“It could be dangerous. I must insist we accompany you,” Michael added.
Giving his head a shake, Perry raised a hand to cease their comments. “I will go alone. If it is me he wants, I will let him have me,” Perry said, his tone brooking no argument. “You are to wait here. If anything happens to me, I need you to protect my wife and child. My hope is to challenge him in his home, where he will not want to get his hands dirty or start a scandal surrounded by all those witnesses. My guard will be on alert in case the conversation is taking too long.”
Beau frowned, a look of displeasure marring his features. “This is foolish, brother.”
“It is what I want. We are gentlemen. If I can meet with the viscount peacefully, without offering any hint of a threat, perhaps I can get him to confess and get him to stop this madness. The viscount has not threatened me man to man; he always sends henchmen to do his dirty work. He is too cowardly to kill me himself.”
Unbuttoning his dark green wool tailcoat, Perry revealed a pocket pistol tucked discreetly into the inside pocket, a weapon designed for protection, if not to kill, then to wound or distract the viscount, should the situation become dire. When he began to suspect someone wanted to end his life, he instructed his tailor to create a few secret pockets for weaponry. Perry was a crack shot and he was no fool. Though he desired to resolve this matter in a gentlemanly manner, the stakes were too high. The viscount would happily see him die over an old grudge. Perry wanted to see this matter come to an end. Peacefully, if possible, violently if necessary. No one was going to come after his family again. He would absolutely resort to murder to guarantee their safety.
“Have you heard anything from your man at Newbridge’s?” Perry asked his friend, buttoning up his coat and hiding his weapon once again. The heavy feel of the gun against his breast gave him a sense of security.
Michael shook his head, his face grim. “Nothing yet. Peter will assist you, should you need it. I will send him a message. He will gladly provide extra muscle, should the situation become dire. He finds life on land terribly boring compared to life at sea.”
With a determined nod, Perry glanced at his brother and his friend, both with matching brows etched with concern.
“I don’t care what you say. I will not wait for you long. Make sure the visit is quick, or we will be bursting in,” Beau said, stroking his chin in the palm of his hand. “I’ve taken a beating for you before and would happily do so again.”
Perry grinned as he bade them goodbye, his smile tinged with foreboding. He knew not what was to come, but there was no wayhe could leave this threat dangling over them forever. If the viscount was the one who was wishing them harm, he would be paying his due today.
Outside, the women in Mayfair dressed in lovely pastels, holding their umbrellas to shade their delicate skin from the damaging rays of the sun. Walking in step with their maids or husbands, they were completely unaware of the danger that lurked around each corner. Gentlemen tipped their hats to Perry as he descended the stone staircase, their canes scratching against the inlaid stone walkways.
Such a peaceful, uneventful day for some.
Perry’s heart raced as though it was going to burst out of his chest.
He had stared death in the face enough times; there was no mercy left in him for his enemy. Only a burning hatred that would motivate him to protect his family. At all costs.
Chapter Fifty
Getting into the home was easy. The butler acted unsurprised at his arrival, almost as though he expected Perry. The frail older man nodded, welcoming him into the foyer. Forest-green walls were decorated with oil paintings depicting famous battles. The butler shuffled his feet along, his shoulders stooped, and a light wisp of white hair barely covering his balding pate. Heavy wood trim met inlaid hardwood floors in a tone that reminded him of the color of tobacco. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the silence challenging anyone to disturb it. Perry hazarded a gaze around him as he was led down a poorly lit corridor. A meager stream of light came from the rooms on either side of the hallway. Despite the day blazing bright outside, the house gave him the impression he was about to have a meeting with the devil himself. A shiver ran through him, and a flicker of hesitation made him consider turning back. Perhaps this had been a mistake. Rather than putting an end to the danger, he may have welcomed it with open arms.
The viscount sat at his desk, unaware of his presence for a moment, as he turned a scornful eye to his butler. The man clearly resented being interrupted by his servants. At once, a bright smilecovered his face as he perceived Perry moving to stand beside the cowering butler. Newbridge looked as he always did, his small stature making him appear less threatening, his blonde hair swept to the side, and his ingratiating smile familiar. His tailcoat had seen better days, though it was possible he dressed down while at home, saving his best clothing for outings. If money was as tight as Perry had learned, the man needed to be careful. Newbridge seemed harmless and jovial. This appearance gained him favor in the ballroom, garnering him a few dances and sometimes, looks of pity.
But Perry felt no pity within him. Only hot boiling rage.
“My dear Lord Spencer, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” the viscount said, his mouth curving into an easy grin. “How delighted I am to see you again so soon after the Covington Ball. How is your lovely wife? It was enchanting to meet her.”
Newbridge ordered the butler to have some refreshments prepared, remaining silent until the door closed behind the servant.
“Please,” the viscount tilted his head toward the chair across from him. “Have a seat. We must not stand on formalities. Make yourself comfortable. Call me Thomas.”
His heart, refusing to slow, beat a steady rhythm in his chest, feeding the sickening sensation flooding his stomach.
Perry smiled. A chill skated up his spine as he slowly lowered himself into the distressed brown leather chair across from the man.
“How are you, Thomas? I believe I heard rumors of you seeking out a companion for yourself? Has a particular young lady caught your eye?” Perry ventured, hoping to ease into the conversation. Was small talk an effective way to disarm his enemy? He was about to find out.
Thomas sniffed. “Well, I believe the prospects I have met are woefully inadequate, especially in comparison to… Well, we won’t go into that matter. Perhaps I should explore marriage to a widow; your wife was previously married, was she not? It was commendable that you took in her child, my lord. Such a noble gesture,” he said and smirked, the smile failing to reach his eyes.
Heat built inside Perry’s chest at the words. It was a direct attack. “I like to keep the details of my relationship private. You may assume that I am very pleased with the match. We are well-suited. We bear an affection for each other that was missing in my first marriage.” Perry gave a taunting smile at his opponent. “I am blessed to have a daughter.”
Thomas’s hands curled into fists on the table.
“Well, it is to be expected. Eliza was a much more reserved woman. A proper lady representing her elevated status. Much deserving of the title of countess,” the viscount said, his breath coming more rapidly. “If only I could find a woman such as her. We were once close, you know. With our neighboring estates, we knew each other quite well. I miss her greatly.”
Perry opened his mouth to speak, but was distracted by a noise coming from the hallway. The butler swept into the room with a tray of cheese and dry cakes. Setting the food on the desk before Perry, the man moved to prepare two glasses from a nearby cabinet.
“Can I offer you a drink?” Thomas offered, raising a brow in question.
