Page 52 of A Sense of Injustice
Then why insist that I pursue her?Darius knew why, of course, and decided now was the time to put his foot down. ‘I couldn’t speak with her. The countess’s companion was with her.’
‘We knew she would be,’ Felicity replied, scowling. ‘But she is just a servant. Why didn’t you insist that she withdraw?’
‘She might only be a servant, but she most certainly doesn’t behave like one.’ Darius ground his jaw. ‘She declined to leave me alone with Louise and there was nothing I could do to force the issue.’
Darius sensed the tension radiating through Felicity’s body. ‘I don’t believe that for a single moment.’
‘That’s because you were not there. Besides, Miss Latimer imperiously informed me that Lord Swindon is aware of my interest in Louise and firmly intends to prevent me from getting anywhere near her.’
‘Ha! Empty threats, my dear. It’s a free country, and unless the earl stands personal guard over Louise the entire time, there will always be opportunities for you to get her alone. Then she will have to see sense.’
‘I can’t do it, Fel. We shall have to give this up. I know of the earl’s reputation for taking a moral stance. If he tells Edward that I’ve behaved inappropriately, all hell with break loose.’
‘What do you care? You and your brother are virtually estranged.’
‘We are, but if Edward even suspects me of behaving in a manner that brings the family name into disrepute then my life will not be worth living. As a marquess, Edward wields considerable power, both as head of the family and as a significant figure within the ranks of society. If he finds out about our association you can be sure that he will ruin you too.’
She shook her head. ‘You’re overreacting. A busy man like Swindon will have better things to do with his time than to involve himself with the affairs of a neighbour’s granddaughter.’
‘He might not watch over her personally, but he employs enough people to provide that service for him. Remember what your sister told you about Miss Latimer and the authority she enjoys within the earl’s household? They held a party in her honour, so she’s hardly looked upon as a servant. Besides, Louise’s grandmother is on friendly terms with the dowager countess, so even without Miss Latimer’s involvement, I imagine the earl would look out for the interests of his grandmother’s friend. After all, if I threaten to disgrace Louise by speaking out, it will reflect upon the grandmother too.’ He shook his head. ‘We’ll have to think again, Fel, and look elsewhere for our meal ticket.’
‘There is nowhere else.’ Felicity scowled, reducing her eyes to narrowed slits that glistened with anger. ‘We’ve come too far with this little doxy to give up on her now. We’ve hit a few obstacles but I’m sure we will find a way to overcome them.’
Darius shook his head, conscious of the familiar combination of Felicity’s determination and femininity luring him into her web. She still possessed the power to enthral him and he she had already almost managed to convince him that together they could achieve the unachievable.
‘I don’t see how,’ he said, reaching out a hand to touch her lovely face. ‘Tell me what I must do.’ Darius reasoned that he would be able to counter any suggestions she made, thereby absolving himself from accusations of cowardice, or undergoing a change of heart about their future together. ‘I will not risk bringing my brother’s wrath down on my head. Our relationship is rocky enough as things stand.’
‘Get to the sister,’ Felicity said after a significant pause. ‘She must come into the village occasionally.’
‘Even so, I can hardly introduce myself to her. Bad form, that.’
‘Tosh, Darius! Forget form. You can legitimately claim to be a friend of her sister’s. Besides, this is the country. London’s rigid standards don’t apply here.’
Darius hoisted a brow. ‘Friend?’ He ran a hand down the outside of Felicity’s thigh. All this soft hay gave a man ideas.
‘The sister,’ Felicity replied, wrapping her arms around Darius’s neck and pressing her body against his.
‘I keep meaning to ask you how your uncle has arranged his affairs,’ Darius said, divesting Felicity of her bodice. ‘If he is generously inclined towards his nieces, his only relations, that could be the answer to our difficulty.’
‘He’ll live another twenty years,’ Felicity responded, pushing Darius’s coat off his shoulders. ‘I am not prepared to wait that long to become your wife. The sister,’ she repeated, pressing her now naked torso against Darius’s chest. ‘She has always been the key. Louise will do anything to protect her reputation.’
Darius felt desire overwhelm reason and set about making love to Felicity, wondering as he did so who was manipulating whom.
Chapter Thirteen
Luke returned to Beranger Court late the following morning, having enjoyed an informative meeting with Brigstock’s solicitors. He had Paul send for Flora and waited until she joined them so that he could tell them both what he had learned.
‘Seems Brigstock knew all about his wife and Cleethorp,’ he explained. ‘Cleethorp was not her first lover, but unlike the others he endured. Brigstock knew it was serious, and that his cold-hearted wife was for once in danger of actually falling in love. He told Heath quite candidly that he had neither the will nor the strength to confront her about the affair. He knew how determined she could be when there was something she wanted badly enough. He couldn’t face the scandal of a divorce, which was his only option if he were to challenge her.’
Paul nodded. ‘He knew she married him for his money?’
‘Oh yes. He told Heath that he’d never deluded himself in that regard. Felicity knew that if she didn’t do anything to openly embarrass him and looked after him for the remainder of his life then she stood to inherit a substantial sum. He decided when she failed to behave discreetly with Cleethorp that it made their agreement null and void.’
‘Was he actually wealthy, or did he deceive her about the extent of his fortune?’ Flora asked.
‘Fabulously wealthy according to Heath. But Brigstock gave him instructions to get rid of the lot whilst he was still alive, just so that there could be no wrangling over it once he was gone. He gave it all to charitable causes, leaving himself just enough to live on. But Heath had precise instructions upon how even that relatively small amount was to be dispersed when Brigstock died. His wife was not to see a penny of it. He was adamant on the point. If she kicked up a fuss, which she apparently attempted to do, then Heath was to threaten her with the publication in the newspapers of an open letter from Brigstock that detailed his wife’s indiscretions in embarrassing detail.’
‘Goodness,’ Flora said with a faint smile. ‘I thought women were the more ruthless of the sexes when scorned.’
