Page 92 of Tempting the Marquess

“Claremont, you are s-scaringme!”

“Good,” he hissed. “You should be scared. Because while you have been useful to me over the past twenty-one years—or should I say, while your eager and indiscriminate cunt has been useful—you are no longer required. I’ll soon be ruling England, and will have the women to match.”

Her mother took a step backward. “Ruling England? How is that even possible? You’re an earl. And a lowly one atthat.”

A loud crack sounded, and Eva’s head snapped back from the force of her husband’s blow. Samantha barely stifled a scream. This was the man she had seen that day in the garden. Cold and violent. Her father—no, not her father, he was a stranger named John—hadn’t changed a whit, only pretending to be kind as he used her for information about William. But how could she run for help? Her mother and John were moving closer to the bedchamber door. If he saw her hiding, he would probably hit her as well. And if he hurt her unbornbaby…

“I am no such thing, you stupid bitch,” said John icily. “I am a loyal servant of the very generous Emperor of France. The man who will soon conquer the entire continent as well as this pathetic island. He’ll control the world. And I will be at hisside.”

“Napoleon? But that is treat…trees…”

“Treason? Technically, yes. But it pays very, very well. Enough to keep you in your vulgar, showy manner, and still have plenty left over for a rainy day. And right now, Lady Claremont, it is pouring.”

Eva sucked in a harsh breath, and made for the bedchamber door. Seconds later she sprinted past Samantha’s hiding place, straight for the staircase. “Help! Help!”

“It’s no use, my dear,” called John, strolling after her. “Penn is waiting downstairs. You are only prolonging the inevitable.”

Shaking with terror, Samantha rocked back and forth on her heels. It was like watching a gothic play, except it was all real. Her mother was gripping the banister at the top of the staircase, her head twisting back and forth between John advancing on her, and the butler standing at the bottom, an unholy grin on his face. And while John sounded the same as he usually did, he looked like a different man entirely. His jaw was hard, his belly flat, and his cheeks unflushed.

Everything had been alie.

“Can’t you let me go?” said Eva beseechingly. “I’ll go away and never bother you again. I promise.”

“After the things I have told you? Surely you must realize that is impossible,” said John as he methodically peeled her hands away from the railing. Then in one fast, brutal movement, he lifted her so only her toes were touching the ground and shoved her backward. Flailing, choking on a shriek, Eva rolled and thumped down the unforgiving staircase until she lay in a broken heap at Penn’sfeet.

Samantha screamed, “Mother!”

Against all reason and good sense, she left her hiding place and ran down the hallway, skirting around John and hurrying down the stairs until she knelt next toEva.

“Mother? Mama? Can you hear me?” she cried anxiously. The sight of blood oozing from her mother’s temple, and the way her leg was bent in a very unnatural way, made bile rise in Samantha’s throat.

Eva’s eyes fluttered. “He tried to kill me,” she croaked.

“I know. Isaw.”

“Nonsense,” said John as he ambled down the stairs, then leaned over his wife and smeared blood across her face. “Your mother is terribly confused. She caught her heel and fell. Isn’t that right, Penn?”

“Exactly, my lord,” said the butler, his eyes glinting with malice.

“And on an occasion like this, one of such pain and suffering, who is it best to call? A physician?”

“Yes,” said Samantha, tears running down her cheeks. “Rightaway.”

“I disagree, m’dear. I think I know of someone else. A knight in shining armor who would fly to your rescue if he thought you were hurt. And then in one glorious afternoon, all my annoyances will be nomore.”

“No…” whimpered Eva. “You cannot mean to hurt Standish. Or Samantha. Not when she is with child…”

Samantha’s stunned gaze flew to her mother. Sheknew?

John burst out laughing. “Pregnant? Oh, this just gets better and better. Lord Standish will definitely arrive, and a man with that on his mind makes mistakes. Now, Penn,” he said, turning to the butler. “I need you to move Eva and Samantha to the parlor, and ensure they are secure. Then, write two notes. One to Phillipe, and the other to our dear friend the marquess.”

Penn bowed. “At once, my lord. But may I suggest your usual, ah, apparel is put in place prior to visitors arriving?”

“Hmmm, I don’t think so. I’m ready to meet everyone as my true self. Although, thanks to Eva, I do need to wash my hands. You’ll have to excuse me, Buchanan women, it won’t do to not be ready for our most esteemed guests.”

“Monster!” Samantha screamed, and tried to grab his ankle.

But John easily kicked her away, and hurried back up the stairs.