Page 42 of The Detective and the Baroness

And Jeffery was correct. She had to detach herself from this irresponsible marriage as soon as possible.

Chapter Sixteen

Corrine was not looking forward to this visit with Mitchell only because she loathed to tell him the details of her husband’s bizarre suggestion. This entire situation was mortifying. She had considered more than once breaking it clean with Mitchell, paying his fees, and stating that they could have no further contact as she had decided to stay in the marriage and offer no further details. But in the end, Corrine could not do it. It would be cruel to the extreme. Not only that, but never seeing him again would permanently scar her soul.

Regardless, she had puzzled and ruminated over Travis’s completely inappropriate proposal. If she agreed to stay with him, what would he do? Bring what he deemed suitable men to parade before her? Like she was at Tattersalls, choosing a prime bit of horseflesh. It would not do. The fact that Travis even recommended it wiped away any semblance of goodwill she felt toward him.

But the money. Blast money and all the problems associated with it!

What a damnable muddle.

Thomason entered the room. “Shall I bring tea, my lady?”

Corrine whirled about to face the butler. “How do you know I’m having company?”

“Your note to the sergeant was not properly sealed, my lady. The footman told me. I run this house and need to know the particulars to carry out my duties efficiently.”

“Like informing the baron of any visitors while he stays at his former residence?” Corrine replied sarcastically.

“I do not take sides, my lady. The baron asked if anyone had come here since he departed, and I would not lie to him. I gave him the sergeant’s name and nothing else. Nor would I lie to you. I am aware you and the baron are having difficulties. I do live downstairs. But I assure you I have not spoken of it with anyone. That is the business of this house and no one else. I do not allow the servants to gossip while under this roof or outside of it. I would dismiss them immediately.”

“Thank you, Thomason. I appreciate your discretion. You may bring a tea tray if you please.”

Thomason gave her a slight bow, then quit the room.

Corrine believed the butler as his tone was firm and absolute. But she had more significant problems than gossiping servants. It was past time to acknowledge her feelings toward Mitchell.

They were more than friends.

If this was what falling in love felt like, it was a miserable experience. But only because she could not speak her heart to anyone and could not fully accept her feelings toward Mitchell as long as she remained married. However, in this quiet moment, she wholly embraced the rush of emotions. It brought misery because of her situation but also a surging torrent of bliss, filling her heart to near bursting. Her insides fluttered as if butterflies had been let loose whenever she saw him. Corrine wanted him with a yearning so fierce, she knew not how to contain it.

So, when Thomason announced Mitchell’s arrival, all restraints temporarily melted away. Once the butler left to fetch the tea tray, Corrine ran to Mitchell’s arms. He was shocked at first, then his cane hit the floorboards with a clatter, and he immediately pulled her into his embrace. His strong arms wrapped around her, and Corrine laid her head against his chest. His heart beat as rapidly as hers.

Mitchell gently smoothed her hair. “What is it? What has happened? What can I do to make it better?”

The last question caused tears to shimmer in her eyes, and she felt the fluttering within her turn into rolling waves. The sensation felt like she was falling off a cliff, which she was—falling more deeply in love with this exquisite man. “Just hold me,” she whispered shakily. Corrine could stay like this until the end of time, but Thomason would return with the tray at any moment.

Mitchell pulled her closer and softly kissed her forehead. In that tranquil paradise of mutual affection and tenderness, Corrine lingered in his giving warmth—until she heard the footfalls of the butler. Reluctantly, she stepped back, already missing the comfort of his embrace. “Thomason,” she whispered.

Mitchell immediately picked up his cane and sat on the sofa, while Corrine sat in the wing chair opposite him. The butler entered the room, placed the tray on the table between them, and left without a word. It was as if he could sense the intense emotions swirling about the room.

She caught Mitchell’s gaze. “If only I had met you first.”

His brow furrowed. “I do not like the sound of that.”

She shook her head. “It’s not a dismissal, although I very briefly considered it. So much has happened since we last spoke, and I hardly know where to begin. When last we parted, I came home to find Travis waiting to speak with me.” Corrine told him everything about the conversation, including her innermost thoughts. As she poured their tea, she revealed her husband’s twisted scheme and the reason he’d proposed it. Then, when she passed the plate of sandwiches, she told him of the latest loan and her brother’s late discovery of it. Corrine also gave Mitchell her father’s address.

Mitchell listened intently, slowly nibbling on the cheese and onion sandwich between gulps of tea. For once, he did not keep his emotions hidden. The rapidly changing expression on his face ran from concern to disgust, then anger. “That deviant. To make such a grotesque demand and tie it to debts and your family’s financial survival. Addington’s behavior is questionable, and I doubt his sanity. Regardless, I’m sorely tempted to visit him and pound some sense into him. With my fists. Your father, as well.”

“I’m tempted to encourage you to do that very thing. But we cannot sink to his level. I agree that he’s not acting in a way that is considered normal. What kind of man makes such a twisted proposal? And why? All his blather about heirs, and he is content to have another man’s child be the heir?”

“It makes no sense. He wants society to know he can produce an heir when, by his own admission, he clearly cannot. It appears that becoming a baron laid responsibilities at his feet, and he has no idea how to handle them.” Mitchell’s look turned thoughtful. “Perhaps we can sink to his level—to a point. He has given you two weeks to consider his offer. That gives me time to investigate this loan of your father’s, if it even exists.”

Corrine sipped her tea. “Why would he lie? We can easily check. Besides, my father admitted the loan to Jeffery, though he would not say what he did with the money nor show my brother the supposed loan papers. Perhaps my father lied to Travis when he said he put everything into a financial scheme.” She placed her cup on the saucer. “I agree with your observations on Travis’s character. How can I extricate myself from this mistake of a marriage?”

Mitchell exhaled. “I have asked a friend who studied law at university. The prospect will not be an easy one.”

Corrine listened as Mitchell laid out the options open to her regarding annulment and divorce. She grew more horrified the more he revealed. “Oh, lord. I am truly stuck. Travis will never agree to terms. He made it quite plain that he wishes the marriage to continue and wants an heir.”