Page 64 of A Countess of Convenience

Judith sat stunned, each of Simon’s crimes hitting like a blow as Farringdon threw them at her. Worse, they were all true. At least as far as she could ascertain. Why Lord Downing had not tried to stop him, she had no idea. Someone finally had, thank God.

“As far as I know, no one other than his family and yours knows the extent of Harper’s depravity. Except for me.” He grinned at her, and she had to restrain herself from slapping him. “I can promise to take the secret to my grave, for a modest fee paid…quarterly, shall we say, my lady?”

“What do you think my husband will do to you when I tell him of your scheme to bleed us dry?” Would she indeed have the courage to tell John what this blackguard proposed? She had no idea what her husband was capable of. She’d underestimated John before; she didn’t want to make that mistake again.

“I think he will think my proposal is a bargain, my dear. A pittance will buy my silence during the Season. A very important Season for his sister, isn’t it? A well-placed scandal about her family now, and Miss Tate will never receive a single proposal. Not to mention the taint to your daughter when she comes of age. Who would wish their relations to be tarnished by an association with such a depraved family?”

Dear lord, it was true. Should Simon’s exploits come to light now, no one would wish to be associated with them and certainly not with Anna. They would all need to flee to the country and hide from Society for years. Poor Kitty. It would be the end of her hopes for a good marriage. And it was her fault for marrying John and dragging his family into her horror-filled family.

“Well, Lady Haxby, what do you say to my little proposition?” Farringdon rose, a smirk on his lips. “Shall we agree to that quarterly amount and then bind the deal with a celebratory drink?”

“I think you are a bit premature, my lord.”

Judith whirled around and gasped.

John stood in the doorway, his face ominously pleasant, save for his eyes, which were fixed in a deathly stare on Farringdon. “I think there will be no celebration this evening. At least not on your part.”

Chapter 25

“John, oh thank God.” Judith shot out of the chair and ran to him, almost ran him down, in fact. He managed to stay on his feet, grabbed his wife around the waist and settled her there.

He’d come home not ten minutes before and, having asked Barr where his mistress was, was given to understand she was in the receiving room with a caller named Farringdon. That had boded ill from the moment he’d heard the name. So he’d stood outside the door, to get the lay of the land, and had heard pretty much all of the blackguard’s demands.

John had wondered if anyone knew of Simon Harper’s perfidy, although he’d not expected to be threatened with extortion from his wife’s physician. Well, he would take care of the situation and put a quietus on this gentleman once and for all.

“Farringdon, I’d have thought you a better man than this. As you so obviously are not, let me make several things plain to you. First,” he tightened his hold on Judith, “if you desire, you may put it about that the reason Judith and I married so quickly is that Judith was increasing. I am certain you are not the first, nor will you be the last, person to do so. However, I can assure you that she was not then and is not to this day increasing. When our first child is born everyone may count backward on their fingers, but they will only come to the conclusion that the child was definitely conceived in wedlock.”

Farringdon sketched a half-hearted bow. “I stand corrected on that point, my lord.” A sickening smile curled his lips. “However, you cannot deny that your wife’s first husband’s activities are the very food of gossip and scandal in today’s Society. You are fortunate that no one other than his family and hers seems to have all the information.”

“Except for you, of course.” Although he’d never had the best opinion of the man, John would not have believed the physician would stoop to extortion.

“As you say.” Farringdon shrugged. “Therefore, it will be easy to contain the scandal. It will live or die with me. For a reasonable price.”

In a game of chess, one must be bold in order to win. “Or with a challenge.”

“John, no!” Judith tightened her hold on him. “You cannot challenge him.”

A glimmer of approval showed in Farringdon’s eyes. “Well played, my lord. As a physician, I hold life dear, especially my own. If I refuse your challenge?”

“First, I will darken your reputation by spreading the news of your scheme then I will take you to court for defamation. Anyone with a grain of sense will see that all the wrongdoing is on Downing and his son, not my wife, who was insensible while his atrocities were being carried out. To try to smear my family’s reputation through guilt by association with her will net you absolutely nothing save wretchedness.” John glared at Farringdon through narrowed eyes. “You may depend upon it, my lord. It will become my life’s work to make your name anathema throughout all Polite Society, until you will not be received by anyone, not even your patients.”

Farringdon had paled considerably during John’s recitation. Good. Let the man sweat. He either dropped all hope of his little scheme succeeding or he would find his own life a misery.

“Well, Farringdon? Either undergo my challenge or leave this house and say no more about the things that were told to you in strictest confidence.” Now for the penultimate move. “Should I at any time hear these scandalous events talked of and linked to my or my wife’s name, I shall hold you responsible for their dissemination and act accordingly.” And checkmate. “Whether you are the perpetrator or not.”

Farringdon’s pasty white face grew blood red. He turned on his heel and stalked out of the room. As he passed, John could hear the faintly whispered words, “You’ll be sorry.”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” he muttered then Judith embraced him with the strength of a bear, and he forgot about all else.

“Oh, John.” She pulled his head down and fastened her lips to his so forcefully his neck popped. The next thing he knew she had released him and burst into tears.

“My love, don’t cry.” He led her to the sofa and sat them down. “I seriously doubt we will hear from the scoundrel again.”

“I’m sorry.” She sat up, wiping her eyes. “I just didn’t want Miles to be like that. He was so kind and helpful in the beginning.”

“Apparently, he could afford to be, in the beginning. When you refused him, he had to devise another way to gain access to your wealth. Unfortunately, we ourselves gave him the means.” He smoothed her hair back then pulled her tight against him. “Perhaps he will make a bid for another wealthy wife. Many a merchant has a daughter who’d like to be a titled lady.”

“Do you think he’ll keep silent?” Her woebegone face touched his soul. “I would not have Kitty’s chances hurt on my account for the world.”