Page 27 of The Earl and His Lady

“The Gilberts are my family,” she answered steadily. “And it is hardly needful for me to inform you of my doings, Mr. Macon.”

His eyes narrowed still further, his hands gripped the arm rests of the chair tightly. “My nephews’ future has yet to be determined. You secreted them from Bath, hid them away from me, and performed a shameful act in order to maintain your hold on the barony. I will not have it—”

Virginia stood, raising her chin defiantly, calling to mind every instance she could of her mother dressing down her victims. “How dare you presume to come into my home and speak to me in such a manner. We both know, Mr. Macon, you don’t care for my sons. You care for nothing but money and power, trying to sink your claws into Charles’s title and wealth. He would’ve shared with you freely during his life, if you but showed even a measure of brotherly kindness. But you are an unfeeling, cold-hearted man.”

He stood as well, his hands gripped into fists at his side. “You are no better. You want the barony for yourself—”

She cut him off quickly. “I want it for my son. Phillip is the Baron of Heatherton and no one will endanger his title or inheritance while I am living. You forced my hand, Mr. Macon, when you tried to take my sons from me. You will never have them under your hateful influence.”

Mr. Macon took one threatening step toward her, a foul word on his lips, but it did not escape. Before he could take a second step, Lucas had risen and put himself between the two of them, his whole body bristling with power and purpose.

“Mr. Macon,” he said, his deep voice like the growl of a tiger. “You will apologize to my wife for uttering such language in her presence and then you will leave. You have had your say. The matter is closed. Lady Calvert, as my wife, is above your reach. Her sons are now mine and under my protection. I think you will return to Bath to find your lawyer has been made aware of the situation, as have the courts, and your case against her dismissed.”

Gerard Macon’s eyes shone with hatred, his lips curled back in a snarl. “I’ll not apologize for calling her what she is. Crawling into bed with an earl—”

Lucas’s fist flew expertly into Mr. Macon’s face, silencing his hateful stream of words.

Virginia covered her mouth with her hands, pushing back a scream. She’d never witnessed a physical altercation between gentlemen. Though her heart raced with the sudden burst of Lucas’s energy, she remained frozen on the spot, unable to do more than watch in horrible fascination.

Mr. Macon staggered backward, falling into the chair. Silenced, at least for the moment, his shock apparent on his face. Virginia might’ve laughed had she not been preoccupied with her own surprise.

The doors to the sitting room flew open and three of the footmen came inside, their matched heights less important to Virginia than their broad shoulders. They took hold of Mr. Macon, who was half-growling in his anger, and dragged him from the room.

“You’ll regret this, Virginia. You’ve made an enemy. I’ll not let it go without a fight. I swear—”

Once he was in the hallway, Gresham reappeared, bowed and closed the door on the spiteful monologue. Virginia heard her former brother-in-law begin to shout a string of profanities.

Going cold all over, she moved in the direction of the door. “The boys—”

“—are in the kitchen enjoying biscuits.” Lucas’s hands settled on her shoulders, then gently turned her around. “I’m sorry, Virginia. I thought he might cause a scene, which is why I asked the men to stand by, but I hoped for better.”

Virginia shook her head. “He’s always been a bitter, cold man. I’ve never seen him that angry before, though.” She shuddered. “He must’ve been sure of winning his case, of getting the boys and control of the estate.”

“He must’ve. But there’s no need to worry further about it. He will be sent on his way and I have a groom ready to follow him, until he leaves the county.” He dropped his hands from her shoulders and tilted his head to one side, regarding her with a gentle look in his eye. “Virginia, you’ve done the right thing. That man should never come near you or your sons again. You’ve saved your boys from falling under his influence.”

She forced a laugh, humorless though it was, and raised a hand to her temple. “You have to say that, you know, since it is by marrying you that I’ve done such a thing.”

He shrugged and tugged at the lapels of his coat in a self-important way. “My dear lady, I will take my share of the credit. It is chivalrous, you know, to save a lady in distress. But I am very certain that you will be the hero of this story when your sons are grown and understand all you have done for them.”

Is that how he saw her? She hardly felt heroic after the scene with Mr. Macon. It was, after all, Lucas and a trio of footman who had removed his latest threat.

That reminded her.

“How is your hand?” Virginia asked, reaching out to take it up, examining his knuckles.

Lucas chuckled and pulled it away before she saw more than the reddened skin around the joints. “No lasting damage done. It may bruise, but that is hardly of consequence.” He offered her his other arm. “My lady, I believe you agreed to accompany me on a tour of the grounds today. Does that still suit you?”

Her nerves would likely do better if she took a nap, but her mind and heart were spinning under Mr. Macon’s cruel words and his unreasonably antagonistic behavior. She would rather not give herself an opportunity to think on it.

“That suits me splendidly. Thank you.” Though Lucas didn’t seem to wish for her gratitude, Virginia could not help but feel it in her heart. She’d allied herself with a man willing and ready to defend her and her sons. That made what anyone might think of her hasty marriage of little importance.

Chapter Eleven

Three days had passed since his ride with Virginia, and the unfortunate business with her brother-in-law. Lucas walked slowly down the second-floor corridor, trying not to dwell on either event. He found his mind kept going to both. Mr. Macon’s wild-eyed accusations, while he’d brushed off as meaningless, nevertheless disturbed him. Lucas didn’t trust a man who would treat a woman, any woman, with disrespect and disdain.

Virginia’s trembling hands had been evidence enough of her feelings about the man. He had thought her strong, resolute, and unshakable when he married her. But after seeing her face her brother-in-law’s accusations, he added brave to the list.

His countess was quite the woman.