Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

T wo days later, Thomas was working at his desk when his door was flung open with a crash. He didn’t look up as a large, blond-haired gentleman with ruddy cheeks and unkempt dress strode toward him.

“Totton?”

Thomas set his pen down and slowly looked up.

“Good afternoon. Whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?”

“That’s none of your concern, where’s my sister?”

Thomas sat back. “I’m afraid you’ll have to be clearer about your intentions, sir. I have many business interests and I’m unsure what or whom you are referring to.”

“I’m Denton Redmayne. Does that ring a bell?”

Thomas frowned. “I’m not aware of anyone with that name.”

Denton took a step forward, his fists clenched at his sides, his color alarmingly high.

“How dare you speak to your betters like this. You damn well know who I am.”

“I am aware of a Lady Lavinia Redmayne and a Viscount Redmayne.” Thomas looked Denton right in the eye. “Are you claiming to be one of them?”

“Enough of your insolence,” Denton snapped. “I want Elinor. Where is she?”

“She’s not here.” Thomas lowered his voice. “And there is the matter of financial compensation for my time and efforts to assist your family.”

“You’ll only get paid once she’s safely in my hands.”

Thomas sat back. “Then I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

“You—” Denton lunged for him and Thomas produced the pistol he’d taken from his desk drawer and pointed it straight at Denton’s head.

“It is loaded, sir. If you wish me to cooperate with you, I suggest you step back and compose yourself.”

“Aye, lad.” A loud voice came from behind Denton where Mr. Hepworth stood in the doorway. “I don’t appreciate my staff being threatened.”

“If you employ this man, you should be aware that he is a blackmailer, and deceiver,” Denton half-turned toward Mr. Hepworth. “He is holding my sister to ransom.”

“Is he now?” Mr. Hepworth, who had been informed of Thomas’s plan, raised an eyebrow. “I’ve always found him the most honorable of men. Perhaps he isn’t the liar here, Mr. Redmayne .”

He winked at Thomas over Denton’s shoulder. “The lass isn’t here. She’s been staying up at the hall.”

“Mr. Hepworth—” Thomas attempted to interrupt his employer who was going off his scripted roll. “Perhaps you might let me deal with this? I don’t want to bother you.”

“Oh, it’s no bother,” Mr. Hepworth said. “I’m very fond of the lass and if this truly is her brother come to take her home, what could be better?” He addressed Denton. “She’s at Grafton Hall. You can’t miss it.”

“Thank you, sir.” Denton cast a glance of pure triumph back at Thomas. “I don’t need your help, Totton, and you can forget any chance of financial remuneration. In fact, I’ll be laying charges with the local magistrate against you for kidnapping and holding my beloved sister to ransom.”

He strode out of the room, leaving Thomas staring at Mr. Hepworth who winked.

“Don’t worry, lad. The moment he came barging in here I sent a message off to the hall. They’ll be ready for him when he finally works out how to get there.”

Thomas stood up. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll go up there myself.”

His employer bowed and made a sweeping gesture with his hand. “Have at him, lad. He deserves a good thrashing at the very least.”

The viscount came into the sitting room, a note in his hand.

“A man calling himself Denton Redmayne has turned up at Mr. Hepworth’s place of business. He’ll be arriving here shortly with the intent to take Lady Elinor home with him.”

Elinor’s stomach dropped and she clutched the arms of her chair. The very thought of seeing Denton again—of being in his power—made her want to retch.

“Don’t worry, my dear,” Caroline said quietly. “I won’t leave you alone with him for a second.”

Elinor glanced over at her hostess and wondered if she’d guessed what Elinor had tried so hard to conceal.

“If you don’t leave me alone, he won’t have the chance to force me to leave,” Elinor pointed out, amazed at how calm she sounded.

“She’s right,” the viscount said. “But let’s try the polite way first. We’ll welcome him together, deny him access to Lady Elinor, and see what he’s willing to do next.”

Elinor held herself rigidly still as Denton was shown into the drawing room by the butler. He spotted her immediately and came toward her.

“My dearest girl, I have finally found you.” He reached for her and Elinor took a hasty. step back. “There is no need to be afraid, you are safe now.” He bowed to Caroline. “Thank you for taking care of her after her horrendous ordeal. Our family is most grateful.”

Caroline stepped in front of Elinor. “Please take a seat Mr.…?”

“Albright-Redmayne, my lady,” Denton bowed again.

“Redmayne?” The viscount spoke for the first time. “I doubt you have a claim on that name or the title that goes with it,”

“My mother asked me to use the name as I’ve been part of the Redmayne family for more than ten years and I’ve acted as the heir,” Denton said as he reluctantly took a seat.

“Then you must be relieved to hear that the real heir to the title, Robert Redmayne is back in the country, and more than ready to take over his responsibilities.” The viscount paused. “I am acquainted with the new viscount, and I know he will do splendidly once the estate is released into his care.”

“I’m sure he will,” Denton said. “My mother has done her best to keep the estate together in difficult times. It’s a shame that the new viscount doesn’t appear to appreciate all her hard work.” He turned to Elinor. “If my sister returns and brings back what she took from us without consent, I’m sure she will be forgiven.”

Elinor found her voice. “I took nothing that didn’t belong to me, sir.”

“Come now, you deprived your sisters of their share of the family jewelry.”

“But they aren’t part of the Redmayne family,” Elinor said. “I am, and everything that was left to me by my mother and grandmother is mine by right.”

Denton turned to the viscount. “And now you see why she needs to return home. Such lack of regard for the family who have brought her up is disappointing.”

“Brought me up?” Despite a warning look from the viscount, Elinor couldn’t let that go. “Your mother treated me like a servant.”

“Come now, Elinor.” Denton’s laugh was forced. “There is no need for these childish allegations. Of course, my mother tried to do the best for her own daughters as well as you. Your jealousy is quite unbecoming.”

“I know what your mother did, sir.” Elinor looked him right in the eyes. “And I’m willing to go to court to testify to her abuse.”

There was a flash of anger in his eyes, which would have terrified her before. She knew that if they were alone, he would’ve struck her.

“Be that as it may, Elinor, you can sort all this out when you return home.” Denton stood and held out his hand. “Come along. There’s no need to pack your belongings. You can send for them at a later date.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Elinor stood, too, annoyed that her voice was shaking but unable to stop it.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” His scowl returned. “I’ve wasted quite enough time chasing you down to be thwarted now.”

“Mr. Albright.” The viscount’s cold voice cut across the room. “If Lady Elinor doesn’t wish to leave with you. I hope you will respect her wishes.”

Denton swung around to face the viscount. “With respect, you have no authority here.” He grabbed Elinor’s elbow in a powerful grip. “Come along, you know you’ll be better off at home.”

The feel of his hand on her skin made something inside Elinor explode.

“Take your hands off me!” she shouted. “You… disgust me.”

He didn’t release her, his gaze furious. “Don’t disrespect me in public, sister, or?—”

“Or what? You’ll beat me?” Elinor asked. “Throw me to the ground and rape me?”

There was a sharp intake of breath from Caroline who moved toward Elinor. “Francis…”

In his rage, Denton seemed to have forgotten they weren’t alone. “You little slut, you bloody asked for it—begged for it!”

Elinor slapped his face, and his expression darkened. “You bitch, I’ll?—”

His hands went around her throat and for a second Elinor thought everything was lost until the viscount pulled him away from her. She sank down into the nearest chair, her fingers touching her neck as Denton was wrestled to the ground by two of the viscount’s footmen.

They hauled him to his feet and made him face the viscount, who looked coldly furious.

“You are mistaken if you think I lack authority, here, Albright. I’m the local magistrate and I’m charging you with attempted murder and committing you to gaol until the next assizes.”

“You can’t do that,”

“I bloody well can.” The viscount nodded to one of the footmen. “Take him down to the cellars and make sure he can’t escape until I can arrange transport to the county gaol.”

The butler had to help remove the struggling Denton from the room. His angry threats could be heard echoing down the corridor until he was taken down to the cellars.

Caroline immediately rushed over to Elinor and sat beside her. “My poor dear, girl, what a horrible man.”

Elinor managed to nod as Caroline patted her hand.

“There’s no need to worry about him anymore, Lady Elinor,” the viscount said. “I’ll make damn sure he never bothers you again.” He paused as someone else came into the room. “Ah, Mr. Totton. Your plan worked and I have secured Albright in the cellar. The next thing I need to do is write to his mother and offer her a deal.”

Mr. Totton came over to Elinor, his expression anguished. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”

Caroline moved away, leaving them alone and Elinor looked up at Thomas.

“I’m… fine. He just lost his temper.”

He took her hand, and she noticed he was trembling almost as much as she was.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t get here any sooner and warn you. Mr. Hepworth?—”

“It doesn’t matter,” Elinor said. “It all worked out perfectly.”

He cupped her chin so that she had to look at him. “There’s no need to pretend with me. I know how difficult it must have been for you to see him again.”

“I was fine until he grabbed hold of me and then I panicked because…” She couldn’t finish her sentence. Mr. Totton nodded as if he understood completely.

“It’s all right. The viscount will deal with this matter from now on and you need have no part in it.”

The belief and strength in his voice made her start to relax. She took a deep breath and let go of his hand. “After all that, I think I’m ready to see my brother again.”

“That’s… wonderful news.” He sat back, the emotion on his face disappearing behind a polite mask. “I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to see you.”

“Thank you,” Elinor said. “For everything.”

He took a deep breath and stood up. “No, thank you for enriching my life and showing me how to move on from tragedy.” He looked blindly around the room. “I’ll go and speak to the viscount. Goodbye, my lady.”

Elinor stood, too. “Does it have to be goodbye?”

He met her gaze, the regret in his eyes almost overwhelmed her and made her want to ask for things she was certain he wouldn’t permit himself to even imagine.

“We are of different classes, Lady Elinor. It is time that you returned to your rightful place in society where you will soon forget about ever demeaning yourself to work as a common man’s housekeeper.”

“You’re wrong about that,” Elinor said with purpose. “I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me.”

He bowed over her hand and kissed it. “I really should go.”

He turned on his heel and left without a backward glance, leaving Elinor feeling far worse than she had in front of Denton. It seemed Mr. Totton was determined that whatever was between them was at an end. And in this moment, she had no idea how to stop him from walking out of her life forever.

“Elinor?”

She started as Caroline came back into the room, her expression full of concern. “Are you all right?”

“I have something of a headache,” Elinor said through her gathering tears. “I think I might take myself to bed.”

“An excellent idea,” Caroline put a comforting arm around her shoulders. “By the time you feel better, I’m sure Francis will have dealt with all your problems and you will be free to see your brother on your own terms.”