“This way.” Ethan barely took a step inside before Mrs. Parker rushed towards him.
“My lord, there’s a man at the door, who demands to see you. He claims to be Lord Roxbury.” Mrs. Parker frowned at David. “And where did this boy come from?”
David released a shaky breath at the mention of his father, his brightness gone.
“This is David, my guest, and he’s welcome here any time he wants.” Ethan put a hand on David’s shoulder, feeling the boy’s muscles tense.
“Very well, your lordship.” Mrs. Parker wrung her hands. “What about our other guest?”
“I’ll deal with him myself.” Ethan gave a reassuring squeeze to David’s shoulder, but the boy didn’t relax. “Follow Mrs.Parker to the sitting room, and she’ll give you a cup of tea and some biscuits.”
Mrs. Parker glanced from Ethan to David but didn’t ask any questions. “We have some freshly baked almond biscuits I’m sure you’ll find delicious. Follow me, David.”
“Are you sure, sir?” David whispered.
Ethan nodded. “I’ll deal with Lord Roxbury. Go.”
David did as told reluctantly, shuffling behind the housekeeper. Once he disappeared behind a corner, Ethan strode to the hallway. Anger caused black spots to throb in his vision. He hadn’t experienced such scorching fury since Lias Island.
In a fine afternoon suit, Roxbury paced and smacked his walking stick against the marble floor. The rhythmic click-clack itched along Ethan’s skin while the butler stood in a corner, seemingly stunned.
“You may leave, Dawson,” Ethan said to the butler. “What do you want, Roxbury?” he asked once alone with the earl.
Roxbury came to an abrupt halt. Harsh lines etched his face. “Have you recovered well from your fainting?”
Bugger off. “I won’t repeat my question.”
“That witless boy. I believe he’s hiding here.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He opened the front door himself. “Now remove yourself from my property before I remove you.”
Roxbury tapped the pommel of his walking stick against Ethan’s chest. “You should be nicer to me, Stark, unless you want your lunatics in the streets. I reckon they’ll be arrested in a matter of minutes if they spend a day among civilised people.”
Ethan moved before he could think. Anger had replaced his brain. He grabbed the walking stick and Roxbury’s hand and pulled towards him until Roxbury’s angry face was an inch fromhis nose. “You should be nicer to your own blood, or you might find yourself in the streets after I kicked your sorry arse.”
Roxbury didn’t flinch. “Should I be worried? Forgive me if I’m not after you fainted like a frail damsel.”
“You cheated.”
Roxbury smirked. “Do I look like I care? For the last time, I know the rat is here. You keeping him in your house is kidnapping.”
Ethan let him go but not without effort. He bit down a comment about David being there of his own free will.
He straightened his jacket and brushed an invisible speck of dust from his sleeve. “You don’t understand. The boy needs a firm hand. He’ll never be ready to carry my family’s name if he keeps snivelling and whining about how hard his life is. Pathetic.”
“He’s thirteen,” Ethan said.
“He isn’t a child, and I decide how to raise him.”
“Leave.” He opened the door fully. “Or I’ll call Scotland Yard.”
Roxbury paused on the threshold. “You’re making a big mistake, Stark. Don’t cross me. I’ve been patient with you and your bunch of lunatics. If I apply enough pressure, your centre will be closed tonight.” He moved to leave but paused again. “That doesn’t mean I’ll let your centre stay open. I want that building to be profitable and make money. It’s a matter of time before Lady Kingsley agrees with me. With each passing day, she sees you for who you are, a mentally insane man. Then we’ll kick you and your freaks out.” He touched the brim of his hat before finally leaving.
Ethan regretted his temper the moment Roxbury left the house. After the night at the museum, Lady Kingsley didn’t favour him. He slammed a hand on the closed door. What was the point of holding a title that outranked an earl if he couldn’tkeep the men in his centre safe? Only because Roxbury held a larger share of land than Ethan did and could charm Lady Kingsley. He shouldn’t let his anger rule him, not as long as he needed Roxbury. But hell, he couldn’t allow Roxbury to mistreat David and Cora.
He took his time to go to the sitting room, needing to push down his temper before seeing David.
The boy stood up from his chair when Ethan entered. “Sir.”
