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CHAPTER 37

“Let…go…of me,” Thomas said, fighting against Robert’s hold and resisting being dragged.

Robert dragged Thomas out of the room and down the hall to his study. He was not yet finished with the scoundrel. Not until he had atoned for what he had done.

Robert ignored him and continued to drag him towards his office.

“You have no right,” Thomas whined in a shaky voice. “Wh—what are you going to do to me?”

Robert ignored him, pushed him into his office and walked in after him before slamming the door. Thomas curled up in fear and panic.

“See here, I did not mean any harm. I was not going to injure her. I just wanted to scare her a little so she would pay me,” hecajoled, “the gown… it was an accident I swear. I did not intend to tear it.”

Robert continued to pace silent circles around Newston, his hands clenched by his sides to control his monumental rage.

“I would never hurt a lady. I am a gentleman and so are you. We can resolve this in a civil manner.” His eyes flicked to Robert’s fists, “there is no need for fisticuffs.”

Robert stopped circling him and glared into his eyes. “You hurt my wife. You expect me to just shake hands and let it go?”

Thomas began to sway from side to side. “No, of course not, you misunderstand me. I do of course wish to extend my most humble apologies, and I will make whatever reparations you demand of me. Just please let me go.”

“You speak of reparations? I would like you to leave the country and never return,” Robert growled.

“As you wish, Your Grace. I shall leave immediately. A fresh beginning in the new world would suit me far better in any event. There is nothing here for me anymore. Just give me one month-”

“Five days. You leave on the next outgoing ship,” Robert interrupted.

Thomas nodded frantically. “Yes, five days, and I shall leave. You have my word.”

Robert snorted contemptuously. “I shall take your word for now. But if you have not left England in five days’ time, I promise that you will pay in much more painful and permanent ways.”

He took a step closer to Thomas and looked him dead in the eye.

“I do hope you will miss your deadline,” he flexed his fists, “I have a lot of pent-up energy to expend. It would be intriguing to see how many of your bones I could break.”

Thomas shuddered and his face paled. “I assure you that willnotbe necessary.”

Robert pointed at the door. “Get out,” he snapped.

Thomas ran out the door as fast as his wobbly legs could carry him.

Robert shook his head before returning to the parlor.

He wanted to see to Georgiana’s health. He did not like how she looked at all. Thinking about it made him regret letting Thomas go without so much as a black eye.

He was still shaking inside at how narrowly she had avoided disaster.

What serendipity had brought him to London on this very day? Why had he decided to leave immediately and arrive at the exact moment his wife needed him the most?

He realized that, as afraid as he had been about something happening to her, he had all along been taking her safety for granted. He had assumed that his servants would be a sufficient buffer between her and anyone with nefarious intentions.

What an utter fool I have been.

He burst into the parlor, his eyes searching frantically for Georgiana, wondering if he had left her alone for too long.

There was a tray in front of her containing a tea kettle, a bottle of whiskey, and a teacup. A serving girl was pouring tea into the cup, and he stepped forward, ushering her away.

“I will see to it,” he said.