Page 39 of To Redeem an Earl

Richard’s agitation rose at the repeated mentions of the duke’s wife, the sheltered but fierce noblewoman who had jilted him because she had discovered him in the stables with her maid in an indecent tryst. He shifted the conversation before his discomfiture was revealed, because he was not yet ready to address the matter with Annabel. Hot shame about his behavior at the time—and after—made it hard to breathe each time her name was mentioned.

“Thank you.” Richard put the small volume in one of his pockets and removed the note from another.

“The matter of the note, it is quite pressing. Sophia, and even Ethan, may be at risk. I have increased security, but I must take stronger action to protect them.”

The duke nodded. “I understand. You feel the responsibility of your new family.”

Family?He now had … family? To protect and safeguard against the threats of the world around him. He shook his head in disbelief. He had not made that connection until the duke voiced it, but a wife and a son waited for him at home. His need to defend them from this fresh threat filled him with resolve.

“May I see the note?”

Richard unfolded it to stare down at the ominous words inked on the page. So few words, yet so much meaning contained within the simplicity of two sentences.

You enjoy stealing the loved ones of other men. Perhaps someone should steal yours?

The duke pulled a face. “The note implies that you interfered in loving relationships?”

Richard was indignant. “Never.”

Halmesbury raised a blond eyebrow in question. Richard avoided meeting his eye, instead staring at his own hand resting next to the brandy on the table. The confession he was being forced to make left a repulsive taste in his mouth. “It is far easier to seduce unhappy wives.”

He glanced up and caught the flash of distaste that crossed his cousin’s face before the duke composed himself, but Richard could not blame him for the slight reaction. Even he was experiencing a reaction to the shallowness of his past pursuits. He had awoken from the bad dream to realize that he was the villain of the piece. Now he wished to reinvent himself as an honorable gentleman. There was still much work ahead. But first, he needed to ensure his…family… would be safe.

Halmesbury pushed the note back across the table. “You need to tell the countess.”

“But she married me for security. If she thinks I cannot provide it to her, she may turn away from me. Or leave me, to return to the Morelands.”

Halmesbury shrugged. “I do not think you described a woman who is so inclined. Your priority, now that you have provided additional security to protect her, is to keep your developing marriage strong. You cannot withhold a secret of this magnitude without consequences.”

Richard grabbed the note to put it away, irritated. This meeting was turning out to be most unhelpful. He could not frighten his new wife with this problem, which was his fault to begin with. It was mortifying how much she had been forced to contend with since the day they said their vows, and he could not reveal that she had put herself in danger by joining his household.

He knew she was an exceptional woman, but this situation was beyond the pale. Nay. He needed to deal with this matter without alerting her to what another of his past mistakes had exposed them to. Sophia deserved the safety she sought in marrying him, and he would move heaven and earth to provide it.

Halmesbury sighed. “I see you will not.”

“I cannot. Eventually, my past will be too much and her patience will reach its limit.”

“I do not think you give the young woman enough credit. From what you described, she entered this marriage with her eyes open, willing to assist you on your quest. But I cannot make your decision for you. I can only encourage you to think on it. There was a time you encouraged me to talk to Annabel rather than run from my feelings. I now encourage you to do the same because it is liberating to have a life partner. Someone who is always at your side, no matter what you may have done. Or have to do. I urge you to reconsider your decision to conceal this matter.”

Richard gave a curt nod. He would think about it, but he doubted he would change his mind.

“Do you have any idea who could have sent it?”

“Any number of men who might consider themselves wronged.”

“I suggest you make a finite list and then task your runners to investigate. The goal would be to reduce the list down to a manageable list of likely suspects while maintaining increased security. Just realize that your countess would be better equipped to avoid danger if she is aware that she needs to be cautious.”

“I agreed to think on it!” Richard quelled his rebellion. The duke provided excellent guidance in a matter where Richard’s thoughts were compromised by the turmoil of fear for his new family, and he needed to keep a cool head. “I apologize. Your guidance is appreciated. I will do what you recommended and start listing out suspects to investigate until I uncover the source of this threat.”

Halmesbury smiled. “I hope you uncover it swiftly. If there is anything I can do to help, do not hesitate to ask.”

CHAPTER12

Just off St. James’s Place, having failed to locate Richard earlier, Sophia wandered through the modiste shop her husband had recommended for her new wardrobe befitting the wife of an earl. Lily was accompanying her, animated in her exploration of the explosion of colorful fabrics to inspect.

“It is so exciting! You can wear so many colors now that you are wed. I am quite envious.” Sophia smiled at her exuberant cousin. Lily was such a ball of energy, she never failed to lift Sophia’s spirits or distract her from her worries. Worries such as the fact that one of the new Johns had joined her in the carriage for this outing.

The coachman and the customary footman had sat on the box, but the shorter of the two Johns abruptly entered the carriage behind her without so much as a by-your-leave. It was unprecedented, in her experience, to have a male servant inside the carriage. When he failed to explain himself, Sophia remained quiet and tensely observant. The only reason she had not leapt from the carriage to run back into the house was the sight of Radcliffe on the front steps. The butler had been watching closely, displaying no surprise when the footman embarked, which allayed her initial fear. Still, she resolved to talk to Richard the moment there was an opportunity.

---