“Y-yes. N-no,” the earl stammered, clearly understanding that there was no good way for him to answer the question.
“I believe Lady Rhiannon,” he said. “I believe that you flew into a jealous rage when you learned Lady Rhiannon was in love with someone else, so you decided to blackmail her into doing your bidding.”
“I was doing nothing of the sort,” Carnis blustered, drawing himself up.
Whit cracked his knuckles again. “Do you know who did that to Richford’s face, Carnis?”
The earl stared.
“It was me,” Whit said conversationally. “And Richford here is one of my closest chums. What do you think I intend to do to you?”
“Please. I…I don’t want any difficulties,” the earl said, eyes wide. “I didn’t mean to blackmail her. I…I wouldn’t have hurt her. I’m in love with Lady Rhiannon. I just… I wanted her to be my wife.”
“That makes two of us, Carnis,” Aubrey told the bastard. “But you aren’t the one who is going to win this particular battle. I am.”
“You can have her,” Carnis said, eyes darting wildly about the room as Aubrey and Whit drew nearer. “I won’t tell a soul what I know. I swear it.”
“Good,” Whit said. “Because if you do, I’ll thrash you. And then I’ll see that you’re ruined everywhere. You’ll be turned out of this club and every other. I’ll haunt you even when you’re dead. Do you understand me?”
“And if you do anything to harm Lady Rhiannon’s reputation or cause her distress in any way, I’ll gut you like a bloody fish,” Aubrey concluded. “Understood?”
“Y-yes.” Carnis nodded wildly. “Understood.”
“Good.” Aubrey shot a look toward Whit through the eye that wasn’t swelling closed. “I believe we have another call to pay.”
Perdita’s smilevanished when she saw both Aubrey’s face and that he had brought a companion with him for his impromptu visit.
“Your Graces,” she greeted them with forced cheer. “You honor me with your call.”
Despite her words, she appeared anything but pleased to see them.
As if remembering herself belatedly, she dipped into a curtsy in her small drawing room, which was laden withobjets d’artand other bric-a-brac.
Aubrey didn’t bother returning a polite bow, and neither did Whit.
He moved toward her with a calm he didn’t feel. “It has come to our attention that you have been spreading false tales about Lady Rhiannon,” he said, keeping his voice carefully polite and low.
She wetted her lips. “I would never?—”
“Enough,” he interrupted before she could offer a lie he wouldn’t believe and hadn’t the patience to hear uttered. “I know that you did so, as does Whitby. In fact, it was your tales that led to Carnis attempting to blackmail Lady Rhiannon into marrying him.”
Her eyebrows rose. “I had nothing to do with the earl’s decision concerning Lady Rhiannon. I merely thought it fair for him to be apprised of the manner of woman he wanted to make his wife.”
“And what manner of woman is that, Lady Heathcote?” Whit asked sharply.
“I…I…” Her gaze went from Whit to Aubrey and then back as a flush crept over her cheeks. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to say something untoward.”
“But you did,” Aubrey pointed out coldly. “Apologize.”
“I’m sorry,” she said hastily.
“You will also apologize to Lady Rhiannon, in writing,” he added, knowing Rhiannon wouldn’t wish to face Perdita again and sparing her the discomfort.
She was owed an apology, however.
“Richford, you cannot come into my home making demands of me,” she began.
“Yes, I can,” he countered. “Because if you don’t do exactly as I say, I’ll go to Lord Heathcote with everything I know about you, my lady. Every vice, each lover. I have detailed notes concerning the particular…activities of the members of our club, you see.”
