Page 100 of Enslaved to the Seduction of a Lady
The Earl blanched and cleared his throat, then rubbed what Thomas could only assume were sweaty palms down the front of his trouser legs.
“My little problem?” he squeaked. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Oh, come now,” Thomas said, waving a dismissive hand in the air. “You know how quickly information gets around these days. And your betrothal to the delightful Lady Alison is not a secret.”
“Well, no,” the Earl said, tugging on the hem of his waistcoat to reposition it. “But that is not a problem.” He laughed uneasily. “Quite the opposite, in fact.”
Thomas laughed loudly, throwing his head back and then looking back at the Earl. He was enjoying this; he couldn’t deny it.
“Of course,Lady Alisonis not and never was the problem. It was her… what shall we call him?Lover?It was he who was the problem.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the Earl said, his pale cheeks blushing. He knocked back his brandy and then leaned forward, without asking or waiting to be offered, to pour himself another.
“Please,” Thomas said, leaning forward in his seat, friendly and willing to volunteer information. “Do not fret. I will not tell another soul, and I certainly don’t disapprove.
“Why, there’s nothing to disapprove of,” the Duke added.
“Seems quite a remarkable job you did! Not only have you saved your upcoming marriage—and, let’s be honest, that rather attractive dowry—you have also rid that household of a servant who dared to forget his place. I just despise servants who do not know their place, don’t you?” Thomas asked.
The Earl looked wary for a moment, but he was unable to stop the smile that grew across his cheeks.
He looks almost deranged.
“I do, actually,” the Earl admitted, trying to be coy and failing. “In fact, I detest it. I detestthem. Nothing but vermin.”
“Indeed,” Thomas said, eyebrows raised as he settled back into his seat, “do go on.”
“That boy, he really did think he knew better than everyone else,” the Earl said, finding his wind. “And he thought he could cavort with a Duke’s daughter! Have you ever heard of such nonsense? Well, someone had to protect the poor Duke of Salsbury from such a creature.”
“Absolutely! And the falsified theft—a stroke of genius,” the Duke said, then leaned forward conspiratorially. “I say, I don’t suppose you know anything about the crash, do you? I hear Lady Alison was in some sort of carriage accident with that very same servant.”
“Well,” the Earl said, jutting his chin out and smirking, “now you mention it—”
“I’ve got to hand it to you,” Thomas said, beginning to feel quite proud of his acting skills. “Such an act really shows what a man you are. Such determination to get what you want, no matter the cost. Brutal fortitude like that is often highly rewarded in business, don’t you agree?”
“Brutal is a little harsh, I feel,” the Earl said, eyebrows crossed in consternation.
“No,” Thomas said, leaning forward in his seat. “No, not at all. You see, that’s exactly how you’ve acted. Brutal!”
“Someone had to protect that poor young lady’s dignity. Had she managed to run away, her already fragile reputation would be entirely ruined.”
“Ah, yes, the noble cause,” the Duke said wistfully.
“But admit it,” Thomas said with glee. “That was not your real reason, was it?”
“All right,” the Earl said, chuckling along. “I admit that I couldn’t stand seeing that pauper taking away what was rightfully mine. The Duke had promised her to me.”
“I knew it—”
“But!” The Earl raised a finger at the interruption. “I was, of course, concerned for her innocence, too.”
“And for that, I know the Duke is terribly grateful. Did you know, I’m rather close to the Salsbury household?”
“Really?” the Earl asked, intrigued. He took a sip of his brandy and watched as Thomas nodded his head.
“Yes. In fact, I have a brother who lives there.”
“At Salsbury Manor?” The Earl looked confused and Thomas, once again, had to control his smirk. “I didn’t realize there were any other lords living there. Or indeed that you had a brother, for that matter.”
