“Did everyone know you were at bloody Wingfield Hall except for me?” Rhys demanded.
“That bastard,” Aubrey swore, his face darkening with anger. “How dare he threaten and manipulate you into marrying him? And Lady Heathcote, too. I will fix this, Rhiannon. I vow to you that I will protect you and right the mistakes I’ve made. Do you trust me?”
She stared at him, searching his gaze, and found the answers she was looking for. “I do.”
“Grant me a few hours, and it will be done,” he said, rising to his feet.
Rhys rose as well. “You aren’t going alone, Richford. You’ve made enough of a mess of things.”
“No more fighting, the two of you,” Rhiannon scolded them, not sure she trusted Rhys and Aubrey together without her just now. “I’ll have your promises.”
Aubrey nodded. “You have mine. No more fighting. At least, not with Whit.”
She turned to her brother, who looked as if he were in great pain. “Very well. I won’t hit Richford again.” He paused. “Unless he deserves it.”
“Rhys.”
“Fine,” her brother muttered. “I won’t hit Richford. But I’m going to fetch Mater to sit with you until we return.”
“I’m perfectly well,” she protested, realizing she hadn’t had a chance to tell Aubrey her suspicion that she was carrying his child yet.
Which was probably wise. She would do so without an irate brother as an audience.
“Your mother will sit with you,” Aubrey added sternly, frowning at her. “Perhaps we should call for a physician, Whit. She looks pale.”
Her brother nodded. “She rather does.”
“Shecan hear you talking about her as if she isn’t standing here,” Rhiannon pointed out, nettled. “I will sit with Mater if it pleases you until you both return.”
“It does,” Rhys and Aubrey said in unison.
Her brother glared at Richford. “She’s my sister, damn your hide.”
“And she’ll be my wife,” Aubrey pointed out.
“IfI give you permission to wed her,” Rhys countered.
“You’ll give it,” Aubrey said, sure of himself.
Rhys grumbled something unpleasant beneath his breath. And then the two of them left the study. Rhiannon watched them go, her hopes for the future dependent upon them both.
CHAPTER 20
They found the Earl of Carnis at the Black Souls Club, which proved a godsend because Aubrey was good friends with the club’s owner, Elijah Decker. Decker was more than happy to provide a private room for an audience between Carnis, Whitby, and Aubrey.
The three of them closeted themselves behind the privacy of a closed door, Carnis going pale as he took in the state of Aubrey’s face.
“Do you see this, Carnis?” Aubrey asked, grinning even though it hurt like the devil to do so. “This is what your face shall look like if you continue trying to force an unwilling woman to wed you.”
“See here,” Carnis sputtered. “No one is unwilling. Lady Rhiannon and I have had an understanding for months now.”
“As I comprehend it, the lady told you she didn’t want to marry you any longer,” he said softly, allowing menace to lace his voice.
“And you threatened her with scandal and ruin if she failed to do what you wanted,” Whit added, cracking his already bruised knuckles.
Carnis swallowed hard. “There was no threat, and neither was there force, I can assure you.”
“Again, that’s not what Lady Rhiannon said,” Aubrey stated calmly. “And do you know who I believe, Carnis?”
