His Perfect Lady (19 page)

Closing her eyes, she whispered, “I have run away from him.”

Vanessa sucked in her breath and the room fell silent. Refusing to open her eyes, Catherine kept them tightly closed. She reminded herself she was doing the right thing for Jonathan. After he’d left for Linwood, reality became painfully obvious to her.

The curse was taking Jonathan away from her in an entirely different way than her previous husbands. He was miserable. As the curse stated, he would never live to experience enjoyment in their marriage. She’d mistakenly believed it to mean the wedding night. However, he’d experienced the act with her prior to marriage, so the curse had instead removed the happiness from his eyes as it drained his love for her.

“What happened?” Vanessa asked hesitantly, as if she didn’t want to know the answer. “I never sensed anything bad in his personality.”

“I’m making him miserable, and the only way to offer the happiness he deserves is to leave him.”

Vanessa covered her heart with her hand. “Did he say this to you?”

“He didn’t have to. I saw the proof in his eyes and felt it in his touch.”

“Are you certain? He seemed to have a great passion for you. How could that change after such a short time?”

Catherine’s heart ached. She didn’t wish to discuss this anymore. If Vanessa knew of the curse, would she understand? Regardless, Catherine couldn’t bring herself to admit it. She already hated herself enough for putting Jonathan in such danger. She couldn’t handle any further censure.

“I’m sorry, Vanessa. I believe I’m too exhausted to talk any longer. Can I impose upon your hospitality until I form my next move?”

Vanessa sat beside her and wrapped her arms around Catherine’s shoulders. “You may remain here for as long as you need.”

Closing herself in her assigned bedchamber, Catherine fell to the bed and allowed her tears to escape. For years she wondered what marriage to Jonathan would be like. Now she knew. He was kind, loving, thoughtful, and everything she expected. A perfect husband. If not for the curse, her life would resemble the dreams she had as a young girl.

Hatred grew in the pit of her stomach and strengthened as it moved through her. How could her father have done such a thing to her? He’d successfully rendered her life useless. After all, she no longer saw a point to living.

It took two days before Jonathan received the expected message from Rawson. The man promised to contact him today. Jonathan’s nerves were wound so tight, he knew madness would soon have a grip on him. What was Catherine doing right now? Did she worry over his absence? He hoped not. The image of her ghostly form entered his mind. Patience worn thin, he slammed his fist against his desk as he waited for Rawson. “My lord,” his butler interrupted. “Lord Dudgery is requesting an audience.”

Jonathan grew cold as he granted his enemy entrance. This man posed a threat to Catherine, making it impossible to bring her home. Jonathan’s hands itched to wring the earl’s neck as he sat staring at him with shifting eyes.

“Linwood, we missed your company. Where did you disappear to?” Dudgery’s calm tone sounded forced. His dark eyes and haggard face assessed Jonathan, bringing him discomfort.

“Here and there. My wife and I have not been discriminatory in our travels.”

“Good to hear. Did Lady Linwood come with you? I would dearly love to offer my felicitations to her.”

“She did not.”

Studying the man’s reaction, Jonathan realized the news didn’t surprise him. Dudgery must have been watching him. Jonathan clenched a fist. Rage simmered within him. If this man attempted to hurt his family, he would make him pay.

“I bet that poor girl is desolate without you. I hope you at least left her with family.” Although mere curiosity touched his words, the earl’s intense eyes drilled into him.

“I’m sorry, Dudgery. I don’t recall you stating your purpose for this visit. If you meant to come for a social call, I’m much too busy at present.”

Dudgery scratched his neck, leaving red lines across the surface, then slid his palms down his thighs. “I’m here to ask for your help.”

Jonathan’s eyebrow rose. Why would his enemy seek him out for help? The very idea that he would ask sent his anger to boiling. After all this man had put him and Catherine through, the earl had no right to request assistance.

“Go on,” Jonathan ground out.

“I know you’re tired of hearing about it, but the shipping company has fallen a little short on funds. The return will pay you back in boatloads, but we need more capital now.”

“If it’s so profitable, why not ask someone else? Why do you keep approaching me?”

“To honor your father and his desires. Don’t you want to do one last thing for him? To make him proud?”

Tightening his grip on the arm of the chair, Jonathan forced himself to remain seated. Clearly Dudgery had heard stories about his relationship with his father. The fact that the earl would attempt to use something like this against him proved his desperation.

“I have no use for a dead man’s pride, nor do I have need for another investment, no matter how lucrative.”

“Not even to help your wife’s family? If this investment fails, then Berwick’s funds will be forfeit.”

Jonathan shrugged. “If the baron took a chance and invested his funds in the venture, I see no reason to jump in with mine in the event his decision turns out poor.”

The earl vaulted to his feet. “You will regret this, Linwood. I’ll see to it.”

Not long after Dudgery stomped from the room, a missive was delivered from Rawson. Following the directions, Jonathan mounted his stallion and traversed the roads that would take him directly through the earl’s land.

The sight of run-down and abandoned houses obstructed his every view. Jonathan’s heart hurt to see so many people forced to live in such structures. Rawson rode up beside him but didn’t speak. The two men continued on in silence until Rawson stopped at an abandoned shack.

After dismounting, they entered the house and, much to Jonathan’s surprise, he noted someone still lived there. Judging by the quality of the items, the occupant was a member of Society. His gaze traveled back to Rawson’s face in shock as he realized whom the items belonged to.

Rawson shrugged. “I know it isn’t much, but it’s warm and no one can find me here.”

“Who is after you?”

“Dudgery, Sideon, and my father.” Rawson laughed, a hollow sound. “I suppose the better question would be who isn’t after me.”

“I didn’t realize matters had deteriorated this far. Why didn’t you tell me?”

The man shook his head slowly as he wandered about the cramped room. “I’m paying for my bad choices. This has nothing to do with you and is not why I summoned you from Scotland.”

“Tell me.” From the grave lines on the man’s face, Jonathan knew he wouldn’t like it. “What exactly have you found out?”

“As you can see, Dudgery is penniless. He gambled his life away and established a fake investment to secure funds and extend his property. He also made a prudent alliance to the Marquis of Turrey and married his daughter, Lady Evelyn.”

“Stanwick informed me of that. I can imagine the earl’s surprise to discover she was as penniless as he.”

“He was less than thrilled. Ever since then, he has been frequenting your estate to get to you, but his attempts are getting more desperate. He has also hounded my father.” Rawson snorted. “Which, as it turns out, he stands in no better of a financial situation. I suppose he hoped after Catherine and Dudgery’s wedding, the earl would settle his debt. I’m ashamed to admit it wasn’t the first time he used Catherine to pay off his obligations.”

“So that is why he ‘encouraged’ her to marry so many times.”

“The match to Dudgery also.” Rawson rubbed a hand over his face. “I racked up many gambling debts against him as well. I have much I owe my cousin, and she doesn’t even realize it.”

Jonathan took a deep breath. Although he saw Rawson’s remorse, he couldn’t hold in his anger at how ill her family had used her. His poor wife had to suffer so much because of these men, and she continued to do so now because of him.

“Perhaps there is a way you can pay her back.”

“I’ll do anything,” Rawson promised, sincerity ringing in every word.

“What do you know about her curse?”

“Curse?”

With a sinking heart, Jonathan sagged his shoulders. His only chance of learning anything came from Rawson. How could he help her now?

“Catherine believes her first two husbands died on their wedding night as a result of a curse her father placed upon her.”

Rawson raised a single eyebrow. “Then how are you alive?”

“She has a theory on that as well.” Jonathan shifted uncomfortably, not willing to explain. “Now she spends all her time staring at me as if I will die when her back is turned.”

“So, you’re getting tired of her already?” Rawson’s hands balled into fists.

“Of course not. I’m worried about her. She doesn’t sleep or eat. You wouldn’t even recognize the shell of a woman she is now.”

Rawson relaxed his hands. “How can I help? I don’t imagine me talking to her will make a difference.”

“I agree. I just need you to locate as much information about these men as you can. If you obtain proof that these men shared something traumatic in their past to encourage them to do such a thing, then maybe she can rest and return to normal. Otherwise, she is going to kill herself.”

Chapter 17

“I came as soon as I heard you returned.” Abigail beamed up at Catherine.

“It’s nice to see you again,” Catherine dutifully responded, although she would have much preferred to keep to herself.

“Brianna and I were so pleased to learn of your marriage.”

“Yes,” Vanessa inserted. “I was as well until . . .” She clamped her hand over her mouth.

Catherine narrowed her eyes at her cousin. No remorse existed in her face. She had done it on purpose. First she’d told Abigail of her return to London, and now this. Sighing, Catherine turned to face her friend’s confused expression.

“Why aren’t you happy? What happened?”

“Jonathan and I decided it would be better if we spent some time apart,” she said, hoping claiming Jonathan’s knowledge would prevent Lord Merrick from speaking to his friend about it.

“Jonathan agreed to this?” Vanessa jumped up and began pacing. “You didn’t tell me that. I thought you made this decision on your own. How dare he?”

Cringing, Catherine wished she had talked to her cousin before the visit. Of course, she hadn’t been informed they were to receive guests until Abigail appeared at the door. Now she would have to confess and then be forced to leave London. She couldn’t have her husband coming after her.

“Well, perhaps he hasn’t given his consent yet, but he will.”

Abigail crossed the room and took her cold fingers in her own. The display of kindness made Catherine’s face heat from unshed tears. She desperately wished she and Jonathan could have experienced a marriage like Abigail and Lord Merrick’s.

“Why do you believe that?” she asked, her soft voice soothing. “Jonathan loves you. I could tell from the first time I saw him gazing upon you. And from what I’ve heard from Greyson, Jonathan has been attempting to fill the void your absence created all these years. With women. Many different women, I might add.”

A tear escaped before Catherine could close her eyes. She knew Jonathan loved her now, but soon that would fade, and she’d have nothing left.

“You don’t understand. These past months, something has changed within him.”

Vanessa stopped her pacing in front of them. “Have you spoken to him about this?”

“I have an idea,” Abigail interjected. “Let’s go for a walk through Hyde Park. The change of scenery will be a blessing and the fresh air rejuvenating.”

“You two go on ahead. With my back pain, walking doesn’t agree with me for long periods of time.”

After taking Abigail’s carriage to the park, they exited and followed along the main walkway. The crisp air felt good, as Abigail had suggested. It made Catherine feel more alive. However, as soon as her thoughts traveled back to her husband, the turmoil in her stomach returned, making her ill.

“Much better,” Abigail commented. “Although your cousin means well, I don’t believe her abrupt attitude is what you need to hear right now.”

“I’m very grateful to her.” Catherine’s voice sounded hollow to her own ears.

“Over my marriage to Greyson, I have spent quite a bit of time with Jonathan. I’d like to think I know him well. Please tell me what really is going on. Maybe I can help.”

Catherine wiped a weary hand across her brow. How could she tell Abigail she was killing her husband? How every day the spark and spirit that inherently resided inside him was dying?

Instead, she waived dismissively. “Love doesn’t always pick a person you can deal well with. It doesn’t discriminate whenever it strikes.”

“What does that mean?”

“We’re not right for each other. Love isn’t the issue, as we have some to spare, but without compatibility, that will be used up. The only thing remaining will be two miserable people, stuck together for eternity.”

“Why, if it isn’t Lady Linwood,” Evelyn sneered as she came up to them. “When did you return? My husband, I’m sure you recall Lord Dudgery, has been searching for the viscount for months.”

“I wasn’t aware.” Catherine tried to keep her tone neutral, although her shock made it difficult. Had Lord Dudgery intended to marry Evelyn even while he was betrothed to her?

As the girl’s eyes narrowed, Catherine was taken aback by the amount of malice in her expression. Clearly marriage hadn’t softened her at all. In fact, it appeared to have had the opposite effect. Evelyn also seemed to have aged since Catherine had last seen her.

“I’ll be sure to tell him I saw you. Perhaps we can dine together.”

Her statement, along with her sneer, sounded like a threat. Why? She and Lord Dudgery had parted company amicably. He’d harbor no anger toward her.

“How delightful,” Abigail inserted. “Is he here in London with you?”

The smirk dissolved from Evelyn’s face as it transformed into a scowl. “Not at present. But I expect him any day now.”

With a glare, Evelyn turned and stomped away, holding her nose in the air.

Shaking her head, Catherine realized she would never understand the girl. However, she wasn’t sure she even wanted to. That level of malice wouldn’t be a good thing to know.

“I’m sorry. That wasn’t well done of me.” Abigail’s face tinted red. “Ever since she and the earl married, he deposited her in London to ‘visit her parents’ and hasn’t returned to collect her.”

“I don’t blame him. She existed as nothing but a problem to me the entire Season.”

“Well, she’s gone now. What were you saying about Jonathan?”

Catherine dropped her eyes to study the ground beneath her feet. “I don’t wish to speak about him any longer.”

When they arrived back in her cousin’s house, Abigail turned to her. “I enjoyed our outing. Can I visit you again?”

Allowing a wobbly smile to touch her lips, Catherine took in Abigail’s concerned eyes. Although she wanted nothing more than to enjoy her friend’s company, she knew it wasn’t a good idea. Keeping any connection to Jonathan’s friends or her own relations would bring him to her. She had to leave.

“I would love nothing more, but I don’t plan on remaining in London long.”

Jonathan pushed open Ravenhurst’s door and let the familiar smell of brandy and cigars comfort him. Everything appeared the same as the last time he’d been here, but nothing felt the same. As if the club existed as a distant memory. All those long years he’d been in London seemed so far away now.

With a nod to Nathaniel, he continued on to his usual table. As expected, Greyson sat, calmly watching him with no expression. He was never one to allow his face to give anything away.

“Good afternoon, Greyson,” Jonathan greeted. “It’s a rare occasion when I see you without your charming wife on your arm.”

His friend shrugged. “I find her company preferable to most.”

Sliding into a seat, Jonathan steepled his fingers on top of the table. “So, why did you call me here? I’m anxious to return to my wife.”

“I didn’t think it possible, but she certainly has changed you. I’ve never known you to begin business without enjoying a brandy first.”

As he turned his lips up, Jonathan knew the smile didn’t carry his usual joy. Lately the emotion had remained beyond his reach. Until Catherine returned to herself, he didn’t believe he would ever feel it again.

“You have no right to talk. The amount of change you undertook after marrying Abigail would scare any man off of women forever.”

Greyson laughed, the sound still surprised Jonathan. “You’re right.”

“Now, what did you wish to see me about?”

Seeing Nathaniel, Jonathan signaled for him to bring a brandy. His hands itched to be doing something and the strong liquid would help settle his anxiety.

“I wish to return a favor. When Abigail lived at Merrick, you warned me about her movements.”

Jonathan’s teeth clenched as his eyes shot daggers at his friend. “Catherine is not cuckolding me.”

Immediately Greyson tossed his hands up, palms toward him. “Hold on. I’m not suggesting she is. Besides, you were wrong about Abigail.”

“What is your point?” Jonathan ground out, tired of this conversation.

“Catherine is in London.”

Ice forced its way through Jonathan’s veins, bringing spikes of pain over every inch of his body as it froze him from the inside out. Greyson was wrong. Catherine was safe in Scotland. She had to be.

“That’s impossible.” His weak voice barely made it past the lump in his throat.

“Abigail spoke with her. That’s when I sent you the urgent letter.”

Reality slapped Jonathan in the face. Dudgery had made a quick escape from the country as well. Had he learned Catherine was here? Had he got to her already? Bile rose in Jonathan’s throat.

“Where is she?”

With nervous eyes, Greyson scanned the crowd. “Abigail is already going to be angry for this. She’ll kill me if I tell you anything more.”

Jonathan stood so quickly the chair fell, hitting the one behind it. “And I’ll kill you if you don’t tell me.”

Greyson’s eyes hardened as he, too, stood. “Do you want to rephrase that? I don’t take threats lightly.”

“You don’t understand. Catherine’s not safe in London.”

His friend relaxed his defensive stance. “I’m sorry, Jonathan. I don’t know where she is now. She stayed with Lady Vanessa for a time but left a few days ago.”

Closing his eyes, he clenched his fists in an attempt to refrain from showing his frustration. Why did she have to do this to him? He regretted the decision to not tell her how dangerous Dudgery was. Jonathan fought to get his emotions under control. Now he would have to pray he found her before the earl.

Unwilling to waste another second, Jonathan fled the club and headed straight to Catherine’s cousin’s house. He would do everything in his power to force the woman to confess where Catherine had disappeared to.

After banging on the door, a wide-eyed butler cracked it open. Jonathan imagined panic showed across his face, but he couldn’t contain it, his body wound too tight to expend any effort on something so trivial.

“Tell Lady Vanessa that Lord Linwood is here to see her.”

The man’s expression relaxed as he opened the door wider, granting entrance. Clearly his visit had been anticipated.

“Please wait here, my lord.”

Jonathan opened his mouth to demand to be shown to the lady of the house when the butler took a few steps, opened a drawer, and withdrew a letter. Once he handed him the missive, Jonathan flipped it over. His name had been neatly penned on the front in a hand he didn’t recognize.

“My lady left this with instructions to give it to you once you came.” With a bow, the man left.

Ripping open the seal, Jonathan scanned the contents. Lady Vanessa had taken Catherine to Bath, hoping the healing waters would help his wife. She left an address with instructions telling him to only follow if he truly loved Catherine. What did that mean? Had Catherine told her cousin he didn’t love her? Did she honestly believe that?

He raked his hands through his hair. He had to get a new horse. His stallion had ridden too hard to get here. Facing another three days in the saddle didn’t sound appealing, but he’d do anything for Catherine. The only comfort came from the knowledge that she would be safely hidden away with her cousin.

By the time he reined his horse in at the indicated address, he felt ready to fall over. His body couldn’t take the fear any longer. Every second he alternated between worrying she wouldn’t be there and worrying she would refuse to see him. What had he done wrong?

Dragging his tired limbs to the door, he rapped his knuckles against the hard wood. Not long later, he stood across from Lady Vanessa.

“Where is Catherine?”

“She is in her bedchamber, but I haven’t told her you are here. She seems to think her separation from you would be better for you both. Do you agree?”

“No.” Jonathan spat the word, feeling his ire rise. How could Catherine believe such a thing? “I want to see my wife now.”

Lady Vanessa’s intense eyes observed him. She moved her mouth to one side of her face as she tilted her head.

He remained immobile, allowing her to assess him.

“You may go,” she answered at last. “Amber will show you the way.”

Relief flooded through him as he restrained himself from rushing ahead of the girl and taking the stairs two at a time. After she indicated a door, she left him. Anxiety propelled him forward to knock as apprehension made his hands shake. Would Catherine be happy to see him or would she reject him?

At her muffled acceptance, he entered the room. She sat at the window, not even turning to see who approached her. He had almost reached her by the time her red, startled eyes laid upon him. She jumped to her feet as she drew in a breath.

“Jonathan,” she whispered as a beautiful smile abruptly touched her lips. Then, just as quickly, it dissolved. “What are you doing here?”

Her disapproval soured in his mouth. “If you have to ask, then I’ve completely failed as a husband, and you had every right to remove yourself from my life.”

The softening of her face made his chest throb with an intense hope that he stood a chance of winning her back. Regardless, he wouldn’t give up until he took his last breath. Even then, his spirit would not rest until she accepted his love for her.

“You are a wonderful husband. It’s me who has failed. I have done nothing but bring you misery from the second we said our vows.”