Free What an Earl Wants by Kasey Michaels Page A

tell me,
which you would have done eventually. Thank God you’ve stopped. I was not,
however, expecting you to come to me today with an absurd inquiry more suited to
a man possessing less of the strong intelligence for which I’ve always given you
credit.”
    “Forgive me. I only learned of your plans for Wickham this
morning and probably acted hastily. But twenty years, Trixie? It all happened so
long ago. Why bring down the ax now?”
    “Because he’s going to die soon, of course. I settled the
others immediately. And, lest you’re confused on that head, I killed none of them. If I made it advantageous to them
to destroy themselves, that was their decision. Save Perkins, who is still
living in his disgrace in prison.”
    “Not prison, Trixie. You’re losing your touch if you didn’t
hear he’s slipped his mind entirely, and is now raving in some small cell in
Bethlehem Hospital.”
    “Delicious! May he survive another two decades and sleep every
night in his own filth. But we’re speaking of Reggie now, aren’t we? My mistake
with the others was moving too quickly. They barely had time to realize their
error in threatening me.”
    “Much more satisfying to destroy them an inch at a time?”
    “Now you understand, and with all the inches reserved for the
duke since the others were gone. Reggie’s known nearly from the first he’s on my
string, and I’d tighten it one day. He simply never knew when, or how. You’ve
never had anyone at your beck and call, have you, eager to do you any
service— any service, Gideon. Able to pick that
person up and then put that person down, time and time again. To listen to the
pleas for your favors, the piteous weeping when made aware there are others to
whom you’re at times bestowing those favors. Imagine that person suffering,
loving so deeply, desperately, yet living constantly in fear that one day the
blade will fall. It’s heady stuff. I may have grown a touch lazy over the years,
as well, content to flaunt the jewels he gives me beneath his wife’s nose as he
watches in horror, fearing I’m about to tell her from whence they come.”
    She shrugged her slim shoulders eloquently, almost sadly. “Or
perhaps I grew somewhat fond of the man over time. I’m not completely heartless.
But in the end, Gideon, the bill always comes due, the piper has to be paid.
It’s Reggie’s time to learn the full cost of his crime against the Redgraves,
and most especially my grandchildren, who he would have stripped of lands and
title. That is not a small thing, Gideon, and never forgivable. Although I
suppose I may miss him. A little . ”
    Gideon lowered his head, unable to look into Trixie’s
tear-bright eyes. “I beg your pardon. I had no right to suspect...to question
you. My only excuse, lame as it is, is that I’ve lately been under some
duress.”
    “I forgive you, pet. And I’ve indulged you this one time, but
you must never again question me. You would rarely like the answers. I’ll surely
burn in hell one day along with Reggie and so many others, but that is my
concern, not yours.” The countess took his hand and lifted it to her lips. “You
children are my weakness, you know, and always have been, from the day your
father died and Maribel fled the country. Now, tell me more about these
mysterious deaths. And why you took to wearing that damnable rose.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    J ESSICA STOOD IN HER USUAL place, the one she’d long before decided provided
the best vantage point from which to observe the gaming room. She smiled and
nodded absently to the gentlemen from time to time, although never
encouragingly, as it didn’t take much for some of them to believe she’d offered
a more intimate acquaintance.
    They were rather thin of company this evening, and unless more
guests arrived in the next hour she might consider eliminating the second supper
and close the doors to newcomers at two. It had been a long time since they’d
made an early night of it, and she was