Her knight. Always watching out for her.
That was the last thought she had before she awoke with a start in the middle of the night to the sound of raised voices. David had rolled to his back, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.
She didn’t want to wake him, but the volume of the voices below was rising. If she didn’t get up and tell them to be quiet, they would wake him, and she couldn’t allow that. He needed hissleep. Slipping from the bed, she tiptoed around until she found her robe puddled on the floor. Ever so carefully, she slid it on and eased out of the door as silently as she could.
Hurrying down the stairs, she listened. Two men were arguing. One of them must have been deep in his cups from the way his speech slurred.
“Sheezmarryingmybrother,” said the drunken one. That must have been David’s brother, Charles—the one who had caused him so much trouble. She knew David wanted to keep their marriage a secret from him, but she intended to give him a piece of her mind for making such a ruckus at this hour. Given how drunk he sounded, she didn’t think he would remember in the morning.
“No, she isn’t. I told you I have papers from a curate saying Lady Clarissa and I married in secret a fortnight ago.”
Every muscle in her body tensed at the sound of that voice. Jeffrey was here. And they were discussing…her? She most certainly hadn’t married him. What was he talking about?
“I plan to raise my objection on Sunday and claim my bride…and her fortune.”
No! Somehow, he must have gotten an unscrupulous clergyman to forge the papers. He didn’t know she’d married David. No one did except her family and a few of David’s trusted servants. But could Jeffrey undo their marriage by showing the false papers?
Outrage welled up within her. She knew she should have stayed hidden, but fury propelled her down the stairs to confront that horrible, lying, no-good lout.
Pulling her robe tight around her, she hurried toward the drawing room following the voices.
“Izzit fake?” Charles asked. It had to be, but she wondered if Jeffrey would confess the truth to his friend.
“Of course it isn’t fake. The curate will swear to it. Do you think I’m foolish enough to try to forge something like this?” So he was going to try to pass off his faradiddle as truth, was he? The lying snake.
“You can’t do this to David. Iwonlechoo.”
She stormed into the room. “And neither will I!”
They both turned and stared at her. Their gaping expressions would have been comical if she was in a laughing mood, which she most certainly was not.
Then Jeffrey’s eyes narrowed, and his lips curled in a nasty smile. How had she ever found him handsome? Every angle of his face filled her with loathing. “Well, hello,wife.”
“I’m not your wife and never will be. I married David today, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“What?” Charles’s focus sharpened for a moment. “Hedidn’t inviteme? I’mizz brother.”
Ignoring Charles, she focused on Jeffrey. “I’m Lady Whitcomb now. This is my house, and I’m throwing you out of it.” She pointed at the door, blood boiling.
Jeffrey shook his head and didn’t move. “These papers say otherwise, love. Our marriage predates your nuptials with Lord Whitcomb, so your wedding is invalid.”
A wave of dizziness made her quaver. He couldn’t possibly undo her marriage, could he?
“Come now, Clarissa. Calm down. Can’t we talk this through? We used to like each other. I’m certain with time we’ll rekindle the flame.” He stepped close and ran his finger down her cheek, as if he meant to kiss her, the rotten snake.
She had to clench her fists to keep from smacking his lying face. “How dare you! All I have to do is call out for my true husband, and he’ll come running downstairs to give you the drubbing you so richly deserve.” She breathed in deeply, preparing to scream for David.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” The threat behind his smile made her pause. “He can’t change the papers I hold in my hand. And don’t think I’m foolish enough to bring my only copies. Even if he destroyed these, I could prove your marriage is illegal. But I might be willing to negotiate.”
Cold dread settled in her stomach, but she had to grasp the opportunity he was offering to undo this insanity. “What do you want?”
“Come quietly with me. I’d prefer to discuss this at my residence without an audience.” He glanced at Charles, who looked like he was about to vomit on the Aubusson.
Leaving with Jeffrey was a terrible idea, but somehow, she had to fix this. He couldn’t be allowed to dissolve their marriage, and it was all her fault for encouraging Jeffrey in the first place. She didn’t want David to have to solve her problems for her. She also didn’t want him to have to face another scandal after enduring what his first wife put him through.
“That’s a good girl.” He must have seen her thoughts written on her face. If only she was better at hiding her emotions! “Go upstairs and get dressed. Then we’ll go to my townhouse and have a nice friendly chat. I’m certain we can sort this out without bringing Lord Whitcomb into it. He never has to know we had this little chat. You’ll be back well before sunrise.”
Maybe it was best if she complied. If luck was with her, she could solve this before David woke. She didn’t trust Jeffrey, but he was leaving her no choice. Reluctantly, she nodded and went up to her room, pulling on a simple day dress and pinning up her hair in a sloppy bun.
