Betrayal (20 page)

“We came to see about your health, Reece. We wanted to come when you were in Scotland, but Mr. Cullum told us we would not be welcomed and to wait.” No sign of despair or joy at seeing him healthy was detectable within her steely eyes.

Fists clenched, he looked at his mother, and all the passion she knew bubbled inside him drained from his expression. “Thank you, Mother. As you can see, your worries were unnecessary. I am fine.”

“You might have written and told us as much,” Percival said.

At that, Reece actually smiled. “You might have written to inquire, Father.”

“Would you have responded?”

His head tipped. “I suppose we shall never know.”

Silence stretched out and settled around them.

“Miss Smyth?” Foxjohn broke the silence.

Elizabeth’s stomach lurched. “Yes, Mr. Foxjohn.”

“How long have you been part of this…organization?”

“A year.”

“You are very skilled with a sword.”

The statement confirmed he had watched them fight for long enough to overhear their very personal conversation. “Thank you.”

“How long do you intend to remain doing what you do?”

“I had not given it much thought. I suppose until the threat has been removed from London or I am killed.”

“Then you recognize that you put your life in danger.”

“Of course, sir. We are fighting a war and in war there is always risk.”

“Why would you take up this fight? You are pretty enough to find a husband and settle down to a quiet life. Why not use your assets to better your situation?” He had the most unpleasant smile on his wicked face. She longed to smack it away.

“Well, I suppose I do it because it needs to be done. My capture and near death by demons pushed me to join, and I suppose I would like some revenge for that. Also, I was a scullery maid before I joined The Company and my options were quite limited. Though at the time, I did not see them as such.”

“Yes, I can imagine. How fortunate for you that Mr. Cullum took you in and educated you, and now my son appears quite smitten with you.”

The fact that he’d made her sound like a whore increased the tension in the room.

Reece stood, fists clenched and face red. “Fortunate? Lizzy endured kidnapping and near death by demons, Father. She has given up a normal life to protect the likes of you who would scorn her.”

“I notice you do not deny your affection for this…woman.”

Elizabeth placed her hand on Reece’s arm. “I have found a new place in the world, Mr. Foxjohn. I am grateful to The Company for taking me on and training me.”

She’d hoped her touch and acceptance of his father’s bigotry would ease his rage, but his red face and stiff posture assured her it had not worked.

“There is no need to become enraged, Reece. Please have some tea.” His mother handed him a cup and saucer.

He rolled his eyes, sat, and took the tea. “I do not deny my affection for Lizzy. I have no reason to deny it. I intend to make her my wife as soon as she agrees to marry me.”

Louise put her tea down for the first time since pouring. “Do you believe that is a wise match? I do not mean Miss Smyth any offense, but she is not from the same background and upbringing as you, Reece. Do you truly believe you can have a satisfying union with a person of her kind?”

She might not have meant any offense, yet what she had said was even worse than his father’s implications. Even if her words held truth, it was terrible to hear it spoken with so little thought to her feelings. Elizabeth wanted to be indifferent to these people. After all, they did not have much to do with her nor would she be in their presence in the future. The constant straddling of worlds warred in her gut.

“Mother, I do not wish to injure your feelings, but you could never understand my desire to marry the woman I am in love with. I do not care from where she comes, only that she is the finest person I have ever known.”

“I will not approve such a match.” His father’s temper rose again. It would not take much to send these two men into an all-out battle.

“As a grown man with my own means, I do not require your approval.”

“Reece, I’m warning you. We have been very patient with you and all of this nonsense because we believed someday you would come to your senses and behave like the gentleman we raised you to be. Marrying a scullery maid will force me to cut you off without a penny.”

She dreaded her heartbeat pounded loud enough for all of them to hear. Suddenly, she was the cause of Reece’s disinheritance, and she had not even said yes to his proposal.

“Then Cousin William will be quite rich upon your demise, Father. I will wish him well.”

“Ungrateful sod!” Percival’s face turned purple and his eyes bulged. The vein at the side of his head darkened, and the muscles in his neck stuck out.

Elizabeth put down the untouched tea and stood. “There is no need for all of this drama. I have not and will not agree to marry your son. It has been interesting to meet you both. If you will excuse me, I will go and make other living arrangements.”

“Very sensible girl,” his mother said.

“Lizzy?” Reece said at the same time.

She couldn’t bear looking at his eyes. One look might have changed her mind. This decision solved everyone’s problems and wavering would do no good. She curtsied and rushed from the room.

The wait in the parlor pained him, but rushing after her would only continue an argument with his parents. Reece listened to them babble on and on about all the appropriate women who would happily accept his proposal. His temper rose with every note of feminine accomplishment.

“Penelope Whitmore plays the pianoforte, paints, and speaks fluent French. I think she would be a fine match. You remember her, Reece. She is Lord Fowler’s daughter. We spent several weeks at their summer house when you were home from school as a boy.”

“I remember her.”

“And I seem to remember you and she were quite chummy.”

“She was twelve.”

“Well, she has grown into a fine young woman.”

“I’m sure she has, but I’m not going to marry Penelope Whitmore, Mother.”

She huffed. “There are plenty of other women from good families. I will make you a list with all their qualities, and you can choose for yourself.”

He yearned to remind her he had already chosen his wife, and if they had stayed in the country where they belonged, she might have agreed to marry him. After meeting his nightmarish parents, he couldn’t blame Elizabeth for rejecting his proposal.

After the longest thirty minutes of his life, he finally made his way upstairs and knocked on Elizabeth’s bedroom door.

“You may come in, Reece.”

She placed clothes on the bed, and Matilda folded each one and placed it into a trunk.

If it were possible for a heart to literally break, the sight would have done him in. She prepared to leave him. “Where are you going?”

“To the London office. I’m sure they have room for me.”

“No doubt. You are not worried about the master coming for you?” He certainly was.

Matilda’s eyes were wide. She looked around the room and fidgeted. She put the dress she had in her hand down on the bed. “I will return in a few minutes, miss.”

Elizabeth sat on the bed. Her shoulders rounded as she stared at the floor. “I am afraid, but the office will have protections in place. The master does not know the location as far as we know. I assume you will be willing to keep Tally here until it is safe for her to leave.”

“I will see to her safety.”

“I’m very sorry about the scene in the parlor.”

He knelt in front of her. “None of it is your fault, Lizzy. They are difficult for me to get along with, and they always have been. Even if you had not been in the house, they would have found something to fight me on. It is their way. The only way to avoid it would be to leave The Company and marry some woman my mother recommends. To be honest, I’m not even sure that would really satisfy them, but it’s irrelevant. I do not wish to become like them. I am happy as I am, and if you would reconsider, I would be happier still.”

She caressed his face. “I think it will be better if I leave the house immediately. I will return for your training, but it might be better if we strategize and work with Shafton over at the office.”

If she wanted to separate herself, what could he do? “I will have a carriage take you over then, and I will see you tomorrow.”

“I truly think this is for the best.”

“I know you do, Lizzy. I respect your opinion even if I disagree with it.”

“Thank you.” The tear that bubbled over her bottom lid stood out as the one vestige of hope he needed.

He longed to kiss away all her tears but settled for one kiss on her cheek.

She wiped away the tear. “Where are your parents now?”

He stood up. “Mother has gone to take a nap, and my father is harassing the staff.”

“Poor Garvey.”

“Indeed.”

* * * *

The house echoed with emptiness without Elizabeth in it. His parents wanted him to take supper with them, but he declined and took a plate in his room. He called for the butler.

Garvey arrived a few minutes later.

“I need your help with a few things, Garvey.”

“How may I be of assistance, sir?”

“This will not be under my father’s purview, and if you wish to decline, I shall understand and hold no ill feelings.” He paced while putting together all the pieces of what he needed to do.

“I remain at your service, sir.” The butler bowed.

“I have sent a letter to my man of business. I will purchase another house. It will not be possible for me to remain under my father’s roof any longer.” He’d been doing so for far too long already. No wonder those people still believed they had a say in his life.

“I see. I’m sorry it has come to this, though I cannot say I’m surprised.”

“No. I imagine not. The fact is, even though my father denies his intentions to close this house and leave the staff without placement, it is likely that is exactly what he will do.”

“Yes. I believe you are correct. Mr. Foxjohn’s concern for the staff does not match yours, sir.”

“He will not be reasonable and allow me to take all of you with me. I’ve already asked and been abused for my inquiry.”

“I see.”

“I will leave here tomorrow and take Miss Tally with me. I do not want her subjected to their kind of hate. She has been through enough.”

“I agree, sir. Might I suggest you take Matilda with you as well? Miss Tally has become very attached to her, and as your father has never met the maid, he will not notice her absence.”

“Excellent, Garvey. I will require them both to have their things gathered tomorrow after they break their fasts. Beyond that, as the staff is let go, send them to me for employment should they wish it. My father will make up reasons to fire each one without providing a letter of recommendation. I cannot say why he enjoys doing such a mean-spirited thing, but how does one explain Percival Foxjohn?”

“I will send them to you, sir.”

“And what of you, Garvey? When the time comes, will you come and butler my home?”

“It will be my honor, Mr. Foxjohn. I believe all the servants will be happy to remain with you.”

“Good. I plan to have a house within the week, but if that fails, I will arrange for lodging until the house is available. Do not worry. I will see everyone has employment. None of my people will suffer because of my family.”

“If I may, sir, you are not to blame. We are all quite loyal to you. Most of the servants have never met Mr. or Mrs. Foxjohn before. I have not seen them in six or seven years.”

“That loyalty is both noted and appreciated, Garvey. Now, I have a few other tasks, which will need to be handled in order to facilitate my departure.”

* * * *

“Reece, what on earth are you doing here? I thought we had agreed I would come to continue your training.” She wore the most charming expression: eyes wide, color high, fists on hips. Likely she was put out, but the effect was delightful.

He adored her off balance. He pointed to the bevy of carts, horses, and people waiting outside The Company offices. “I am moving in here until a new house can be purchased. It will be a temporary situation. I have my man of business looking for a home as we speak.”

“What’s all of this?” Tad rushed in from behind the main stairs. His broad smile belied the sternness of his statement.

“I’m making a donation to the office. This equipment will serve us all much more than the ballroom.” Reece shook the other man’s hand.

“I see you’ve more than just sport in mind. Is that a trunk I see?”

“My parents have returned to their home. If it would not be too much of an inconvenience, I would ask to stay here for a few days until other arrangements can be made.”

“Oh, aye. It’s been a bit dull in the house. Now we’ll have some noise with you and Elizabeth under the roof. Is that a heavy bag?” He rushed out the door and down the steps to investigate the equipment unloading from a cavalcade of vehicles.

She narrowed her eyes. “Are you following me?”

“You did not truly believe I was giving up on you so easily, did you, Lizzy?”

Tally climbed the steps to the office townhouse. “Hello, miss.”

“Hello. I’m glad you are here, Tally.”

Matilda followed behind with a small bag. “I’ll see Miss Tally gets settled in, miss.”

She stared up at him, her mouth agape. “You brought her with you?”

“Did you think I would leave her behind with those people in the house?”

“What of the rest of the staff?”

Several footmen carrying the slate blackboard up the steps forced them out of the doorway.

Tad chased after them like a boy waking up to treats on Christmas morning. “Is that the timeline Shafton’s been on about? Put it in the war room. I’ll take a look at it now.”

Reece took her elbow and led her into a small parlor while the staff brought in trunks, weapons, the boxing ring, and other items. “I have arranged everything with Garvey. They will all be fine, and if I know my father, we will have them in our employ within the month.”