Rogue Countess (30 page)

“I’ll see for myself, if you don’t mind,” Jude insisted as he forced his way into the house. Apparently, the butler didn’t really care one way or another as he faded back into the interior shadows of the house. Jude took the stairs to the upper level two at a time. He was disappointed when he looked in Riley’s bedroom and found it empty and undisturbed.

Then, as he retraced his steps toward the stairs, he heard a distinctively feminine giggle followed by a low male murmur of appreciation. He stopped and remembered a room he had passed by in search of linens the night Riley had been shot. The room had been plush and luxurious. A perfect den for sensual pleasure and hedonistic play.

The feminine voice sounded again, this time with a choked gasp.

Jude found the right door and opened it without knocking.

The baron was there. Or at least it appeared to be Riley’s blonde head tucked securely between the thighs of the voluptuous lady sprawled amongst the silk coverlets and velvet pillows. The lady issued a deafening shriek at Jude’s intrusion and quickly tried to pull every cover in hand’s reach over her head. At the same time, Riley turned to glance over his shoulder with a disturbing lack of concern.

As soon as he spotted Jude standing in his doorway, he groaned in annoyance.

“What the bloody hell do you want?” he demanded as he leveraged himself to a seated position.

“We need to talk,” Jude said in a tone that left no room for argument. “Thirty seconds,” he added before he stepped back and closed the door.

Less than thirty seconds later, Riley stepped out into the hallway with a sheet wrapped around his naked hips. He stopped as he saw Jude standing stiffly against the wall opposite the door.

The two men squared off against each other for a silent glaring moment. Lord Riley with blatant irritation and Jude with tight-lipped impatience.

“You could have waited downstairs.” Riley snickered with a churlish curl to his lip.

“I wanted to be able to hear you if you happened to have an able-limbed tree outside your window.”

Riley accepted the comment on his cowardice with a wave of his hand. “This way then so we can get this dramatic little meeting over with. Our conversation doesn’t need to be overheard by my guest.”

He led Jude to a sitting room a few doors down. He shut the door behind them and took a few unhurried seconds to secure the sheet more tightly around him. Then he crossed his arms over his bare chest and returned Jude’s intense glare with one of his own, though Riley’s held a distinct note of mockery. “So, out with it,” he said with casual nonchalance. “I haven’t got much time before my friend decides she can take better care of her needs without me.”

Jude eyed the younger man critically. White-hot jealousy pierced his chest as he tried to imagine his connection to Anna.

“What is your association with my wife?” he demanded.

Riley smiled brightly and cocked a brow. “What did she tell you it was?”

“I know you were never her lover,” Jude said with rising impatience.

“Is that what she said…?” Riley started to ask and then stopped as the truth dawned on him. His eyes glowed with secret humor and his lips curved in a half-smile that infuriated Jude. “Ah, you finally got to her, eh? I had a feeling she wouldn’t be able to hold out for long.”

Jude stalked toward the younger man, tired of the circular talk that told him nothing.

“What the hell do you know about it?” he demanded in a growl. “And why would she let everyone believe in a lie? You owe me some damn answers.”

The scoundrel shook his head, not the least bit intimidated. If anything, he looked even more amused.

“Sorry, old man, but if Anna didn’t tell you anything, then I sure as hell am not about to. I know she’s your wife, but maybe you should’ve indulged in a little conversation with the woman before you fucked her.”

Jude’s solid fist connected with the baron’s chin, throwing him back against the wall. He would have liked to hit him again, but the younger man turned back to him with a maddening grin on his face. Jude walked past him in disgust and opened the door to leave. It was proving to be a waste of time trying to get anything useful out of the blackguard.

“There you go,” Riley shouted after him with exaggerated encouragement. Laughter was evident in his voice. “Now there’s an idea. Go home and talk to your wife.”

Jude ignored him. He was furious and felt foolish because the man was right. He needed to talk to Anna.

He made it back to her townhouse in record time. He was so distracted and anxious to get inside and see if she was back, he missed the fact that a visitor had arrived during his absence. He entered the house from the direction of the stables and was immediately advised by the butler that the Dowager Countess of Blackbourne was waiting in the breakfast room.

Jude cursed out loud in frustration and shoved both hands through his hair. Of all the times his mother should decide to end her constant residence in the country and come to town, it had to be on this bloody day.

“And the countess?”

“Not yet returned from Tattersalls, my lord,” a stoic Hastings replied.

Best to get the interview with his mother over with quickly. Then he would be free to devote his attention to Anna as soon as she returned.

Jude took a moment to calm his manner before entering the breakfast room. His mother sat stiffly in the center of the small sofa. She had not removed her bonnet or her smart spencer jacket. Jude hoped it meant she was not planning to stay long.

“Mother. What a surprise to see you in London.”

Helena turned a regal gaze upon her son as he came forward into the room and bent to kiss her cheek.

“Really?” she asked imperiously. “That is how you greet me? Not with pleasure, but with surprise?”

Jude forced a smile around the solid stone of impatience. “A pleasant surprise, to be sure. What prompted your unexpected sojourn from the country? Can I offer you any refreshments?” he asked, belatedly remembering the manners she had so strictly instilled in him. But his slip had already been noticed.

Helena frowned with dark disappointment. “What on earth has gotten into you, Judy? I swear, I don’t understand what has motivated you to behave so horrendously.”

Jude cocked his head to the side as he studied her. “It’s only refreshments, Mother. If you want—”

“Oh, it’s not the refreshments, you numbskull.” Helena came to her feet in agitation. “I am talking about the shameless way you have been behaving with your wife.”

Jude frowned at her passionate outburst. His expression was stern when he replied. “How I behave with my wife is none of your concern.”

“Oh, yes it is, young man. It is the concern of the entire Blackbourne family. The entire legacy of the Blackbourne name rests upon this marriage.” Helena’s eyes flashed with outrage. “You cannot continue to dally with the woman in the manner you have been. Your disgusting behavior at the Carmichael ball last night is inexcusable.”

Jude realized now what had gotten his mother in such a furious snit. She certainly had some resourceful informants if the news had reached her quickly enough that she had been able to travel to London in time for the midday meal. He should have known she would take issue with the very public display that had taken place on the dance floor.

“It was just a kiss, Mother,” he started in the calming voice he had used infinite times in his youth when he had offended her with some careless or reckless act.

“Just a kiss!” Helena shouted now. “Such an immodest act is not something that should ever be done in public. And from what I understand, what you and Anna indulged in last night was not just a simple kiss. And it’s not solely what happened last night. The two of you have been behaving like foolish and rebellious children for weeks now, and I will not stand for it a moment longer.”

Jude tried to keep his voice even though her little tirade was crossing the line. “Mother, while I appreciate your perspective, how I behave with my wife has nothing to do with you or the Blackbourne legacy. I have the issue well in hand without your interference.”

“Is that so? Are you saying she will discontinue her disgusting involvement in trade? Will she start riding like a lady and stop wearing those indecent trousers? Will she stop brazenly gadding about on the arm of that…that ghastly scoundrel Lord Riley? Have you finally brought the greedy little hussy to heel?”

“Enough,” Jude interrupted sharply, his tolerance at a low ebb with the kind of morning he’d been having. He held up his hand to stem the tide of insults from his mother’s lips. “Anna is no hussy, and she is anything but greedy, as you likely know well enough. I will not allow for you to so rudely insult her and accuse her of things to which you have no knowledge.”

“But—”

“No, Mother, not another word. I will not stand for you to be counted in the masses who spread unfounded rumors about her association with Riley or anyone else. Furthermore, I would not think of interfering in her business in any way,” Jude continued with confidence and conviction, though he hadn’t really considered his position on the subject until just that moment.

“What?” Helena screeched in overdone despair as she sank helplessly back into the sofa.

“I am sorry, Mother. She is exceptionally good at what she does, and the success of her stables is important to her. Those horses are her greatest pride and happiness and I wouldn’t think to suggest she give any of it up.”

“So what are you doing to resolve this little problem?” she petulantly demanded as she straightened her white gloves over her slim fingers. “You cannot leave things as they are, can you? The two of you are either biting at each other’s throats or ignoring each other completely. What are you going to do about your marriage?”

Jude noted the inquisitive demand in his mother’s steely tone. She wanted a definitive answer and the one he had for her was not going to make her happy.

“For now, the answer to that remains between myself and Anna,” he replied.

Helena stood then and very deliberately reached into the deep pocket of her traveling skirt to pull out a flat square box made of wood. She set the box on the cushion of the sofa, giving it a pat for good measure, and then glanced at Jude with a satisfied smile on her thinning lips.

“Well, maybe that will help,” she said with a gesture toward the box. “The stubborn child refused when I tried to give it to her, but perhaps she will accept it from you.”

The dowager countess stepped up to Jude and placed a dry kiss on both of his cheeks. Then she grasped his arms and leaned back to study his face carefully.

“You know, I have to admit, you are a bit of a disappointment to me, Judy. With the reputation you had garnered during your exotic travels, I would have expected you to have had your wife wrapped around your finger weeks ago.” Then she shrugged and gave a little sigh as she patted his arm. “I’m sure you’re doing your best.”

Jude looked at his mother and tried to catch up to her bright and sudden shift in mood. He had to consider the possibility she might have gone mad.

He watched in befuddlement as she walked gracefully around him and headed for the door. Just before leaving, she turned back with a glowing smile and a little wave. Her smile faltered a little when she noticed Jude’s dark expression.

“Oh, don’t take it personally, darling. The girl really is terribly stubborn and more vulnerable than she lets on. It was years before I ever found out the truth of that fateful night. Good luck,” she called over her shoulder then swept through the door.

At a loss for what else to do, Jude turned and picked up the box, hoping it at least might provide a more clear explanation than what his mother seemed capable of. When he lifted the lid and saw what was nestled in the soft velvet lining, he chuckled in amazement.

His mother should be on the stage.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Jude slipped the box into the inner pocket of his coat and glanced impatiently at the clock.

Dammit. What the hell was taking Anna so long? How much time could a woman spend at Tattersalls?

His lips twitched. Knowing Anna, she could be there all day.

He rubbed his hand along the shadowy growth of rough hair on his jaw. A hot bath, a close shave and a fresh set of clothes would perhaps set him up better for the intricate confrontation he intended to force on his wife once she finally returned home. And keeping busy with such tasks might help to prevent the maddening urge to pace.

He turned to leave the breakfast room just as Hastings stepped into the open doorframe.

“A guest to see you, my lord,” the servant announced.

“Good God, now who could it be?” Jude muttered.

“The Duchess of Clavering.”

Jude scowled. “Tell her Lady Blackbourne is not at home.”

The well-trained butler cleared his throat. “Her Grace was very clear in indicating that she is here to see you. I have shown her to the study for lack of a better option since the morning room isn’t exactly suited to receiving visitors,” Hastings noted with a distinct lack of expression. “Would you like me to advise Her Grace that you are indisposed?”

Jude sighed heavily and glanced at the clock. It was barely one o’clock in the afternoon. By London standards, it was unusually early for so many callers, and this one in particular he would have liked to postpone indefinitely.