Earl of Exile Read online

  Diana, for her part, attempted to catch Minnie’s eye but she, Daring, Bad, and Vice had their heads bent together in deep discussion.

  She craned her neck, trying to attract Minnie’s attention but it was for naught. Minnie never looked up.

  They reached the settee and Callum nearly spun her around, like a man might on the dance floor so that she sat with a hip against the arm of the couch, then he took the seat next to her, only leaving room for Sinclair on his other side. But the man walked around, leaning his leg against the arm of the couch and brushing Diana’s shoulder.

  “Tell me, Lady Diana, will you participate in the upcoming season? It will begin soon.” Lord Sinclair asked, attempting to speak around Callum’s large frame.

  Callum leaned closer, his hip pressing into hers. She was starting to feel imprisoned. “Of course. My sister, Emily, has married the Earl of Effington and my sister, Cordelia, the Marquess of Malicorn. My parents will be anxious for me to come out.”

  Callum looked down at her. “You haven’t had a season?”

  She shook her head. “No. Emily hadn’t wed until recently, so this will be my first.”

  “Your sisters both made excellent matches.” Sin leaned out so that he might look at her, his chest nearly touching his knees.

  Her head cocked to the side and Callum bent close to her ear and muttered, “He’s already counting yer dowry.”

  She blinked, looking at her large, surly Scot.

  “I beg your pardon?” Sinclair straightened. “What did you say?”

  Callum didn’t respond, instead he pressed closer to her. “There is more room next to Lord Baderness.”

  Sinclair narrowed his eyes. “Really? There seems to be plenty of room over here.”

  Diana drew in a deep breath, trying to remember how she’d kept her dogs from hurting each other all those years ago. “I do believe you’re right. There is more room over there.” Without another word, she stood and crossed the room, taking the seat next to Bad.

  Bad looked over at her with one brow scrunched low. She shrugged. “Those two have decided they must puff their chests and…”

  Bad gave her a smile. It wasn’t the smile like he’d had when he was drunk. This one was nice, lighting his whole face. It softened him, made him actually approachable. “Acting like a couple of cocks in a henhouse, are they?”

  She let out a little giggle, “In my head, I thought they were like two hounds I had once who would disagree over the stew bone.”

  Bad nodded. “That’s a good one.” Then he scratched his chin. “I see it, they’re over there locking horns still like a couple of old goats.”

  She giggled all the more. “I didn’t realize you were funny, my lord. Thank you for the bit of humor. It was lovely.”

  He jerked his chin down in a quick nod. “I could say the same for you. Can I ask you why your other cousin and sister aren’t here?”

  “Ada and Grace?” She straightened. “Minnie and I made them stay home. It’s safer.”

  “But aren’t you in danger?” He squinted his eyes, studying her.

  She shrugged. “I’ll be fine. They need to be protected. In different ways, they are softer, gentler women. Whatever will happen, it’s happening to me, not them.”

  Bad stared at her. “I begin to understand why Exile likes you so much.” Then he turned to Lord Darlington. “Daring. I shall look out for Lady Diana.”

  “Excellent.” Darlington slapped his hands together. “That was easier than I thought it might be.”

  “The hell it was,” Exile boomed. “I’ve changed my mind, I’m up to the task myself.”

  He is acting like a child, Diana thought as she turned to him. “You are not,” she replied, straightening her spine.

  He stood. “I am.”

  “Fear not.” Lord Sinclair straightened too. “I can help with this situation.”

  “The only help we want from ye is to watch ye leave.” Exile turned to Sinclair, his nose dropping within an inch of the other man’s.

  “Cocks,” Bad said again.

  “What’s that?” Vice asked.

  “You two.” Daring pointed at Exile and Sinclair. “Follow me to my study.”

  “I’m fine here,” Exile rumbled, crossing his hands over his chest.

  “I’m not asking. Now,” Daring said as he turned and began to march toward the door. “Or the back we’ll be watching will be yours.”

  Exile stomped across the room, as he did, he looked at her. “I need to speak with ye tonight.”

  She raised her brow. “I’d worry about the angry duke first.” But a niggle of hope wriggled about her stomach. Had Minnie been right after all? Did she have a chance for a love match with Exile?

  Chapter Ten

  Exile stormed down the hall. He’d been to Spain once when they’d run with the bulls. The matadors would wave a red flag in front of the bull, inciting its anger. That’s how he felt now. Like the bull, he wanted to thrust his horn into any man who got between him and Diana.

  Daring turned into an open door and Exile followed, Sin just behind him. Daring took a seat behind his desk. “Sit,” he told both of them.

  Exile considered refusing but then took a seat. Sin sat just to his right. The man lowered himself in the chair, and Exile noticed a stiffness in his movements. “Do ye box?” he asked.

  Sin frowned. “Why? Are you hoping to challenge me in the ring?” He settled his back into the plush leather. “The answer is no.”

  “Do ye ride? Or did ye suffer from a fall?”

  The man’s face paled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Never mind.” Daring waved his hand. “Sin, is that what they’re calling you?”

  Sinclair nodded. “It is.”

  “I give you more trust than most since you’re family to Vice but with all due respect, we don’t know you. There is no chance we will leave Diana’s safety in your hands.”

  Exile relaxed back into his chair.

  “As for the club, please return here tomorrow for us to discuss the possibility of you purchasing a share.” Darlington leaned back, crossing one ankle over his knee.

  Exile rubbed the back of his neck. “Why did I have to be here for ye to say that?”

  Daring gave him a long look then turned back toward Sinclair. “Diana would be most protected if she were married. If you are interested, I will see that she is returned to her home tomorrow in time for her normal calling hours.”

  Exile shot forward in his chair. “You dirty piece of—”

  “Lord Exile has been clear that he doesn’t wish to propose.” Daring gave his friend an angelic grin.

  “That isnae what I said and ye had offered up a suggestion to untangle my situation.” He gripped the arms of his chair.

  Daring shook his head. “We don’t have forever for you to decide. Unless, of course, we can find Lady Abernath. I’ve gotten some reports of her being sighted near St. James Square. With any luck, I’ll find her and then you’re free to take as long as you wish.”

  Exile slapped his hands on the leather. “Ye’re no’ free to just meddle like this in someone else’s affairs.”

  “I am.” Daring tented his fingers in front of his chin. “In fact, Diana is my family now. I’ve far more right than you.”

  The frustrating part was that Daring was correct.

  Sinclair drummed his fingers on the armchair. “You’ve seen her by Saint James Square?” Sin asked. “How long ago?” The man’s attention had become keen. Exile wrinkled his brow, wondering why.

  “Yesterday.” Daring sat straighter. “Why?”

  That was what Exile wanted to know as well.

  Sin’s eyes widened. “No reason.” He gave a tight smile. “So I am free to court Lady Diana if I wish?”

  “Yes,” Daring answered.

  At the same moment, Exile growled, “No.” Thinking of Diana made him forget all about Abernath.

  Sin pointed a finger at Exile. “His Grace just t
old you that the decision is his, not yours.”

  Exile knocked the finger away from his face. Sin winced, pulling the hand toward his body.

  “What’s the matter with ye?” Exile asked, looking the man over. A light slap of the hand should not have warranted that sort of response.

  “Nothing,” Sin snapped back. Then he stood. “Your Grace, I know that I arrived unannounced. I look forward to our meeting tomorrow, but I will take my leave so you can get on with the rest of your evening.” Then the man turned and left.

  Daring glared across the desk. “Are you happy?”

  “No,” he answered. Something, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it, was terribly wrong. His chest tightened. Yes, he was jealous and honestly worried about Sin’s interest in Diana. But more than that, his gut churned. Danger was in the air.

  Diana sat in the music room, chatting with Vice and Bad. She had to confess, she liked them both. Most unexpected.

  They’d been funny, polite, and easy company. Not only that, but they had some rather colorful stories.

  “So there we were, sleeping in a barn, in the middle of Essex, in the dead of winter.” Vice slapped his knee. “Can you believe that?”

  She shook her head. “Part of me wants to applaud you for surviving.” She covered her mouth with her hand. “How did you not freeze to death?”

  Vice shrugged. “The brandy of course. Drank half the shipment I was supposed to be delivering.”

  She pressed her hand more firmly against her lips to keep from howling with laughter. “Oh, you are a funny one.”

  “Lady Diana.” Lord Sin came crashing back through the door. “May I have a word with you?”

  “A word?” she asked, looking at Vice. In reply, Vice shrugged and turned to his cousin.

  “Is everything all right?” Vice asked.

  Sin stopped, his features becoming less heavy. “Of course. His Grace has agreed to have me look after Diana. I’d just like her to go over possible outings she has in the next week so that I might clear my schedule. Perhaps we could step out onto the terrace?” He gave her a winning smile. “We need not bore the others.”

  She nibbled her lip as she assessed him. Somehow, that didn’t seem right. He wasn’t part of their arrangement, he was new to the group. And Exile…he really just gave up that easily?

  Her shoulders drooped. “Of course.”

  Vice stood too. “I’ll come as well.”

  “No need.” Sin held up his hand. “Stay here and enjoy. We’ll be just outside the doors where you can see us. It’s a fine spring night.” Then he grabbed her hand and tucked it in his elbow.

  Diana looked back at Minnie, who looked equally confused, her fingers pressed to her cheek. “You’ll stay where we can see you.”

  “Yes, Your Grace,” Sin called back as they stepped through an open door.

  The fresh air tickled her skin and the evening was lovely. “Daring actually agreed to have you keep watch?”

  “Yes,” he answered, not stopping but continuing to cross the open patio. “There was some conversation between him and Exile earlier where Exile confessed why he couldn’t do so himself.”

  Wait. What did that mean? She’d thought this was her idea.

  “And as I am becoming a partner at the club…”

  “Oh, I see,” she answered, but the night got darker as they moved from the candlelight. “We should stop, they won’t be able to see us.”

  He continued on, pulling her faster still. “That’s all right. There is something I want to show you.”

  This situation got stranger by the second. Apprehension trickled down her spine. “Show me?” she asked. The garden gate sat just to her right and she heard the whinny of horses. “Horses in the alley this time of night?” Diana pulled to a stop. “I-I should go back.”

  “Not yet.” He gave her a winning smile. “I have a confession to make. We’ve already met.”

  She shifted uncomfortably. Her feet tingled with the urge to leave. “I don’t recognize you.”

  “Well, you wouldn’t.”

  She swallowed as she tried to pull her hand from his arm but his other hand clamped down over hers. “What do you mean? What’s happening?”

  He grimaced. “The first time we met, I was wearing a mask.”

  “What?” She drew in a breath to let out a scream. That’s when a bag dropped over her head.

  Chapter Eleven

  Exile sat across from Daring, but his eyes were unfocused as he rubbed his jaw. Some idea flitted around the edge of his thoughts but he couldn’t quite hold onto it. Sin’s entrance into their life had been so sudden and his interest in Diana so immediately intense.

  “What’s the matter with you?” Daring leaned forward, waving his hand in front of Exile’s face.

  Exile blinked, focusing on his friend. “Something isnae right with Vice’s cousin.”

  “He’s fine. You’re jealous,” Daring grunted, sitting back.

  Exile pushed off the desk, rising from his chair. “I dinnae think so.” He shook his head. “His interest is unnatural this soon.”

  “She’s the most classically beautiful woman I’ve ever seen and that’s saying something. I’ve seen a lot of women.”’

  “True.” Exile stared out the window into the night. “But he suddenly appeared and he’s part of our actual business and now our dealings with Abernath and I barely touched his arm and he flinched.” Like he had a wound…perhaps running down his side. “Bloody fecking Christ!” he yelled, barreling for the door.

  “What?” Daring asked, jumping from his desk and chasing after him.

  His gut churned even as his hands clenched into fists. “He’s wounded on his left side. The attack in the alley. I slashed the man with my right hand…his left.”

  “No,” Daring said low and deep. “It can’t be. He’s Vice’s cousin.”

  “We’re about to find out.” Exile skidded to a stop in front of the music room and threw open the door. The scene before him made his pause.

  Minnie, Bad, and Vice sat laughing and talking. But Sin and Diana were nowhere to be seen. He marched forward, his gaze swinging between one wall to the other, and his heart skipped a beat when he found no one else in the room. Sweat slicked his forehead, and his gut clenched. Where the hell was Diana?

  “Where are they?” He barked, his eyes pinging all over the room.

  “What?” Minnie squinted at him. “Oh, they’re just out on the terrace. Sinclair wanted her schedule for the next week so that…” But she stopped as she looked outside into the empty dark.

  “Minnie,” Daring’s voice held an edge. “What are you talking about? Why would he need her schedule?”

  Exile’s chest tightened as his breath came in short gasps. Crossing the room, he headed for the doors.

  “He’s going to take Exile’s place. Make sure Lady Abernath doesn’t attempt to hurt her the way she did with Cordelia.”

  Daring slammed his fist on the table as Exile stepped outside, picking up speed. Please let her be in the garden, he prayed.

  Daring’s voice followed him out. “He isn’t guarding her. I would never agree to that.”

  “Help me look,” he yelled, starting down a path. Then another. It wasn’t until he got to the gate that he noticed a piece of ribbon on the path which looked exactly like the ones that had adorned Diana’s hair.

  “Anything?” Vice called, coming up behind him.

  He reached down and picked up the single scrap of fabric. “I found this by the gate.” His voice was scratchy. How long had he been in the office? Mere minutes. “If he’s taken her, they can’t have gotten far.”

  “Taken her?” Vice waved them off. “Sinclair would never take Diana, he’s here to help.”

  Exile spun around, grabbing his friend by the collar and slamming him to the wall. He didn’t have time to be nice. “Did you approach him or did he come to ye?”

  Vice’s face paled. “He came to me. But that doesn’t mean…”
r />   “I dinnae have time to convince ye. He’s taken the woman I love. And I need her back. Where would he go?”

  Vice shook free as Bad came up behind them.

  “He wouldn’t,” Vice answered holding his head.

  “We can debate later,” Bad replied, attempting to hold back his anger and panic. “They came out into the garden and now they are gone. Daring is having the house searched. But we are going out on horseback. Where are we going Vice? Think.”

  “He’s got a small townhouse. I suppose we should start there.”

  “Good,” Exile answered, drawing in what felt like the first breath in minutes. “I’ll have the horses saddled, we leave momentarily.”

  It felt good to be doing something. Good to have a plan. Because he had to find her. He’d only just realized what she meant to him.

  Diana sat in a carriage, the hood still over her head, her hands tied behind her back. The man was going to pay for this. She’d done her best to kick and fight, but Sin and another man had trussed her up and shoved her into a small buggy. Now she heard the clop of the horses and could feel the carriage’s wheels move as she struggled to sit up.

  “Here, let me help you,” Sin said close by. Strong hands lifted her up from her position of half laying across a seat to sitting.

  “Don’t touch me,” she said, though her voice was muffled. He reached for the hood and pulled it off her face.

  He was close and for a brief second, she thought about spitting in his face. She settled for sneering. “Why are you doing this?”

  He cringed. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “But you’re going to anyway.” Diana tested the bindings on her wrists. Neither man was good at knots apparently because the ties were neither tight nor well-knotted. They immediately began to loosen.

  He held up his hands. “This would have been easier if Exile hadn’t thwarted my first attempt. Then I wouldn’t have to know you when I took you.”

  Her bindings came undone but she kept her hands behind her back. Diana had already puzzled out that he was the man that had attacked them in the alley. Which meant he had a nice cut on his side. “I’m so sorry for you,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.