Page 11 of Tainted Reasoning

“Chef is preparing some sandwiches for our guests, my lord. Miss Bennett, may I get you a drink?”

“No thank you, Marcus.” I reply, and we all fall back into quiet, again. William brings his whiskey to his mouth, takes a sip, and then places it down on the counter before standing and addressing the Viscount.

“Hamilton, I hear from Victoria that you have a beautiful winter rose garden. Maybe, you could show it to me, so I can pick one to take back to her. I’m afraid my parents were not as fond of the flower as your family. Our gardens are severely lacking in that particular bloom.”

The Viscount reluctantly gets to his feet with a vicious glare toward William. The two leave the room, and I’m alone with my mother for the first time in almost a year.

“How is Victoria?” she asks.

“She’s good. Very happy.”

“Are you sure?” A line of worry mars her forehead. I take a moment to properly look at her. She has aged during the last year and has lost weight.

“Yes. She and Nicholas are really in love. He worships her.” I take in a deep breath. “Mama, Victoria told me she asked you to come and work for her, but you said no. Do you know what happened to her?”

My mother gulps and tears start to form in her eyes.

“You do. Then, why not leave?”

“I can’t.” She pulls away from me and stands. Her eyes keep flicking to the door. “It’s complicated. I have to stay here.”

“Mama, please. I’m worried for you here.”

“I’m safe.”

“How can you be? You know what he did to Victoria. Her own father! He gave her away like she was nothing but a tool to advance his name. How can you bear to be here any longer?” I’m really confused. My mother has always been a strong woman, and someone I look up to. She’s terrified, though. Her hands are fidgeting. “He’s forcing you to stay here, isn’t he? That’s it, we’re going!”

I jump up from my chair and taking her hand, I start pulling her toward the door.

“Tamara, please stop. You don’t understand.” She digs her heels in, but I’m stronger, and we’re out into the hall before she has a chance to stop me.

“I understand perfectly. He’s an evil man. I’m not going to allow you to stay in this house for another moment longer.”

William and the Viscount appear in front of me. William’s brows are furrowed together, and anger radiates from him. The Viscount has a smug smile on his face.

“You sick, sick man.” I let go of my mother and stomp toward him. My hand raises of its own volition and slaps him hard across the face. He grabs it and yanks me toward him, so my body is flattened against his.

“You think I’m sick? You know nothing, little girl. You’re staying with the devil himself…a man who branded five girls to prove his ownership of them.”

“Only because he had no choice, and one of them was the daughter you knowingly gave to him,” I spit back in his face.

William seems to come to life and pulls me away from the Viscount.

“Don’t you dare touch her,” William snarls as he pushes me behind him.

“Why would I want to do that when I have Joanna?” The Viscount laughs, and I see William pull his own fist back. I remember Victoria mentioning a missing girl called Joanna who’d been bought at an auction by the Viscount. This must be the woman he’s referring to.

“No! William. He’s not worth the trouble. We are going.” I return to my mother and grab her hand. “You are coming with us, no arguments. I’ll have William drag you to the car if I need to.”

“Tamara, please don’t do this. Please stay, we can all discuss this together,” my mother whimpers.

“I won’t spend another minute under his roof.”

It’s uncouth, but I turn and spit at the Viscount’s feet as William takes my mother’s other hand, and we drag her toward the front door. At the same moment, the butler appears with a tray of sandwiches but instantly turns around when he sees the confrontation going on.

“Why don’t you tell her why you don’t want to leave, Elsie? See if she wants you with her, then.” The Viscount’s evil laugh comes from behind us, and I feel a chill wash over my body.

“Tell her you knew all along what would happen to Victoria. That you were a part of my plan to keep her pure all those years. You watched her like a hawk. You helped dress her on the day I gave her to Nicholas, knowing full well what would happen to her. Tell her, Elsie. Tell her that if I’m evil, then so are you.”

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