Part 41 (1/2)
But now after more than six years, it would appear that, with the right amount of money, he was being allowed to buy his way into an advantageous marriage again. Finally, he would be able to have the wife and sons he craved.
And poor Lydia Duxworth was his choice.
Thalia looked at Leo, aware he was waiting.
She stifled another sigh. ”I'll tell you if you promise not to get upset.”
He cursed, heavy lines creasing his forehead. ”What is it?”
”You're getting upset.”
”Of course I am. I remember the last time you wrung that kind of promise out of me and it turned out to be something that definitely made me upset.”
”Fine. Then I won't tell you. You've only just recovered and your health is still in a precarious state.”
”My health is fine. Although I may have an apoplexy if you don't cease these infuriating delays. Just tell me. I'll decide afterward how upset I want to be.”
She looked at him again, then handed the cup with the last of her uneaten ice to a pa.s.sing waiter. ”Do you see that young woman over there?” Subtly, she nodded toward Lydia Duxworth.
”The little blonde, you mean?”
”Yes.”
”What of her?”
”Apparently, she is Lord Kemp's new fiancee.”
”What!” he exclaimed, loudly enough that several heads turned in their direction. Thankfully, Lydia Duxworth's was not among them.
”See? This is why I didn't say anything before. Just his name is enough to rouse your ire.”
”Of course it is after everything he's done.” He fisted his hands, his knuckles popping from the strain. ”I don't know why I let you and Lawrence convince me not to hunt him down the moment I was out of my sickbed.”
”And the rest of your brothers,” she reminded. ”We all agreed that a direct confrontation between you and Gordon would do nothing but escalate the enmity between you, and potentially put you in harm's way again.” Reaching out, she took his hand. ”I nearly lost you because of him. I won't risk losing you again. Let the law take its course.”
”And if it doesn't?” he asked blackly.
”It will. Have faith. Your brothers are doing everything they can to find the men who a.s.saulted you. Once they do, at least one of those men is bound to name Gordon as the villain who hired them.”
”But he is a peer and as such cannot be prosecuted for anything less than murder.”
”What he did to you was attempted murder. If that is not enough cause, then we will find some other means of seeing justice done.” She paused. ”Of course, you could always just let it go.”
His jaw tightened. ”You think I can just forget-”
”No, not forget, or forgive. Just put it behind you. We have the rest of our lives ahead of us. I am tired of letting Gordon's hate intrude on our happiness.”
Leo looked across to Lydia Duxworth. ”And what of that girl? She looks utterly naive. Do you really think she has any idea what he is or how he treated you? Do you imagine he'll turn saint and be kind and loving to her?”
She frowned, having already given those same questions some serious thought. The answers troubled her greatly. So much so, there had been nights she had not been able to sleep.
”He might,” she said. But even she didn't believe it.
Leo gave her a hard look. ”And if he doesn't? Do you really want that on your conscience?”
”No, of course not. But what can we do? Even if I could find some way of speaking to her, she'd never believe me. Everyone would tell her that I'm just trying to get back at Gordon and making up stories designed to discredit him. I don't want her to suffer any more than you, but I don't see what I can do.”
Leo fell silent, considering. ”Maybe you don't have to do anything,” he said after a moment. ”Maybe someone else can do it for you.”
”The florist is here with the flowers, milady,” Fletcher told Thalia a week later. ”Where shall I have him place them?”
She turned from where she was penning a letter at the small lady's writing desk in the drawing room and looked at the elderly butler.
Although Leo and Lawrence already had a butler, she'd brought Fletcher, Mrs. Grove and Parker with her when she'd moved to Cavendish Square. Fletcher had been promoted to serve as her personal majordomo with main butlering duties on the days the other butler was off. So far the new arrangement seemed to be working well, although the situation belowstairs in the kitchen-what with two cooks instead of one-was not proving as easy. But she was determined to work through it. When she'd moved from her town house, she and Leo had agreed that none of the staff-either hers or his-would be given notice.
She was, however, considering asking Mrs. Grove to come with them to Brightvale once they removed there in August. The s.h.i.+ft would hopefully soothe ruffled feathers on both sides.
”Oh, good,” she told Fletcher as she laid her pen aside. ”The arrangements are for tonight's dinner. The epergnes with the roses and lilies go in the dining room. The hollyhocks and irises in the entry hall and here in the drawing room.”
She had to admit she loved the luxury of having fresh flowers in the house again. Leo was extravagantly generous and happy to let her buy anything she desired. Even so, she tried not to overindulge.
But she couldn't resist the temptation of fresh flowers, especially given the excellent excuse tonight's meal provided. His family was coming over for a quiet evening in. They were to have dinner, then cards, games and music. She was quite looking forward to it, particularly the music and the games, which she hadn't enjoyed in ages.
Leo and Lawrence had left a couple of hours ago to see to some business across Town. She didn't expect them back for a while.
Once Fletcher bowed himself out to see to the florist, she returned to finis.h.i.+ng her letter.
Ten minutes had pa.s.sed when she heard raised voices in the entrance hall.
”Excuse me, my lord, but as I told you, Lady Thalia is not receiving.”
”I am sure she'll make an exception for me,” came a booming voice that sent chills down her spine. ”Out of my way, Fletcher. I wouldn't want to have to hurt you.”
She stood, gripping the back of her chair. She glanced toward the fireplace and the poker, then noticed the silver letter opener on her desk. She wrapped her hand around it and slid it into her pocket only seconds before Gordon strode into the room.
He stopped, then swept his gaze over her, his eyes malevolent with disdain-and simmering anger.
It was a look she knew well.
”Thalia. Come up in the world again, I see. You must be better than I remember to convince him to let you move in here. Where is your young protector? Or is he still recovering from the injuries he suffered after his unfortunate run-in with those street thugs?”
Gordon smirked, gloating and cruel; she knew that look too.
”Lord Leopold is quite hale and will join me any moment. He will not be pleased to see you, so I suggest you leave now before he arrives.”
Smiling, Gordon sauntered forward, idly surveying the room.