The Passionate Love of a Rake (33 page)

Robert sighed, his fingers still gripping hers. “Jane, please have some sense?”

“Let me be there, Robert.”

He knew why she asked. The others did not.

She wanted to keep an eye on him, to protect him. She was still scared he’d do something rash, and terrified of Sutton doing something worse. It had not helped when, after the fire, Ellen had confessed that Robert had killed the man who’d abused
her
. Though it had been in self-defence, it had still fuelled Jane’s fear.

She didn’t trust Robert’s temper, she’d said, and she definitely didn’t trust Sutton.

He could understand. His endurance was erratic, and she’d put up with the Dukes of Sutton’s games for two generations. She was afraid because she loved him. Robert had ceased being offended by it. He loved her more for it. But they would be best placed to corner Sutton in White’s or the House of Lords, and neither place would admit Jane.

“There is a ball at the Devonshires’ a week hence. That would give us a chance to prepare, and a public venue, if you wish to be included, Lady Barrington?” James smiled at Jane, offering her consolation.

Robert sighed. “The Devonshires’ ball it is then.”

“Sutton won’t know what hit him. I doubt he realised the association between our families when he attacked you. I am sure he had a shock at the Rochester ball. He probably knows his game is over, and that is why he resorted to violence. But we’ll give him no more opportunity for that,” Richard concluded.

Robert shifted in his chair. The thought of paying Sutton back for all Jane had suffered was stimulating. “So, you will let me know who we have on our side? Why do we not establish a meeting at White’s the day before the ball? If one of you can propose my re-establishment, then we shall have Sutton riled. And tell your associates not to let him know where they stand until the ball. I do not want him to get wind of this beforehand. I want the pleasure of seeing the shock on his face when he registers his influence no longer reaches to Jane.”

The men stood.

Robert did, too, smiling. He knew, with the influence of Ellen’s family, half of the House of Lords or more would stand on his side.

Jane hovered beside him as each of Ellen’s family shook his hand and took their leave.

He was looking forward to the Devonshires’ ball. He only wished he’d thought to resort to the use of Pembroke’s power before. Had he taken that tack when Pembroke had approached him in White’s, this would have already been settled, and Jane could have avoided the torment of the last few weeks.

His goodbyes complete, his fingers caught hold of Jane’s as Edward stepped towards him.

“I’ll follow them out if there is nothing more you wish to discuss. Ellen will be waiting for me at the Pulteney, but if you need anything, or if you would rather we stayed here, you need only ask.”

Robert nodded and gave Edward a smile of gratitude. “You’ve done enough. We’re grateful.”

“We are.” Jane let go of Robert’s hand and reached to hug his brother. “Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.” Edward hugged her in return. “We’ll call tomorrow.”

Once they’d separated, Jane walked with Edward to the drawing room door and said goodbye and thank you again.

When the door clicked shut, Jane turned back.

Robert smiled, seeking to be conciliatory. He knew he’d scared the woman witless the other night. Since then, she’d hovered about him, all overprotective.

“It does not feel right to leave it all to Ellen’s family. They have no obligation to me,” he said.

“It would appear to me they care for you, Robert, as Edward’s brother, and they are only talking sense when they tell you to leave it to them. I am very grateful they’ve offered to help.” She crossed the drawing room towards him as she spoke.

“But?” he prompted, hearing hesitation.

Ebony lashes veiled her gaze.

“Spit it out, woman. What thought are you withholding?”

Her eyelashes flickered back up. She had stopped two feet away. “I want to believe they are right, but no one has ever had the upper hand over the Suttons.”

“There is always a first time, Jane.
But that is why you want to be there, isn’t it? Because you fear it will descend into violence. He cannot attack me before an audience, sweetheart, and I promise, I will not attack him. There is no need to worry. They will pen him in and bring him down.”

Jane stepped forward, took his hand, and held it to her cheek. “I hope you’re right.”

“Darling, I know I am.” He hugged her. “I am not going to allow Sutton to continue harassing us. This will end it. I wish now I had appealed to Pembroke before.”

The need to protect her was overwhelming. His memory fell back to the sixteen-year-old girl, so full of life. He wanted to give her the opportunity to be that person again.

Robert had Jane’s small hand gripped in his as they walked the edge of the dance floor, weaving in and out of the crush of guests. No one had noticed the moment a certain number of the most influential of the
ton
had simultaneously left the room. Or the Duke of Pembroke himself, open a discussion with the Duke of Sutton and lead him from the ballroom out on to the terrace.

If all was going to plan, Ellen’s father had led Sutton to Devonshire’s library under the excuse of talking business. Of course, Sutton would already know Pembroke had been buying up shares around his investments, whether he suspected the reason, they didn’t know, but to date, to mislead the man, Pembroke had also laid a generous offer on the table for Sutton’s stock. Little did Sutton know the proverbial rug was about to be pulled from beneath his feet.

Robert would still rather not have Jane in attendance, but she’d refused to be persuaded otherwise.

Looking at her now, he saw her face was set in a determined expression. Yet beneath it, she was terrified of facing Sutton, but not so much that she would risk letting Robert face Sutton alone.
Foolish woman.

Glancing across the room, Robert met Edward’s gaze as he parted from Ellen.

Edward nodded to identify that Sutton was in place with Ellen’s brothers-in-law and their peers.

They’d brought three dozen of the highest Lords to their side. A dozen were here to face Sutton with their claims. Aside from Sutton’s behaviour towards Jane, they’d uncovered numerous cases of underhanded dealings affecting many of those who’d come to their side. It seemed Sutton was better at making enemies than he was at making friends. Uniting with Pembroke and his sons-in-law had given these men the opportunity for revenge, too. Like Robert, they would not have succeeded alone.

Leaving the pomp, noise, and glitter of Devonshire’s ball behind, Robert led Jane out through the French doors.

The cold night, and perhaps fear, too, made her shiver. The balmy nights of summer were long gone. In her short-sleeved evening dress and shawl, she must feel it more than he did.

“You’re cold?” he whispered.

“I’ll manage.” She drew her shawl from her bent elbows up and over her shoulders with one hand, while her other kept a tight hold of his.

They walked the length of the terrace in silence. No one else was in view. The others must have already entered Devonshire’s library. Jane’s heels struck the paving in pace with his as they walked, and the sound resonated above the distant music and conversation from the ballroom. The night was drab and dark. The only light to guide their path spilled from the second set of French doors which stood open to the night air at the far end of the terrace.

“A cartel?” he overheard Sutton say as they approached the open doors leading into the library. The chilly autumn breeze caught the curtain, whipping it out in front of them, concealing him and Jane from Sutton’s view. Yet Robert had already seen Sutton standing before the hearth beside the Duke of Pembroke, a drink in hand, observing the rest of the group with speculation. Did Sutton recognise his enemies and suspect what was planned? “That is an idea I would support,” Sutton continued, his words compliant, but his tone hesitant and wary.

“There is one more member we are awaiting,” Pembroke continued.

Robert looked at Jane. This was their cue. Smiling, he squeezed her hand. She smiled in return, such a gentle, vulnerable look, it wrenched his heart. How the hell could the Suttons have treated a woman of her quality with such a lack of respect? She was worth ten dozen of them. Giving him a little nod in assent, she acknowledged she was ready to face the villain.

“Barrington,” Pembroke intoned as Robert stepped into the room, keeping a tight hold on Jane’s hand.

She hung back behind his shoulder as Sutton stared, hiding his emotions, although Robert could see the mental calculation running behind the fixed look on Sutton’s face.

“The fact is, Your Grace,” Robert began, unable to hold back the callous smile which lifted his lips, “this cartel of which the Duke of Pembroke speaks has been established solely
to
exclude
you, not to
include
you.”

Sutton glared, the muscle of his jaw flickering with controlled anger in response. “What is this?” Sutton looked about the group, scanning each face. “I thought we had gathered to discuss business?”

“We have, and you are it.” Robert’s voice was deliberately cold. “We have had enough of your games, Sutton, your illegitimate practices that many of us can testify to. If you would rather we address this in a court and make it public, so be it.
Or
, you can accept our terms and withdraw.”

Sutton’s eyes narrowed. “
Your terms?
” He looked at Pembroke.

“You owe many of us here large sums. Our terms are that you pay back everything you have manipulated from others, excluding my wife’s inheritance. She does not care about your father’s fortune. Keep it. In return, we shall not press charges within a court. Your choice, Sutton. Public humiliation or repayment of the money you have blackmailed and forced from us, and if any of us hear of any further enforced deals, we break the agreement and present the evidence to a court.” Of course, Sutton could easily comprehend their stipulations. It was blackmail, after all.

Again, Sutton looked about the group, but then his eyes fixed on Jane.

Robert felt her fingers leave his, blocking any temptation he may have had to pull her closer.

Instead, she stepped forward, her eyes levelled on Sutton’s, while all others in the room watched her.

Robert’s hand reached involuntarily to her waist. His instinct to protect her was just as strong as hers to protect him.

“You bitch!” Sutton’s eyes flashed with unguarded hatred as his gaze set on Jane and his words sought to wound. Then he shot a look about the room, challenging each and every man. “If you are doing this because of her, she is just a whore. She stole my inheritance with her calculated wiles. She is not worth your effort!”

Jane’s chin tilted up, expressing defiance as one of her hands pushed Robert’s away from her waist. Her other lifted, palm outstretched, to silence the influential men in the room.

Robert’s chest swelled, his heart overflowing, not stirred by a desire to protect, but with immense pride in her strength.

“You and I both know how false that statement is, Your Grace.” Her voice was strong and assured. “So much so, I refuse to even protest against it. No one is here because of me. They are here because this time
you
have gone too far. No matter what you believe, you cannot just do as you please to the disadvantage of others. This, Your Grace, is your reprisal. You must face the result of your own actions. You are accountable, Joshua, not I.”

“As the lady states, it is
your
behaviour which is in question, Sutton. I have seen nothing inappropriate in Lady Barrington’s. There is no call to insult her when it is we who have approached you,” the Duke of Pembroke concluded.

Nods and echoes of agreement rose about the room.

Sutton sneered at Pembroke then at Jane. “Then why is she here?”

“Because Lady Barrington has been an equal victim in this.” Richard, the Marquess of Wiltshire stepped forward. “She rightly wished to be a part of the meeting, and any further slander or actions against Lord and Lady Barrington will equally incur our information being sent to the courts.”

Robert watched Sutton drain his glass and set it down on the mantel. The tension had gone from his body. “Very well.” The man faced the room, his gaze passing over those gathered. They had bound him fully. Sutton could make no further move against Jane. “It seems you have won then, Jane.” His eyes fixed on her. “Lord Barrington.” His eyes lifted to Robert’s as his hand reached inside his coat.

Robert held the bastard’s gaze. If Jane had refused to bow to his intimidation then Robert was hardly likely to bend.
Give us what you have, Sutton
.

The man drew a pistol and held it in Robert’s direction.

The room broke into an uproar as Sutton aimed at Robert’s head and the scene slipped into slow motion.

Jane spun and braced herself across his body, as though she could protect him from the shot.

Edward moved, too, leaping across to knock Sutton’s hand aside. The shot went wide, hitting the cornice in the corner of the room and sending down a shower of plaster. Others followed Edward’s movement, falling on to Sutton and knocking him to the floor.

When the commotion ended, Robert’s arm was about his wife, holding her secure and Sutton was pinned beneath several eminent lords, while Edward’s knee was across Sutton’s outstretched arm. Richard kicked the gun from Sutton’s hand.

“They could hang you for this, Sutton. I’ll call for a magistrate.” Devonshire stood at the open French door behind Robert, and the terrace was filling up with guests who’d heard the pistol fire.

“At least we can be certain he will be no more trouble.” Sutton’s gun dangled from Richard’s finger by the trigger.

“He had his choice. He made it,” Edward added, one hand now also pressing Sutton’s cheek to the floor.

“I have always thought you mad. You have only proven it by making such a foolish attempt at murder. Give it up, man. Your game is lost.” The Duke of Pembroke looked down on Sutton, who writhed on the floor, angry and fighting against his restraint.

“This is the fault of that bitch. I told you she is a whore, prostituting herself for Barrington’s aid.”

Jane hugged Robert harder, her face buried into his neck.

“No one is listening to him, Jane. Ignore it,” he whispered to her ear.

But her unwavering strength and courage shone through, and she lifted her head as he felt her spine stiffen.

He smiled.

“Thank you,” she whispered, pressing a discreet kiss on his cheek.

The Duchess of Devonshire stepped through the French door. “Lady Barrington? Do come away. There are many of us who wish to apologise for believing the Duke of Sutton’s nonsense. Leave this to the men.”

Jane drew away from Robert, but her eyes said she did not wish to leave him.

“Go. He can do no more harm.”

Her emerald gaze shone with the uncertainty he knew she would only show him.

Curling one finger beneath her chin, he kissed her lips swiftly. “You’ll do, girl,” he said before the Duchess of Devonshire led her away.

Jane found herself at the centre of a mass of feminine attention as the details of what had occurred spread throughout the gathering. Many came to the drawing room, where Lady Devonshire had secured Jane, to offer their condolence, support, and commiseration for her earlier suffering.

Of course, many declared they had known there was something not quite right about the Dukes of Sutton and wished they had made a complaint against them earlier, or that they had come to the country to offer Jane support. But Jane knew these comments to be nothing but pretension. If the
ton
had cared for anything beyond their own ends, they would not have wished,
but done
.

However, she suffered their hollow professions of concern and accepted Lady Devonshire’s offer of tea in good grace while wishing desperately that Violet was still in town. Yet Jane was glad of Ellen’s company and looked from one woman to another, accepting condolences, though her eyes regularly turned to the door.

When, finally, she saw the one person she’d been waiting for, she called out, “Robert!” She set her cup aside and rushed to embrace him, like the tide pulled towards the moon.

“All is well, sweetheart,” he whispered as she held him. “We have seen the last of him, I hope.”

“May we go home?” she answered, looking up into his eyes.

“Home?” he echoed. “Wherever you are is that to me. Come then. At least now, I know you’ll be secure there.”

She nodded before turning back to the interested group of women. Damn them all. She didn’t care who had slept with him. Let them be jealous. He had eyes only for her now, and they had never truly known him anyway, not as she did. Her fingers caught Robert’s behind her back. “Thank you for your kindness, Your Grace.” She dropped a curtsy to the Duchess of Devonshire.

“Not at all, dear. You are welcome here whenever you wish, and may I call upon you?”

Requests to call upon them were then reiterated about the room. Jane accepted them with aplomb while Robert whispered, “Our afternoons of leisure are at an end then.”

She struck his hip with a balled fist behind her dress, offered another curtsy to the Duchess of Devonshire, and said, “Thank you” once more, then looked at her audience, “You’re most kind.”

“Now, if you will excuse us, I am sure my wife is tired. It is beyond time I took her home to bed.” Robert’s interjection cut the air, and his fingers gripped her elbow to defend himself from further blows, she assumed.

“Of course, Lord Barrington, do. You must be very fatigued.” The Duchess of Devonshire rose. “I will show you out.”

Robert’s fingers still pressuring Jane’s elbow, she followed Lady Devonshire.

“Such an appalling business,” the Duchess concluded as they reached the hall. “But at least now, you may sleep in peace, knowing it is at an end.”

“Your Grace. Thank you,” Robert said when the butler opened the door.

Jane saw James, Robert’s groom, in the street below, waiting with the open carriage door in his hand. He helped her in, then her husband’s tall, lean, muscular frame slid in beside her.

A few moments later, the horses pulled away and Robert loosened his cravat with one hand while picking up hers with the other and weaving their fingers together. “Thank God we are away. It is
not
sleeping on my mind.”

She turned and caught his rakish smile.

“We shall have to retire to the country immediately,” he added, “I am not sharing you with them.”

She laughed and hugged him. The devil then hauled her on to his lap.

She squealed. “Robert!”

“Robert, indeed! I want you to ride me home.” His voice was husky.

“Ride you?”

“I’ll tell you how,” he whispered to her mouth before he kissed her.