“I have no business with you, old man,” Brown said, dismissing Tom with a glance.“I’m just here to make sure these two behave themselves until Jasper arrives.”He grinned evilly.“Meaning no weddings for the gels.”
“Too late,” Kate said coolly.“I already have married, and my husband, the Marquess of Wroth, will not take kindly to interference of any sort.”She kept the threat vague, for what sort of husband would allow her to remain here, virtually alone?Suddenly, her retreat to Hargate seemed unwise and childish.
The little man barked out a laugh.“Well, then, you’ll just have to get an annulment or a divorce, won’t you?”
Although Kate had contemplated such things, when voiced aloud the suggestion made her flinch.It was too final.Too permanent.Too painful.With an insight born of panic, Kate realized that whether Grayson loved her or not, she could not give him up, now or ever.
The discovery gave her strength, and she smiled in amusement.“You cannot touch Wroth.He is one of the most powerful men in the country.”
“Don’t threaten me,” Brown warned, stepping forward.
Kate stayed her ground as Tom moved in front of her.“Get away from Lady Wroth, you brute, or I’ll call the magistrate and have you hauled away.You are not wanted here.”
Brown’s face twisted into an obscene grimace.“No, you’re the one that’s not wanted here.These fine ladies don’t own this house and neither do you, so get out!”
Tom would have lunged at the man, but Kate grabbed hold of his arm, restraining him.Although short, Brown had the look of a mean fighter, and he might be armed.She did not want Tom hurt, and he could do little if Jasper arrived to lay claim to Hargate.
There was only one person who could help them now.Leaning close, she whispered in the coachman’s ear.“Bring Wroth.”
Giving her an odd look, Tom reluctantly turned away, muttering dire warnings should anything happen to the ladies.Brown just laughed, sending Lucy into fresh tears, while Rutledge stood by, looking alarmed.
Kate eyed him over her sister’s head.Although she knew her sister’s lover to be a coward, still she did not think he would let anything happen to her.Unless Jasper arrived.What could the boy do then?
Suppressing a shiver, Kate knew that their only hope lay with Grayson.But would he care enough to come to the aid of a wife who had run away from him?
Chapter Nineteen
Tom left his heaving horse with a startled groom and charged into the town house.As much as he had hated to leave the girls with none except that cowardly Rutledge to protect them, he knew Kate was right.Better that he bring back Wroth.
The marquess would deal with Jasper and the little bully quickly enough, Tom thought, his original opinion of Wroth having undergone quite a change.Since the marquess married Katie, Tom’s grudging respect had grown into full-fledged admiration.Now, if only the two of them would let down their stubborn guards long enough to admit they loved each other…
Tom shook his head.Life was too short to spend it moping and pining when a person could have a warm body to hold close at night.Why, hadn’t he been thinking of popping the question to Meg?And he would, too, just as soon as this business with Katie and Wroth and that blasted Jasper was settled.
“Where’s Wroth?”he shouted to the kitchen staff.
“Not here, I don’t think,” Meg said, wiping her hands on her apron.“What is it?”
“Trouble!”Tom said, racing into the main rooms without pausing to explain.He found the stiff-necked butler polishing silver in the dining hall.
“Here, now, you!What do you think you’re doing?”the man asked, aghast at Tom’s rough appearance.
“I’m looking for Wroth.”
“Well, he isn’t here.Now be off with you.”
But a number of servants, headed by the formidable Meg, had gathered behind Tom.“Tom, is that you?What’s this about trouble?”asked Wroth’s valet.
“I must find his lordship, and quickly.Katie’s in danger!”
Several gasps rose from the group.“Where is he?”the valet asked the butler.
The old fellow appeared flustered.“I don’t know.Perhaps at one of his clubs.He didn’t say, just took off riding after breakfast.You know how he’s been…” the man finished lamely.
The valet turned toward the footmen who surrounded Tom.“Johnny, take Jem with you and check the clubs.”
“I’ll have a look round the park,” another footman said.
Soon, they were all rushing off to find the marquess, but Tom felt no measure of relief.Once the man was found, he would still have to make the trip to Hargate, and Tom didn’t like the idea of leaving the girls with that bully of Jasper’s any longer than necessary.
