The Earl's Scandalous Wife

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  He let out a long sigh and studied the necklace. “The gold and gems are real.”

  “Yes, they are.”

  “However, I am running a business. I need to make some profit.”

  It was hard to argue his point, but she needed a full fifty. “You can probably get more than fifty pounds when you sell it.”

  “Probably but not much. I need to keep food on my family’s table, and with five growing boys, that isn’t an easy feat.” After a moment, he said, “I’ll give you thirty pounds.”

  “Forty-five.”

  “I’m not budging from thirty. You can take it somewhere else and see if you can get fifty for it.”

  He held the necklace out to her and she thought over her options. If she thought her brother would take it, she’d try to give it to him, but he had no use for jewelry. And she’d already been to two other merchants who claimed to have more than enough jewelry. The last thing they wanted was more.

  Her shoulders slumped, she relented. “I’ll take thirty pounds.”

  While he gathered the money to pay her, she glanced around the shop to make sure no one was watching her. She’d purposely put on one of the dresses she’d had before she married Perry so the merchant wouldn’t suspect she was a countess. Had he any idea how much her husband was worth, he’d undoubtedly try to sell her something. And right now making any purchases was the last thing she needed to do.

  After he gave her the money, she slipped it into her reticule and lowered her hat over her forehead so no one would get a good look at her face. She managed to make it to her townhouse without incident and made her way through the servants’ stairwell. When she reached her bedchamber, she breathed a sigh of relief and leaned against the door. Her heart beat so fast she didn’t think it’d ever slow down. But in due time it did, and she was able to undress in time for a knock to come at the door.

  “Who is it?” she called out.

  “It’s Miriam, my lady,” her lady’s maid replied. “I thought you might be up from your nap and want to dress for the walk you wanted to take with Lord Clement.”

  “Oh, yes. Just a moment.” Paula stuffed her dress under her bed and smoothed her undergarments. She quickly messed up the blanket on the daybed then called out, “I’m ready!”

  Once she was in a much more appropriate dress, she thanked her lady’s maid and hurried down the stairs. She was late in meeting Perry for the walk but only by a few minutes. When she entered the drawing room, she paused when she saw that the inkwell she had bought from Mister Williams was on the desk. Perry wasn’t in the room as she expected, but someone had found the inkwell she’d carefully placed under the desk yesterday.

  She hadn’t expected anyone to find it so soon. She thought perhaps it’d take another day or two. Walking over to it, she couldn’t help but admire Mister Williams’ craftsmanship. He must have worked day and night to make this for her.

  A familiar tapping of Perry’s cane as he walked into the room made her turn around.

  “Did you have a good rest?” he asked.

  Hurrying over to him, she said, “Yes, I did. You keep me up too late. But,” she kissed him, “I’m not complaining.”

  Despite the slight pink in his cheeks, he returned her kiss. “You’re hard to resist.”

  “That’s to my benefit since I enjoy being with you.” She gestured to the inkwell. “I see it’s back.”

  “Yes. I was sitting down at the desk and my cane knocked into it.”

  “Oh.” She thought for sure he didn’t put his cane on the left side of his desk since he used his right hand to walk with it.

  “I don’t know how I missed it all this time.”

  “I must have knocked it off the desk by accident and not realized it.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye to see if he believed her. She wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t. The lie was so absurd that anyone could see right through it.

  “Well, given everything that’s happened in such a short time, I’m not surprised.” He kissed her forehead and extended his arm to her. “Are you ready to go for a walk?”

  She reluctantly turned from the inkwell, hoping he didn’t detect her guilt as she looked at him. Maybe she should say something about hearing a heavy object hit the rug but being distracted when the butler came in. But that would only complicate her lie, and as it was, she was having difficulty keeping the charade going. Perhaps the less said, the better. With a hesitant smile, she said, “I’d love to go for a walk.”

  He extended his arm to her, and she accepted it. Next week. Next week after the ball, they’d go to Blackburn and be safe from anyone—or anything—that could possibly tear them apart.

  ***

  The next day, Perry picked the inkwell up and inspected it. He didn’t know why he expected it to be any different from the other dozen times he’d studied it. But try as he might, he couldn’t make the chip in the lower right edge on the base appear.

  Christopher had been the one responsible for that chip. One day he sat in front of the desk and kicked his feet up on it, as was his annoying habit, and his feet got too close to the inkwell. It fell off the desk and that was when the base chipped. Perry had been so upset with his cousin for being careless with his things at the time.

  But now as he examined the perfectly formed base in his hands, he hated what it meant. Paula had done something with his old inkwell and replaced it with another one. But why? What could have made her do such a thing? The original went missing before he told her how important it was, so her motives hadn’t been to hurt him. She probably thought it had no value. The fact that she replaced it proved her intentions weren’t to harm him.

  This had to have something to do with her brother. The butler had said that her brother had come by to pay her a visit. Maybe her brother wanted the inkwell. But what could her brother have said or done that made her give it to him? It was an irritating thing to be so close to the truth yet be so far from it.

  He set the inkwell down and rose from his chair. He grabbed the cane and left the drawing room in time to see Paula coming down the stairs.

  “Did you have a good rest?” he greeted when she reached the last step.

  “I did,” she replied as she came over to him.

  “Are you feeling more tired than usual?” He didn’t recall her needing naps during the day shortly after they married. Even in the grueling ride in the carriage, she’d managed to stay awake. Had she not started her monthly flow that morning, he would have suspected she was with child. But since that wasn’t the case, he wondered what else could be going on.

  “I’ve had a lot on my mind,” she replied. “You know, with the upcoming ball and getting ready to leave for Blackburn. When I lie down for a while, it helps me think more clearly.”

  “You shouldn’t worry about Blackburn. The servants will handle the details on all that. Your things will go with us.”

  She nodded but didn’t say anything.

  “Maybe a nice, long walk will help, too.”

  “You’re probably right.” Smiling, she set her hand on his arm. “I am looking forward to Blackburn.”

  He suspected there was more truth in that statement than she was willing to admit. At least there, her brother wouldn’t be around. “Everything will be all right.” He placed his hand over hers and squeezed it. “You’ll see.” Because one way or another, he was going to take care of her brother.

  ***

  Perry hadn’t planned to go to Nate’s the next day, but he needed to clear his head and the best way he could do that was by playing a game of chess. As he sat in the den, he stared at the pawns without really seeing them.

  “Under ordinary circumstances, I’d assume you were stumped on what you should do next, but the endless sighing tells me something else is amiss,” Nate said as he got up to pour brandy into his glass.

  “I didn’t realize I was sighing,” Perry replied, straightening in his chair.

  “You only sigh like that when something’s bother
ing you.” He took a sip then motioned to him. “Out with it. What’s on your mind? Is it Christopher again?”

  “No, it’s not him. He and Agatha headed out to their country estate, so he’s not around to bother me.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “It’s Paula’s brother. He’s up to something, and it can’t be good.”

  “Are you going to confront him?”

  “I’m going to have to. The question is how to best do it.” Leaning back in the chair, he crossed his legs and tapped the arm of the chair. “I’ve thought about going to his townhouse. I almost did so on my way here.”

  Settling across from him, Nate sipped more of his brandy. “What stopped you?”

  “I’m not sure. On the surface, it seems like a simple matter. I should be able to go up to him and demand what’s going on, but I don’t think he’ll come out and tell me.”

  “Did you ask Paula about it?”

  “No. She doesn’t know I’m aware that something’s going on.”

  With a shake of his head, he said, “I don’t understand you, Perry. You never confront anyone about anything. That’s why Christopher ran rampant through London, getting into countless brawls. You can’t stand by and let everything happen around you. You need to take matters into your own hands and make things happen for you. There’s a big difference between the two.”

  “Sometimes the direct approach isn’t the best one.”

  “That didn’t work for Christopher.”

  “Paula isn’t Christopher. She’s kind and sweet. At times I sense a sadness in her, and while I think a part of it has to do with her brother, something else is at play. But,” he quickly added when he saw Nate open his mouth to protest, “she’d never do me any harm. I know you find it hard to believe a lady who willingly creates a scandal can make a good wife, but she is the best a gentleman can hope for.”

  “In light of the fact that I’m married to Claire, I’ll argue that Paula isn’t the best any gentleman can hope for.”

  Amused that his friend paid Claire such a high compliment, he teased, “And to think when you met Claire, you believed she would doom you to a life of misery.”

  He shrugged. “A slight misunderstanding. I had no idea she didn’t willingly cause a scandal.”

  “It’s nice you figured that out before you made a real mess of things and drove her away.”

  “Hmm… I didn’t think we’d start talking about me all of the sudden.”

  “We’re not. We’re talking about your wife, and I agree that she’s a good one. A little too good for you, perhaps—”

  “May I remind you that you’re in my townhouse, and I can throw you out of here whenever I want?” Nate replied, his tone hinting at his jest.

  “In that case, I remove my comment from this discussion,” Perry consented with a chuckle. Good old Nate. It never failed that whenever something bothered him, he could depend on Nate to make him feel better. “Getting back to Paula’s brother, though,” he shifted in the chair, “I can’t say he’s like Christopher either. While Christopher did get into trouble, I honestly believe he acted on impulse and inexperience. Granted, he says things just to irk me, but it’s harmless. Her brother, on the other hand, is more calculated in his dealings. He plays the part of a gentleman, but I suspect that while he’s pretending to be honest, he’s slipping in something dangerous when he thinks no one is looking.” He rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know how to better explain it than that.”

  “And you think he’s been manipulating Paula to his advantage?”

  Perry hadn’t thought of it that way, but Nate had a good point. “Yes, yes I do.” He recalled how scared Paula had been of her brother when they left for Gretna Green. He’d assured her on several occasions that he would take care of her brother so she wouldn’t have to talk to him. “She said that she and her brother resolved their differences.”

  “But you don’t believe her?”

  “No, I don’t. I think her brother is using something against her.” Probably something her brother knew he wouldn’t like. But what could it possibly be?

  “If you’re dealing with a fox, then there’s only one thing you can do.”

  “Oh?”

  “Outfox the fox. Bring him into your hole. Put him in your territory. Make him feel comfortable. Don’t let him know you suspect something is up. Then watch him. Bide your time. Sooner or later, he’ll expose himself, and when he does, you’ll have him exactly where you want him.”

  “So what you’re saying is, I’ve been doing the right thing all along.”

  Nate’s lips curled up. “Perhaps you are. But you haven’t invited him to your home.”

  “I’ll grant you that. I haven’t.”

  His smile grew wider as he moved his chess piece. “Invite him to Blackburn. That’ll leave the fox with nowhere to hide when you catch him.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Paula glanced at the door of Perry’s bedchamber. It was still closed. She was alone. No one was about to witness what she was about to do. Letting out a shaky breath, she sat at his desk and pulled out a drawer. No money. She closed it and opened another one. A small wooden box was in it. She took it out and lifted the lid, surprised it wasn’t locked. And it contained money. That only proved how trusting Perry was.

  Wiping away her tears, she counted twenty pounds then closed the lid and slipped it back into the drawer where it had been before. She shut the door and hurried out of the room. She slammed the door connecting their bedchambers behind her and collapsed on her bed. She never wanted to steal anything from him again.

  If only she came into the marriage with more than the necklace her father gave her, she would have had something else to sell to come up with the money her brother wanted. But everything she had that was worth any value was because of Perry.

  She brushed away more tears. Tomorrow evening was the night of the ball. Then the next day, she and Perry would head out to the country. She didn’t know how, but she’d find a way to make the theft up to him. She’d find a way. Somehow. Someway. Because if she didn’t, she’d never be able to look at herself in the mirror again.

  ***

  Paula sat on a bench at Hyde Park, staring off into the distance, barely aware of the people around her. She’d stolen. She’d taken something that belonged to Perry and was giving it to her brother. But did she have a choice? Of course, she did. She could tell Perry everything then ask for his mercy. He’d forgive her for taking the inkwell and money, but would he forgive her for playing the virgin when she hadn’t been one on their wedding night? Did she dare take the risk and find out?

  Swallowing the lump in her throat, she dabbed the handkerchief over her eyes. She was a bundle of nerves. She couldn’t see Perry when she was like this. She had to strengthen her resolve. If only she knew how…

  How foolish she’d been. Why did she assume that by marrying someone she picked, she’d be able to leave the past behind? She should have known her brother would see to it that she’d have no peace. Not when he could benefit from it.

  What was she going to do? She needed twenty pounds. If she could think of another way to get it instead of taking it from Perry’s box—

  “Paula?”

  Stiffening, she looked up at Claire. Good. It wasn’t Stewart or Perry. Relaxing, she cleared her throat and quickly brought the handkerchief back down, wrapping her hands around it to hide it, though Claire had already seen it. But maybe she wouldn’t mention it if Paula distracted her. “Will you be attending the ball tomorrow evening at Lord Rett…Redd…”

  “Lord Reddington’s?”

  Letting out an uneasy laugh, Paula nodded. “I don’t know why, but I can’t remember his title.”

  “It doesn’t flow very well.” She motioned to the bench. “Mind if I sit?”

  “Oh, please do.”

  Claire settled beside her and tucked her shawl around her arms. “Who knows how many nice days we’ll have before it feels like autumn?”


  “Everyone else seems to be thinking the same thing.”

  “There’s a lot of people out here today.” The two sat in awkward silence for a minute before Claire spoke up. “I’m glad I found you.”

  “Are you?”

  “You’re Perry’s wife. Nate and I had hoped Perry would find one, and we couldn’t be more pleased that you’re the one who married him.”

  “That’s very kind of you to say, but…” But what? But Claire and Nate were sorely mistaken if they thought she deserved him? She didn’t dare say such a thing. “There’s nothing special about me.”

  “You’d never know that from the way Perry’s eyes light up when you enter a room. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a gentleman more devoted to a lady than he is to you.”

  That only made Paula feel worse. She averted her gaze from Claire’s and watched the people who strolled by. All of them were laughing and talking as if they didn’t have a care in the world. None of them had the heavy weight of sin pressing down on them.

  “What kind of things do you like to do?” Claire asked, once more bringing her attention to her.

  “Oh, well, not much, really. I like going outside and taking a walk. I like to see the trees and grass and birds.” Claire waited, probably expecting her to add more, but Paula’s life had consisted of little else besides her time outdoors and helping her mother in the cottage until Lord Holloway came into her life. She shrugged and tightened her grip on the handkerchief. “I’m afraid there’s not much else to me.” She forced a smile. “How about you? What do you enjoy?”

  “I also enjoying going out and walking. I don’t enjoy horse riding, though my husband likes to take his horse out a couple times a week, especially when we’re in the country. I’d rather sit in the gazebo and draw.”

  “You draw? Are you any good at it?”

  “Sadly, no. But Catherine is. We should have invited you to take a stroll through here a week ago. From time to time, we come out here and draw what we see. I like to draw flowers. She prefers to draw buildings and people. Next year when we return, we should come here and you can see how good she is. Do you draw at all?”