Page 76 of The No Good Irresistible Viscount Tipton
Obviously amused by her discomfort, Brogden laughed. “Embracing his sister?”
Relieved by the substitute, she returned his grin. “He realizes now that it was an unfortunate misunderstanding of the situation.”
“Don’t you believe it, sweet lady. Tipton knows me better than most. I should be grateful all he tried to do was take off my head.”
Devona liked Dr. Sir Wallace Brogden. He was not much older than her husband; however, when she looked into his eyes she would have sworn he had crammed an average man’s life span into thirty-odd years of living. There was something ancient about him, a mystery that intrigued and teased like the greenish-gold flecks that twinkled at her from the brown depths of his eyes.
“You’ve known Rayne a long time.”
It wasn’t a question, but he answered it as if it were. “Since he was fifteen. He’s journeyed far from the lad they dragged onto the deck of theGriffin’s Claw.”
She stopped gathering up the soiled bandages. “I thought leaving London was his choice?” She dropped the linen into a discarded bowl of soapy water.
Brogden’s eyes widened in disbelief. “He didn’t tell you about the sorry state he had managed to get himself into?”
“I know he was mistakenly buried alive. That his family was afraid of him after his resurrection.”
He snorted. “I can’t confirm if it was a mistake or not, but that mother of his preferred him in the grave to having him sharing their supper.” He motioned for a pillow that had dropped onto the floor. She picked it up and stuffed it behind him. He sighed his contentment.
“The story has circulated throughout society for years. There was some rubbish about demonic possession, but upon meeting the dowager myself, I would wager she’s had more dealings with the underworld than my husband.”
Admiration shone on his face. “Now I see why Tipton nabbed you. For a bitty little thing, you are quite feisty.”
Delighted and embarrassed, she brushed the compliment away with a wave of her hand. “I figured even a fifteen-year-old Rayne could tolerate only so much hysteria before he became disgusted and left.”
“You’re right about the ‘disgusted’ part, although he had more motivation to leave than his feelings. He could leave or allow them to commit him.” Apala, deciding Devona was harmless, crept from her hiding place under the pillow. She rested on his arm, flicking her tongue over each eyeball.
“An asylum?” she said, aghast.
“The grandmother was against it, but she was only one voice. Young Tipton ran off as soon as he was recovered from the sickness.”
Rayne would not appreciate the pity she felt for him. How heartless could a mother be to have run off her only surviving son so soon after burying his brother? Her grief must have induced a temporary madness. It seemed the only plausible explanation. “So he boarded a ship to seek his fortune.”
Brogden stretched his arms. “Nothing so romantic. He hooked up with a gang of boys bent on thievery. He was so green he was caught on his first attempt. With the choice of the gallows or transportation looming, it seemed fate was steering him back into the grave he had cheated.”
Devona nibbled her lower lip, realizing how little she really knew about her husband. The man had not been exactly forthright about his past. Of the two options, it was simple to predict which had occurred. “Where was he transported? Jamaica? Barbados?”
Brogden rubbed the stubble on his jaw. “Actually, neither.”
“How the devil…?”
Enjoying her confusion, he smiled. “Devil or guardian angel? Take your pick. We know which one thetonchose. He was a lucky bastard all the same. What most folks don’t know is that a friend of his father’s interceded on young Tipton’s behalf. The man was part owner of theGriffin’s Clawand saw to it that he was on board before she sailed.”
“Rayne has never spoken of him.” Or about any of this. Why should he? He married her as part of their devil’s bargain, not because there was love between them. Her spirits plummeted. At least he wasn’t burdened by the emotion.
Misinterpreting her frown, Brogden explained, “The man died years ago when we were in India. He set up Tipton nicely by willing his shares of the ship to him.” Becoming concerned, he felt he needed to add, “There now, I would be worried if he spent all his time telling you tales of his past. A pretty jewel like you is meant for stolen kisses and sweet compliments. His struggles to manhood aren’t for a lady’s ears.”
Devona grimaced, feeling as though he had just patted her on the head. There had been too many times in her life that someone had shielded her from indelicate subjects. Her stays was not the only thing holding her upright. She had a spine as well! “Dr. Brogden, if you are not comfortable discussing my husband, please say so. I can see that Rayne has lived an extraordinary life, and he bears the scars for it. You will do well to remember that pretty little jewels are, merely, hard rocks.”
“Did I sound that condescending?”
“Enough for me to seek out a hard rock,” she admitted, softening her threat with a smile. “I do not understand why I like you, Dr. Brogden.”
The charming smile he bestowed upon her would have made any female’s pulse skitter. He absently rubbed his heart. “Just Brogden. Or Wallace if you like.”
“Brogden then.” She stood to leave. “I have to see to Maddy. We have struck a bargain. She will endure one hour of household lessons if I will spend the equal amount of time improving the small gardens out back.”
His expression turned indulgent at the mention of her sister-in-law. “You will never tame her nature. Wild creatures never adapt well to cages.” He scooped up his ugly bump-riddled pet and kissed her on the head.
