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Tilly nodded and Pip left the room with his father at his heels.

They arrived in the entrance hall to witness the astonishing scene of Pip’s stocky little butler trying to physically remove Lord Wendover from the premises. Kerridge, despite being a good head shorter and several stones lighter than his lordship, was battling gamely.

“Thank you, Kerridge, I will see to our guest,” Pip said, his voice dripping irony.

“I beg your pardon, my lord,” Kerridge said stiffly, releasing his hold on Wendover, who staggered backwards.

“But this fellow turns up bellowing and swearing, and saying the wickedest things about Mrs Harris, and I don’t care if he’s the King of the Universe, I don’t.

No one comes into this house with Miss Ottilie at home, using such foul language. ”

“Quite right, Kerridge and I must apologise that you were subjected to such an unpleasant scene. I shall take care of it now, however,” Pip replied, his icy gaze settling on Lord Wendover.

He was an unpleasant prospect, red-faced and perspiring and smelling strongly of sweat and brandy.

A contemporary of Montagu, time had not treated him half as kindly, and he appeared far older than his sixty something years.

By the looks of things, he too had endured an unpleasant journey and had not slept for some time.

Eyes wild and frenzied with anger, he glared at Pip.

“Where is she? Where is that unholy bitch? God, I shall murder her for what she’s done. She’s made a laughingstock of me!”

“That’s no more than you deserved, and you’ll not lay a finger on her,” Pip replied coldly, wishing the bastard were not so old and out of shape.

If he were a younger man, Pip could have had the satisfaction of beating him senseless for what he had done, but honour would not allow he take advantage of a much older man.

“Miss Hamilton is an esteemed guest in this house. She has spent enough of her life fearing you will find her, but now I know the truth about her, I will protect her, from you or from anyone else who thinks to bully her into doing something she does not wish to do.”

The desire to tell the vile excuse of a man that Miss Hamilton was his betrothed was tantalising, but he could not do so.

She had endured enough men telling her what her fate was to be.

He would not be one of them. For once, she would be given the courtesy of a choice, and he would pray to God that she would accept him.

“Get out of my way, you impertinent whelp,” the earl said derisively. “I’ll see her, by God and you won’t stop me.”

Before Pip could restrain him, his father stepped forward and delivered a blow so quick and precise in its execution that Pip could only gape. Wendover went down like a felled tree, crashing to the floor and clutching at his nose, making odd choking noises as he tried to stem the flow of blood.

Pip turned, staring at his father in shock.

Montagu frowned at his knuckles, rubbing them tentatively with his other hand. “That hurt more than I remember,” he said curiously, before glancing at his son. “You couldn’t hit him, but there was nothing stopping me.”

“Pops! Pops! Oh, well done! A facer!” Tilly cried with admiration, running to her grandfather and throwing her arms about his waist, holding on fiercely. “I was frightened for a m-moment when he came in sh-shouting so, but I knew you would not let him hurt anyone.”

“I will thank you not to speak such appalling cant in my hearing,” Montagu said sternly, looking appalled that his granddaughter had witnessed such a violent scene and put herself in danger.

“And did I not tell you to stay put? What were you thinking? You might have been hurt. If I tell you to stay, you will stay.”

“Y-Yes, but I wanted to see you and Papa deal with the villain. I knew you would,” she added, the tremor in her voice exposing the fact she had been frightened. Still, she gazed at them both now with a worshipful expression.

“You can stop turning me up sweet, you little devil. When I think of what—” Montagu took a breath, realising he did not wish to put such thoughts in the girl’s head, but his agitation apparent.

“You’ll give me a heart attack one of these days, Tilly.

Go up to your room at once and do not come down until I fetch you,” Montagu said, his expression formidable.

Tilly glanced at Pip who was quite in sympathy with his father and still felt a little sick, and then back at Montagu. “But Harry—”

Montagu’s expression softened and his voice became gentler as he sought to reassure her. “Don’t be afraid. Your papa will bring her home safely, child. Do you doubt it?”

Tilly let out a breath and shook her head. “No,” she said, looking as though she believed her father and grandfather could bring her the moon if she needed it, and ran up the stairs like a good girl.

“Thank you,” Pip said, turning to meet his father’s gaze, meaning it with all his heart.

Montagu nodded. “It was my pleasure, I assure you. Now get after that wretched governess of yours and don’t let her get away. You’ll never forgive yourself if you do.”

“Yes, sir,” Pip said at once, grinning, and then looked down at the groaning heap of Lord Wendover in disgust.

“You may leave him to my tender care,” Montagu said darkly. “I’ll see he does not cause you or anyone else anymore unpleasantness.”

Pip nodded and almost felt sorry for Lord Wendover.

He had never troubled himself too much over the stories that floated around the ton about his father, about his ability to make objectionable people disappear, and he was not about to investigate now.

It couldn’t happen to a more deserving fellow, whatever it was.

For if it came to a trial, the earl would not be punished for his wickedness.

As a titled man with wealth and centuries of breeding behind him, no one would stand up and see him condemned.

His father might have taken the law into his own hands, but Pip did not consider him unjust. He suspected the women who had been unfortunate enough to have been the man’s wife would approve too.

So, he would not waste a moment’s concern over the man’s fate and instead bellowed for his valet, commanded a note be sent to the stables to ready his horse, and, a bare fifteen minutes later, was on the road in pursuit of his troublesome governess.