Page 18 of On the Ropes of Scandal (With Love in Their Corner #3)

When he glanced at his wife, or rather Miss Phoebe Bidwell as it were, her gaze was cast down to her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

His chest tightened, for it meant that everything he’d previously felt her for was suspect.

Shit , he’d even declared himself to her last night!

Like an idiot. And still, when presented with all these facts, there was a part of him that didn’t believe what his brothers were telling him.

After clearing his throat, he asked, “How did you find me?”

The man who’d said he was the Earl of Lethbridge flashed a grin. “Oddly, from a youth named Thomas. He lives here in Cranleigh and does odd jobs throughout the village. An errand took him to London for the week, and while he was in Town, he called at my home.”

“Why?” None of it made sense.

“Apparently, he remembered your name, for you’d asked him to be your knee man and water boy during the bout because Alexander and I weren’t able to come.

” Guilt and sadness shadowed Lewis’ eyes.

“He wished to see how you faired after being soundly defeated at the bout.” When he shrugged, it only lifted one shoulder.

“I should have been there. If I had been, none of this scandal would have occurred.”

His other brother, Alexander, nodded as he space the small room. “Having the fellow call added to our worry, especially when we assumed you’d gone straight to your rooms at The Albany, we thought to lick your wounds, so to speak.”

Duncan groaned. “And then when I didn’t make an appearance at…?”

“The boxing salon that we all own,” the earl inserted with a nod.

“When I didn’t come ’round there after a few days, you fellows began an inquiry. Correct?”

“Yes.” The earl nodded. “I’m afraid we all assumed you’d bedded down with one of the many women you chased.” With a frown, he cast a glance to Phoebe, who didn’t look up. “It wasn’t unusual for you to stay with one for days on end before remembering your responsibilities.”

“Ah.” Duncan shoved a hand through his hair. No wonder coupling with Phoebe had seemed far too familiar. He’d not bedded her; it had been other women instead. “What the devil should we do now?”

“The only thing we can do.” Lewis shoved to his feet. He peered at both of the women in the room then rested his attention on Duncan. “Alex and I are taking you back to London. It’s where you belong. It’s where your life and your family are.”

“That won’t be possible. My wife is with child. Or rather, Miss Bidwell is with child, since we are apparently not married.” His chest ached as if he’d been hit. The past week had been pleasant and fulfilling. To discover it hadn’t been real, that it had only been a farce?

God, I’m going to be ill.

“No, you aren’t married.” Lewis narrowed his eyes. “If this on-dit finds its way back to London, all hell will break loose, for your last scandal had nearly sent Mama to her bed with smelling salts.”

Confusion gripped his mind. It was difficult to discern what was real and what wasn’t. “But my babe…”

“William, er, rather Duncan, stop.” A blush stained Phoebe’s cheeks, and her blue eyes were luminous with the tears welling in them. “I’m not pregnant.”

“What?” He put a hand to his chest over his heart where that organ felt as if it were seizing. “It was all part of this false marriage?”

“Yes.” Tears fell to her cheeks, and when she brushed at them with her fingers, he grudgingly offered his linen handkerchief.

“I’m so sorry. You didn’t know who you were…

There was nothing I could do…” The delicate tendons in her throat worked with a hard swallow.

“You were in a bad state and hurting, so I took care of you. I could have left you wandering on the streets, which would have seen you hurt or perhaps even killed.”

“And yet somehow you made the jump from that to us being married?” If his voice rose slightly, he couldn’t help it as dual waves of anger and sadness moved through him to form the perfect storm of emotions.

“I know it was wrong, but—”

“It doesn’t matter.” He held up a hand then sprang up from the low sofa where he and his alleged wife had spent more than a few evenings enjoying… life. “You lied to me, made me think I was your husband, made me think I had a babe on the way, and for what?”

She sniffled. “I was lonely.” Then she took refuge in tears once more, hiding her eyes behind the handkerchief.

“As if that makes what you did right.” He rubbed the skin above his heart.

Damn, her betrayal hurt. Confusion set in, for bits and pieces of his past bubbled up through the muck to collide with what had occurred over the past week.

Were the feelings he had for her real, or would they soon vanish since he now knew the truth?

And how could one woman manage to manipulate him so soundly?

“Did you think to trap me, find a monetary gain in it all?”

That apparently put her dander up, and she glared. “I didn’t know who you were, you great nodcock! I was simply doing what I thought was right, and yes, it was selfish of me, but tell me what you would have done in my situation.”

Through the haze settling in his brain, he recalled what she’d said about losing everyone in her life she’d ever cared about, and it humbled him. If she’d hadn’t given him kindness and caring, what would have become of him?

Lewis cleared his throat. “What is done is done. There is no sense in arguing about it or landing blame. At least you weren’t hurt further or taken advantage of by thieves or worse.” Then he stood up from his chair. “However, that being said, we are taking you back to London where you belong.”

The thought of being thrust back into London society and having to do the pretty almost made him physically sick. “But…”

“Also, your pretend wife is coming with us.”

Duncan’s protest collided with Phoebe’s.

“What the devil are you on about?”

“I can’t leave Surrey, Your Lordship!”

“Silence, the both of you.” His brother held up a hand, and his tone brooked no argument.

“I assume you the two of you have lived this past week in sin?” When Duncan nodded, the earl continued.

“I’m well within my rights to demand that you both wed truly this time.

We can’t have any more scandal connected to the name, Duncan.

I mean it. There must be an end to your escapades, and perhaps this had to come about to make that happen. ”

“But—”

His brother shook his head. “No more arguments. You’ll have to sleep in the bed you’ve made for yourself.”

“It was Phoebe who made said bed, to be fair. I only believed what I was told.”

“He’s quite right, Lewis.” Alexander chose that moment to chuckle. Amusement danced in his eyes. “Quite literally, Duncan. You can repent at leisure, as the saying goes regardless of whose mess it is, but Lewis will make certain it’s done up right and proper this time.”

With panic in her expression, Phoebe turned to her aunt. “They can’t do that, can they Aunt Bess?”

The older woman shrugged. “It’s no longer a question of can they, dear. You made the decision to spin this web that has led to this moment. I rather think you’ll need to pay the piper now and clean up your own mess.”

She rushed over to her aunt and clung to her hands. “Will you come with me?”

“I have the bakery to run.” Sadness battled with protection on her face.

“Papa would never have allowed this to happen.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You’re right on that.

In fact, as soon as he caught wind of what you did, he would have demanded you marry Lord Frampton anyway, so the end result would have been the same.

” Then her expression softened. “I feel I’ve spoiled you due to grief over the years, but it’s time you learned a few lessons on your own. ”

“But—”

“Go on, dear. Once you’re settled, write to me and let me know how you are. I’ll try to visit as soon as I can. All will be well.” She looked at Lewis. “Will you allow my niece the time to pack what possessions she has?”

“Of course. I’m not a monster.”

Alexander snorted. “That depends on the day.” He then glanced at Duncan. “You should pack too.”

“Why? I have nothing of value here, and neither does anything belong to me.” Belatedly, he met Phoebe’s gaze and realized what his words sounded like, especially after everything they’d shared over the past week. Guilt filled his chest. “Damn, I didn’t mean it like that.”

She stifled a sob. “How could you be so uncaring, regardless that I lied?” Then, as more tears fell to her cheeks, she fled into the bedchamber, with her aunt following quietly on her heels.

“What a damned coil,” he muttered, mirroring his earlier thoughts. Could any of it be fixed? Only time would tell.