Chapter 23

 

Taylor glared at Noah as he tracked him down at Whites upon arriving back in London. “Well, it is over.”

Noah stood and looked him in the eye. “Good.”

“Are you happy that I am ruined? Are you happy that your sister will no longer live in the manner in which she has become accustomed?”

“I will see that she lives quite comfortably,” Noah spit back.

Taylor reached forward and grabbed him by the lapels. “Oh, I have no intention of dissolving our marriage. She made this decision and she will suffer right along with me. As soon as I return to the country, she will be back in my house and in my bed, even if it is too late for her future.”

“There is still time,” someone piped up. Taylor and Noah glared at the man who sank back. “Doesn’t she?”

“No,” Taylor bit out. “Unless you know of a means to bring a baby into this world in seven months’ time, and not the normal nine.”

The man, red in the face and shaking opened his mouth to speak.

“And I don’t mean by ways usually used by lying about a birthdate so the world doesn’t know the bride was expecting at the time of her wedding.” He was shouting and he didn’t care. In fact, it worked to his benefit.

“I will not let you bring my sister down to the gutter with you. Look at how you have lived. Brothels, gaming hells and the like.”

“She is my wife and I will do with her as I please.” Taylor spun on his heel and marched out of the establishment. Now, to secure a mistress and then he could go about finding his cousins. They have to return to London soon or he would go mad. On the other hand, only four more months and Phoebe will deliver his son. That would at least put her out of danger, but would it bring danger to his son if the cousins weren’t found?

Invitations began arriving. His wife’s name was not included with his. So, for the nobility at large, it appeared everyone believed the rumors. Tonight he would be attending the opera with Chambers and two ladies. One in particular had overtly hinted she wouldn’t be against a mutually satisfying partnership with Lord Sandlin. Taylor had to think of a way to discourage the widow without raising suspicion. Following the opera, they were to attend a ball. His plans included being seen escorting potential mistresses about town. The problem lay in maintaining the proper balance between perception and truth.

 

* * *

 

As the days turned into weeks with no word from Taylor, Phoebe began a letter to him. She hoped to have the opportunity to get it to him, but even if she couldn’t, she still felt as if she were sharing what was happening with the baby in his absence and what little news she had of home. Unfortunately, life in the country wasn’t nearly as exciting as a London Season and there wasn’t much to add. Some horses were being trained to run at Ascot. No, before he asked, she was not assisting in their training, though she tended to supervise from a distance. However, that supervision was soon to come to an end as her condition was barely disguised, which amazed her, being only five months along.

At the end of each letter Phoebe would make her way downstairs to her pianoforte where Mozart flowed through the room.

 

* * *

 

With no real desire to court potential mistresses Taylor attended another ball alone. Keeping up the appearance of being separated from his wife, looking for a mistress and trying to locate his cousins was exhausting. He had half a mind to leave and go home for a good night’s sleep, but couldn’t. After the ball, he needed to return to the gaming hells and continue his search. The investigators he had sent scouring England for his family had reported back that they had found nothing. More were sent into Scotland and to the continent. Surely they had to be somewhere. But what if they weren’t? What if they had gone off to India, or someplace equally far? If so, that would mean they weren’t responsible for Phoebe’s accidents. Or, perhaps they were but had given up. Either way, he couldn’t assume, or relax until they were found and it was taking damn too long.

Taylor was standing with Martin and Janine, when Lavins approached with a lady on his arm. Who was this lovely creature? It certainly wasn’t Richard’s wife.

The woman studied Taylor, making him quite uncomfortable. If he didn’t know any better, and perhaps he didn’t, he was being sized up. Who was she and why was she doing this?

“Sandlin, I would like to introduce you to Lady Bates,” Richard announced as he approached.

Taylor took her offered hand and kissed its back. “It is very nice to meet you, Lady Bates.”

Richard turned to Janine and held out his arm. “Shall we stroll?”

She smiled up at him and linked her arm with his. “That would be very pleasant, thank you for the offer.” She looked over her shoulder and winked at Martin.

Lady Bates stepped closer to Taylor, linked her arm with his and leaned in, ever so slightly. Taylor watched her from the corner of his eye. Had she sought an introduction because of the rumor he was looking for a mistress? He truly hoped not, though she was quite beautiful indeed.

She turned to address Martin and in the same movement brushed her breast against Taylor’s arm. It took all of his control not to pull away, but this was perfect for the ton to observe. Who was she, though, and where did she come from?

“I have just recently returned from America, Lord Meadows. My husband and I moved there oh, five or so years ago. I just recently decided to return to London.”

That answers that question.

“I just couldn’t stay away any longer and came looking for the excitement only a Season could offer,” she finished in a seductive tone and leaned closer to Taylor, if that were possible. She was already almost plastered to his side.

“Would you care to stroll in the gardens, Lord Sandlin?” she purred up at him.

“No, thank you, my lady. I have already been out this evening and it isn’t nearly as refreshing as one would think.”

“There is a waltz coming up. No one has spoken for that particular dance, my lord.”

“I am sure someone will ask, my lady.”

“If I didn’t know better, Lord Sandlin,” she continued in a purr, “I would think you didn’t find me attractive.”

Taylor looked down at her face without moving his head and raised one eyebrow. “Then I apologize for any insult. None was intended.”

“Lord Sandlin, let’s deal honestly with one another, shall we?” she proposed, and pulled him away from the crowd.

Taylor wasn’t given much choice but to follow. A beautiful lady draped on his arm served his purposes perfectly. However, this lady tended to be more forward than the others and was obviously after something. Him. In private he would be able to deal with the situation better.

It took him just a moment to realize that instead of dragging him outside, she pulled him up the stairs to exit the ball altogether. He came to a stop just as she began mounting the stairs. She stood one step above him, turned and looked him in the eyes, a wicked smile on her lips. She leaned forward and placed both hands on his shoulders before she whispered in his ear, “You will escort me to your townhouse now, Lord Sandlin.” He started to pull back, but she held him in place. “If you care for Phoebe, you will do as I ask.”