Tempting His Mistress

by Samantha Holt

  “Miss—” Higgins protested as he ambled up beside her but she ignored him. For too long, she had been hidden away. Her entire life had been spent behind closed doors and she refused to be fearful any longer. No more worrying about her reputation or the gossips and no more fretting over some imagined danger.

  On the doorstep stood a young woman, around her age. Lilly gasped as she noted the bruising on her cheek and red rimmed eyes. Her skin shimmered with tears. The pale green gown she wore was several seasons old at least and had seen better days.

  “Forgive me, is Lord Hawksley in?” she stammered.

  Darting her gaze around, Lilly instinctively took the woman’s arm and drew her into the passageway. “He is not. Can I help you? What is your name?”

  “I am Mrs Hastings. I was told...” She glanced at Higgins.

  Lilly waved the butler away. “Will you have Mary bring some tea to the drawing room?”

  “No, please,” the woman begged. “I cannot stay. If he finds me...” A sob bubbled out her mouth and she grabbed a handkerchief from her purse and dabbed her cheeks. “Forgive me...”

  “If who finds you, Mrs Hastings? Has someone hurt you?”

  “I had heard Lord Hawksley helps women like me... who... who have been hurt.”

  Lilly pressed her lips together. Who could she have heard this from? She studied the woman again and rubbed her back, trying to soothe her sobs. Had her husband hit her? The bruise on her face had made her cheek swell to a large size and had clearly been done with great force. What should she do? She could hardly send her on her way in such a state and certainly not if she was in danger. But she had no clue where Evan was or what he normally did with these women.

  “The marquess is not here right now.”

  “He will kill me,” she wailed. “He will find me and kill me. I’m not safe here.”

  What would Evan do? Lilly pursed her lips. “Can you leave London today?”

  The woman bobbed her head.

  Lilly made a snap decision then. She would help this woman leave London and return to ask for Evan’s aid once she was out of danger. They could travel to Oxfordshire in a matter of hours and the journey hardly took any time at all. She might even be back in London before nightfall. When she was assured of Mrs Hastings’s safety, she would let Evan know and he could take over from there.

  “We must leave London today,” she told the woman. “We can catch a train and I have a safe place to take you.”

  “I must... must get my daughter.”

  Lilly closed her eyes and opened them, her heart sinking. “You left her with your husband?”

  “No... sh-she is with the nursemaid. My husband is at one of the gambling halls.” Mrs Hastings lifted her head and a flash of something echoed across her expression, before her brow creased. “You must come with me. Please, Miss Claremont.”

  How did the woman know her name? It didn’t matter really. Perhaps she had caught wind of the gossip too. For now, their main concern was getting Mrs Hastings and her daughter to safety.

  “Let us fetch your daughter with haste. You must take only what you can carry, do you understand?”

  Mrs Hastings nodded furiously, a flash of something in her eyes. It struck Lilly as triumph but it could not be that. Perhaps it was relief at getting aid.

  Lilly sought out Higgins and explained her plan to him. He argued vehemently against such a decision but she would not be swayed. What kind of woman would she be if she ignored someone in need? After asking that the carriage be made ready, she fetched her purse and took Mrs Hasting’s arm to lead her out the front. No gunshots greeted her today, she thought smugly. Evan had been entirely wrong about the danger she was in. Likely it was a simple accident—a duel gone wrong perhaps.

  Mrs Hastings gave her an address in King’s Cross. She told the driver to take them there with haste. Lilly didn’t know King’s Cross well but she had thought it didn’t have the best reputation. The morning traffic remained heavy and with each passing moment, apprehension built in her chest. Mrs Hastings’s sniffles had ceased and she peered out of the window, twining her hands.

  She probably feared for her daughter, she supposed. Would Evan be angry at her for taking action? Maybe, but hopefully when she explained he would understand.

  They pulled up outside a tatty looking large house. The windows were framed with paint-flecked shutters and they were covered with soot and grime. Lilly poked her head out of the window and peered around. Several women lingered on the street corners—whores she suspected. Who would leave a child here?

  “Is this the right address?”

  Mrs Hastings nodded. “Yes. I had to leave her here.”

  Lilly gulped and stepped out. The driver leaned into her. “I don’t think it wise you stay here, miss. Shall I take you back?”

  “No, we shall be fine, thank you. Give us a few moments, please, and we shall need to go to Paddington.”

  “I’ll be here if you need me, miss,” the young man said.

  “Thank you.”

  Mrs Hastings stepped out and strode ahead. Her stance was more confident than before and Lilly concluded she was relieved to have a way out of her dire circumstances. The woman opened the door, ushered her in and took a look around outside before shutting the door.

  Lilly eyed the grim stairwell. Only one gas lamp was lit, casting most of it in shadows. A damp odour hung in the air and even clung to her skin. Underfoot, the garish red and green carpet was threadbare. Something lurked in the shadows, making her stomach lurch. Before she could question Mrs Hastings, a man stepped out from the gloom. With a large stomach and a sour face, he loomed over her.

  Failing to hold back a startled cry, she attempted to step in front of Mrs Hastings, fearing it was her husband, but the woman simply laughed and came around her to stand at the man’s side.

  He scowled. “What is this?”

  Slowly backing away, Lilly swung her gaze between the two of them. “What is going on?” she demanded. “Who are you?”

  “This is his mistress,” Mrs Hastings told the man. “Hawksley wasn’t there but she was. I’ve ‘eard he’s greatly attached to her.”

  Brow creasing at the change in tone in Mrs Hastings’s voice, she took a moment to study the man. He spoke well and appeared well dressed too. Clearly wearing a tailored suit, he didn’t fit in with the current surroundings.

  “You were meant to bring Hawksley!” he barked.

  Lilly retreated until her back hit the door. She reached around to find the door handle and fumbled to get it open. She whirled and pulled it open but the man was upon her before she could get any further and he dragged her back into the house while she kicked and screamed at him.

  Nails scrabbling across anywhere she could reach, she tried to bite him when a hand came across her mouth and a crack resounded through the room. It took a moment for the pain to register. Her vision went white and heat flared agonizingly up her cheek. She sagged and the man dragged her deeper into the house. Head spinning, she found herself flung onto a chair. Before she found her feet, he tugged roughly at her wrists and set about binding them behind her back. Lilly struggled to get free but his strength overpowered her and she ended up tied to the chair.

  The dots in front of her vision slowly cleared and she rolled her head from one side to the other to study her surroundings. No gas lamps were lit in this room—an old drawing room she assumed. The heavy curtains were open, allowing enough light in for her to see the empty fireplace and a dusty chandelier hanging from the middle of the room. No other furnishings save from the chair on which she sat occupied the room. When she glanced at the floor, she noted the tattered state of the carpet matched that of the hall. Whoever’s house this was, it had not been occupied in many years.

  “Release me,” she demanded. “Who are you? What are you doing?”

  The man moved to stand in front of her and Mrs Hastings came to his side, grinning.

  “You were meant to bring me Hawksley,” he mutte
red to her.

  “He’ll come for ‘er,” she assured him. “Just you see. Now are you going to pay me or not?”

  He sighed. “Yes, but only half. You did not do your job properly. I wanted Hawksley, not some expensive whore. Now I shall have to kill both of them.”

  “I had to think quick, I did. It will work just as well, you’ll see. You’d better pay me my full amount or I’ll be talking to the bobbies.”

  “You talk to the bobbies and you shall have more than that bruise on your face to worry about, Maggie.” He fished out a money clip from his jacket and handed over some money.

  Maggie grinned and fingered the notes. “I’ll have no luck gettin’ any new customers for a while with this bruise you gave me.” She pointed to her face. “But this will keep me going nicely.” She nodded at Lilly. “You going to kill ‘er?”

  “Well I shall have to now. Too many people suspect me of harming Eleanor. It’s too risky to leave any trails leading back to me.”

  Lilly gasped at the familiar name. Was he Eleanor’s husband?

  Maggie snorted. “Would have been easier just to call him out for a duel or shoot him in an alleyway.”

  A wide grin cracked his face, his teeth flashing in the gloom. “Yes, but that would not have been nearly as satisfying. I intend to make him pay dearly for what he made me do to Eleanor.” He faced the woman briefly. “Unless you want to enjoy the show, you had better leave. And remember—”

  “I know, I know. You can trust me to keep my gob shut, don’t you worry. Thanks for the gown, my lord,” she added saucily.

  The man rolled his eyes and waited for her to leave before eyeing Lilly. Mouth dry, she twisted her wrists against the ropes and grimaced when they rubbed painfully at her skin.

  “So you are this mistress I’ve heard so much about. I shall admit I don’t see what has the marquess so enraptured but perhaps you have other skills that keep him entertained.” He leered at her, leaving her in no doubt he was referring to her skills in the bedroom.

  “Who are you?” she asked again. If she could only understand what he wanted with her and Evan, she might be able to talk her way out of it.

  “I am Lord Ashby.”

  Lilly’s stomach grew heavy. He was Eleanor’s husband.

  “You recognise my name, I see. Your Lord Hawksley has caused me many problems. My wife is dead and my friends shall have nothing to do with me.”

  “You should have thought of that before you beat her!”

  He raised the back of his hand and smirked when she flinched. “A man is well within his rights to beat a disobedient woman. Eleanor need never have died had she not planned on breaking the sanctity of our marriage by leaving me.”

  “You broke it when you hurt her,” she spat.

  She never saw the blow coming. There was a smack and the other side of her cheek exploded. Both sides of her head throbbed incessantly and she tried to shake away the fog crowding her mind. “He will not come for me,” she panted, trying to ignore the pain that forced tears into her eyes. “He has cast me aside, you see.”

  Lord Ashby tapped his lips with his finger. “Perhaps, but Hawksley never could resist a woman in need, even a fallen one like you.” He spun on a heel and paused to mutter, “Let us see if your driver is still waiting patiently for you. I shall have him send a letter to your dear marquess.”

  The lord strode out and Lilly expelled the air from her lugs. Squirming against the ropes, she threw her head from side to side, searching for a way out. She could not let Lord Ashby use her against Evan.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  When Evan was halfway through his third whisky, Thomas entered the club and approached. Evan groaned to himself. If he wasn’t careful he would take a swing at his brother. He only hoped the man was wise enough to keep his mouth shut where Lilly was concerned.

  “Ah, there you are. I was about to stop by the house when I ran into Thornberry, you remember him?” Thomas settled himself into the green leather chair opposite. “He said he had seen you come this way.”

  “What do you want, Thomas?”

  “That chap you asked me about when I visited the other day—Miss Claremont’s cousin...”

  “Yes?”

  “He ran into him in the park a few days ago. The same day you claim Miss Claremont was shot at.”

  Evan let his brows knit. It was hardly proof of his guilt but it might be enough to force the truth from him.

  “You don’t seriously believe he tried to harm her, do you?”

  Shoving aside his whisky glass, Evan pushed away from the table. “If he did, he will regret it.”

  He turned, ignoring his brother shouting his name and strode out onto the street. He contemplated a carriage but it would probably be quicker to walk with the streets so busy. Evan raced across the road, scarcely avoiding being run down by a barouche. He made it to the Grosvenor Hotel in good time and paused to catch his breath outside. It boasted the latest architecture, with arched windows and exquisite detailing. He remembered the papers touting it as ushering in the golden age of travel, having been built by railway pioneers. This was the first occasion he’d had to step inside.

  A doorman held open the dark wood door and a rush of cool air greeted him inside. Heavy mouldings garnished the ceiling and underfoot the black and white tiles gleamed. He marched over to the front desk. “Do you have a Mr Henry...” He trailed off as he spotted a flash of red hair at the bar behind the glass doors to the left. “Excuse me.”

  Evan stormed over to the bar where Henry sat, elbows propped on the carved mahogany. Without prelude, Evan grabbed him by his collar, spinning him around and slamming him against the wood and making the glasses on it rattle.

  Several shouts of dismay and a feminine cry rang out, but he ignored them and pressed the young man harder until his face nearly matched his hair.

  “I say now,” he gasped, “what are you doing?” Henry flailed uselessly and tried to pry his hands away.

  Evan merely smirked. “I know you tried to harm Lilly,” he hissed. “You shall be saddened to know you didn’t succeed. The poison did not work.”

  “Poison? What in the devil—”

  “First you got her thrown from her horse and then you shot at her. When that failed, you poisoned her food. Don’t deny it!” He kept a tight grip on him and Henry fought for air.

  “No...” He shook his head frantically. “I didn’t poison... Release me,” he croaked.

  “Not until you tell me the truth.”

  One of the bar stewards approached cautiously. “Sir, please take this outside.”

  “Why not? No one will have to witness a murder then,” Evan said with a snarl. Henry trembled but the fight had left him as Evan dragged him out into the street and down the side of the hotel. He threw him to the dirty ground and the man curled up.

  “Please don’t hurt me. I swear I didn’t poison her.”

  “I don’t believe you.” Even hefted him to his feet and gripped his shirt once more.

  “I swear it. The horse and the shooting... I admit it... it was me. But I never poisoned her!”

  Evan eyed the red-faced man, searched his gaze for the truth. Was it possible the poisoning was just what the doctor had suggested? Brought on by some spoiled food and nothing else?

  “I never meant for anything to happen,” Henry blubbed and Evan relaxed his hold on him.

  “For what to happen?”

  Henry rung his hands. “It was not my fault, you see. Some bad people took advantage of me. I wagered too high and found myself in debt to them. They... they threatened my life. I had no choice!”

  “No choice but to try to kill your cousin?”

  “I didn’t know it would go this far. Once I told them I would be coming into money eventually, they made threats and then... then when my uncle ended up dead, I knew they would come for me next if I didn’t pay quickly.”

  “You were responsible for Mr Claremont’s death?”

  “No!” He began
to sob freely, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I didn’t know they would kill him. When I heard about the attack, I knew it was them. But I never thought for one minute they would go that far. They warned me I could expect the same if I did not pay up soon but most of the money is tied up. I needed Lilly’s inheritance.” He swiped a hand across his face. “You’re not going to kill me, are you?”

  Evan almost laughed. Funny how his temper had abated at seeing this snivelling mess. He suspected these loan sharks could do worse to Henry than he ever could. “I will not kill you, but I shall tell Lilly all. What happens next will be her decision.”

  “I didn’t want to hurt her really,” Henry admitted quietly. “It was terribly hard to try to shoot her but I had no choice after the accident with the horse failed.”

  “Just think yourself lucky you are a terrible shot because if you had succeeded, you would be dead.” Evan shook his head. Poor Lilly. How would he tell her that Henry had been the one to cause her father’s death? All down to greed. He hoped she believed him after their argument, but at least he knew the danger had passed. If she was still set on leaving him, she would no longer be at risk.

  “What now?” Henry sniffled.

  “Take me to your room.”

  His eyes widened. “So you can kill me?”

  “No, so you can write all this down. Every. Little. Detail. Should I ever see you near Lilly again, I shall hand that letter over to the police. That is, of course, unless she decides to do it herself.”

  Henry nodded frantically and Evan marched him to his room. There he penned the details with a shaking hand, describing how he put a bramble under the horse’s saddle and planned to leave her there in the hope she might succumb to illness when she didn’t die immediately. Fresh rage swirled through his veins as Evan read everything over his shoulder. But it was Lilly’s decision what to do, he reminded himself. If he could do one thing for her, it was this.

  He left the man—who with his red nose and watery eyes looked more like a little boy than a man—and headed for home. In truth, he didn’t envy Henry. He could well end up dead at the hands of the loan sharks anyway. They looked for easy prey and Henry was clearly one of them. But he couldn’t bring himself to worry for him. His concern was for Lilly.