Page 29 of A Very Bellamy Christmas

“How so?” the viscount demanded.

“Miss Martin is an unmarried girl of gentle birth. That is exactly the type of woman Shelton prefers to victimize. By having that—that villain in my family’s home you are jeopardizing my companion’s reputation. She deserves to hear your excuse for placing her in such danger.”

Stacia opened her mouth to assure Lord Needham that she had no such concerns, but the viscount’s rapier-like gaze was riveted on Lady Addiscombe.

“The only person in this house who has the right to object to Lord Shelton’s presence here is Lady Shaftsbury. Before the Duke and Duchess of Chatham asked my wife if they could bring Shelton as a guest they wrote to Lady Shaftsbury, who gave her consent. My wife then added him to our guest list. Phoebe is mistress of this house and has complete control over domestic matters.” He cocked his head slightly. “I find it interesting that your own daughter—an unmarried one—has been living in proximity to Shelton for months and has come to no harm. Are you not concerned for Lady Kathryn’s wellbeing?”

The countess gave a derisive huff. “Kathryn rejected my home in favor of her older sister’s. Short of physically dragging her away, there is little I can do.”

“It was my understanding that you sent Kathryn to her aunt’s rather than invite her to live with you in Bath. I specifically recall Kathryn being upset that she was being sent to live with your sister rather than accompanying you to your new home.”

Stacia stared at the countess, waiting for her to deny such a thing. Instead, the older woman seethed, thwarted.

The viscount turned to Stacia and his expression gentled. “I do not want you to go about my house in fear for your reputation or your person. If you find Shelton’s presence in any way concerning, you need only nod and I will make arrangements for him to leave. You will not be implicated in the decision, and nobody will ever know of your part in it except the four of us in this room.”

If Stacia said no, her employer would not be pleased with her. If she accepted Lord Needham’s offer, then she would be admitting that she feared Lord Shelton when she didn’t. If anything, she feared her own behavior around him, but she did not believe he would abduct or compromise her.

More’s the pity…

Stacia turned to Lady Addiscombe. “It would be a lie to claim that I fear for my reputation, my lady.”

The countess fixed her with a look that did not bode well for continued employment.

Needham evidently thought so, too. “If Miss Martin’s answer is unacceptable to you then I will be pleased to pay her a generous severance, provide a glowing letter of reference, and arrange for her transportation back to Bath—or anyplace else she wishes to go.”

Stacia stared, warmed by the man’s generous offer.

“Miss Martin will remain in my service,” the countess snapped. “You will not rid the house of this scourge?”

“If by scourge you mean Shelton, then no.”

Lady Addiscombe surged to her feet and marched toward the door in a flurry of skirts.

Stacia scrambled to open the door for her, but the viscount’s voice stopped her just as she reached for the handle.

“One more thing, my lady.”

Stacia sensed a titanic struggle taking place inside the countess and wondered, for a moment, if she would simply leave without listening to what he had to say.

But self-preservation overwhelmed her pride, and she inhaled deeply and then turned around.

The viscount had come closer and was standing only a few feet away.

“Yes?” the countess demanded rudely.

The big man came even closer, until he was standing mere inches from his mother-in-law, who had to crane her neck if she wanted to meet his gaze.

“If you ever upset my wife again—or cause her so much as a flicker of annoyance—you will not be welcome in any of my homes. Ever. Do you understand me?”

The hairs on the back of Stacia’s neck stood endwise at the quiet menace in his tone.

For the first time, she saw uncertainty on Lady Addiscombe’s face. Although the viscount hadn’t threatened to cut off her allowance—which everyoneknew was how the countess managed to live so well when her husband had gambled away all the family money—she must have realized just how tenuous her position would be if she were barred from attending future family functions.

The older woman swallowed, opened her mouth, but then closed it and jerked out an abrupt nod.

Rather than smile in triumph at having routed his foe, Lord Needham gave Stacia a speaking look when the countess stormed from the room. He quietly said, “Remember that you have choices, Miss Martin.” And then he turned and strode back to his desk, leaving Stacia to ponder his words as she hurried after her employer.