Chapter Five

O n the way home, Julian had two more stops, one to the tailor for the special suit he was having made for the summer gala at the grand duchess's mansion. It would also be the announcement of his engagement to Delilah, so he wanted to look his best. It would be a shock to everyone, especially to his fiancée. Maybe I should have John make the trousers a bit loose in case I need to chase her. The thought amused him as he got to the tailor shop.

Julian stood while John, his tailor, adjusted the suit to his build. Poor John was at least two heads shorter than Julian, but the older man had a stepladder to deal with his taller clients.

"John, does Lord Gibson have his suits tailored here?" Julian asked suddenly.

The tailor snorted. "Sir, I canceled his accounts last month for nonpayment. He owed me a wealth of money for his monthly new suit."

"Did you get paid?" Julian frowned. "It's completely unjust for you to not be paid for your work."

"His father-in-law paid the debt and made me promise to not let him into my shop again." John placed two pins near Julian's shoulder. "He came in just as we were having a disagreement on the debt. Lord Gibson grabbed me up by the collar just as Sir Thomas walked in, and he ordered Lord Gibson to release me, then paid the debt owed. Lord Gibson left knowing he would need to speak to Sir Thomas later and was none too pleased."

"Well, it's hard to please a demon," Julian said, and a bark of laughter escaped the tailor, which was a surprise.

"Quite right, sir." John's voice held amusement.

After the fitting, Julian's carriage took him into Belgravia, the area where the wealthy lived in the lap of luxury and drank greedily from its well. The mansion that was purchased for Lord and Lady Gibson was three stories. Its architecture was fantastic, and soon enough, Lady Gibson would have it as her own. His carriage drew to a stop, and he waited while Jack, his young driver, came down from the seat and opened the door.

"Jack, move the carriage to the other side of the street. If the man of the house shows up, I don't what him to know I'm here until he walks inside," Julian explained.

"I'll get it done, sir," Jack said lightly and went back to his seat. With a soft click of his tongue, the horses moved easily.

Julian turned on the pristine stone pavement and opened the iron gates. He stepped through and went up the walkway to the heavy, ornate mahogany door to ring the bell outside. After a few moments, it was opened by an older woman with a stern face and rotund body.

"Yes?"

"Duke Blackshire. I would like an audience with Lady Gibson," Julian said politely.

"Please wait here, Your Grace. I must ask if she is up for visitors." The woman hesitated. "She has been ill for the past few weeks."

Julian frowned. "Very well, I will wait."

The door closed, and he waited patiently for a few minutes until the barrier was opened again.

"Right this way, Your Grace."

Julian took his hat off as he stepped past the housekeeper into the hallway.

"Lady Gibson will see you in the tearoom, and I'll bring a tray," she said. "I am Bridget, the housekeeper and the lady's personal maid."

"Might I ask why she has been sick?" Julian's voice gentled.

Bridget hesitated and looked around. "No one knows, sir. She is pale and has lost hair, she can barely keep food down, and Lord Gibson takes her evening tea to her himself."

"Hmm." Julian made the noise, not voicing what he thought was going on.

He was in the tearoom for only a few moments before Lady Gibson came in. She looked frail, fragile, not the woman he was accustomed to seeing out with her friends. He frowned, realizing suddenly he had not seen her at the tearooms or any gatherings for at least two months, and this was the height of the season. He did not see her when she visited the grand duchess either, so he could not speak of her appearance. Her hands trembled as she walked into the room and sat quickly while encouraging him to sit with a light movement of her hand. He noted the bruise on her face, hastily covered with makeup. She was not safe here, it was evident, and Julian knew he had to help.

"Lady Gibson, I must ask how you are faring?" he said gently.

"Not as well as I would like," she replied. "Call me Agatha, please."

"Agatha..." Julian hesitated a moment and made a motion to her cheek. "Your husband? And before you answer, there is no need to lie for him. We all know who Lord Gibson truly is."

She looked away, embarrassed. "This and more. This is why I went to see the Grand Duchess, in hopes I can run away and stay at one of her properties. She is the only one who would not tell my husband where I am."

"Your father?" Julian prodded gently.

"Is a man of the old ways. I'm married, and he cannot intercede," Lady Gibson said. "I get sicker at night when he brings me my tea, and even in my condition, he still makes sure my wifely duties are met."

"Is there no one who can help you?" Julian asked.

"Bridget is my only ally in this house. The others keep an eye for Jonathan," Agatha replied, and a slow tear ran down her face. "I am well and truly alone in my devastation. The man I fell in love with was well and truly gone from our wedding night."

She went on to tell him of her life married to Lord Gibson, and it was like a well had opened up. Each statement made him livid knowing that a woman was living in these conditions, and without a doubt, he knew she was being made ill by her husband. Bridget came in with the tea soon after, and as she turned to leave, Julian spoke.

"Can you stay? This conversation may be the only thing that saves your lady's life," he said.

Bridget looked at her mistress, who nodded. "Then I shall stay."

"I will speak in a forthright manner," Julian said. "I fear your husband is poisoning you with your evening tea. Your father would never allow him to place you in Bedlam, and arsenic is the cause of your hair loss."

"Could it cause nightmares?" Agatha looked at him and then looked away.

"Tell him," Bridget implored. "We need to end this for your sake."

"I hallucinate at night, after tea, and I believe that I was under duress with my husband and his Mr. Saur." Agatha visibly shuddered. "They do unspeakable things to me, and...I think it's a dream?"

He glanced at Bridget, who gave a slight shake of her head to the negative. It wasn't a dream or hallucination. It was happening to Agatha. Julian knew that both men had to die for their actions. They hurt the weak and defenseless to feed their perversions.

"I want you to not drink that tea at night," Julian ordered.

Agatha shook her head. "Even if I don't want it, he forces me to drink it," she said with tears misting her eyes. "Maybe it's best I do go to my grave to end this."

"You'll do no such thing." Bridget took her hand.

I can promise you, you'll be free of both men before long , Julian thought and looked at Bridget. "Butter...can you melt at least half a cup and have her drink it before he gives her the tea?"

"Why would I drink butter?" Agatha grimaced.

"It will coat your stomach and stop the poison from being digested," Julian said. "When he leaves you, you'll have to make yourself purge it from your system."

"But what if he comes to my room, him and Ian Saur?" Agatha pressed. "I cannot stop them."

"When I take my leave, I will speak to your father. He will listen to me," he assured her. "I will convince him to send you away to the seaside to regain your health. I assume your father pays the staff?"

"He does," Agatha confirmed. "Without my money, Jonathan doesn't have a pot to piss in."

"That's why he wants you dead. Your fortune becomes his own, and if your father happens to have an accident, with no sons, it all becomes his. I think this might be his overall plan," Julian surmised.

Agatha looked shocked and hurt. "After all my father has done for him, he would try to harm him?"

"I put nothing past that man," Bridget said stiffly.

"I will assure your father the entire staff needs to be changed and removed from the home," Julian said. "We may not be able to procure a divorce, but we can get him away from you. And I can assure you, he and his man will not be able to harm you."

"Is it terrible I want my husband dead?" Agatha's lips trembled. "I pray each night for penance from my wayward thoughts."

"He has not treated you like a wife. I don't think God could slight you for wanting mercy and relief from your situation." Julian took her hand and squeezed. "I promise you, on my honor, he will not harm you or anyone ever again."

"The duchess's goddaughter," Agatha said suddenly. "Can you take her a letter I wrote? It was long ago, after she was treated so deplorably. I wanted to offer her comfort for a situation I knew my husband planned. By the time I worked up the courage, she had left London. I wished I could escape with her."

"I can take it to her," Julian said gently.

Agatha pulled it from the sleeve of her dress and handed it to him. "Send her my apologies. I wanted to reach out and comfort her—I know of his sick mind—but I was so afraid."

"You'll not have to fear much longer," he promised. "When he is removed from the premise, I will ensure I have people to protect your home so he cannot return."

"Why are you doing this?" Agatha asked. "You owe me nothing."

"I abhor how men such as your husband are allowed to treat their wives," Julian answered honestly. "He also owes a debt in blood for what he did to Delilah Le Croix, and I plan to collect."

Agatha smiled. "Even in my illness, I have heard of your interest in her. Many a woman is displeased you chose her over them."

Julian stood. "I've never put any thought into who likes or disapproves of my actions."

"You are a good man, Julian." Agatha stood and took his hand. "I wish you both happiness."

"I will go to see your father. I would suggest beginning to pack your things. A seaside retreat will soon have you to rights."

"From your lips," Agatha said. "Thank you, for all of this, interceding on my behalf."

"It is my pleasure." Julian grinned wickedly. "It is my intent to make Lord Gibson's life as miserable as those he hurt, maybe even more."

With a nod, he placed his hat on his head and left the mansion, waiting a moment for two carriages to pass by before he went to his own. Jack came down from his seat and opened the door.

"One more stop before home, Jack. Make your way to the home of Lord Timothy Granville."

The driver touched his hat. "Right away, Your Grace."

Jack was their houseman Robert's son. He was as overly polite as his father, and an asset. Robert made sure his son could defend himself or anyone he protected. While he staunchly refused that his son join the military, Robert made sure he was trained in the Asian arts, deadly with a sword as well as a gun or in hand-to-hand combat. When he was of age, Jack moved from stable boy to carriage driver, and he considered himself Julian's unofficial bodyguard. Just like his father, Jack was just as honorable and trustworthy.

"Do you need me to take a look around the premise?" Jack asked.

"Not this one, but soon we'll have some work to take care of," Julian said.

Jack flashed his boyish grin. "I'll be ready, Your Grace."

It was easy to get an audience with Sir Thomas Granville, and soon he was sitting across from him, having a cup of strong Turkish coffee. The man's face was brooding as Julian spoke.

"I was told it was women's problems that kept her so ill," Lord Granville said slowly. "Gibson said—"

"It's all lies. Agatha lives in terror, and she is in terrible danger, Thomas ," Julian replied. "I know it's the way to not interfere, but he is poisoning her with arsenic. He boasts how he cannot put her in Bedlam, but she will be gone soon enough. You have no sons for your fortune to go to. His aim will be to kill you next."

"And you say his cohort Ian Saur is also involved?" Timothy questioned.

Julian nodded and added the rest of the pertinent information. "It was revealed that they both take advantage of your daughter in her weakened state."

"As in..." Lord Granville's eyes became burning pools of rage, and he shattered his cup on the stones of the fireplace. "I will kill them both! My Agatha, my sweet daughter. They must answer for this with their lives!"

"I agree," Julian said. "But I have a plan. Let me handle it in my way, and I can assure I will gain vengeance for both of us."

"Then what shall you have me do, sit on my hands while my daughter suffers?" Thomas was an older man but still strong enough to make waves in parliament and in the public.

"You are of high standing. Bring your daughter home. Call doctors to see to her immediately," Julian said. "She can be cared for here, by her housekeeper and only ally in the house, Bridget. Remove Gibson and Saur from the home, fire the staff, and cancel all accounts that you fund. With your standing, you will be able to procure a divorce for Agatha if you so wish. But this has to be done before he kills her and tries to gain your fortune."

"A divorce, such a ruling is always brought by the man," Thomas pointed out.

"But you and the doctors can prove her abuse, maltreatment, and poisoning," Julian replied. "You also have the ear of the Crown, as do I, my father, and the grand duchess, and we will stand with you. With the help of Her Majesty, who despises the abuse of women, a divorce will be granted. Care for Agatha here, and when she is strong enough to travel, send her to the seaside to heal and regain her strength."

"I shall retrieve my daughter immediately, before that bastard can harm another hair on her head." Timothy rang the bell, and his houseman arrived. "Bring me stationery, Adam. Have my daughter's rooms aired, cleaned, and ready for her arrival."

"Yes, sir." Adam went to the desk quickly and returned with both paper and a pen.

"I want these delivered immediately. Send the messengers to my lawyers and to the doctors. I want them here immediately. Also send for the authorities to meet me at my son-in-law's house."

"I will travel with you and offer my support. We can use my carriage," Julian offered. By the evening, he would eat and drink in the satisfaction of the first part of the plan being complete.

"I thank you for bringing this to my attention, but there is no need to—" Thomas began.

Julian cut him off gently. "It is not a problem. You have been an ally—no, a friend—to not only my father but to me. I'll go with you. Both men are vile and violent. You may want to consider armed guards here as well."

"I wish they would try. I will have my people on hand." Timothy was writing another note. "This goes to my people. Two are to meet me at the house, and the others are to come here. Make sure sleeping arrangements are made. If these two want a war, they surely will have it."

It was well-known that Lord Granville had his own paid staff of armed guards, ready to move at a moment's notice. It was less than an hour before they were going back to the Gibson manor. At well past two, Julian's day that was supposed to take only a few hours had taken longer than expected. As the carriage moved back into London, he took the time to write his own letter to Delilah, and a smile lifted the corners of his lips as he wrote. His letter would be more provocative but voiced his deep affection for her too.

"I know that face and smile. It is a man in love," Thomas said knowingly. "Who has finally caught the heart of Duke Blackshire?"

"The grand duchess's goddaughter." Julian looked at the older man to assess his reaction.

Thomas nodded. "I've heard of her beauty and intelligence. Being reared by Bronwyn, she will have a fiery spirit."

"She is that and more," he agreed and then offered the invitation. "Our engagement party will be this Saturday at the grand duchess's home. Please attend as my guest."

"Does she not live in the Caribbean islands?" Thomas frowned. "I've heard she only comes to London on occasions, sailing back to her home in only a few weeks."

"I shall be with her when she does," Julian replied. "I will conduct business as I need to from there and return to London when necessary."

"A life of adventure, it becomes you. Shall I send a gift to the bride-to-be before the engagement party?"

"I would suggest after. She doesn't know she's been courted or engaged as yet." Julian grinned. "It shall be revealed at the event."

"Well, this shall be very interesting indeed," Thomas chuckled.

"I will admit to you, it is because of her I want my vengeance against Gibson and Saur." Julian spoke bluntly. "She was a younger woman at her birthday gala, and they tried to take advantage of her in the stables. If it wasn't for a retired detective who worked in the stales hearing her screams, she would be dead. The two scarred her body with a hot knife."

"Who did my daughter marry?" Thomas gasped. "She presented him as such a good man. I assumed he was just a man bad with money, running through my daughter's inheritance until I took a firm hand. Now it seems he was more of a monster than I ever knew. I would kill him if I could."

Julian gave him a direct look. "It will be done, eventually."

As the carriage pulled to a stop outside the mansion, the police wagon was there, and another coach where two men dressed in black suits waited patiently. As Julian and Thomas exited the carriage, he called over one of the messenger boys waiting, as they usually did, for some kind of task so they could be paid.

"Boy, come here." Julian waved over a taller, gangly teen and held out four coins. "This letter goes to the grand duchess's mansion. Do you know where it is?"

"It can't be missed, sir." The boy flashed a grin.

"Good, I want it delivered to Delilah Le Croix." Julian closed his hand when the boy went to take the money. "What's your name?"

"John, sir," he answered dutifully.

"Well, John, I want it to get there, lad, and if it does, you'll find regular work from me," he told the boy.

"I can do that, sir, and right away."

Julian opened his hand, and after John took the money, he ran off like the devil was chasing him.

Now Julian could focus his attention on the matter at hand. Thomas banged on the door, and did it again, before Bridget opened it. She looked alarmed, but then she looked past Thomas to Julian, who gave her a nod.

"Bridget, I take it?" Lord Granville snapped.

"Y-Yes, Your Lordship?"

"Gather my daughter's things and your own. We leave shortly," Thomas said.

"What is the meaning of this?" Gibson came out angrily as Bridget scurried away. "You will not be taking my wife anywhere, Thomas."

"She is my daughter, and I would like to see you stop me," Thomas said. "You'll be leaving this premise immediately. The contents will be sold to clear your debts, and the staff you hired will be fired, each and every one who allowed you to mistreat my daughter."

"You can't do that," Gibson raged and grabbed his father-in-law by the collar.

One of Thomas's guards clenched a hand around his throat and slammed him against the wall with a mild comment. "You will not touch His Lordship again, lest you lose the hand you use."

It was then Sauer came down the stairs, tucking in his shirt and looking surprised.

"What's going on, Jonathan?" Ian asked. "What's the meaning of this?"

"Listen to this one, as if he owns the place." Thomas looked beyond both men to the stairs, where a girl was coming down slowly. "What have you done with her?"

He nodded at one of the constables, who rushed in and helped the girl. "What was done to you, girl?"

She looked at Ian and started to tremble. "Nothing, sir."

"It said yes to everything I wanted," Saur said smoothly.

"It?" Julian moved forward and grabbed him. "It—is that what women are to you, some inanimate object?"

"Hmmm, Lord Julian Blackshire." Saur grinned wickedly. "Ah, this is about the beautiful Delilah."

"Don't ever say her name again," Julian snarled and was held back from clenching his hands around the man's throat. "Not ever, or I will rip the tongue from your fucking head."

"Take the girl to the doctors—" Thomas's words stopped when he saw his daughter being led down the stairs gently by Bridget. When she got closer and he saw the extent of her frailness, he cupped her cheeks. "My Agatha, why, my sweet girl, didn't you tell me?"

"I tried." Her voice was weak. "But I remember Mother telling me some things are the burden of a married woman. I thought this was mine."

"Never, my little princess." Timothy held his daughter tight. "You'll be taken home by carriage. Doctors are waiting to see to your care. The extent of your injuries will tell me if Lord Gibson hangs"—he turned to his son-in-law—"or if I shall just watch my men rip your entrails out of your body while you scream." He looked at Ian Saur. "You'll be dead before the sun comes up."

"You caused this." Lord Gibson looked at Julian accusingly.

"Did I now?" Julian asked. "Or is it your perversion and disgusting actions that caused this?"

"I'll get my revenge," Lord Gibson said.

"Jonathan... run you pathetic bastard." Julian took a pause. "I think you'll be dead, and revenge from a ghost is not one that concerns me. And Saur, I hope they cut your hands off before they hang you."

"I suggest you gather what you can. Running won't stop a damn thing," Thomas said angrily. He turned to his people and the constables. "Take it all apart. I want this house empty of all staff and these men. The doors are to be padlocked, and all contents will be sold at my discretion. I want the contents gone by the end of the week and the property cleaned and sold."

Lord Gibson looked alarmed before he ran to pack his clothes with Saur on his heels.

"I'll watch the proceedings and make sure your orders are met," Julian told Lord Granville. "Take your daughter home and see to her care."

Thomas clapped him on the back. "I shall never forget this. You have my backing in anything you do. I only wish Agatha..."

He could not continue, and Julian answered, "Agatha will survive this and be happy once again."

Thomas nodded and went to the carriage waiting to take his daughter home. Julian watched as it pulled away before his focus returned to watching the Gibson household be torn apart. It seemed the second part of Julian's plan wouldn't be necessary after all because as the evening set in, Lord Gibson was getting into a carriage with two meager chests of clothes and Saur with just a bag. Among the society he portrayed being a pristine part of, the rich and wealthy now watched as he crawled away in shame, knowing exactly who the man truly was.