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“And…and you have children?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
It was painful for Livvie to watch the disappointment and hurt darkening Francie’s eyes. “I cannot understand why you pursued me so ardently,” she said, tears trickling down her face. “You wrote me such beautiful poems and letters and…you are married? I cannot credit it.”
“I do not believe Mr. Browning considered a hasty marriage over the anvil a real marriage, hence he would not worry overmuch about the legality of being a bigamist.” Tobias captured the man’s eyes with his. “What was it going to be? Blackmail letter? A request from Francie for money urgently?”
Mr. Browning shot a pleading glance at Francie. “I love you, Francie, it was never about the money. It was you. My wife…she is dreadfully ill, taken over by the consumption, and she is not expected to make it. I…I…once
she passed I was going to allow for us to marry in the church in England. It was never about your wealth,” he ended hoarsely. “I admire you most ardently. I fell in love with you, and I wanted to be your husband and your protector. I could not tell you of Catherine, but I knew she would not live long and I would be free. When you suggested elopement instead of a long courtship, how could I refuse? On what grounds could I reasonably delay you without rousing your suspicion and risk losing your affections? You are my heart. Please forgive me.”
“I never want to see you again,” she said softly, tears streaming down her face.
“Please do not say that.” He struggled to rise from the chair and Tobias stood and rested a hand on Mr. Browning’s left shoulder. It appeared a casual touch, but from the strain on the steward’s face, Livvie knew Tobias was rendering some hurt.
“You are a heartless bounder to pursue me so ardently when you knew your heart was engaged and it was impossible for you to wed another. Your wife is ill…dying, your children left alone to face such a burden.” There was bleak desperation in Francie’s eyes. “You are not the man I thought you were…you were never that man.”
On a sob, she hurried from the room. At the door, she halted and shifted to face Tobias. “I…I am so deeply sorry. I was so very foolish. I thought…I truly believed he loved and respected me. Oh, Tobias, the scandal will be horrifying.”
“There will be no scandal,” he said, cold purpose echoing in his tone. “No one in England truly knows and I will deal with those who are aware here. I promise you, not a word of this mishap will be uttered.”
She nodded, trust glowing in her eyes. “I…we…” Pink bloomed on her cheeks. “He kissed me a few times, but we never consummated our farce of a marriage. I wanted to wait until we were wed in the church before…and then the accident and…”
“I understand, Francie, say no more.”
She inhaled deeply. “I must. We planned together to say we had been intimate when we returned and ask for your blessing to wed in a church. It was wrong of me to imply when you arrived that I might be increasing. I am deeply regretful, please forgive me.”
Tobias nodded, his eyes dark with unnamed emotions.
“Do you desire my company?” Livvie asked, stepping forward, concern curling through her at the wounded look in her friend’s eyes.
“Please, no, I wish to be alone. I will retire to my room.” Then she fled as if the devil was on her heels.
The silence that remained was painful and the unblinking gaze with which her husband was watching Mr. Browning did not bode well.
“You will disappear from Francie’s life. Either you go to the West Indies with an escort of mine, or your body will be found on the road heading north. Your choice.”
In that moment, Tobias scared her, for she could see the chilling resolve within him. He was quite capable of killing his steward. “Tobias, I—”
He glanced at her, and his face was etched in a hard, unforgiving manner. “Mr. Browning and I have much to discuss, countess. I would appreciate your discretion at this moment.”
Livvie hesitated, and then with a nod, exited. Could she have prevented all this heartache? Was it really her wild heart that had influenced Francie to be so reckless? Would Tobias forgive her?
Chapter Sixteen
Moonlight bathed the land in an ethereal glow. From the window of their small but tastefully furnished chamber, Livvie watched Tobias with utmost discreetness. She did not want him to know she ogled him in such a blatant and wanton manner. It had only been a few hours since he had booted Mr. Browning from their lives.
Tobias had been generous enough to offer him a place at one of his estates in the West Indies as the steward. Mr. Browning could take his family to Jamaica, and perhaps the sun and lack of England’s cruel winters may give his wife a chance of life. Livvie also surmised her earl wanted the man as far away from England and from his sister as possible. But he had been generous indeed, for with his wealth and undeniable influence he could have sentenced the steward to the press gang or worse, death, and not an eyelash would flicker. Tobias had then announced there was no scandal, and they would treat it as a jaunt to Scotland and nothing more.
A simple dinner of baked trout and potatoes was had, and after several minutes of strained conversation, Francie fled in tears. Tobias had been bitingly polite as he excused himself and disappeared from the cottage.
It was after Livvie had taken a bath and was perched by the window that she had seen him in the distance, stripped to the waist, his feet dancing lightly, his hands punching and jabbing the air as he boxed with an unseen opponent in a primal rhythm. Need stirred hot and deep inside as she observed the play of muscles across his back and shoulders. Her husband was a powerfully made man, a gorgeous one. To look at him was immensely pleasurable and tenderness stirred in her heart.
He spun gracefully and her breath hitched. Did he see her? His hands flowed, and the expanse of his chest twisted like a snake as he moved to an invisible rhythm. Acting on impulse, she shrugged on her riding coat, and slipped her feet into slippers and hurried down the stairs. The cottage was silent, and only the crackle of the fireplace in the small drawing room could be heard. She headed through the kitchen and opened the latch on the backdoor and clambered down a few cobbled steps. Livvie moved carefully through a small back garden and around to the glen where she had spied Tobias. She faltered when, as she broke the corner, they came face-to-face.
“I…hello,” she said, somewhat breathlessly.
