Francis nodded in agreement. He’d been appalled and enraged by the man’s threat to young Laurie not just for Eve’s sake but because he’d grown fond of the young earl these past weeks. Just recalling the evening’s events brought back the overwhelming fury he had experienced when faced with Eve’s husband. A growl of displeasure formed deep in his throat before he swallowed it back. Never in his life had he felt such a need to unleash his wrath upon a person as he had that vile Shaftesbury.
He tamped down the anger, consoled with the certainty that he would have his chance, and directed his attention to the matter at hand. “And, since most of Edinburgh recognizes your son as Earl Shaftesbury and is aware of his age, I wouldn’t think that your…Shaftesbury will be able to claim that status in town or have credit extended to him under that identity. That means no one yet knows, or at least believes, that he is your husband.”
Eve shuddered in horror. If it became known that she wasn’t actually a widow, the damage to her reputation would be beyond repair. “I wouldn’t want anyone to become aware of that fact either.”
“If he’s even claiming to be the earl,” Jack drawled as he leaned casually against the mantle. “My guess is that when he was denied by your staff in England, he realized he cannot use his title as he was declared dead. It doesn’t sound as if he’s taken the time to go to London to announce himself to the Queen and be reinstated as earl.”
The others nodded and agreed that was unlikely. “He’s most likely just using his given name sans title,” Francis concluded. “Or an alias.”
“At least there is that.” Eve took another long sip of whisky. “I could not bear it if it became widely known that my husband is alive. The scandal—”
“Damn the bloody scandal, Eden!” Francis burst out and squatted before her, taking her hands in his. “I cannot care about scandal when we have much bigger problems. We need to keep him away from you, from Laurie, and from announcing to everyone who he is until we can find out legally where you stand. Not because of the scandal but for your own safety. Are they even legally married anymore?” he questioned the room at large.
No one knew.
“You’re right,” Eve conceded, trying to set aside her concerns. “We need to focus on the bigger issue. What do we do?”
“I’ll visit my solicitor first thing in the morning to figure out the legality of this whole mess.” Francis paced, his steps as animalistic as a lion on the prowl, and turned to refill his own glass. “If you are still married—legally, that is—you can petition for the divorce as you had planned before.”
“I say we just find him and dump him in the firth.” Jack raised his glass in a mock toast. “If no one knows who he really is, and the earl is already dead on record, then there should be nothing to it.” He tipped back the glass with a satisfied nod. “Not even a crime, really, as the fellow’s already dead.”
“While Merrill’s idea does hold a certain appeal,” Francis snorted (since actually it held a lot of appeal given his current mood), “perhaps that shouldn’t be our first course of action.”
“It does raise another question though.” Abby tapped her lips thoughtfully. “Where is he staying? Does he even have funds available to him at this point? I mean, he probably cannot draw on the Shaftesbury funds at any of the local banks given most know Eve here.”
“Good question.” Francis nodded. “We should check the hotels and find out where he’s been staying and what kind of resources he has available here.”
“There’s something else that is bothering me though,” Eve considered. “Does it not seem, upon reflection, as if he were trying to provoke you into creating a scene? As if he wanted you to attack him? He was set on dragging me out of the room but, once you reacted, he gave in calmly. Too easily.”
“That’s true and an excellent point. I noticed it myself. And Vanessa.” Abby added, “She knew who he was, didn’t she? Hadn’t we been thinking this week that she was up to something?”
Nods of comprehension flowed through the room. “They’re planning something together,” Moira put in. “They are trying to ruin the two of you somehow.”
“But to what purpose?” Eve asked. “William abhorred scandal beyond anything. What might he gain by bringing one upon us now? I would think that getting Laurie and me out of here quickly and quietly would be more to his benefit.”
“For some reason, they want the attention, the gossip.” Francis rubbed his bottom lip thoughtfully. “It gives us much to consider.”
Chapter 39
“A William Ashley-Cooper is here to see you, my lady,” Hobbes announced late the next morning. His voice was skeptical and filled with enough disdain to rouse the ire of the man who entered the parlor behind him.
“Your job is in jeopardy, man. Learn quickly to respect your betters lest you find yourself on the street.”
Hobbes bowed formally, saying only, “The streets may hold an alluring appeal in the weeks to come, sir.”
William gaped at the butler. “That’s it. You are relieved of your duties. Leave.”
“While one must appreciate your fervency on the matter, sir,” Hobbes replied with his haughtiest intonation, “I fear that I care little for the words of one with so little…standing.”
“Why you…” Ashley-Cooper burst out, only to have Eve’s cool voice cut him off.
“That will be all for now, Hobbes. You may go.” She caught the wink and near smile the butler cast at her before turning smartly.
“Send the tea cart,” the once-earl snapped.
“Refreshments are reserved for guests, sir.” Hobbes rebutted in a low voice as he left the room, and Eve pressed her lips together to stop the smile that threatened.
Dear Hobbes. She’d been waiting anxiously in the parlor for two hours now, anticipating William’s arrival. Her nerves were frazzled to near apoplexy by the time the door chime had rung. She must remember to express her thanks to her butler for relaxing those nerves so handily before she had to speak with her husband. She felt more powerful facing this dreaded interview knowing she had such staunch allies.
“Will you sit, William?” She kept her tone cordial, determined to allow no trace of fear or nerves to show.
“I want him dismissed.”
“I assure you, he will never head your household,” was all she offered.
Ashley-Cooper paced for a moment before he visibly regained his calm and sat flipping the tails of his morning coat dramatically. “Well, wife, what have you to say?”
Eve folded her hands perfectly in her lap and regarded him evenly. The past year had aged him quite a bit. Though he was in his middle forties, William had always looked much younger with his fair boyish looks, but now he seemed more haggard, his blond hair dulled, if not grayed. But he was colder as well. Evidently more erratic. The William she had known would never have shown anger as he had done with Hobbes. This man was unpredictable. That was enough to alarm her.
“I have a solicitor this morning examining the law to determine whether we remain legally wed.”
“We are, of course,” he insisted. “You are my wife.”
“As I said, that remains to be seen.” The countess took a deep breath. “Beyond that issue, what may I help you with? You said you had wanted to see me. Why?”
“I’ve come to fetch you home.”
“Beyond that issue, I said.”
“I want to see Lawrence. Bring my son to me, now,” he ordered with an imperious hand that Eve studied even as her heart trembled in fear. William had always been like that. The king of his realm, his every whim to be granted. She’d given in to it for so long, her strength to rebel quashed by the force of his presence.
“I fear Laurie is not here at present,” Eve offered, with just enough of a touch of false regret in her voice to bring a frown to his face.
“You know I have always hated that common nickname,” he told her. “Where is he then?”
“His tutor has taken him to the Scottish National Port
rait Gallery to discuss the history and historical figures of the area.” It was a complete lie, of course. While they’d made that trip the previous week, Laurie was currently in the nursery at his lessons with a bevy of footmen guarding him against any attempts to steal him away. “After that they will be spending the afternoon at the Central Library.
“At least you have kept up his lessons.”
“I thought you cared nothing for your only child.” She sniffed in disdain, though her insides were churning with fear and uncertainty with what was to come. “I believe you said last night you could make another just like him.”
“I was angry, of course.” He brushed away the rebuke as if it mattered not. “Your behavior these past weeks has quite raised my temper. All about town is abuzz with the gossip of your affair with a married man. The scandal is appalling.”
“He’s not married.”
“His wife feels he dealt her a serious wrong in forcing the divorce,” he said mildly. “Many influential people in town sympathize with her plight.”
“She is a bitch and a liar,” Eve retorted, raising her voice just slightly.
William tsked, shaking his head with mock sorrow. “You see? Listen to yourself. Is it my absence or the influence of these rustic Scots that has brought you to this? It seems my constant vigilance is needed to keep you in line.”
“You don’t frighten me anymore, William,” she yelled in a quavering voice, standing with her fists balled at her sides.
But he did. He frightened her to the core with his glacial eyes and tone that spoke of all the things he might do to control her.
“I have friends now, William. Not just the ones that you allowed me but real friends who will never let you hurt me or Laurie.”
“Who?” he sneered. “That pitiful Scot and his low family?”
“That pitiful Scot is twice your size and could beat you into the ground if he chose.”
He sauntered closer to her and though she wanted to flee in terror, it was all Eve could do to stand her ground. But when he gripped her upper arms and shook her, she couldn’t stop the squeal of terror that escaped her. “Let me go!”
“Let her go,” a deep voice repeated the order from the doorway, and Eve sagged with relief that someone had come to help her, even if it wasn’t the certain someone she needed right now.
“Who are you?” William scowled at the newcomer without obeying the command.
Jack Merrill strolled into the room with his hands tucked casually into his pockets. He was the picture of casual nobility in his dark gray morning suit, his dark hair windblown while his golden eyes held nothing more than condescension. “I’m one of those friends she just warned you about.”
“Bah.” William spat out, taking in the unfamiliar intruder with a jaundiced eye. “Another lover, more like.” He glared back down at Eve with a disgusted sneer. He shook her roughly again and shoved her away. Jack rushed forward to steady her before she fell. “Have you whored yourself for every rustic in the area then?”
“Has he harmed you?” Jack whispered as he led her to a chair and eased her down.
Eve looked up into Jack’s golden eyes and clearly saw concern and caring in eyes that had never done more than mock or tease. “I’m fine. Thank you so much.”
Jack shrugged off her thanks, and the arrogant light returned to his eyes as he turned and faced Ashley-Cooper with his full height and brawny Scots body, crowding out her view of her husband.
Haddington was all earl as he glowered at the slighter man before him. He circled Willian slowly, a mocking grin curling his lips. “I can’t believe you married this scrawny aristocrat, Evie darlin’.”
William drew himself up but then withdrew a bit in the face of Merrill’s unruffled arrogance and burly size. “I was having a discussion with my wife. You have no right to interfere.”
Jack merely shook his head with a cluck of his tongue. “You know, last night my initial solution to your presence was merely to kill you and have done with it. In my mind, it is quite the quickest and easiest solution and, truly, what is another weighted body in the river? I do so hate wasting my time with such triviality as you represent.”
“Heathens such as he are your friends now, Evelyn?” William sneered, though Eve could see the trepidation in his eyes.
While Francis’ threat the previous evening had been one of angry aggression with a palpable potential for physical harm, she realized William had been prepared for what it entailed. Jack’s offhand threats, it seemed, presented an incalculable risk that left her husband with some apprehension, if not outright fear. It was a pleasure to see.
She looked up at her unforeseen rescuer with an amused half-smile twitching the corner of her mouth. “It would seem so.”
Jack waved a bored hand. “Why don’t you leave now, before I decide to proceed with my first instincts? I do have a bit of spare time this morning. Then we can be done with this.”
“Fine.” William’s voice grew low and cool. “I will go for now. Evelyn, I want you ready in two days to return to London. I am quite done with this backwoods place and have other business to take care of. Did you hear me?”
Eve tilted her head to the side at his frosty tone and stared at him for a minute. “I did hear you, William.”
“Then see that you obey as you vowed to do.” He turned on his heel and stomped out of the room, leaving Eve and Jack staring at each other.
“Did that bastard hurt you?” Jack asked, his previous worry once again showing in his eyes.
Holding her hands out before her, Eve could see that they had started to shake and a tiny sob escaped her, but it was enough for him to squat before her and take her hands in his.
“Tell me you’re fine.”
“I’m fine,” she parroted, but when his arms came around her, Eve accepted the comfort and leaned her cheek against his shoulder while tears of relief flowed from her eyes. “I was so frightened when he grabbed me. I thought he was going to try and drag me out of here. He is so angry, Jack.”
“He didn’t look too mad.”
“The quieter and calmer William gets, the angrier he is,” she said into his shoulder. “He was quite livid.”
“Good thing he left then.”
She accepted his embrace for a couple more minutes before she drew back and met his eyes as he remained on his haunches level with her. “Thank you. That was most decent of you.”
H shrugged carelessly. “I would rather have ripped his head from his shoulders.”
“You know, you might, maybe, be just a wee bit likeable.” She squeezed his big hand between her own small ones affectionately.
Jack threw back his head and laughed before raising her hands and pressing a kiss to them. “Does that mean you are ready to forsake Francis for me then?”
“No.” She joined in his laughter. “But I might be more willing to tolerate your company from time to time.”
They laughed again, comfortable with each other for the first time. “I’m sorry I called you a swine.”
He frowned in confusion. “When did you do that?”
“The first time we met.”
“Och, I was so drunk after accepting my fate to wed, I hardly remember our first meeting at all.”
“Well, if you don’t recall it, I retract my apology,” she responded pertly and they laughed again.
* * *
“Am I interrupting something?” Francis asked from the doorway and, as the misery of the last hour flooded Eve, she pushed Jack away and raced to her love throwing herself into his arms.
“I say,” Jack sputtered as he sprawled on his backside. “Some thanks this is.”
“Thanks for what?” Francis asked as he held Eve against him. “I got a message from Hobbes while I was with my solicitor, but he merely said I was needed. What happened?”
“That bastard Shaftesbury nearly assaulted Eve.”
With a start, Francis pulled back to stare down at her in concern. He ran his hands up and down her a
rms as if to ensure that Eve was healthy and whole. “Are you alright? What happened?”
“Jack exaggerates, as usual.” She rolled her eyes. “William came as we expected.” They had agreed the previous evening that Francis would not be present this morning’s visit lest he and William come to blows and they lose the opportunity to discover the man’s motivations. She’d insisted that he instead see his solicitor to inquire after the marriage legalities. “He made some subtle threats, and not so subtle demands, and grabbed my arms.”
“He was shaking her like a ragdoll when I came in,” Jack corrected, brushing himself off as he stood. “Her head might have snapped right off.”
“Jack, really,” was her scold, but she admitted, “I was afraid, it’s true, but thankful Jack was here to frighten him off.”
“Why weren’t you here earlier?” Francis growled at his friend. “I asked you to be here first thing this morning.”
“Overslept,” Jack shrugged. “At least I was present when it mattered.”
“He’s right, Francis. Leave him be,” cautioned Eve when Francis looked ready to show his friend his fist. “He was here when I needed assistance, and it is over with.”
“For now.”
“For now,” she allowed.
“What does he want, then?” Francis asked at length.
“Just what he said last night. He wants Laurie and me back in London. I’m certain he wants his identity and wealth back as well and might need me there to accomplish that. He seems insistent that we leave very soon.” She crossed her arms with a shudder. “He wants to punish me.”
“He won’t have that opportunity, I promise you,” Francis assured her softly, cupping her cheeks in his hands. His thumbs caressed in slow circles as he lowered his forehead to touch hers.
“I know.” She sighed when he lowered his lips to hers, brushing them lightly.
Clearing his throat uncomfortably, Jack interrupted the private moment. “Do you mind? I haven’t eaten as yet. Come Francis. What did the solicitor conclude, married or not?”
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