Trial by Desire (Carhart #2)

“Not quite.” Ned saw no reason to share the complicated details of his life with a man who believed that intimacy ought to be conducted with fists and blows. He looked away in exasperation.

But Harcroft must have read agreement into his averted gaze because the man clapped him on the shoulders. “There. If that doesn’t motivate you, nothing will. Trust me. True men don’t ask. They take.”

In Ned’s estimation, real men didn’t throw tantrums if their whim was thwarted.

“Quite right,” he said. “And, oh, do look at the time! You really should be on your way.”

“Come, Carhart. Tell me you’ll rein your wife in.”

“She’s my wife.” He glanced over at the man. And it really is none of your concern. “Why does it matter so much?”

Harcroft chewed his lip before leaning in close to impart his secret. “Because I think she may have instigated whatever happened with Louisa. I’ve been thinking it over, and Louisa didn’t start truly questioning my authority until she and Kate became friends. In fact, I’m sure of it. Your wife set her against me in some female fashion. I’m certain of it, although I can’t prove how—although with women, one has to just trust one’s instincts.”

“My instincts differ,” Ned said carefully.

Harcroft straightened, brushing his coat down. “If you won’t rein your wife in, I’ll do it for you.”

Ned’s hands cramped with the effort of not clenching into fists. He stepped forward, squaring his shoulders. “What, precisely, are you threatening my wife with?” he asked.

Harcroft glanced at Ned’s shoulders once, and then smiled uneasily. “Oh, don’t be so melodramatic. When I find Louisa again, I’ll need to make sure she’s not exposed to unsavory influences. I’d hate for you to be considered one of those.”

Harcroft had fenced as long as Ned had known him. He was good with a rapier and quick on his feet. In all those years that Ned had known him, that confidence had made Ned believe the man was taller than he was. But standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the earl, Ned realized for the first time that he was actually taller. And after months aboard ship, where he’d labored alongside common seamen, Ned was stronger, too.

No amount of expertise with a rapier could save Harcroft from someone who had two stone on him. It helped alleviate some of Ned’s wariness.

“Don’t worry,” Ned replied, as carefully airy as Harcroft. “I’m not about to engage in anything untoward, and you can rely on my promise to free my wife from all unsavory influences.” Such as you.

“Good man.” Harcroft smiled. “I knew I could depend upon you.” And then he paused, as if waiting for Ned to return the compliment.

Ned ought to have done so. One little lie would put distance between Harcroft and his wife. But the words choked in his throat, as bitter and cutting as cinder. “I’ll take care of matters here,” he finally managed.

Harcroft smiled again. Even though Ned had washed just ten minutes before, and brushed with tooth powder, that smile made Ned’s mouth taste foul. He should have protested. He should have told the man to take himself off for good. But if he had, Harcroft’s suspicions would have been roused. They were already on point, and while it would have been satisfying to smash the man’s face in, it wouldn’t have been particularly wise. His own wants gave way to cold clarity.

“I knew you’d see it my way,” Harcroft said with a smirk. “You’ll see it with your wife—soon enough, mark my words. Perhaps I shall even be the one to show you.”

That self-satisfied expression was too much to bear. Clarity abandoned Ned, and he leaned in. “I’ll conduct your search for you. I will tell you what I unearth. As soon as you leave, I’ll canvass the county on your behalf. But, Harcroft—there’s one thing you need to know.”

Harcroft screwed up his mouth quizzically.

“You are never to threaten my wife again.” As Ned said this, he brought himself up to his full height. Harcroft looked up at him, as if realizing for the first time just how much larger Ned was than he. “She’s mine to contend with.”

She’s mine. It was not the most settling thought, but after last night it had begun to be true. She’d done precisely as she’d said; she’d gotten inside the hard confines of his control. Perhaps she was his, but he was ceding a portion of himself to her. And that scared him more than any smirk that passed over Harcroft’s face.

Harcroft met his eyes. And then, slowly, he jerked his chin in a nod. Just as slowly, he got into the carriage. Ned contented himself with the thought that the earl was going away. The footman shut the door and clambered up onto the seat behind the carriage. The reins shuffled, and Harcroft’s horses pulled in their traces.

Ned listened to the rattle of wheels over gravel as the carriage pulled away.