His Perfect Lady

by Jenn Langston

  “Where have you been?” Aunt Mildred demanded the second he stepped foot into the manor, days after he’d left Catherine. “Without a word, you disappear and only send a rare letter to your brother. Have you no respect for the rest of us?”

  Jonathan grinned. “I’ve missed you, too, Aunt. Why don’t we continue this talk in the drawing room?”

  He swept his arm in the indicated direction and relaxed as she did as bid. The staff didn’t need to be appraised of his business.

  Stanwick silently shook his head, clapped him on the back, then followed their aunt.

  “Now, where is this wife of yours? I will not approve of this farce of a foreign marriage until she is presented to me.”

  “She didn’t make the journey with me.”

  “Why ever not? Is she breeding? I always knew your wild ways would get you in trouble. Why Miss Glace was—”

  “No.” Jonathan had no desire to hear false accounts of Miss Glace’s distress. She held no fond feelings for him. “Catherine isn’t with child. I simply chose to leave her behind in order to prepare the family for meeting the new viscountess.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “But we have already met her. Something odd is occurring, and I don’t like it.”

  “Don’t fret. I shall bring Catherine before long.”

  “See that you do. I don’t intend to remove myself from this house until I ascertain whether a Berwick is capable of upholding the position of Viscountess Linwood admirably. Honestly, I have my doubts.”

  Without another word, Aunt Mildred left the room. Jonathan began to believe she would never choose to leave Linwood. If she continually made up excuses, they’d be stuck with her until her dying day. The thought didn’t bother him as much as it had at one point.

  Somewhere along the line, Jonathan suspected he’d obtained his aunt’s approval, a feat that had proven more insurmountable than obtaining his father’s good opinion. And that knowledge comforted him.

  “So, why did you leave Catherine in Scotland?” Stanwick asked after the door clicked shut.

  “It wasn’t practical for her to come. I didn’t make the journey for a social call. I have business I must see to.”

  Although Jonathan had told Stanwick of his location, he’d never mentioned anything regarding Rawson. The situation with Dudgery seemed to be aimed at him, so including his brother didn’t seem prudent.

  “Why do I get the feeling there is more you are not telling me?”

  Jonathan smiled at his brother’s accurate observation. “Perhaps I’m simply not ready to subject Catherine to Aunt Mildred’s tests. She is a formidable woman.”

  “Let’s say I believe you. When are you planning to return to Linwood?”

  “Anxious to return to London?”

  Stanwick averted his eyes as red crawled up his neck. “Maybe a little. I would go now, but Dudgery has come by several times, and I don’t wish to leave the boys and Aunt Mildred alone. Ever since the earl married Lady Evelyn, an air of desperation follows him. I don’t like it.”

  Shaking his head in a mournful manner, Jonathan attempted to hide the shock from his face. Rawson’s decision to keep Catherine away became clear. Had Dudgery come for him or his wife?

  He leaned back in his chair, hoping Rawson would meet him soon. As matters stood, Jonathan couldn’t seek him out. They needed to quickly resolve this situation. Stanwick remained here to keep his brothers safe, but Jonathan had left his wife unprotected. The mere thought brought panic to his throat and froze his blood.

  “Catherine, what are you doing here?” Vanessa exclaimed. “Take a seat. You look dreadful.”

  “I apologize. I’ve been stuck in a carriage for far too long. I’ve come for a visit.” Catherine gratefully dropped herself into a chair. Although she’d been sitting in the carriage all day, her body felt worn out more often than it used to.

  Vanessa smiled, obviously pleased. “I must say, that one letter I received from you months ago brought me more joy than I’ve had in years.”

  “I’m glad you approve. I wasn’t sure how anyone would respond to a hasty decision to wed at Gretna Green.”

  Although it wouldn’t last, seeing Vanessa’s happy face made Catherine glad Jonathan had allowed her to write to her cousin. She hadn’t understood why he’d insisted on keeping their location a secret even from family, but she had agreed for his sake.

  “So, where’s your husband? You know I would welcome him for a visit as well.” Vanessa poured two cups of tea and handed one to Catherine before taking a sip.

  Catherine set the delicate cup down with trembling hands. Her throat clogged, making her face burn. She needed to tell her cousin, but she didn’t want to say the words aloud. If she didn’t say it, maybe it wouldn’t be true.

  Closing her eyes, she whispered, “I have run away from him.”

  Vanessa sucked in her breath and the room fell silent. Refusing to open her eyes, Catherine kept them tightly closed. She reminded herself she was doing the right thing for Jonathan. After he’d left for Linwood, reality became painfully obvious to her.

  The curse was taking Jonathan away from her in an entirely different way than her previous husbands. He was miserable. As the curse stated, he would never live to experience enjoyment in their marriage. She’d mistakenly believed it to mean the wedding night. However, he’d experienced the act with her prior to marriage, so the curse had instead removed the happiness from his eyes as it drained his love for her.

  “What happened?” Vanessa asked hesitantly, as if she didn’t want to know the answer. “I never sensed anything bad in his personality.”

  “I’m making him miserable, and the only way to offer the happiness he deserves is to leave him.”

  Vanessa covered her heart with her hand. “Did he say this to you?”

  “He didn’t have to. I saw the proof in his eyes and felt it in his touch.”

  “Are you certain? He seemed to have a great passion for you. How could that change after such a short time?”

  Catherine’s heart ached. She didn’t wish to discuss this anymore. If Vanessa knew of the curse, would she understand? Regardless, Catherine couldn’t bring herself to admit it. She already hated herself enough for putting Jonathan in such danger. She couldn’t handle any further censure.

  “I’m sorry, Vanessa. I believe I’m too exhausted to talk any longer. Can I impose upon your hospitality until I form my next move?”

  Vanessa sat beside her and wrapped her arms around Catherine’s shoulders. “You may remain here for as long as you need.”

  Closing herself in her assigned bedchamber, Catherine fell to the bed and allowed her tears to escape. For years she wondered what marriage to Jonathan would be like. Now she knew. He was kind, loving, thoughtful, and everything she expected. A perfect husband. If not for the curse, her life would resemble the dreams she had as a young girl.

  Hatred grew in the pit of her stomach and strengthened as it moved through her. How could her father have done such a thing to her? He’d successfully rendered her life useless. After all, she no longer saw a point to living.

  It took two days before Jonathan received the expected message from Rawson. The man promised to contact him today. Jonathan’s nerves were wound so tight, he knew madness would soon have a grip on him. What was Catherine doing right now? Did she worry over his absence? He hoped not. The image of her ghostly form entered his mind. Patience worn thin, he slammed his fist against his desk as he waited for Rawson. “My lord,” his butler interrupted. “Lord Dudgery is requesting an audience.”

  Jonathan grew cold as he granted his enemy entrance. This man posed a threat to Catherine, making it impossible to bring her home. Jonathan’s hands itched to wring the earl’s neck as he sat staring at him with shifting eyes.

  “Linwood, we missed your company. Where did you disappear to?” Dudgery’s calm tone sounded forced. His dark eyes and haggard face assessed Jonathan, bringing him discomfort.

  “Here and there. My wife
and I have not been discriminatory in our travels.”

  “Good to hear. Did Lady Linwood come with you? I would dearly love to offer my felicitations to her.”

  “She did not.”

  Studying the man’s reaction, Jonathan realized the news didn’t surprise him. Dudgery must have been watching him. Jonathan clenched a fist. Rage simmered within him. If this man attempted to hurt his family, he would make him pay.

  “I bet that poor girl is desolate without you. I hope you at least left her with family.” Although mere curiosity touched his words, the earl’s intense eyes drilled into him.

  “I’m sorry, Dudgery. I don’t recall you stating your purpose for this visit. If you meant to come for a social call, I’m much too busy at present.”

  Dudgery scratched his neck, leaving red lines across the surface, then slid his palms down his thighs. “I’m here to ask for your help.”

  Jonathan’s eyebrow rose. Why would his enemy seek him out for help? The very idea that he would ask sent his anger to boiling. After all this man had put him and Catherine through, the earl had no right to request assistance.

  “Go on,” Jonathan ground out.

  “I know you’re tired of hearing about it, but the shipping company has fallen a little short on funds. The return will pay you back in boatloads, but we need more capital now.”

  “If it’s so profitable, why not ask someone else? Why do you keep approaching me?”

  “To honor your father and his desires. Don’t you want to do one last thing for him? To make him proud?”

  Tightening his grip on the arm of the chair, Jonathan forced himself to remain seated. Clearly Dudgery had heard stories about his relationship with his father. The fact that the earl would attempt to use something like this against him proved his desperation.

  “I have no use for a dead man’s pride, nor do I have need for another investment, no matter how lucrative.”

  “Not even to help your wife’s family? If this investment fails, then Berwick’s funds will be forfeit.”

  Jonathan shrugged. “If the baron took a chance and invested his funds in the venture, I see no reason to jump in with mine in the event his decision turns out poor.”

  The earl vaulted to his feet. “You will regret this, Linwood. I’ll see to it.”

  Not long after Dudgery stomped from the room, a missive was delivered from Rawson. Following the directions, Jonathan mounted his stallion and traversed the roads that would take him directly through the earl’s land.

  The sight of run-down and abandoned houses obstructed his every view. Jonathan’s heart hurt to see so many people forced to live in such structures. Rawson rode up beside him but didn’t speak. The two men continued on in silence until Rawson stopped at an abandoned shack.

  After dismounting, they entered the house and, much to Jonathan’s surprise, he noted someone still lived there. Judging by the quality of the items, the occupant was a member of Society. His gaze traveled back to Rawson’s face in shock as he realized whom the items belonged to.

  Rawson shrugged. “I know it isn’t much, but it’s warm and no one can find me here.”

  “Who is after you?”

  “Dudgery, Sideon, and my father.” Rawson laughed, a hollow sound. “I suppose the better question would be who isn’t after me.”

  “I didn’t realize matters had deteriorated this far. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  The man shook his head slowly as he wandered about the cramped room. “I’m paying for my bad choices. This has nothing to do with you and is not why I summoned you from Scotland.”

  “Tell me.” From the grave lines on the man’s face, Jonathan knew he wouldn’t like it. “What exactly have you found out?”

  “As you can see, Dudgery is penniless. He gambled his life away and established a fake investment to secure funds and extend his property. He also made a prudent alliance to the Marquis of Turrey and married his daughter, Lady Evelyn.”

  “Stanwick informed me of that. I can imagine the earl’s surprise to discover she was as penniless as he.”

  “He was less than thrilled. Ever since then, he has been frequenting your estate to get to you, but his attempts are getting more desperate. He has also hounded my father.” Rawson snorted. “Which, as it turns out, he stands in no better of a financial situation. I suppose he hoped after Catherine and Dudgery’s wedding, the earl would settle his debt. I’m ashamed to admit it wasn’t the first time he used Catherine to pay off his obligations.”

  “So that is why he ‘encouraged’ her to marry so many times.”

  “The match to Dudgery also.” Rawson rubbed a hand over his face. “I racked up many gambling debts against him as well. I have much I owe my cousin, and she doesn’t even realize it.”

  Jonathan took a deep breath. Although he saw Rawson’s remorse, he couldn’t hold in his anger at how ill her family had used her. His poor wife had to suffer so much because of these men, and she continued to do so now because of him.

  “Perhaps there is a way you can pay her back.”

  “I’ll do anything,” Rawson promised, sincerity ringing in every word.

  “What do you know about her curse?”

  “Curse?”

  With a sinking heart, Jonathan sagged his shoulders. His only chance of learning anything came from Rawson. How could he help her now?

  “Catherine believes her first two husbands died on their wedding night as a result of a curse her father placed upon her.”

  Rawson raised a single eyebrow. “Then how are you alive?”

  “She has a theory on that as well.” Jonathan shifted uncomfortably, not willing to explain. “Now she spends all her time staring at me as if I will die when her back is turned.”

  “So, you’re getting tired of her already?” Rawson’s hands balled into fists.

  “Of course not. I’m worried about her. She doesn’t sleep or eat. You wouldn’t even recognize the shell of a woman she is now.”

  Rawson relaxed his hands. “How can I help? I don’t imagine me talking to her will make a difference.”

  “I agree. I just need you to locate as much information about these men as you can. If you obtain proof that these men shared something traumatic in their past to encourage them to do such a thing, then maybe she can rest and return to normal. Otherwise, she is going to kill herself.”

  Chapter 17

  “I came as soon as I heard you returned.” Abigail beamed up at Catherine.

  “It’s nice to see you again,” Catherine dutifully responded, although she would have much preferred to keep to herself.

  “Brianna and I were so pleased to learn of your marriage.”

  “Yes,” Vanessa inserted. “I was as well until . . .” She clamped her hand over her mouth.

  Catherine narrowed her eyes at her cousin. No remorse existed in her face. She had done it on purpose. First she’d told Abigail of her return to London, and now this. Sighing, Catherine turned to face her friend’s confused expression.

  “Why aren’t you happy? What happened?”

  “Jonathan and I decided it would be better if we spent some time apart,” she said, hoping claiming Jonathan’s knowledge would prevent Lord Merrick from speaking to his friend about it.

  “Jonathan agreed to this?” Vanessa jumped up and began pacing. “You didn’t tell me that. I thought you made this decision on your own. How dare he?”

  Cringing, Catherine wished she had talked to her cousin before the visit. Of course, she hadn’t been informed they were to receive guests until Abigail appeared at the door. Now she would have to confess and then be forced to leave London. She couldn’t have her husband coming after her.

  “Well, perhaps he hasn’t given his consent yet, but he will.”

  Abigail crossed the room and took her cold fingers in her own. The display of kindness made Catherine’s face heat from unshed tears. She desperately wished she and Jonathan could have experienced a marriage like Abigail and Lord Merrick’s.
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  “Why do you believe that?” she asked, her soft voice soothing. “Jonathan loves you. I could tell from the first time I saw him gazing upon you. And from what I’ve heard from Greyson, Jonathan has been attempting to fill the void your absence created all these years. With women. Many different women, I might add.”

  A tear escaped before Catherine could close her eyes. She knew Jonathan loved her now, but soon that would fade, and she’d have nothing left.

  “You don’t understand. These past months, something has changed within him.”

  Vanessa stopped her pacing in front of them. “Have you spoken to him about this?”

  “I have an idea,” Abigail interjected. “Let’s go for a walk through Hyde Park. The change of scenery will be a blessing and the fresh air rejuvenating.”

  “You two go on ahead. With my back pain, walking doesn’t agree with me for long periods of time.”

  After taking Abigail’s carriage to the park, they exited and followed along the main walkway. The crisp air felt good, as Abigail had suggested. It made Catherine feel more alive. However, as soon as her thoughts traveled back to her husband, the turmoil in her stomach returned, making her ill.

  “Much better,” Abigail commented. “Although your cousin means well, I don’t believe her abrupt attitude is what you need to hear right now.”

  “I’m very grateful to her.” Catherine’s voice sounded hollow to her own ears.

  “Over my marriage to Greyson, I have spent quite a bit of time with Jonathan. I’d like to think I know him well. Please tell me what really is going on. Maybe I can help.”

  Catherine wiped a weary hand across her brow. How could she tell Abigail she was killing her husband? How every day the spark and spirit that inherently resided inside him was dying?