Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
Perry’s heart raced as he was led toward a darkened terrace. He would not despise a breath of air after the stifling ballroom.
“We have a situation,” Michael announced bluntly.
Tugging on Perry’s sleeve and walking with a brisk pace, the Viscount Witney brought him outside the floor-to-ceiling French doors that emerged at the large stone terrace overlooking the gardens of the Covington mansion.
“I’m supposed to be charming the ton with my new bride. Why are you being so secretive?” Perry was silenced the moment he was brought to a gathering of three men, two of whom were unknown to him and one was his brother. “Beau! What on earth happened to your face?”
His brother’s usually handsome face was marred by a bruise beginning to form around his left eye and a cracked lip oozing fresh blood.
“I came here urgently looking for you. I have news about the mystery at Fermoy. I went out on the terrace for a some air and two men accosted me.”
Perry’s brows drew together in alarm as he scanned his brother for other wounds. “Why would they attack you?”
“The bounder asked me if I was Lord Spencer, and I said yes,” Beau continued, his breath rapid as he spoke.
“They must have confused us because we look similar. I was dragged out to the garden to a dark and isolated spot and beaten. They called me by your name and said their first bullet might have missed, but their second would not.”
“Someone heard Beau cry for help and chased off the attackers before they pulled their pistols out. The men ran away before they could be apprehended,” Michael explained.
“I will have my friends at the Bow Street Runners investigate. We must take more precautions. The threat seems to be drawing closer.”
“I was too dazed to stop them. I wish I could have found out who they were working for,” Beau added, dipping his head in shame.
Fear clutching at his chest, Perry’s mind raced.
Whoever was after him was closer than he could have ever imagined.
His brother’s words were confirmation that he was indeed the target of someone who would stop at nothing to destroy him.
First the shooting, then the carriage, and now an assault on his brother by someone who had mistaken him for Perry?
“Why? I don’t understand who could be coming for me.
I have no ill will toward anyone.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair, then leaned against the stone banister, gazing out into the dimly-lit garden.
Few torches were blazing, creating a romantic ambiance for couples who would wander through the pathways for a rendezvous.
Moving next to him, Michael shook his head. “Whoever shot you is still after you, that much is evident. Someone wants to see you dead. I will send my best man to search for your steward, the one who escaped from Bodmin. Perhaps if we apprehend him, then the attempts on your life will cease.”
“What if it has nothing to do with our steward? His betrayal was unfortunate, but the blackguard would have no motivation to see you dead,” Beau questioned. “He could have shot you to delay you, but now his only goal would be to escape capture.”
Perry hesitated. “I must take Charlotte away from here. She is in grave danger.”
The three men nodded their heads, casting worried glances at each other. Michael signaled to the unknown men standing next to Beau.
“These men, Clement and Harrow, are my personal bodyguards. They will escort each of you home tonight.”
Perry released a breath, relieved. “We have hired extra guards at the house. Your men will be much appreciated in getting us home safely.”
Beau made a motion to leave, then hesitated. “We need to alert Louisa. She must be kept safe. If someone is after Perry, we have no idea if they will come for our sister as well. Michael, will you go? I cannot be seen going through the ballroom now.”
Eyeing his brother’s shirt stained with drops of blood, Perry agreed. Beau would have to escape through the side hallways to avoid being seen and causing even more scandal. His only thoughts were for Charlotte and getting her home.
With Michael at his side, Perry searched the ballroom for his wife and found her dancing in the arms of the Viscount Newbridge.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Perry watched as they moved around the dance floor.
Charlotte gave a careless laugh at something Lord Newbridge said.
She was safe with Newbridge, a harmless fellow that Perry had seen in the ballrooms and at the club on occasion.
Relieved that his wife was comfortable and protected, Perry waited for the music to end.
They bowed as the notes of music ceased, and his wife’s eyes caught his across the ballroom floor.
His throat tightened at seeing her her, the need to protect her washing over him, and gripping him fiercely.
His concern must have been apparent, because Charlotte picked up her pace as she strode in his direction. Taking her hand, he pulled her away from the crowd and found a quiet alcove in which to whisper the events that had just occurred.
Covering her mouth with a gloved hand as he explained briefly, he watched as her eyes grew wide. “Aurelia. She might be in danger.”
“We will return home immediately,” Perry demanded quietly.
Charlotte moved to say goodbye to her new friends before exiting. Checking in on his sister, Perry noted that Louisa was listening intently to Michael as he explained the situation. Her pleasant expression slowly turned into a scowl as the man finished speaking.
“I will find my own way home,” Louisa protested, crossing her arms as her eyes narrowed on the viscount. “I have my own means of protection.”
Pressing his lips together in impatience, Michael gave her a warning glare.
“Louisa, please,” Perry asked, attempting to sway his sister’s reluctance to obey any request of Michael’s. “I will not be happy if you come to any harm.”
With great reluctance, Louisa agreed to leave the ball. “I do not need his assistance. I have Mandchin’s guard dogs to watch out for my safety and virtue,” she insisted in a huff.
Casting a warning glare at his friend, Perry took hold of his wife and escorted her to the waiting carriage.
The nod Michael offered him was the only reassurance that Louisa would make it safely to her carriage, whether she cared for Michael’s assistance or not.
Though he did his best to leave the party looking calm and content, Perry was buzzing on the inside.
He wouldn’t be able to relax until he knew Aurelia was well.
Once Charlotte was in the carriage, he took a moment to inform the coachmen of the danger that had newly developed.
He cautioned them to be mindful of anyone following their vehicle or acting suspiciously.
Perry was grateful for the loyal servants who worked to keep them all safe and cared for their well-being.
Joining his wife in the carriage, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.
Now that he had found her, he had no desire to be separated by any means, especially by an anonymous threat that threatened them all.
He would do anything to protect his family, even if it meant sacrificing everything.
Even if it meant facing the very devil himself.