Unmasking the Duke's Mistress (Gentlemen of Disrepute #1)(66)

‘So you say, but what would the ton make of it, I wonder?’

Linwood got to his feet too, staring daggers across the desk at Dominic. ‘We have a witness to place Arabella Marlbrook as Miss Noir in Mrs Silver’s brothel.’

‘Do you? Have you tried to contact him lately?’ Dominic’s gaze was glacial and deadly. He rose and stood taller than the other two men. ‘It seems you did not pay him quite enough for his creditors to be completely forgiving. I fear for his health. And as for the rest of Mrs Silver’s household, I am sure that they will back my account of events.’

‘People will see that you paid for their lies,’ said Misbourne.

‘People already know why a notorious rake would pay Mrs Silver and her girls. But why would an upstanding gentleman like Viscount Linwood be paying Mrs Silver, other than for her silence over his setting up his own sister as a doxy to trap a duke.’

Misbourne shook his head. ‘That is too far-fetched for anyone to believe.’

‘On the contrary, sir, people will see it as a bold and ambitious plot that will only enhance your already formidable reputation. Your daughter’s reputation, I fear, will not fare so well.’ Dominic smiled a cold hard smile. ‘No, Misbourne, it is you who will be seen as the liar. And the blackmail of a respectable widow as a final act of desperation on your part.’

‘Damn you, Arlesford!’ Linwood’s knuckles gripped white against the wolf’s head handle of his cane.

Dominic glanced across at a white-faced Lady Marianne and felt the sting of his conscience. ‘Thank you, gentlemen, I see that this business is now concluded. You may use the back door if you care to save the girl from further scrutiny.’

He watched while Bentley and two footmen escorted his unwanted guests away. The door closed behind them and Dominic relaxed back down into his chair. He would weather the storm if he had to, to protect Arabella and his son, but he doubted it would come to that; instinct told him that Misbourne and Linwood now realised they had overplayed their hand.

Dominic stared at the glass of brandy on the desk before him, the tawny amber of the liquid burnished red by the warm glow from the fire. He knew now why Arabella had refused to marry him. He knew now why she had lied and said that she did not love him. And he knew why she had not come to him and told him of Smith’s threats. She had sacrificed herself to save him and their child.

He lifted the glass, and took a sip of the brandy, breathing his relief as the heat and strength of the alcohol burned his throat. He resisted the urge to run out to the stables, climb upon his horse and gallop off in the direction of Amersham. There were matters to be dealt with before he left London, matters that he would attend to at first light. He schooled his impatience and let his mind run to thoughts of Arabella.



‘Archie is in fine health this morning, Mrs Marlbrook,’ Doctor Roxby smiled.

Arabella was just about to speak when her mother rushed in there before her.

‘Indeed, Doctor,’ agreed Mrs Tatton. ‘Your visits have made all the difference to my grandson’s health.’

The doctor glanced away, slightly embarrassed. ‘I am sure the improvement is down to Mrs Marlbrook’s intervention at the school.’

‘Miss Wallace is keeping a close eye on Archie and the boys who were taunting him.’

‘Archie certainly seems to have taken a shine to you, Doctor,’ said Mrs Tatton.

‘And I, to him. He is a pleasant child, ma’am,’ said Doctor Roxby politely. ‘And a credit to his mother.’

‘Would you care to stay for dinner, Doctor?’ Arabella heard her mother ask and could have cringed in disbelief.

Doctor Roxby’s eyes met Arabella’s and she saw in their clear blue-green gaze both question and interest. She looked away, not wishing to encourage him.

‘Thank you for your most kind offer, Mrs Tatton, but I am afraid I must decline upon this occasion. I have other patients to call upon and the hour grows late.’

‘Perhaps another day, Doctor.’ Mrs Tatton smiled.

‘Indeed,’ said Doctor Roxby and he smiled as his gaze once more went to Arabella. He gave a bow and, lifting up his black leather bag, he left.

Arabella waited until she heard the creak of the garden gate before she rounded upon her mother. ‘Mama, what on earth did you think you were doing inviting him to stay for dinner?’


‘It was a simple enough offer, Arabella,’ her mother protested.

‘I do not wish to give him the wrong impression.’

‘Nonsense, Arabella,’ said her mother brusquely. ‘He is a respectable gentleman. I can see in his eyes that he is kind, and look how well he takes to Archie, and Archie to him.’

‘He is only doing his job. Do not read more into it than there is.’

‘Oh, stuff, Arabella. I am not yet in my dotage. I see the way he looks at you, and why not? You are still a young and comely woman. As a doctor within our community, young, handsome, and not yet married, he must be in want of a wife.’

‘Mama, it is just a matter of time before he hears the village gossip about…’ She could not bring herself to say Dominic’s name. The pain was still too intense. ‘About Archie’s parentage. Indeed, I am surprised he has not heard already.’ She knew she sounded bitter, but she could not help it. She just felt so miserable.