The Earl's Encounter (Haddon Brothers Book 1)

by Wendy Vella

  He was frustrated with her, yet Milly cared little for that. She needed some time to think. Some time to come to terms with the realization that she had just given this man her heart once more, along with her innocence.

  “You do not sound pleased by the notion, Lord Ellsworth, and as I find I am not either, I will leave.”

  Milly hurried to the door. Unlocking it, she ran outside.

  “Milly, come back here!”

  Ignoring him, she ran through the gardens, and did not stop until she reached some of the other guests.

  The day passed on leaden feet. She had slipped into the house to check her appearance, and then rejoined her aunt. There she had stayed until they were ready to leave. Of the earl she had seen plenty. He had talked and spent time with other guests, plenty of whom were of the female persuasion. Milly refused to be jealous that earlier he had transported her to sensual heaven, and now, he was doing what was expected of him.

  She intercepted a few of his dark looks, but did not acknowledge them. Eventually the strain of the day was too much, and she asked if her aunt was ready to leave. Luckily she was.

  Aunt Beth dozed on the return trip to London, and Milly stewed. Why had he not asked her nicely? Why had he not said he wanted her desperately, and could not live without her? She no longer had to accept such a proposal, but if she did not, she would not have the man she loved in her life.

  And she did love him. Milly accepted that fact openly now. He was everything to her. The problem was, she wanted to be everything to him, as she knew she had not been when they were betrothed. Milly was also not certain he had forgiven her yet, or would ever do so.

  When her head started to pound, she pushed the thoughts aside. She could do nothing about it now; tomorrow would be soon enough to resume her worrying.

  Her body ached in places it had never ached before. Washing when she reached her room, she felt Joseph’s mouth and hands on her. Lord, she had allowed that man liberties.

  A tap on her door had Milly pulling on her robe and opening it.

  “A note has come for you, my lady.”

  “Thank you, Helen.”

  The note was from a woman in need who had been turned off without references from her position as governess, and had nowhere to go. She had heard of Milly’s house, and wished to speak with her urgently.

  “Helen, call for my carriage at once, we are going out.”

  When her maid left she dressed quickly, and pulled on the blue velvet cloak. The house was quiet as she walked through it. Her aunt would be slumbering already, Milly was sure.

  Giving her driver the address, she climbed in the carriage with her maid. Twenty-five minutes later, they stopped. Looking out the window, she checked the location. It was definitely not the worst part of London.

  “Come, Helen.”

  Milly stepped down and waited for her maid. She then told her driver to hold the horses while they went to call upon the lady.

  It was dark, but she could see quite well now that her eyes had adjusted.

  “What number are we looking for, my lady?”

  “Number seven, Helen.”

  “Right here, my lady.”

  “I knew you would come.”

  She spun to face the man at her back, pushing Helen behind her.

  “You!” She recognized him as the man from the theatre, the one who had made her so uneasy.

  “I should have simply taken you with me that night four years ago, but instead I let your father’s sentimentality cloud my judgment.”

  “Who are you?”

  “I am the man who owns you, Lady Millicent. The man you will spend the rest of your life pleasing.”

  “No!”

  “Yes!” He grabbed her arm. “I have waited a long time for you, my dear. I shall finally be pleased to have you in my bed, and our children will be of noble blood.”

  Milly struggled for release.

  “Your father told me I could not have you when he repaid his debt to me before his death, but by then it was too late. I knew you would be mine.”

  “Unhand her!” Helen stepped to her side and struck him, but he pushed her aside.

  “Don’t mistake me, my lady. I am a dangerous man, and should you not yield I will punish those you love. Starting with your earl.”

  “H-he is not my earl,” Milly denied.

  “Yes he is, but he will not be for long if you do not do as I say. I can also make your aunt’s life extremely painful should I choose to.”

  “No, why are you doing this? Four years have passed, surely—”

  “I never forget, my lady. And as I have wanted you for a long time, the wait has only heightened that need. You have evaded me many times, but now I will have you.”

  “No!” Milly clenched her fist and sent into his face, it connected with his jaw. Surprise had him releasing her to stumble backward. Milly grabbed Helen and ran as fast as she could.

  “Faster, Helen!”

  Picking up her skirts, she sprinted down the street with her maid at her side, until she reached the carriage.

  “Hurry, we are being chased! Drive quickly!”

  Wrenching open the door, she urged Helen inside and followed. Milly slammed the carriage door, and it started moving.

  “Oh, my lady, are you all right?”

  “I am, are you, Helen?”

  “Oh yes, it would take more than the likes of him to frighten me.”

  Milly managed to nod. Her heart was beating so hard inside her chest, it was painful.

  “Thank you for trying to help me, Helen.”

  The maid smiled, and Milly realized the woman could have been hurt tonight, and it would have been all her fault. Lord, was it happening again?

  Looking out the window, she saw only darkness, but knew he was there. That man had waited years to have her; he would not stop now.

  Would she be forced to run once more? Could she? No! That would not happen again. Four years ago she’d been young and naive; she was no longer that woman. This time she would not turn away from the man she loved. This time, she would put her faith in him.

  Chapter 20

  Joseph tore open the note, his eyes quickly scanning the contents.

  It was from Milly.

  You said I did not trust you with the truth before. Said you would have helped me. Well, I am asking for that help now. Meet me at the cemetery, you know where.

  He armed himself and left the house. Looking skyward, he saw the day was not far advanced, as it had been the morning four years ago when she had left him. He rode through the streets to the cemetery, and tethered his horse.

  He had handled everything badly after he had made love to Milly. He should have told her what lay in his heart; instead he had been brusque and said nothing. In fact, he had behaved earlishly, as Charles had accused him of doing. He had been a coward, hiding his emotions behind the man he had always been, but no longer.

  He felt his heart beat faster in his chest as he walked through the gates. This time it would be different; she would never leave him again. Not now, not with his love for her consuming him.

  “You came.”

  She appeared in front of him as before, cloaked and with her face concealed by the hood.

  “Surely you did not doubt that.” Joseph stepped closer. He cupped her cheeks and kissed her hard. “I love you, Milly. Not the gentle love of before. This hurts. It is both light and dark, and fills every place inside me. I would not survive were you to leave me now.”

  She sniffed loudly and he watched as the first tears fell.

  “I should have told you that day after we made love. Forgive me.”

  “Oh, Joseph.”

  “Oh, Joseph, I love you too?” he asked.

  “How can you doubt it?” Her words were angry now. “It consumes me, this love I feel for you. ‘Tis most unpleasant.”

  He rested his forehead on hers as he laughed.

  “God, you are wonderful. Never leave me, Milly. Promise me that if no
thing else.”

  “I promise.”

  Their kiss was soft and lingering.

  “Now explain yourself, woman. Why am I here and not in my bed, dreaming of you?”

  “I could not speak of it at my house, in case my aunt should overhear. I had no wish to frighten her.”

  “Overhear what?

  “Him, that man who drove me away. He confronted me yesterday.”

  “Where?”

  “I-I received word about a woman. She was supposedly alone, and in desperate need of my support. I went, and he was there. He grabbed me, and I recognized him as a man I saw at the opera that night.”

  “God’s blood. Don’t tell me you went alone to see her.”

  Her silence was confirmation of her guilt.

  “Christ, Milly!”

  “Now is not the time for that. I escaped, no more need be said on the matter. Now it’s time to get this fiend who is behind our torment, and punish him.”

  “Amen,” Joseph whispered as he pulled her into his arms and held her close. He breathed in the woman who was now his life. His one and only love.

  “He told me that I was repayment of a debt and that he had waited four years for me. H-he said he would hurt you and my aunt if I did not yield.”

  “But you did not run this time. Instead, you came to me. Good girl.”

  “I don’t want to be parted from you again. I realized that last night as I lay in my bed thinking about you. I could not bear it, Joseph.

  “We will never be parted again, love. I promise.”

  He eased back and held her before him, his eyes running over the features he now knew as well as his own. She was his now, to hold and protect, his to love.

  “No!”

  He heard a gunshot, and then Milly’s anguished cry. Suddenly fire burned through his shoulder.

  “Joseph, don’t leave me!”

  “Milly.” He tried to reach for her, but instead fell to the ground. His head connected with a stone, and then he knew nothing.

  Joseph woke slowly. He was cold, and yet fire burned in his arm. Rolling over, he attempted to gather his wits.

  “Milly!” With the return of his memory came ice-cold fear. He remembered her desperate cry for him, but he could do nothing but slump to the ground.

  Dear God, where was she? Struggling to his feet, he braced himself on her mother’s grave. Someone was going to pay for this! Pay dearly, and with their life. He would not live without her again.

  After inhaling several deep breaths, he felt his head clear. He touched the arm that burned, and his fingers came away sticky with blood.

  “I will find her,” he whispered to Milly’s mother. Then he walked to the entrance, his legs suddenly steady. Monty was thankfully where he’d left him. He managed to climb on, using the wall, and then they were galloping along the streets he had ridden this morning.

  The weak sun had risen higher, which told him the day was advancing toward midmorning. He believed Milly would be safe until he reached her, had to believe that the man responsible would not harm her after four years of waiting.

  He could not ride after them, as he did not know where they’d gone, and was not foolish enough to do so in his condition, no matter how much the idea of delay chafed him.

  “Stay strong, my love.”

  Would she believe him dead? Had she tried to rouse him? Joseph could only imagine the terror that gripped her at leaving him.

  “I’m going to kill you,” he rasped softly. “Kill you for her pain, and mine.”

  He rode up to his front door, and dismounted. The fire in his shoulder merely spurred him on. He would have Milly in his arms by nightfall, Joseph vowed silently.

  “Wake my brothers, and send word for Lord Thurston to come here at once. Send word to Bow Street to a Mr. Brown, and have him come as fast as he can. Tell him the situation is grave.”

  “At once, my lord.” His butler’s eyes passed over him. “You are injured, Lord Ellsworth?”

  “I am, but I have no time to call for a doctor. Have Mrs. Trotts brought to my rooms, and tell her I have been shot in the arm.”

  Gilbert paled, but he rallied.

  “I will see to it at once, my lord.”

  “Lord Ellsworth, I must speak with you urgently.”

  Turning on his heel, he watched the form of Mr. Spriggot appear through his front door. He had hired him on his return to London, to investigate the man who had forced Milly to run four years ago. He had wanted someone to pay for her pain and suffering.

  “Follow me then, sir, as I have no time to stand still. Lady Millicent is in danger, and I must prepare to go to her.”

  He walked to his rooms with the man on his heels. There, he found Nibbly.

  “Clothes, Nibbly, and washing water. Mrs. Trotts is about to appear, as I have a bullet in my arm that needs tending.”

  Made of sterner stuff than Gilbert, Nibbly merely nodded, then started moving.

  “Speak, Mr. Spriggot.”

  He eased out of his jacket, and looked down at his red sleeve. Blood was dripping off his fingers and onto the carpets, so he threw down his jacket and dripped on that instead.

  “I have thoroughly investigated the affairs of the late Marquess of Lawrence, Lord Ellsworth. I found only one name of concern, and that was a Mr. George. It seemed he had several business dealings with Lord Lawrence, and then a large sum of money was passed from him to Lord Lawrence.”

  “Mr. George,” Joseph said. “Why is it I know that name?”

  “What has happened?” His brothers burst into the room, with Charles in the lead. Rory was alert and dressed. Charles wore a robe and appeared sleepy-eyed.

  “Milly has been taken. We were at the cemetery.”

  “Christ, Joseph, is that blood?” Rory moved closer.

  “It is, and I need you to help me remove my waistcoat and shirt, as here comes Mrs. Trotts to look at it.”

  “My lord.”

  The woman was stout and capable and had been his cook for more years than he could count, and his father’s before that. She carried a small box, and behind her followed a maid with a pot of boiling water and rags.

  “If you’ll please sit.”

  He did so.

  “Go and dress,” he directed Charles. “Then retrieve my pistols, and the money from the drawer in my study. It is locked and here is the key.”

  After he had left he addressed Mr. Spriggot. “I have little time to waste, as I need to find Milly. So speak, sir.”

  Surprisingly, he felt calm. She would be safe until he got to her, he had to believe that, and he also knew he had to be prepared to save her. Riding in alone and injured would help no one, so prepare he would, no matter how much he hated the delay.

  “I located this Mr. George. He has a large gambling establishment known simply as George’s. It is frequented by many, some of whom are nobility. He is a man with a great deal of wealth, none of which he attained through fair dealings.”

  “I have heard of him,” Rory said. “He has a fierce reputation.”

  Mr. Spriggot nodded. “Indeed he does. There have been many reports of people simply disappearing, and all the information I could glean pointed to Mr. George.”

  “And this man has Milly,” Joseph growled.

  “I need every man in this household who is strong and can fire a gun, Nibbly. See they are armed and ready to leave soon. Have Gilbert call my carriage, they will travel in that.”

  Mrs. Trotts dug out the bullet and stitched his arm, and then doused it in alcohol, which made him curse. She then pasted something over that and bandaged the lot.

  “Now then, my lord. You’ll drink this to stave off infection and ease the pain.”

  “But it will not make me tired?”

  She shook her head, and held out the cup. He drank it, then dressed. Minutes later, he was in his front entrance as Louis arrived.

  Rory filled him in as they all mounted. His footmen climbed into his carriage, and soon they were off. />
  “We will get her back safe, Joseph,” Louis said.

  He did not reply; instead he focused on the woman he loved. Without her, his future would be bleak. When she’d left him last time he had hurt, but this time he would be broken.

  Milly lay on a soft bed, beneath a blanket. She had woken a few minutes ago, but as yet had not moved for fear she would empty the contents of her stomach. She felt nauseous and unsteady.

  “Joseph.” The whisper was agonized. Was he dead? No, she would not allow herself to believe it, no matter how still he had looked. She had tried to evade the men who held her, to go to his side, but could not. When the order had come to finish Joseph off, she had screamed and kicked, using anything she could to escape. She had made so much noise that they had left the cemetery before someone heard her. At least in that she had succeeded. They had not shot Joseph again.

  He would come for her, she had to believe that. Had to believe she would see him again, because they had come too far to be stopped now, just when their happiness was within their grasp.

  “Please be alive, my love.”

  Easing upright, Milly swung her legs to the edge of the bed. Breathing slowly allowed her head to settle enough so she could look around the room she was in. They had drugged her to get her inside, and she had been unable to do anything to stop them.

  It was large and ostentatious. Bawdy was another word for it. Red walls, trimmed in gold, and the fourth was a mirror. Thick rugs covered the floor, and the furniture consisted of two chaises, upholstered in red, with gold and black legs. A black desk sat under the window.

  Pushing off the bed, she got to her feet, bracing a hand on the bedpost.

  “Bastard,” she hissed as her head spun. “I’ll make sure you pay for what you have done to us.”

  Anger gave her strength. Walking slowly around the room, she found water and splashed it over her face. Feeling steadier and stronger, she continued to walk. The windows showed her a view of the street below, and she did not recognize anything. A large brick building stood opposite, and down the street, several stores, but again, none she had frequented.

  Below her, several well-dressed men entered the building she was in.

  “Where am I?”