The Haunting of a Duke(64)

"There is no need to be crude,” Eleanor said, her tone stiff. “Contracts had been signed, Rhys. It was imperative that they be fulfilled."

"You've left me with little choice. You continue to revile my current marriage and I am attempting to illustrate that it could be, and has previously been, far worse. Emme and I are wed. Your disapproval will not change it. I suggest then, that you attempt to develop and demonstrate your acceptance. If you do not, then you can return to your own home, assuming that Alistair hasn't leveled it."

"You speak so ill of my son, yet your own behavior is far from above reproach,” she said, and the defensiveness of her tone was not lost on either of them.

"Your son, madam, is a profligate gambler, a libertine, and a wastrel."

Eleanor's lips thinned and firmed, and when she spoke her voice was clipped. “He will be arriving here in a day or so. Phyllis has invited him for an extended visit."

"I'll make certain we have an accurate accounting of the silver then,” he said, as he left the room.

Furious, he went directly to the stables. He didn't ask for assistance but saddled his horse, Maximus and took off over the fields. He let the horse have his head, knowing that he needed the run as much as his master. The wind ripped at his hair and his clothing, and the darkening sky reflected his mood.

A storm was rolling in but he paid it little heed. It wouldn't be the first time he'd ridden in the rain. Perhaps, he thought, it would cool his ire. Eleanor had been a help to his mother in those first ugly years following Melisande's death. The truth was, during that time, she had run the household. She had overseen the home, and the children in it, grieving for their lost sibling and their distant parents. Those memories prevented him from tossing her from Briarwood Park and demanding that she never return. Regardless, if she continued, he would be forced to banish her, as Jeremy had once banished Alistair.

"I do wish Eleanor wouldn't provoke him,” Lady Phyllis said. “For his sake and for yours. Rhys rarely loses his temper, but when he does, it can be fearsome."

It was odd that Lady Phyllis phrased it in that way. “I am sure I have nothing to fear from Rhys’ temper, Lady Phyllis."

Phyllis plastered a cool smile on her face, one that belied not even a hint of emotion. “I didn't mean to imply, well, that is to say, he and Elise argued so bitterly, but I am sure you wouldn't. “

She trailed off, unable to finish the statement, but her meaning was quite clear. Rhys wouldn't lose his temper with her because she wouldn't take lovers and flaunt them in front of him.

"Rhys was entitled to be angry with Elise. She behaved abominably, but that doesn't mean that he murdered her! He didn't harm her in any way. Surely you believe that?"

Phyllis sighed and sipped her tea, contemplating her answer. That she had to contemplate before speaking of her son's innocence was telling.

"I have always wanted to believe him innocent, and I do, truly. But occasionally, I have doubts. The rumors, the whispers, they are difficult to ignore. Also, I think that even if he had murdered Elise, he might have been justified. She was destroying this family, destroying his happiness. Destruction and misery were the only things that poor girl could every give anyone."

Emme was shocked and horrified. “Your son, Lady Phyllis, is a man of unquestionable honor. He did not kill Elise, regardless of her sins. Any who would whisper of his guilt, who would spread rumors, do not know him as I know him. And as you know him."

Phyllis nodded. “Forgive me. You are right, dearest. Rhys is a good man, and a wonderful son. I should never doubt him."

The subject was dropped as Lady Eleanor entered the room. Her cold gaze settled on Emme before she spoke. “Your husband is quick to jump to your defense, Lady Emmaline."

"As a husband should be, Lady Eleanor."

The other woman's lips lifted in a grotesque mimicry of a smile. “Indeed. Will you endeavor to be so proper a wife?"

Emme sighed. “Your animosity for me is groundless. I am well aware that my social standing was not equal to Rhys’ and neither was my fortune. I did not come here to trap him, and the circumstances resulting in our compromising situation were entirely accidental. For the sake of everyone else in this house, would it not be best to maintain civility?"

Eleanor glared at her. “You wretched little upstart! You dare to take me to task? I have been a member of this household for decades. I am well aware of what is best for this family!"

Seeing that reason would not be achieved, Emme rose. “If you'll pardon me, Lady Phyllis. I have some correspondence to see to."

As Emme stepped into the hall, she could hear the conversation continuing behind her.