AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s preposterous, my lord! I have done nothing.”
“I am the Earl of Blade and it seemed you forgot that salient fact when you kidnapped my sister.”
The steward stiffened, his eyes going wide. “Kidnapped?”
“Of course. Francie is a sheltered and mild-mannered girl. She was taken advantage of by a heartless bounder who only has an interest in her fortune. You have two choices, the hangman’s noose or a press gang.”
Tobias wielded his power with awful precision and instinctively Livvie knew he was not even unleashing the full force of his personality. It was as if the air vibrated around him, so taut he was from keeping a tight leash on his temper.
“I will not be persuaded to separate from my wife!”
Tobias finally turned. “Do you not mean her fortune?”
“You are being wretched, Tobias! Jasper cares nothing for my fortune,” Francie said, hurrying to stand beside her brother. “I need you to trust me on this.”
Tobias considered her, and Livvie could see the keen regret glittering in his gaze. She braced herself, recognizing whatever he had to say would devastate his sister.
“Forgive me for the hurt I am about to cause, I would spare you this pain if I could.”
Francie wetted her lips, a nervous gesture. “I beg your pardon?”
“Did he tell you of his wife and three children in Bedfordshire?”
Tobias’s words caught Livvie sharply in the chest. Dear God, she felt faint. How could this be?
Mr. Browning went white as a sheet, and Francie stood motionless, staring at her brother incomprehensibly.
“Wife?” she muttered through bloodless lips.
Mr. Browning struggled to stand, and Tobias casually walked over and sank onto the sofa beside his steward. Tobias gripped his shin, right above the bandage and squeezed.
A hoarse scream of pain echoed from Mr. Browning, and Francie flinched.
“Do you wish to grant us privacy now?” Tobias asked her with quiet menace.
Tears glittered on her lids and she trembled, but she shook her head. “No…I need to hear this, please.”
“Darling, please…” The rest of the words strangled in Mr. Browning’s throat as Tobias applied more pressure to the wounded area.
“Did you believe I would have hired you without having you investigated? That I would have a man living under my roof, with my family, without knowing his background?”
The steward paled alarmingly and sweat beaded his brow.
“Are you already married?” Francie asked, her voice a mere whisper.
“No, I—”
Tobias bore down with pressure and the steward screamed. His leg was released and he gulped audibly.
“I was…was married but not anymore, I swear, my darling!”
“Lady Francie—you will only refer to her as Lady Francie,” Tobias murmured with such menace and barely suppressed savagery that Livvie felt discomfited. “And if you utter another lie, I will take you out back and slit your throat.”
Dear Lord.
The steward’s eyes bulged and desperation settled on his face. “Yes, yes of course, my lady, I…I am married.”
Francie swayed. Livvie rushed over to her and clasped her hands, offering silent support. She could all but feel her friend’s pain and confusion.
