The Lady Tamed by Boyd, Heather (urban books to read TXT) 📗

Jeremy was appalled at the suggestion but tried to keep his shock off his face. He threw Wilks’ arm from his shoulders and faced the drunkard. How could Wilks have deduced their arrangement in one half day? He’d arrived barely in time for the nuptials, unless…

Unless he’d been given the agreement to read since the marriage had taken place.

Jeremy swore under his breath as he took in Wilks’ smug countenance. Had Lord Thwaite stolen Jeremy’s employment agreement from Fanny’s chambers and shared the contents with his drunkard of a son? Obviously, Wilks intended to use that information to line his own pocket, too.

He glanced across the chamber, only to see Fanny slipping from the ballroom with her sisters in tow. There was no way he could warn her. The bride was about to head off to her new home, if he remembered correctly. It was the perfect moment for Wilks to approach him, when everyone’s attention was diverted to the other side of the ballroom.

Jeremy steadied his temper. He couldn’t become flustered over the conversation. He intended to get that piece of paper back to Fanny tonight.

Wilks patted his pocket. “I could certainly make it worth your while to reconsider where your loyalties lie.”

Jeremy’s eyes narrowed on Wilks. The contract was in his pocket, right in front of him.

He had vowed not to waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but his loyalty was to Fanny, not his own pocket. He smiled quickly, playing along with the fellow’s scheme to make him seem amenable. “How much should I have asked for?”

“Meet me tomorrow in the orchard at noon, and we can discuss it,” Wilks advised with another smirk.

Three booming rings from a staff upon the parquetry floor and Jeremy turned toward the sound. “Ladies and gentlemen, the Earl and Countess of Rafferty are taking their leave.”

People applauded, and then surged toward the entrance hall to see the newlyweds off.

Jeremy was bumped hard in the rush to reach the doorway first, falling conveniently against Wilks. The man threw him off—but not before Jeremy had checked inside his coat pockets and lifted a paper he found there.

It felt about the same size as the brief contract he’s signed. He had no time to check though. Jeremy palmed it as he righted himself, apologizing profusely, while he quickly flicked it up his coat sleeve and followed everyone else out the door.

Jeremy winced. His scandalous past had come in handy for his new role twice now. It would be the last time, too.

He followed everyone outside into the gathering gloom, suppressing the instinct to slip into the shadows to check what he’d pinched from Lord Wilks to make sure he had Fanny’s property.

Fanny was down on the driveway by the carriage, surrounded by her family, dabbing at her eyes, brushing aside happy tears—at least he hoped they were happy. He’d noticed she seemed to cry all sorts of tears. He found that confusing, but he had a handkerchief ready in his hand in case it was needed.

The wedding guests gathered on the steps together as groom and blushing bride climbed into the carriage and finally drove away toward Lord Rafferty’s home.

Fanny and Lord Thwaite fell into step on their way back inside. Thwaite was wearing a pleased expression, and he whispered something to Fanny that made her laugh. But she was quickly drawn away by the duchess and her remaining sister and swept into the house.

Jeremy put his hand to his coat pocket, returning his handkerchief.

The man in front of him turned about abruptly, and he found himself staring straight into Wilks’ eyes again.

The fellow touched his pocket, and his eyes narrowed as he searched for something that was no longer in his possession. “What did you put in your coat pocket?” he demanded.

“What, my handkerchief?”

Wilks checked his own pockets again and then turned a furious glare at Jeremy. “Show me.”

“It’s just a handkerchief,” he promised, revealing it. “You can have it if you require one.”

But Wilks grabbed him roughly and tried to search Jeremy’s coat pockets. Jeremy protested at the rough treatment as much as the stink of spirits on Wilks’ breath, loudly.

“Get off me.” Jeremy threw an arm out, connecting his fist with Wilks’ jaw accidentally.

Wilks stumbled back a step, but he wasn’t giving up. “Give it back!”

“What the hell is this?” Stapleton barked, stepping between them. “Gentlemen, control yourselves.”

It took Lord Milo and Lord Samuel to hold Wilks back from attacking Jeremy again. Wilks pointed at Jeremy, accusing, “He has something of mine. I am sure of it.”

Jeremy straightened his coat, checking the note was still safe up his shirt sleeve. “I have nothing belonging to you.” But he had something belonging to Fanny, and he did not want to reveal it here.

The duke folded his arms across his chest and looked between them. “An accusation of theft is a serious matter. What is it you think he’s taken?”

“I have no idea, your grace,” Jeremy promised. “He’s cup shot.”

“Am not! That man has something of great value to me,” Wilks insisted. But he looked around, taking note of their audience with blinking eyes. He straightened his coat and smoothed his hair, but since he could hardly stand still anymore, he gave credence to Jeremy’s accusation that he didn’t know what he was talking about. “I cannot say what it is but it is vital it is returned to me tonight,” Wilks insisted. “Who is he, anyway? Just an actor.”

“He is a guest,” Stapleton noted. “Just as you are tonight.”

Jeremy approached the duke, stopping as close to his side as he dared. He managed to drop the folded contract into Stapleton’s gaping coat pocket without him realizing it. “I don’t have anything that belongs to him, I swear.”

The duke’s eyes narrowed on Wilks. “An accusation of theft can be resolved easily right now. Mr. Dawes, would you have any objection to being searched a second time with substantially more dignity?”

Jeremy had nothing to hide anymore. “I have no objection.”

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