“For the moment they are both safe and you need to proceed.”
“You know of my plans?”
“You will find your answers with deception.”
“That is what we hope for,” Taylor sighed with relief.
“You should seek my father’s help.”
“How can I ask that when I failed to save you?”
“He will understand. Send word to him. See him before you leave.” Then she was gone. Taylor tried to remain in the garden, willing her to return but all his efforts failed and he woke as the sun was rising. He slipped from the bed and walked down to the library where he penned a note to Lord Caruthers. He hoped Heather was correct.
Lord Caruthers arrived within half an hour. It was not possible the man could have responded so quickly. Taylor rose as he entered the library and both took a seat. Heather’s father seemed much disturbed.
“The oddest thing has occurred and I needed to see you immediately.” He rose from his seat and began to pace. “Heather visited me in a dream last night and begged me to help you.”
So he wasn’t the only one with these dreams. Perhaps he wasn’t losing his mind, after all. If Lord Caruthers had been visited, maybe she was trying to help from the grave. That in itself was a bit disturbing, yet strangely comforting.
“She asked that I help you, but wouldn’t explain. She also said her death was not an accident and begged me not to blame you.” He stopped and turned toward Taylor. “Am I going mad?”
What could he say to the man? No, he wasn’t going mad. Or possibly, yes he was and Taylor along with him. Either way, the man deserved an explanation. If Heather trusted him enough to send him here, then he deserved the entire truth.
“Lord Caruthers, please have a seat and I’ll request some coffee. There are some things you deserve to know. Things I have just recently become aware of myself.”
Reluctantly the man sat and waited for the coffee to be delivered. Once they were comfortable again, Taylor proceeded to tell the man all that he knew and believed. “Truthfully sir, had I known what I believe now while your daughter was alive, I would have never left her side.”
“Oh, I am sure you would have protected her with your life,” Lord Caruthers assured Taylor. Not that it lessened his guilt. “But, now, Phoebe is in danger as well, and you need to find the responsible party.”
“That is my plan, sir.” He sipped his coffee and thought about how much he should tell Lord Caruthers. Perhaps he could be able to help, if only to keep an eye on his wife. “In fact, I do have a plan if you would care to hear it.”
“Of course.” Lord Caruthers sat up, much intrigued.
Taylor laid out the entire plan to him.
“It might just work. I’ll stay close by and visit often.”
For that, Taylor was immensely grateful; though he had no doubt Noah would be a frequent visitor as well.
“Have you thought about sending her to her mother’s?” Lord Caruthers asked.
Taylor just looked at him. The thought had never crossed his mind.
“It would possibly add to your ruse if she no longer resided under your roof. And, it could be safer.”
He was right, Taylor agreed, after thinking about it a few minutes more. The danger to his wives came from his own household. Could he trust any that remained. He knew he should be able to, at least those who had been here before the will became an issue, but what of the others. At least Phoebe knew all of their servants and he didn’t believe there were any new additions, though he would need to check first. And, Noah was in residence most of the time. He would protect her when Taylor could not. “Thank you for the suggestion. I believe you are correct.”
“Just be careful, Taylor.” Lord Caruthers stood. “Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to visit my daughter’s garden.”
* * *
For anyone watching, Taylor appeared well into his cups and angry as sin. Acquaintances avoided him and his closer friends, though sitting with him, were careful to keep their distance. Word had been whispered that Taylor’s wife lost the child she was carrying and Sandlin had not taken it well. This really wasn’t such a surprise given the necessity of that heir. There was still plenty of time for her to have a child before the deadline.
The anger came from the rumor she refused to let him back in her bed. Apparently, Lady Sandlin wasn’t ready to produce the required heir and go through all of that sickness again and thought she had a few months left before being forced into doing what was necessary.
The proprietors of Whites looked on Taylor with sympathy, as he hoped they would. After all, he was a man about to lose everything and would shortly be turned away from polite society, reduced to nothing.
Entering Whites, Noah walked directly to Taylor and stood over him.
Taylor raised his eyes to his friend, trying to fill them with the hate he felt for the man who had murdered his wives and tried to kill Phoebe. “Get away from me,” Taylor growled.
“Not until you cease this talk about my sister.”
“I’ve only told the truth when asked. I have done nothing wrong. Your sister,” Taylor spit out the words, “on the other hand, has set out to ruin me.”
“So you intend to make her pay?”
“Why not? I am going to unless she does her duty.”
“What do you intend to do?” Noah asked, fists clenched at his side.
Taylor gave him a cold smile. “Well, I am not going to let her renege on her vows if that is what you are asking. She has an obligation, as you well know, and she will do her duty.”
“I didn’t want to believe it when Phoebe admitted she was afraid. Now I see that she may have cause.”
“Is she claiming I abuse her?” Taylor demanded. He hadn’t planned on Noah making him a villain but what harm could it do? Why should Phoebe be the only one in the wrong?
“Not in so many words, but the implications are certainly there.”
“Regardless, there isn’t much you can do about it now, is there? After all, I am her husband and have my rights. Whereas you gave up your control of her the day you released her to my care.”
“Something I will regret until my dying day,” Noah muttered as he stormed from the club.
Taylor watched him go, then fell back into his seat and picked up his glass once again. He looked around over the rim and noted most of the patrons watched them. They could not have missed the confrontation. With a lazy, half-drunk grin, he raised his glass in a toast and proceeded to drain it. It had gone well. He had half a mind to place a bet in the book that there would be bets on the morrow about what had happened between him and Phoebe.
Perhaps he should watch the book. Maybe the bets made as a result of this evening would reveal some clues.
* * *
Phoebe was expecting Noah’s arrival. She had spent the morning reading the article over and over of her brother and husband’s meeting. The writer had alluded that she had committed a great sin against her husband, but not the exact sin. She already knew the story being sent about. What had surprised her was to learn she feared her husband. In privacy, she laughed at the impossibility. It was now time to leave her husband’s estate and return to her former home.
She heard the door bang open and left the parlor to greet Noah. If she did not know better, she would have believed he was furious.
“You are packing and leaving this house immediately.”
“Noah, I cannot. Surely you know that as well as I.”
“You can and you will. Furthermore, I am going to see what can be done about an annulment from that man you unfortunately married.” He took her arm and escorted her up the stairs and deposited her in her room. “I am going to find your maid.” He left, slamming the door behind him.
It took Holly a few hours to pack Phoebe’s belongings. Noah had grown impatient. He entered the chamber and began throwing items into trunks so they could leave immediately. Once settled in the carriage and well away from the estate, brother and sister
relaxed.
“I am still not sure as to the necessity of your performance back at the house.”
Noah looked over at her. “Taylor suspects the two servants who disappeared were behind the deaths and accident. He did not want to risk that there was a third person involved.”
Phoebe sighed and looked out the window.
The two estates were only thirty miles apart so the trip was short. Upon arrival, Phoebe was escorted from the carriage and taken directly to her mother’s room.
“Phoebe, how are you dear?”
“I am well, Mama. And you?”
“As well as can be expected. Oh how dreadful for you, having to go through all this. And to think, what could have happened.” Tears clouded the emerald eyes Phoebe had inherited.
“I know, Mama. I am sure Taylor will work everything out, find who is behind this and return before we know it.”
“I pray you are right, dear. Now go to your room and rest. You need to take care of yourself. Especially now.”
Leaning over, she kissed her mother on her cheek. “I will, Mother.”
Alone in her bed that night, she wondered how long it would be until she saw Taylor again. She knew he couldn’t come to her often as he needed to find his cousins, but that didn’t make the longing any easier. It didn’t help that she was in her old bed now, instead of the one she had shared with her husband. She hadn’t slept in this bed since before they set off for the Season, which seemed like a lifetime ago.
The following morning she received a surprising visitor. Entering the parlor, she found Lord Caruthers waiting to see her. Phoebe panicked for a moment. Had the man read the paper and now wondered about what type of man Taylor was? Was he wondering if his own daughter had suffered? How could she assure him without revealing anything? She hadn’t counted on seeing him when the plan had been hatched.
“Lady Sandlin,” he greeted her.
“Phoebe, please.”
“Very well, Phoebe. I can see the concern in your eyes. Is there a place where we could walk and talk in private?”
His eyes only held warmth and understanding. If he was concerned about his own daughter’s fate, wouldn’t that be revealed? Did he know the truth? “Perhaps a walk by the pond.”
“That would be excellent.” She took his offered arm and he escorted her from the house. Once they reached a bench, they stopped and sat.
“I want you to know Taylor confided in me his plans before leaving.”
Phoebe exhaled and realized she had been holding her breath, waiting for him to speak.
“I promised I would watch after you and help him. When I read the account of how you feared him, it gave me the perfect excuse to come calling.”
“You realize I have nothing to fear, nor did your daughter,” Phoebe reassured him in case he had doubts.
Patting her hand, he too, reassured her, “I know that dear. I just pray he finds the man who killed my little girl.”
Tears formed in her eyes. “He will do his best, I am sure.”
“I know he will.”
Chapter 22
Taylor had no contact with Noah in two weeks. All communications went through one of the other four friends who, for all appearances, stayed friends with the two men at odds. If Noah and Taylor saw each other in public, they ignored the other’s presence. Taylor spent his nights in the worst gaming hells London had to offer. If his cousins were going to be found, this was the best place to look.
When those turned up nothing, he visited the brothels. The stench of cheap perfume, unwashed bodies and opium being smoked in back rooms almost made him ill, but he continued, questioning anyone and everyone.
After a month of visiting every type of establishment catering to the degenerate gentlemen of the ton unwelcome in polite society, Taylor had to face the fact that none of his cousins were in town and his frustration reached new heights. Unsure of what to do with himself, Taylor found himself standing outside 13 Bond Street. He had not been here in well over a year, but exactly what he needed.
He pushed the door open and was greeted with the sounds of fists again skin, grunts, groans and cheers. Taylor had been spoiling for a fight and Gentleman Jackson’s was just the place to be.
* * *
“Have you had enough?” Taylor stared down at the young man he just fought, the third since he stepped into the ring. Sweat dripped off his nose and his shirt was plastered to his back. He felt good and he felt alive, some of his frustration disappearing each time his fist connected with a body, but it wasn’t enough. It wouldn’t be enough until he knew Phoebe was safe.
“Aren’t you tired yet, Sandlin?” Someone called form the back. He didn’t know who and he didn’t care.
“Why don’t you just go home to your wife before you kill the lot of us.” This came from the young pup on the floor at his feet. And, the man was right. There was no rule in this game he played that said he couldn’t visit Phoebe, and maybe that was exactly what he needed.
Taylor reached down to help the man to his feet. “You know, I think I will do exactly that. It has been a month. Surely she can’t still be angry.”
He grabbed a towel and dried off his face and head before putting his jacket back on. Everything he owned would need to be laundered thoroughly. No doubt his valet would have more than a few words for him when he arrived home.
“Flowers, take her flowers,” someone called.
“And a trinket,” another yelled. “Something large and sparkling. That should do the trick.”
Taylor allowed a smile. Both were good suggestions and he would see about doing just that.
* * *
If she didn’t know it was because Taylor was looking for his family she would be quit put out with him. The letters she received from those friends who still resided in London left nothing out. And, if they did, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know what else her husband had been up to. Goodness! And he had lectured her on reckless behavior.
“Are you still angry with me?”
Phoebe whipped around at the sound of his voice. She wasn’t expecting him so soon. With a squeal she ran into his open arms. “Oh, Taylor, I’ve missed you so much.”
His arms tightened around her and he buried his face in her hair. “I’ve missed you too. You have no idea how much.”
Phoebe pulled away and looked up at him. What had Taylor done to earn the black eye, now an ugly shade of green? She brought her fingers up to trace the swollen line of his jaw, shaded in colors of brown and yellow. He clasped her hand in his and brought her fingers to his lips.
“What have you been doing?”
“Fighting”
“Obviously, but with whom?”
“Three whoms to be exact.” Taylor led her to the bed and pulled her down to sit. “I used my pent up aggression at Gentlemen Jacksons.”
“I had no idea you liked to fight.” His face didn’t look too terrible, given he fought three men, but what about the rest of his body? He didn’t appear to be hurt. He seemed to walk fine.
“I don’t.” He grinned. “Now I remember why I gave it up.”
Taylor reached into his pocket and withdrew a small box which he handed to her. Phoebe slowly opened the lid and gasped. Inside lay a delicate necklace. A single emerald with a smaller diamond on each side hanging from a gold chain.
“Will you forgive me and let me back in your bed?”
It took her a moment for his words to register and she tore her eyes from the present. Her momentary confusion must have been evident.
“The men I fought suggested I buy you a trinket and beg.”
Phoebe bit her lip to keep from smiling. “Is this for the frequent trips to the gaming hells or the brothels?”
Taylor winced. “I hoped you had only heard of the gaming establishments.”
“You should know by now that nothing is missed by the gossips.” She tilted her head and looked at him. “Had you known I knew about the brothels, would you have brought more?”
Hi
s eyes widened and his brows drew together. “Phoebe, you must know, I was only there for my cousins, I didn’t do anything. I swear, I barely talked to a woman.”
He was practically babbling and Phoebe couldn’t help but laugh at him. “If I know anything else, I know you wouldn’t betray me.”
His shoulders relaxed and Phoebe couldn’t believe he was worried about her actually believing the gossip. His hand slid around her side and drew her to him before his lips descended to her neck. “Well, am I forgiven?”
“For the time being. Until I kick you out again.”
* * *
The reunion was short lived as Taylor knew he couldn’t stay with her long. At the end of two weeks Noah arrived home.
“There has been word of two of your cousins down by the docks.”
It was the best news Taylor had heard in a long time and he knew it was time to go.
“I don’t care,” Phoebe shouted after him as he stormed down the stairs. “Go back to London and stay there for all I care.”
Taylor turned midstep and looked up at her. “I will go now, but, I will be back. You have a duty to me and I will not let you shirk it.”
Noah stepped from the library and into the hall and silently pointed to the parlor. Two elderly neighbor ladies sat taking tea with Phoebe’s mother. Their eyes were wide with shock and fascination.
“You cannot make me do anything I don’t want to do.” She whipped around and stormed down the hall, a door slammed in her wake.
“I think it is time you left.” Noah sauntered up to him.
Taylor lifted his eyebrows. “I suppose you think you can throw me out.”
Noah’s hands fisted and he drew himself up. “Do you really want to test me?”
Taylor rolled his eyes and continued toward the door. “I will leave her now, but we are not done. There is nothing you or anyone can do to keep me from my wife.”
His Impetuous Deputante (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time - Book 1) Page 18