Page 4 of Enemies with an Earl
“There is only so much I can do, son.” Felix met his father’s gaze. “Without drawing any more attention to this than I already have.”
Felix’s heart sank. “We were set up,” he said quietly, chin dipping in shame. “He—they—fooled us. Pretended to be one of us like you had warned me of. And now… Will those men back there hang?”Because of me.
His father tilted Felix’s chin up. “Most will end up with a fine and imprisonment for a brief period. But it depends on the charges. Charges like yours…with proof and witnesses…” His father swallowed. “A time in the pillory, and if they survive that, then the gallows.”
Felix’s eyes slammed shut. “It’s my fault, Father. The man I was—I think I drew them to this molly house. Because I told him of its existence. Brought him there. They’re going to hang because of me.”
“What do you mean?” Father’s sharp words snapped Felix’s attention to his.
Felix swallowed. “I had been discreetly seeing a man, and tonight we arranged to meet here to finally… He led me to believe—” He broke off and the muscles in his face contorted as the pain of William’s betrayal washed over him.
His father’s large, warm hand settled on Felix’s and squeezed.
“The charges he laid against me,” Felix whispered. “They werehisdoing. He said he caught me in the middle of the act.” Anger, anguish, and shame rose inside him like a wave in a turbulent storm. “He left our room for refreshments after theheinousact he participated in,” Felix spat. “And then the raid happened. He was amongst the reformers apprehending us.” He met his father’s gaze. Something hard and unreadable flashed there.
“Do you have his name?”
Something uncomfortable slithered over Felix’s skin at the threat in his father’s tone. It wasn’t often Felix heard his father sound anything but jovial and light-hearted. But there was a reason the Earldom of Bentley had the reputation it did. A legacy built on power, prestige, and an unwavering command that few dared to challenge.
“I doubt it’s his real name,” Felix finally murmured.
The carriage rolled to a stop.
“Your mother is waiting for you with your siblings. Benedict as well. The coach is ready. You’ll depart for Thornfield Hall forthwith.”
Felix’s eyes widened. “It’s the middle of the night.”
“You need to be far away from tonight’s events. I want there to be no way to place you anywhere near this. Now go. All staff has been informed we left for the country two days prior. And that is what happened. Understood?”
“Yes, Father.”
The carriage door opened, and Felix hurried down the steps to the pavement. But his father didn’t follow. “Are you not coming?”
“There is more that needs to be dealt with. A name, Felix.”
“William Minton.”
His father nodded. “Now go. I’ll follow when my work here is done.”
Felix turned and swiftly made his way into his family’s townhouse. This proved, more than anything, the only people he could trust were his family and Benedict.
Felix would never make that mistake again
Part One
1814
1
Sam
Devonford Castle.
Sussex, England.
1814.
His brother was dead.
