Part 38 (1/2)
”What makes you think I have news?”
Thalia lifted a knowing brow.
”Oh, pooh, there's no hiding anything from you. You can always read me like a book.”
”Good thing the story is always so entertaining. Well, out with it.”
Jane straightened the lines of her skirt. ”Maybe we should wait for the tea to arrive first?”
”No, now. It's not bad news, I trust?”
”No, quite the opposite. At least I a.s.sume you'll feel that way once you hear.”
”You have my complete attention.” Thalia laced her fingers together in her lap and waited for Jane to begin.
”Well, apparently there was quite a row at Gentleman Jackson's boxing salon yesterday afternoon. The whole town is abuzz. Jeremy filled me in on the details over breakfast this morning. Or at least everything he heard last night at his club.”
Jeremy was Jane's husband. He was one of those men who claimed to disdain gossip but who always knew all the latest on-dits.
Thalia frowned. ”Oh? And why would I be interested in a fight at Jackson's boxing salon?”
Jane leaned forward, her eyes sparkling. ”Because it involved Lord Kemp.”
Thalia stiffened. ”Did it?”
”Don't fly up in the boughs. I know you hate even hearing his name mentioned and with good reason, but you're going to like this. He was challenged to a bare-knuckles match, then literally beaten senseless.”
”What!”
Gordon had always taken great pride in his pugilistic skills, boasting of his prowess on many occasions. He cowed other men and he liked it. Just as he'd once cowed her.
”Indeed. The fight was a brutal affair and despite Lord Kemp getting in a few good blows, he lost badly. They say the other man is nearly as good as Mr. Jackson himself. He beat Kemp right down to the ground, then spat on him when he walked away.”
Thalia stared, unable to say a word.
”Jeremy told me that Kemp had to be carried home insensible,” Jane continued. ”Reports from the doctor say he suffered three broken ribs, a fractured jaw, a loose tooth and two black eyes. Oh, and a dreadful headache, although that seems to be improving, more's the pity. About time that dreadful bounder got his comeuppance.”
Some man had beaten Gordon? Beaten him so badly he'd been unable to walk out on his own?
An odd tremor rose in her stomach. ”Jane, what is the name of the man who fought him?”
”Why? Are you thinking of sending him a thank-you note?”
”His name?” she repeated.
”It's Byron. Lord Leopold Byron.” Jane studied her for a long moment, then c.o.c.ked her head to one side. ”You have the most peculiar look on your face.”
”Do I?”
”Why do I get the feeling there's something you haven't told me?”
Thalia sighed. ”I meant to, but then I didn't because it's over.”
”What is over?”
”The affair I had last winter.”
”You had an affair?” Jane's eyes turned round.
Thalia nodded. ”Yes. With Lord Leopold Byron.”
Thalia sat staring out the window of her study for a long while after Jane left.
She'd told Jane about Leo, but not everything. Even now it was hard to speak of him. His absence was a painful void in her life, a hollow emptiness that nothing and no one else could fill. The weeks they'd spent together seemed like a happy dream, brief brilliant moments that outshone all the rest.
He'd fought Gordon for her-and won.
Part of her was grateful.
Another part was afraid.
He shouldn't have done it, whatever the outcome.
Gordon would not soon forget.
She wished she could run to Leo, wrap him in her arms and tell him how much she loved him. How much she missed him. Warn him to be careful and not to fight any more battles on her behalf.
Maybe she should write him a letter?
But no, it would only open up the barely healed-over wounds again. If there was any hope of letting him move on, of convincing him to let her go once and for all, then she needed to stay away, even if it killed her.
Maybe she should leave, as she'd once threatened she might. Sell the town house and go deep into the countryside.
Derbys.h.i.+re.
Or even Wales.
Somewhere distant. Somewhere he wouldn't think to look.
If she really wanted to separate them, she could always go to the Continent. But the thought of being that far away from him, of not even being in the same country any longer-why the very idea had the power to drive her to her knees, to rob her of what little strength she had left.
Simply put, she feared such a permanent parting would destroy her.
No, she would say nothing. Leo had proved his mettle against Gordon. He was a grown man, who was clearly more than capable of looking after himself.