Page 28

As though dancing with Lord Tinnitus was not disturbing enough—the mere touch of his gloved hand on hers was revolting—he had spent the entire dance threatening Laurel with exposure.

She had done her best to appear unaffected by his accusations, but she was not such a good actress and as he continued describing all of the information he had, including the fact she and Julian had signed a contract, she had fought to keep the fear and shock from her expression.

She hoped he was bluffing when he mentioned their short-term marriage, but then he had patted his pocket ominously as he shared that bit of information with her.

How on earth had he or his hateful wife gotten hold of it? Then she remembered the chaos of their visit with the children running wild through Hazelden House. It would have been a perfect opportunity for adults, or even well-instructed children, to snoop.

She had sorely underestimated the deviousness of Lord Tinnitus and his wife.

She ought to have taken the threat more seriously when Lord Ebersole had mentioned the loss Lord Tinnitus had suffered at the hands of her stepbrother.

Truly, she had been so stunned by the revelation of Richard’s death as well as Lord Ebersole's vehement criticism of him that she had not given Lord Tinnitus any thought.

The music ended and there was a short intermission before supper was to be served at which time, Lord Ebersole would be toasted in celebration of his birthday, and presumably he would make his announcement about the ownership of the mine.

Laurel had felt confident Lord Ebersole would grant ownership to Julian. He was the most deserving.

But matters had taken a change of course in the last few minutes and a sense of dread wafted down upon her as she and Lord Tinnitus moved toward the terrace.

Several other party-goers had taken the opportunity to enjoy the fresh evening air and gaze at the clear nighttime sky. Under any other circumstances, Laurel would find this most enjoyable.

This was not one of those circumstances.

Lord Tinnitus took her elbow and drew her into the shadows. Laurel resisted, but he was powerful and determined.

"I thought you said we would be meeting with Lord Ebersole as well as Julian and Lady Tinnitus," Laurel said, yanking her arm in a futile attempt to get away from him.

"They must have been held up for some reason. That will give us more time to get acquainted." His voice was an ominous whisper in her ear.

"I believe I am as acquainted with you as I care to be," she said, moving out of range of his grasp.

"I would not be so high and mighty, if I were you, Miss Harwood," he replied, saying her former name with a hiss which sent shivers down her spine.

As she watched, he reached into his pocket then unfolded the piece of paper he retrieved. Laurel's heart plunged when she recognized her own handwriting. It had to be the contract. She'd never imagined anyone else ever seeing it. Why had she not thrown it into the fire at her first opportunity?

Because it was her insurance policy in case Julian went back on his promises to her. It was a prudent thing to do—before she knew him. Knew his character. Knew the honest and forthright, if often taciturn, man he was.

If only she had destroyed it once she realized she could trust him.

That she loved him.

Lord Tinnitus actually had the nerve to read aloud from the document.

The parties to this contract agree to wed and will remain together, posing as husband and wife, until the 20th day of June, 1814 at which point they will be free to go their separate ways.

"I take it this is your handwriting as it matches your signature at the bottom," he said, waving the piece of paper from side to side like a red cape to a bull.

Laurel saw red and wished for nothing more than to scratch the man's eyes out.

"My cousin has offered a generous allowance for you," Leonard said, raking his gaze over her body. "I am sure you are worth it."

Anger and humiliation flooded Laurel with her only wish being to destroy this man and his salacious, smirking face.

"It is ironic, is it not," Lord Tinnitus continued. "I had tried so hard to get rid of Julian and yet this little piece of paper will do the trick so much more tidily than that explosion."

"The explosion..." Laurel gasped, then realization set in. "You... you caused the explosion, the one that injured Julian?"

"I did," he said, a sly grin spreading over his thin lips. "But the bloody bastard had the temerity to survive. So stubborn. Always has been."

"You tried to kill your own cousin?" Laurel knew he was a horrible person but she still had trouble understanding how anyone could be so devious.

"Nearly succeeded. When it didn't work, I tried another approach.

I convinced the old man mine ownership ought to go to a married man, one with sons to pass the mine down to.

It was so bloody important to him to have a family legacy.

So he told Julian he had to get married.

" His gaze raked over her in a way which made her feel like tarnished copper.

"But you know all of that," he gestured toward the contract in his hand.

"Where are the others?" Julian asked. He and Drucilla Tinnitus had been waiting in the library for several minutes and neither Laurel, Leonard nor his grandfather had appeared.

He was beginning to get a bad feeling about an already bad situation.

Drucilla also looked concerned, which Julian found alarming.

"I do not know," she said, pacing the room. "The plan was for Leonard to bring your so-called wife and meet here after the music ended. He was also supposed to bring that old codger grandfather of yours with him."

This was a side to Drucilla which Julian had never seen before nor had he ever imagined. For years she had presented herself as a woman of low standards and shallow thoughts, but this woman was devious, conniving and extremely angry.

Dangerous.

"I am going in search of my wife," he said, pushing past Drucilla and exiting the library. The ballroom was empty. His grandfather rushed up to him.

"Julian, what are you doing? We are about to have dinner and everyone is looking for you and Laurel. Leonard and Drucy too."

"You have not seen any of the others?" Julian asked, searching for his wife as well as he could with only the use of one eye, turning his head from side to side in great sweeping motions.

"There's Drucy," his grandfather said, gesturing toward Leonard's wife.

"I don't give a hang about her. I need to find Laurel."

"Julian!" Lord Ebersole said. "What a thing to say about your cousin's wife."

"She's not the sweet thing you think she is," he said. "Please go back to your guests. I will find Laurel and return to the dining room right away. I have a toast to give, remember?"

His grandfather smiled. "Yes, I am looking forward to it. I am sure Laurel simply went for some air. Please join us as quickly as you can."

Julian rushed to the terrace.

At first glance, he did not notice anything amiss on the terrace. As his grandfather had said, all the guests were in the dining room waiting for the birthday supper.

Movement to his left caught his attention and he hurried that way. When he realized it was Laurel and Leonard, he stopped. Watching and listening before he decided on his plan of attack. Laurel’s safety was too important to simply rush forward.

"You tried to kill your own cousin?" He heard Laurel ask and Julian’s breath stalled in his throat. He had thought it was all an accident.

Julian’s blood went cold and then hot as he listened to Leonard continue.

"Nearly succeeded. When it didn't work, I tried another approach.

I convinced the old man mine ownership ought to go to a married man, one with sons to pass the mine down to.

It was so bloody important to him to have a family legacy.

So he told Julian he had to get married. "

"Get your hands off me," Laurel hissed and Julian saw Leonard had hold of his bride, yanking at her wrist where she wore a bracelet which had once been his grandmother's.

Leonard handled her roughly and Julian's hands clenched into fists.

He grabbed hold of his cousin by the shoulder and swung him around, landing a swift right hook in his jaw. The other man stumbled backward, eyes blinking.

"Julian!" Laurel cried out, throwing her arms around him. "I knew you would save me."

"I always will," he smiled, wrapping his arm around her waist and drawing her close for a kiss.

"Well, isn't that sweet?"

Apparently one punch was not enough to keep Leonard down. Julian let go of Laurel and gave her a gentle push out of the way.

He grabbed hold of Leonard by his right wrist and twisted his arm around his back. "Tried to kill me, eh? It’s you I have to blame for losing my eye." Then he took his finger and jabbed it into Leonard’s left eye.

Leonard yelped in pain and covered his eye with his left hand. "Bloody hell," he gasped. "That hurts."

"Now you know how it feels, you filthy piece of dung."

By this time, Drucilla had arrived on the terrace.

"Now," Julian hissed in his cousin's ear. "This is our grandfather's seventieth birthday. We are going to join the others and act like respectable gentlemen, for his sake. However, once supper is concluded, I am going to beat you senseless. Do not ever touch my wife again."

"Oh, do be quiet about the old coot," Leonard said, attempting to wrench free of Julian. "He never cared one jot about me. It was always, Julian, Julian, Julian. Julian with only one eye. That's what I say. But all my life he held you up as some shining example to me. How would I ever measure up?"

Their faces close together, Leonard spat in Julian's face.

"There's spit in your one good eye," he sneered. "That is what I think of you."

Julian shoved his cousin to the ground, then retrieved his handkerchief to wipe the spittle from his face.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Everyone halted and turned to see Lord Ebersole looming over them. His face had gone pale and he seemed frail and unsteady on his feet.

"Grandfather," Leonard said, rushing to the old man. "Allow me to assist you. Is it not time for supper?"

Lord Ebersole stepped back from his grandson, a look of heartbreak on his face. "You set the explosion?" he said, staring at Leonard. "You would kill your cousin for your own selfish purposes?"

Drucilla rushed forward, taking Lord Ebersole’s hand. "Of course not, Grandfather," she simpered. "I am sure you misheard what he said. Your hearing is not what it used to be."

"My hearing is bloody perfect." Lord Ebersole drew in a breath and blew it out slowly.

By this time, several footmen had arrived, no doubt in search of the missing guest of honor.

Lord Ebersole turned to the servants. "Get them out of here," he ordered.

"But Grandfather, you cannot," Leonard begged.

"I most certainly can. And if you do not wish for me to swear out a warrant for your arrest, then you will leave and never come back."

The footmen ushered the two of them away with obvious glee. Julian enjoyed the scene himself. Once they were gone, his grandfather turned to Julian and Laurel.

"I will go back inside and stall for a few minutes, then the two of you will join the party and we will continue as if none of this happened."

"Of course," Julian and Laurel said in unison.

He watched as his grandfather returned to the party. Grandfather loved Leonard and he had broken his heart.