Page 110 of Deceiving an Earl
“I’d like to go with you. You can’t do this alone.”
“I can’t ask you to do that. You have a new standing in Society as well as a reputation as a fair and honest solicitor. I won’t let you jeopardize that.”
“But we can’t let you walk into this alone,” O’Leary said.
Oliver was surprised that O’Leary was backing him, considering that what he was thinking of doing was not quite legal.
“I definitely can’t ask that of you,” Oliver said to O’Leary. “It would ruin your career. Although I appreciate that you want to help.”
“We can have your back,” Ashland said. “We can be ready in case things go bad.”
Oliver hadn’t considered that something could go bad. He was so angry, and he had right on his side. The thought of it all going wrong hadn’t occurred to him.
“All right then,” he said. “I’m grateful that you have my back. Here is what I’m thinking of doing.”
Chapter Thirty
Before leaving to meet with O’Leary and Ashland, Oliver had posted footmen at all the entrances with strict instructions that they were not to allow Needham in.
“Any problems?” Oliver asked the butler when he returned from his meeting.
“None, my lord. We are being very vigilant.”
“Good. What about Lady Fieldhurst? How is she?”
“Sadly, the same. No improvement, I’m afraid.”
“That just means she’s healing from the inside out. I will go up to see her now, but will stay for only a short time. I have some business to attend to.” He gave the butler a pointed look that the man seemed to understand immediately.
“Certainly, my lord.” He cleared his throat. “Could I, uh, be of some service with this business you must attend? I have a great right hook, if I do say so myself.” He grinned, and Oliver laughed. Probably the first time he’d laughed in days.
“I appreciate the offer, but this is something I need to do myself. If my plan should fail I will certainly call on you.”
“And I will answer the call. Justice comes in many forms.”
“Yes, it does. Yes, it does.”
Oliver headed up the steps to Ellen’s rooms. Philip was still slumped in the chair and appeared to be sleeping, his chest rising and falling deeply.
Gently he lowered himself onto the side of the bed. Ellen’s head turned toward him, and the tip of her tongue came out to lick her cracked lips.
“He will pay for this,” Oliver whispered. “You have my word that he will never darken your doorstep again. You will never have to lay eyes on him again.”
Her eyes fluttered but did not open and she seemed to have fallen back into the void that she had escaped to.
Oliver leaned forward and lightly kissed her brow, the only place on her that wasn’t bruised or bleeding. She sighed but did not wake up. “I love you,” he whispered against her hair. “And I love our son.”
He stood and glanced at Philip. The boy was staring at him. Had he heard what Oliver said?
“I need to leave again,” Oliver said.
“I want to go with you.”
“No, son, you can’t.” It felt so right calling him son. At some point they would need to talk about it, acknowledge it openly, and discuss their next steps.
But not now.
“I’ve taken boxing lessons,” Philip said. “I know how to fight.”
