by Dawn Brower
“Are you prepared for your return home?”
Pearla turned to the sound of Mason Tennick, The Earl of Addison’s voice. His pale blond hair blew in the breeze. His gaze left hers momentarily as he turned to look in the direction that had caught her attention. He had been courting her on the journey. She wasn’t a fool. It didn’t take much to surmise that he thought she was wife material. What he didn’t know was she never intended to marry. She’d tried it once—no…twice, if her fake wedding to Damian counted.
“As much as I can be.” She forced a smile on her face.
He turned toward her. Lord Addison did have lovely green eyes. If only she found him attractive enough to marry… Maybe she didn’t like blond men. Her track record surely spoke for that thus far. Both Damian and Noah had dark hair. She found that Noah had begun to pale in comparison though. Her thoughts wandered far more to Conte Leone. She often wondered what he was doing, where he was, and why he’d left her. It didn’t help she’d been attracted to him. It appeared he wasn’t worth her attention, but she couldn’t stop picturing him.
“Don’t worry about what all the gossipmongers will say,” he encouraged. “You’re lovely and what happened at your wedding was unavoidable. No one knew the Duke of Huntly’s wife was still alive. Not even he did. They can’t hold it against either of you. It was an unavoidable transgression.”
Dratted man had to remind her of the one thing she didn’t want to think about… Besides Damian anyway. Both Noah and Damian had a lot to answer for in regards to her bruised heart. She never should have let herself fall in love with Noah. Damian had bad idea written all over him. He’d been in full rake mode when he was locked in that cabin with her. She should be glad that nothing more had happened between them. A part of her wished she’d experienced what he’d offered her, the other part was thankful she’d never given into that dark desire. The mixed emotions engulfed her every day when Damian crossed her mind. Why couldn’t she forget him?
“I’m no longer concerned about what anyone in the ton has to say about me. I’ve had time and distance from the situation. It doesn’t matter to me any longer.” Lies. It all mattered, but she refused to let the world see it.
He smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”
Pearla squashed the desire to roll her eyes. Lord Addison was so tedious to converse with. “Are you happy to be returning to London?”
“I am.” He lifted her hand into his own. “But more importantly, I’m hoping to spend more time with you now that we are both back in England.”
Pearla wanted to jerk her hand out of his. Why did he think he had the right to touch her at all? She didn’t desire any man’s attention. She took a deep calming breath and slowly removed her hand from his grasp. She was overreacting. Lord Addison hadn’t meant to make her uncomfortable. It wasn’t his fault she detested his touch.
“If I attend any social events, please do seek me out.” Please don’t. Just forget I exist. “It will be a pleasure to see you again.”
Why did she have to remain polite? This was all an exercise in futility. She had no plans to go out much in society. Pearla would only attend functions to see her closest of friends. Lord Addison didn’t even make the list let alone the short one that contained people she liked.
“May I call upon you?”
Pearla’s mouth fell open, but she couldn’t come up with a reason to deny him. “It is going to take me some time to get my affairs in order. Perhaps after I’ve settled in…”
“I understand. I will give you some time. Is a fortnight too soon?” Lord Addison brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I hope we will have a chance to know each other much better.”
Pearla gritted her teeth. She wanted to smack his hand for his presumed familiarity. Did he think she would fall into his arms because Noah set her aside for Rubina? Perhaps she shouldn’t think badly of his intentions, but she couldn’t help it. No one was going to consider her so easily discarded ever again.
“Yes. I see.” She bit her lip. “Why don’t we wait and see if I’m up to receiving then. I’m not sure how long it will take to prepare my house for visitors.”
Another lie. Her townhouse was already prepared for her. She’d sent notice to her housekeeper before she even thought about when she’d return home for good. It had been on her mind for some time. The desire to see England and her friends. So she’d asked Mrs. Hopsen to ready her home for her. Not too long after she booked passage on a passenger ship to return. It was time, after all.
Lord Addison smiled. “I hope it is sooner rather than later. You’ll send notice if it is?”
Pearla sighed. “If I remember to...” She’d forget on purpose. There was something about him she didn’t like. Perhaps because he was a male and breathed. He seemed nice enough to be around, but Pearla didn’t want to garner any man’s attention.
“Please, say you won’t forget about me.”
If she had her way he’d already be a distant memory.
She feigned a bright smile. “Of course not… But you know how busy it is to run a household. I might not have time to stop and consider anyone else. You do understand, don’t you?” It was getting rather tiresome to continue forged happiness around Lord Addison.
He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. Pearla resisted the urge to shudder. At least she was wearing gloves. It would have been so much worse if his lips had touched her bare skin. She’d had enough of men and their licentious intentions. Lord Addison meant to court and marry her. He’d made his desires known. When she thought of him, pictured his face, or even spent any time with him her insides were nothing but an icy void. She had not one good emotion regarding him.
“I do.” His lips tilted into a cocky grin. “Rest assured I’m willing to wait however long it takes for you to allow me to call upon you. You, my dear, are worth it.”
Pearla looked away from him and rolled her eyes. Some much needed distance from Lord Addison would be in her future. He’d been a thorn in her side too long already. She sighed and turned toward him. Maybe she should be a little less polite with him. If only she wasn’t so well mannered.
“I appreciate your attention, but you should know I don’t plan on entertaining much for a while. Being in the company of others is too taxing.”
“Surely you can make an exception for me?” He raised an eyebrow. “I’m not just anyone.”
His arrogance knew no bounds. She mentally sighed. He wouldn’t be so easily persuaded to leave her alone.
She shook her head. “There is a select few I plan on allowing into my life. Friends and family I’ve not seen for over a year. For now, that will be all I have time for.”
“I see.” He stared off into the distance.
“Pardon me, Miss Montgomery.” Mary Alice, a young maid Pearla hired as a chaperone on her journey approached them. “The captain said we’re entering the harbor. Do you still wish me to accompany you?”
Pearla smiled. “Of course. Did the captain indicate how long until we dock?”
“He said within the hour.”
Lord Addison interrupted them, “Don’t you have duties you need to see to then?”
“I…” Mary Alice muttered. Fear filled her eyes as she glanced over at Lord Addison.
Pearla glanced back and forth between them. What reason would her maid have to fear the earl? Her face had paled considerably when Lord Addison addressed her. Perhaps she was intimidated by a lord, or any man’s presence. She was more concerned why Lord Addison felt the need or even the right to order her staff about.
“Mary Alice, go down to our cabin. I will join you in a few moments. We will rest a bit until we dock together.” She smiled, reassuringly. “It won’t be long before we’re safe in my townhouse.”
Mary Alice bobbed her head and scampered off. She’d question her maid later. For now, she’d put Lord Addison in his place. He would understand why he couldn’t step in and order her maid. He wasn’t anything to Pearla. No man could dictate to her. She
was in full possession of her inheritance, and as far as she was concerned fully on the shelf. Marriage was not something she wanted for herself—ever.
“Lord Addison, do not order anyone in my employ or question them again. They know what my wants and desires are. I do not need you, or anyone else, to step up and handle my affairs.”
He opened his mouth and closed it again. His lips formed a thin white line, the displeasure in his eyes evident as he gazed down upon her. He hadn’t liked being dressed down one bit. Too bad. Pearla didn’t care what he thought of her. Maybe it would give him a reason to quit pursuing her hand in marriage.
“Pardon me,” he began, “I was unaware I was overstepping. It won’t happen again.”
Pretty words, but she didn’t believe them. He was saying what he believed she wanted to hear. What he didn’t know was it didn’t matter if he apologized or not. Lord Addison meant nothing to her. It irritated her that he thought he had a right to step into her life in any way. After they docked, she would go home and not give him another thought. In fact, if she never saw him again it would be too soon.
“It’s all right.” It wasn’t, but polite Pearla was coming back out again. “Now that you know, I’m sure it won’t happen again.” She almost snorted at those words. Lord Addison was an overbearing arse. Of course he’d try to dictate to her again. Pearla was beginning to know his type rather well. She’d been living around his type all her life. Her father, Viscount Redding, was a man like him. At least she didn’t have to live under his roof any longer. Thanks to her inheritance from her grandmother, she could live on her own and not worry about answering to anyone.
“Of course not.” He smiled. “Would you like me to escort you to your cabin?”
The man was persistent. Was he obtuse or did he just not care? Pearla wanted to extricate herself from his company. Allowing him to escort her anywhere would be defeating her purpose. She shook her head. “I can find my own way. Good day, Lord Addison.”
He bowed. “Until I see you again, Miss Montgomery.”
Pearla smiled and turned away from him. Only then did she let her smile fall. She watched another ship across the harbor head toward the docks. In the distance, the old clipper coasted through the water. She’d never sail on one of those blasted ships again. The steamer she’d secured passage on was not only faster, but it didn’t carry memories she’d like to forget—like the type of ship she’d been held hostage on.
She shook her head as a man with long dark hair filled her mind. Pearla glanced back at the ship. It was a good distance away, but she could almost make out some of the individuals on deck. If Damian was amongst them, she’d never know, but a part of her had to wonder. Would he come back to London? At some point he would. His sister lived there.
She couldn’t think about what could or would happen when he turned up again. It wasn’t a question of if, but when. On that day, Damian would realize he no longer meant anything to her.
If only she could convince herself of that notion.
Chapter Eight
Damian stepped into his set of rooms at the Albany and sighed. It had been a bloody long day. They docked several days ago, and he had immediately begun figuring out where Camellia and Captain Blythe were. They hadn’t been in residence when he’d paid a call. He’d been away from London for so long he had no clue what entertainments were being offered. The season was in full swing, and no doubt if anyone knew he was in town he’d soon have undesired guests pouring in. Perhaps he should pay his sister a visit. She could spread word of his arrival and speed up the process.
A boom rattled the room, shaking throughout. He jumped at the sound. He brought his hand up and rubbed his chest to ease his rapidly beating heart. “Who the hell is visiting?” He marched toward the door and swung it pen and frowned. “Arturo, do you have any news?”
He brushed past Damian and entered his residence. “I do.”
“What have you discovered?” A rush of emotion spread through him. “Have you located Camellia or Captain Blythe?”
“I can tell you that they are not currently in London. My contacts confirmed they left the city a few days ago.” Arturo headed over to the liquor cabinet and poured brandy into two glasses, handing one to Damian. He took a swift drink and nodded. “The good news is they are still in England. The bad news is they have headed to Somerset for a few days. Camellia had a need to explore Bath.”
Damian snorted. “Did she want to take in the waters? Or was it the theater district that appealed to her—she’d make a good actress for them to acquire.”
“I wouldn’t presume to understand the inner workings of Camellia Fonte.” Arturo swallowed the rest of his drink and set it down. “They are expected to return at the week’s end. So you just have to sit back and await their return. Perhaps we can use this time to form a strategy on how to best handle the situation.”
What was the best way to deal with a former lover? Camellia had gotten rather possessive, so he’d had to break things off with her. It had been a blow to his investigation of her brother to do so, but she’d been too difficult to handle any longer. She was a beautiful woman with inky black hair and sapphire eyes that made it rather easy to fall into bed with her. Damian never saw her as anything but a source in his quest to rid the world of Paolo Fonte. He had done her a disservice.
Maybe the best way to approach her was to apologize for being the rake that ruined her… Somehow, he didn’t think it would go over well. Camellia wanted him—what she expected to do with him once she managed to trap him, he didn’t know. The element of surprise was their best bet. Damian didn’t want to be the fly to her spider.
“Do you have someone working inside her townhouse?” A staff member in their employ would be a useful tool—making it easier to access her home when she least expected it. He knew Camellia well enough to anticipate her moves once he was inside. It was giving her time to plan that would be his downfall.
“One of our people was hired as a footman and another as a maid. It is the maid who gave me the information on their whereabouts. The footman is traveling with them to Bath. He should be able to give us more information about her sudden trip when they return.”
“Good. When they return we will act. I need to know where Pearla is. The sooner we can question Captain Blythe the better. Waiting is going to be hard…”
“You will have the information you need to find her. We have to be patient.” Arturo walked to the window, and glanced outside. “The past couple of years have been difficult for us. They have not been without good tidings though. Perhaps you should use this time to visit your sister. I believe she’s had some happy events you will be interested in.”
He raised an eyebrow, questioningly. “What have you learned about Rubina?”
Arturo turned toward him. A small smile was on his face. “Her and her duke are doing well. Though you should realize she has mourned you. It’s rather ironic that at one time, albeit different instances, the world believed you both dead, don’t you think?”
“They believed I was dead? I thought everyone believed I was merely missing…” Damian frowned. Why hadn’t he asked more questions? He’d been consumed with his own needs and never stopped to think about how his indenture may have impacted his family. “You’re right I should go and see her. I wasn’t in a hurry with my priorities being focused on finding Pearla. Rubina will be relieved to see me again—much like I was when you brought her to me. It would be selfish to let her to continue to believe I’ve stopped breathing.”
What a mess. Damn Paolo Fonte for playing God with their lives. He had taken Rubina from them for years and had somehow managed to do the same with him. His father probably believed him dead as well. What it must have done to the older man. First his daughter and then his son…
“It’s a wise decision to pay a call on her. You should go to her now. Give her my regards when you see her.”
Damian nodded. “We will meet later and discuss how to handle Camellia. Captain Blythe i
sn’t going to be happy to see me. He will give me the information I need and then we can see about turning him over to the authorities for his crimes.” Kidnapping two people shouldn’t go unaccounted for. “In the meantime, we will wait patiently and I’ll head over to see Rubina. It’s past time I inform my family I am very much alive.”
“Of course,” Arturo agreed. “I will walk out with you.”
They left his rooms and strolled toward the building’s exit. Once they were outside, they parted ways. Damian decided to walk to Rubina’s. He needed the exercise to clear his mind. Finding Pearla had been his sole focus since he’d been rescued. Never once had he thought about his family. His absence probably would have been missed from the start. Rubina had been in danger and expected him to help her. Why had he not considered they might believe him gone for good? Damian had always put Rubina first in the past. Meeting Pearla had switched his focus entirely. He would have to apologize profusely to Rubina when he saw her. He’d been a horrible brother to her.
At least he could be reassured that she was all right and Paolo would never hurt her again. He wished his sister hadn’t been the one to send the evil bastard to hell. Damian wanted that privilege. If he could resurrect him and kill him all over again he would. The harm the duca had caused his family… He shook his head to clear his thoughts away. All that mattered was they’d survived and would continue to do so. Paolo hadn’t won. His family was stronger than the malice that pursued them.
Damian rounded the corner and headed toward the Huntly townhouse. He stopped short of it and stared at the entrance. There was a bustle of activity surrounding his sister’s home. Carriages being moved away as not to block the street and the door opening and closing allowing people to enter…
Was she throwing a party? Maybe it wasn’t a good time to visit.
He almost turned around and left. Until he caught sight of the blonde vision he’d been searching for since his escape. Pearla…