Free A Lover of Men by Julia Talbot Page B

so?” he finally asked, lunging to grab Mattheson’s arm.
    “You promised to keep Ned safe!” Mattheson turned on him, a knife glinting in his hand. “You killed him!”
    Phineas knocked the wrist of the hand in which Mattheson held the knife, knowing the nerves would spasm and the hand would pop open. Sure enough, the knife went spinning away.
    “You were the bastard heir. I would think you’d be pleased to move up.” It tore Phineas’ heart to dismiss Ned so, but he had to rattle Mattheson.
    “I loved Ned! I loved my father. You don’t deserve happiness any more than you deserved Ned.” That face that was so like Ned’s, twisted with hatred.
    Phineas held both of Mattheson’s hands, trying to decide what to do next. His hesitation was his mistake, because that was when pain exploded across the back of his head, the world going dark.

Chapter Six
    When Phineas did not return in an hour, Rafe pulled aside Lelia’s footman, Jack. “I need to send a message to Miss August’s cousin, please.”
    “Yes, sir. She keeps her foolscap here.”
    Lelia was napping, mostly thanks to a tiny bit of laudanum in her tea. Only enough to keep her from charging out the door.
    Rafe would summon Eustace, then go and find Phineas.
    He dashed off a message, then commissioned Jack’s younger brother to carry it to Eustace. In the meantime, he searched Lelia’s house for weapons.
    When the knock came at the front door, Rafe leaped for it, hoping Phineas would eliminate the need for action. Disappointment flooded him, however, when his friend Nicolas stood at the door.
    “Returning your coat…” Nic frowned. “Let me in, Rafe. Tell me what’s happening.”
    “Phineas went in search of Lord Mattheson. I fear something has happened.”
    Nic took in Lelia’s entryway and drawing room at a glance. “And the lady?”
    “I drugged her.”
    “Good man. What may I do?”
    “Stay here. Watch the lady until her cousin arrives.”
    “What will you do?” Nic asked, as though he had to know.
    “I’m going to go and rescue my soldier.” Rafe gave Nic a rakish grin. “Even if just to hand him over to another.”
    “Try the hells, amigo. Mattheson likes to gamble.”
    He clapped Nic on the shoulder, then nodded and took back his coat. “I will see you soon.”
    “You will. Return safely.”
    Rafe felt as though Lelia was safe, so he ran out the door, intent on saving Phineas any way he could. Now Rafe just had to find him.
     
    ****
     
    Lelia woke feeling groggy, her mouth coated with a woolen sock.
    Damn Rafe’s eyes, anyway.
    She crawled out of the bed, making it to the chamber pot behind the screen before she voided her stomach. The violence of it left her shaking, but she felt immediately more clearheaded. She dressed quickly, forgoing stays and layers of pelisse and so on. Then she marched downstairs intent upon fishwifery. She would be shrill and make Rafe take her with him to find Phineas.
    She found a tall, broad man in the men’s lounge, but this golden god was neither Rafe nor Phineas. Lelia stopped, her heart lurching. Was this their villain?
    “Who are you, sir?” Lelia demanded.
    The man leaped to his feet and turned to present her a leg. “Baron Nicolas Marner, Miss August. A friend of Rafael Gaudi.”
    “The friend with the coat,” she hazarded.
    “Indeed. Are you well? You’re quite pale.” His gray eyes assessed her shrewdly.
    “Rafael doctored my drink.” She sighed. “He’s gone, isn’t he?”
    “Yes. I am to keep you safe.” Nic smiled, which was a devastating thing. So beautiful it made her blink as if she’s stared directly into the sun.
    “I see. Well, I hope you are prepared to follow me about. I intend to go and find Phineas and Rafe immediately.”
    Alarm slid across his face. “Now, Miss August—”
    “Lelia, please. Since you’re in my house and have availed yourself of my brandy.”
    Nicolas arched a brow. “Well, I did get shot at on your behalf.”
    “There, you see? We