but Leo stayed her with a careful touch.
He locked gazes with Gordon. ”Apologize, Kemp.”
Gordon arched a brow. ”For what? I said nothing that requires an apology.”
”Tell Lady Thalia you are sorry.”
”Or what, you impudent whelp?”
”Or I'll beat you b.l.o.o.d.y.”
”Really? Right here in the theater corridor between acts? Are you sure you want to attract more attention than we are receiving already? I a.s.sure you, people will find it even more entertaining than the play.”
And Gordon was right, Thalia realized, noticing the small group of onlookers who had gathered to watch and whisper. She needed to stop this before it escalated even further. If not for her own sake, then for Leo's.
”Leo, come away,” she murmured, softly tugging at his sleeve. ”It's not worth it. He's not worth it.”
”Yes, Lord Leopold,” Gordon taunted, ”do take my former wife's advice and leave. Or has no one ever taught you to mind your elders?”
Leo didn't move, his jaw set at a pugnacious tilt. ”Apologize to her.”
”My, you are insistent. But then youth generally is. Too hotheaded to know when to give up.” Gordon looked around and shared a smile with those a.s.sembled. ”Fine, boy. You want an apology? Then you may have one.”
Thalia shrank inside, bracing herself, since she knew just how horrible Gordon could be.
”My apologies, Lady Thalia, for insinuating that you are a wh.o.r.e,” Gordon said. ”I should have been more accurate and called you a s.l.u.t instead.”
Before the words even had time to settle, Leo lunged and wrapped a hand around Gordon's throat, squeezing hard.
Gordon choked and tried to fight back, reaching up with both hands in a vain attempt to break Leo's grip. But Leo held fast and squeezed tighter, clearly the stronger of the two.
Several men rushed forward and locked their arms around Leo, forcing him to release Gordon as they yanked him back and away.
Gordon bent double and gagged, making a terrible hacking sound as he coughed and struggled for air. His face had turned an alarming shade of red, his blue eyes wide with pain and fury.
Leo shook off the restraining arms of the men who held him, then straightened his coat with a sharp downward tug.
Meanwhile, all Thalia could do was watch in horror, wondering how her lovely evening out at the theater had gone so dreadfully wrong.
”I should call you out for this,” Gordon rasped.
”Just name your seconds.”
”No!” Thalia exclaimed. ”Stop this at once.”
Both men ignored her.
”I would. Believe me, I'd love nothing more than to put a bullet through you. But you aren't worth the trouble of being forced to flee to the Continent after your death.”
”Why do you imagine you would be the one forced to flee?”
Gordon coughed again, taking a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his florid face. ”Begone, puppy. I have had enough of you and my cast-off wife for one evening.”
”Coward.”