Page 148 of The Earl She Once Saved

His brother’s expression cooled. “Then I had better address the other matter. You and your soldier friend will take yourselves off Edgeworth land. I want you gone before the week is out.”

Ezra’s hand closed around his cane. Rafe moved a little nearer to Roland.

“You may speak to me,” he said. “Leave Ezra out of it.”

“He lives under my roof at your invitation. Both of you have enjoyed the hospitality of a house you seem to forget is mine.”

“I have forgotten nothing.”

“Then you know I may withdraw it.”

Roland looked toward the stable doors. In the morning, tenant and clerk waited for Verity before changing an entry in his ledger. He watched them all hear his brother praise her. Rafe could see how much it cost him to hold his temper until the visitors left.

“You intend to stay beside my wife,” Roland continued, “and defy me whenever she finds one of my decisions disagreeable.”

“She had good reason to oppose what you did to Coombes.”

“His rent is my concern.”

“You threatened her last night. That is mine.”

The distant sounds of the yard seemed to fall away. Roland’s gaze flicked toward Ezra and returned to Rafe.

“My wife told you we had an argument?”

"She told me what you said to her. Every word of it."

Roland’s face gave little away. He had warned Verity that a husband’s word might be enough to have her confined. Rafe wondered how many men Roland expected would hear of that threat and still leave him free to act on it.

“You would believe her account of a private conversation over mine,” Roland said.

“I would. She has been distraught. Mrs. Hale herself said she was unwell last night.”

Rafe took a step forward. The lie had been useful to Win, and Roland had swallowed it because it suited him. Now he had found another use for it.

“Do not,” Rafe warned, “speak of her that way again.”

“I shall speak of my wife as I see fit.”

“You know she is well. You also know why she fears what you may say of her.”

Roland came nearer. His voice remained controlled, though his fists had closed at his sides.

“You have forgotten which of us is her husband.”

“No.” Rafe held his gaze. “I know exactly who you are.”

Roland caught him by the front of his coat. Rafe seized his wrist. For one instant they stood close enough that either could have struck the other. Rafe felt his own hand tighten. In the yard he had been able to speak before thought stopped him. Here, anger offered him something simpler and far more dangerous.

Ezra moved between them. His cane struck the stone floor with a sharp report. He set one shoulder against Rafe’s chest and his free hand against Roland’s arm. His injured leg made the position precarious, but his voice was firm.

“Let go, both of you.”

Rafe released Roland’s wrist. After a moment, Roland let go of Rafe’s coat. Ezra remained where he was until Rafe stepped back. A horse shifted uneasily in the nearest stall. Rafe looked at the place Roland gripped him and straightened the rumpled cloth.

“By the end of the week,” Roland squeezed through clenched teeth. “You have until then.”

“I am not leaving.”