Page 26 of How to Best a Marquess

She cringed in horror. The lady’s husband had beaten her more. Much more from what Olivia had described. His handiwork showed in the dark purple bruising around both of his wife’s eyes. She looked worse than the pugilists in the boxing ring. Ellie felt a nauseating sickness and swallowed hard.

“When did he do this to you?” Ellie said, her voice a hoarse whisper.

Lady Willoughby shook her head, still refusing to look directly at her. “I’m clumsy and took a tumble down the stairs.”

“There is no need to lie. I will not whisper a word.”

“Like your sister?” the lady asked, a note of censure in her strained voice.

Ellie was not put off. “Olivia is concerned for you.”

The lady’s chin stiffened. “There is no need for anyone’s concern. I am fine.”

“Are you? What if you conceive a child? Would you want a babe to be just as ‘fine’ in your husband’s care?”

Lady Willoughby took a quick breath. “How dare you!”

“I dare because you do not speak the truth.”

The woman raised a trembling hand to one of her blackened eyes, and a cry escaped her lips—a sad, desperate sound like that of a wounded and cornered animal. It tugged at Ellie’s heart, and it took all her effort not to reach out and cradle the woman in her arms.

“What is the use in subterfuge? You know.”

Ellie dared to step forward to touch her arm. She feared the lady would bolt, like a frightened deer. “There is help. We have helped others.”

“How?” Samantha’s voice trembled.

“You must be willing to do what is necessary.”

“Harm my husband?”

Ellie’s lips thinned. “That wasn’t what I had in mind, although I can understand how you would feel that way.”

“I don’t! What else is there?”

“Your departure from London can be arranged. A new start.”

“You mean for me to disappear?”

“In a sense. You must be willing to assume a new name and flee. I understand it is a difficult choice. You will lose your title as a lady, along with the wealth it provides.”

Lady Willoughby shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Ellie pressed on; she knew she had to. If her gut instinct was right, then the woman’s situation was dire. Even Olivia had not known all of her friend’s circumstances. “Who or what keeps you here in London?”

“My mother and father. They would be ashamed if I…if I left the baron.” Her voice was small, broken.

“Do they know how he shows his affection?”

“I tried to tell them. They suggested I try harder to please my husband, and that my plight is the result of his displeasure.”

Anger blossomed in Ellie’s chest. How could the woman’s parents be so cruel? Their refusal to aid their daughter was as unconscionable as the baron’s physical beatings in Ellie’s opinion. She knew divorce was scandalous, but if a husband took his fists to Ellie, she knew without a doubt, Ian would protect her from an abusive spouse. “And you? How do you feel about your husband?”

For the first time, Lady Willoughby met Ellie’s gaze straight on. “I hate him.”

…

Something was going on in the hidden room.