Page 34 of To Tempt Lady (Victorian Outcasts #10)

thirty-two

After two hours of walking up and down Mayfair without finding any traces of Jesse, Emma sat exhausted on a bench in Green Park with Marcus next to her.

The day had changed drastically from brightness to darkness, and she found fewer and fewer reasons to be hopeful.

“I’m sorry, Marcus. I feel responsible for Jesse’s disappearance. I shouldn’t have promised anything. Maybe he felt disappointed and left.”

“It’s not your fault. He was likely bored. I haven’t spent a lot of time with him.”

She rubbed her arms. “It’s getting dark. Where could he be?”

“We’d better return home and see if the others have found anything.”

They walked home in silence, checking every corner for Jesse. The shadows lengthened until the lamplighters turned on the street lamps. Carriages drove past as people returned home from their engagements.

She shivered as the dusk brought a chilly wind. “Trevor and I haven’t been welcoming to you and Jesse.”

“You saved Jesse’s life. One can’t be more welcoming than that.”

“You know what I mean.”

He draped his jacket around her shoulders. “I know, and you’ve been wonderful.”

She gazed up at him. “You’ll get cold.”

He stared at her fondly, his grey eyes melting. “No, I won’t.”

She snuggled into the warm jacket that smelled like him. The scent brought her back to last night when she’d lain in his arms and they’d shared kisses and laughter. Guilt came right after. Jesse was missing, and she had other thoughts.

“I still think Trevor had a role in Jesse’s disappearance.

He’s worried about his reputation,” she said.

“The way Mama was treated angered him, and now, instead of fighting that attitude, he shows it towards others. I don’t understand it.

Trevor and I don’t have pure aristocratic blood.

He should be more sympathetic towards Jesse. ”

“The strongest hate is the one towards oneself. He probably hates the fact he isn’t a pure aristocrat. But he loved your mother dearly, so I guess he doesn’t want someone like Jesse or me to remind him of your mother’s origin.”

“That’s not an excuse.” She craned her neck to check a dark alleyway.

“Emma.” His tone became serious. “We can’t live happily together under the same roof. Trevor is right. Your family shouldn’t be attached to my name. As much as I don’t want to think about the future, I have to.”

“But we can prove Sir Horace is a fraud. That would clear your father’s name, and you can start working again. Everything will be fine.”

“Proving Sir Horace is a fraud now won’t change my father’s verdict.”

She sped up, anger fuelling her steps. Everyone around her only saw horrible outcomes.

“So it’s all decided then. Your life is ruined forever, and we won’t see each other ever again because that’s our fate, and there’s nothing we can do about it.

Fighting is useless. Why don’t you leave right now then?

” She regretted the last words the moment they left her lips and hoped he wouldn’t take her seriously. “Marcus…” she whispered.

He closed a hand around her arm. “I don’t like it either, but pretending the problem doesn’t exist won’t make it go away.”

She trapped her bottom lip between her teeth not to let it quiver. “I don’t want to lose you again.”

His eyes became two silver pools as he stared at her with his usual adoration. “You won’t.”

She hooked her arm through his. “That’s all that matters to me.”

They walked back to Hart House in silence, but inside, her thoughts were speaking loudly. Fear pressed against her chest, despite her wanting to be hopeful. Marcus could be right. They might not have the chance to be together, but if she didn’t fight for him, then for what?

The stars hid behind the clouds by the time a footman opened the front door for her.

“Is he back?” she asked the moment she stepped into the entry hall.

“Not yet, my lady,” the footman said, taking Marcus’s jacket and her coat. “Mrs. Daubney is quite upset.”

Trevor was in the drawing room, talking with Stewart and Mrs. Daubeny.

“If you’d been more understanding with the boy, my lord,” Mrs. Daubney said, “he would be here now. He’s scared of you.”

Surprisingly, Trevor took the scolding from the cook with grace, nodding.

“A sweet boy like Jesse deserves only love,” the cook went on.

Trevor hung his head.

Instead, Stewart had a pinched expression. “That’s quite enough, Mrs. Daubney. I believe you should return to the kitchen.”

“But—”

“Mrs. Daubney,” Stewart said in a warning voice.

The cook bobbed a curtsy and left, muttering, “Apologies, my lord.”

Trevor held up a hand. “It’s all right.”

Emma stepped aside to let Mrs. Daubney pass and walked over to Trevor.

“News?” they asked each other at the same time.

Trevor released a breath. “Nothing. No one found him.”

“We should go to the police.” Emma glanced out of the window at the thickening darkness.

“I went to the police station,” Trevor said, “and reported him missing. If they find anything, they’ll send an officer here.”

“Good thinking.” She sat on the armchair with a sigh. “So we have to wait.”

“Would you like a little supper, my lady?” Stewart asked.

“My appetite is gone.” She shook her head.

“You need to eat something.” Marcus looked out of the window as well. “I want to search for him after supper. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”

“Stay here,” Trevor said before Marcus left. “We can have a quick supper together, and then I’ll go out with you.”

Marcus remained speechless for a moment. “Thank you.”

Trevor gave an easy nod. “It’s nothing, and if we don’t find the boy, Mrs. Daubney will probably stop cooking for me. It’s a joke, of course.”

She smiled at him.

The dinner was a restless affair with them checking the windows every now and then and jumping every time someone walked past the house.

“Where do you want to go?” Trevor asked once they finished eating.

“My old flat. Maybe Jesse went there for some reason.”

“I want to come as well.” Emma rose from the chair.

Trevor stood up. “You should stay here in case the officer comes.”

“I don’t want to stay here, and Stewart can talk to the officer.”

“For once, can’t you do as you’re told?”

“I’m worried,” she said through her teeth.

Trevor was about to say something when loud voices and footsteps came from outside the corridor.

Mrs. Daubney rushed into the room, holding up her apron to wipe her tears. “Jesse is back, my lady. Back door. Right now.”

“Thank goodness.” Emma headed towards the servants’ entrance.

“Finally,” Trevor said, following her.

They hurried towards the kitchen. At the back entrance, a small group of footmen and maids was gathered.

“Jesse!” Marcus made his way towards the door.

The servants moved out of his way, opening a path, and she finally caught a glimpse of Jesse.

His pale face was tense, and a corner of his mouth was twisted in a grimace. Aside from that, he was in one piece.

“Jesse!” She, Marcus, and Trevor spoke at once.

“Where have you been? We were worried about you.” Marcus crushed Jesse in a hug, but the boy groaned and disentangled from him.

“I’m sorry. I left for a walk and got lost.” Jesse gazed anywhere but at Marcus.

“Why didn’t you tell us you were leaving?” Trevor asked, not without kindness.

Jesse twisted the hem of his jacket. “You were all busy.”

“You gave me a fright.” Mrs. Daubney kissed his cheek. “You disappeared.”

“I didn’t mean to stay out that long.” Jesse shuffled his feet.

“We are never too busy for you.” Emma hugged him but withdrew from him when he cried out.

“You’re hurt,” Marcus said.

“I’m fine. I’m fine. Never been better.” Jesse’s voice cracked.

“Show me.”

Jesse clenched his fists. “I’m fine, but I’m a little hungry.”

“Why don’t you go and sit down with His Lordship and Her Ladyship in the dining room?” Mrs. Daubney said. “So you can eat something. I’ll have a nice supper delivered quickly.”

Jesse didn’t need to be told twice. Wincing, he walked to the dining room with a small limp. They followed him with Trevor leading the group.

“You aren’t well,” Trevor said. “Tell us the truth.”

“Let us see.” Emma caressed Jesse’s head. “What happened?”

Trevor bent over to stare at Jesse in the eyes. “You won’t be punished. I promise. Just tell us what happened. Did a carriage hit you?”

He burst into tears in the middle of the dining room and hid his face in the crook of his elbow.

Emma hugged him gently, careful not to squeeze him too tightly. “You know no one will throw you out, don’t you? Tell us where you’re hurt.”

Jesse leant against her, exhausted. “I was beaten,” he whispered.

“What?” Trevor roared.

“By who?” Marcus demanded.

No answer.

“I think for now it’s more important to assess the damage than to know who the culprit is,” Emma said. “Let us see, so we can send for the physician if needed.”

“Show us, Jesse,” Trevor said. “We aren’t angry with you.”

Slowly, Jesse left her embrace and turned around. He winced and sniffled as he lifted his jacket and shirt to uncover his back. He revealed three long red areas, likely the result of the lashes of a walking stick.

There was a collective gasp and a grunt.

“Good Lord.” Emma clamped a hand over her mouth. “Stewart, send for Sir Paul.”

“Immediately, my lady.” The butler ran out of the dining room.

“Who did this to you?” Emma hugged Jesse again.

He shook his head. “I can’t tell you.”

Marcus crouched in front of him. “Who was it?”

“You’ll be angry.”

“Yes, but not with you. Tell me.”

Jesse shook with another sob and stared at the floor. “Sir Horace.”

There was a cold moment of silence when they heard that name.

Jesse wiped his face. “I heard you talking about him and the horrible things he did, and I wanted to be useful. So I sneaked inside his house to search his office to find something to help you, but he caught me and thought I was a thief. He chased me. I ran, but he hit my back with his walking stick before I escaped.” He touched the top of his head.

“He grabbed my hair and pulled it, and I cried because it burned so much.”

“Oh, Jesse.” Marcus kissed the top of his head.

“You shouldn’t have gone there,” Emma said.

Jesse sniffled. “I wanted to help and not cause trouble. I wanted to show you I can be useful, that I can stay here and help you.”

Trevor stood petrified, his eyes unblinking.

“My lord,” Stewart said, “Sir Paul is here.”

“Show him to Jesse’s room. We’ll be upstairs in a moment.

” Trevor exhaled and turned towards Jesse.

“You don’t cause trouble.” He took the boy’s trembling hand.

“Let’s go upstairs so Sir Paul can examine you.

After that, we’ll have dinner together. What would you like to have for dessert?

I’m sure Mrs. Daubney will be happy to prepare anything you want. ”

Jesse wiped his tears again and said something she didn’t catch.

“What?” Trevor asked.

“Nothing. Anything is fine. No need to cook something special. Every day here is a feast for me anyway.”

“What about ice cream?” Trevor’s smirk of triumph was back. “Would that be all right?”

Jesse’s eyes flared wide. “Is it a trick? Will you punish me if I say yes?”

Trevor narrowed his gaze. “Blast it all! That’s a great idea.”

“Trevor!” Emma huffed.

“I’m joking. No, Jesse, no punishment. It was an honest offer.”

Jesse nodded. “More than all right, my lord.”

Trevor nodded back. “Then ice cream it is.”