“And in mine. As I recall, our guardianship is jointly held.”
Wade dropped his mouth in shock. Edmond did not entirely blame him. Stefan had been inexcusably negligent in ensuring that Brianna was secure and happy in her home. If his older brother had done his duty, she would not currently be creating chaos in his carefully laid plans.
“You have never taken an interest in the chit,” Wade gasped.
“An unfortunate oversight that I intend to correct immediately,” Edmond drawled, disgusted. “It was naive of me to think you could possibly be a man entrusted with the welfare of a young lady.”
The wariness deepened. “Are you impugning my honor?”
“What honor, you sick, pathetic maggot?” It was an effort not to snap the idiot’s fat neck. “I should do the world a favor and kill you now.”
“Dammit, Huntley, what did the wench tell you?” Wade blubbered, genuine fear bringing a layer of sweat to his brow. “Whatever it was, it was a lie.”
“Then you do not intend to take her to Norfolk in two days?”
“I…I think it best that we leave town for a short while. Brianna has not entirely recovered from the death of her mother, and the country air will do her good.” He forced a hoarse laugh that grated against Edmond’s temper. “Of course, like any young girl, she is angry to be taken from her friends and beaus. It is only natural she would do whatever necessary to stay in town.”
“So this trip is entirely for Brianna’s benefit?”
“Of course.”
“You bastard.” Abruptly shifting his hold, Edmond grasped the man’s lapels and gave him a violent shake. “You are taking her from London so you can force your disgusting attentions upon her.”
“No…”
“Do not even attempt to lie to me,” he growled. “I know the truth, and all of London will soon learn of it if you do not walk from this house and forget that you even know the name of Miss Brianna Quinn.”
Something that might have been desperation twisted the heavy features as Wade realized that Brianna might truly have slipped from his grasp.
“By gads, she is my daughter,” he rasped. “You cannot simply take her from me.”
“I already have.”
“I will petition for her return,” Wade blustered, his voice shrill. “Her mother left her in my care.”
Edmond frowned at the hectic glitter in the man’s eyes and the spittle forming at the edges of his mouth. Mon dieu, Thomas Wade was clearly at the edge of sanity.
At least when it came to matters of his stepdaughter.
“Her mother was a weak-willed fool who cared for nothing beyond the gaming tables. She would have sold Brianna to Beelzebub for a few quid.” He needed to make very certain that Thomas Wade understood the price of creating a scandal. Until he had the time necessary to covertly rid the world of the nasty creature, it was vital to keep his mouth shut. “And I would caution you against bringing the smallest breath of attention to Brianna
’s change in residence. Not unless you wish me to inform the entire ton of what you intended for your stepdaughter.”
Wade’s harsh breath echoed through the ante room. “It would be her word against mine.”
Edmond smiled with the ingrained arrogance of a true aristocrat. “No, it would be the Duke of Huntley’s word against a mere son of a butcher. Who do you think they would believe?”
The beefy face turned from purple to crimson as the smooth insult sliced through his pride.
“I am not without influence. Money does have a few benefits.”
“Then let me raise the stakes.” Edmond smiled with icy intent. “If you make one attempt to try and take Brianna from my care, I will castrate you.”
Wade gave a shudder of alarm, then his gaze shifted over Edmond’s shoulder and a stark hunger filled his eyes. Edmond did not need to turn to know that Brianna had entered the room.
Suddenly, he wished that he had not insisted that the chit come down.
“Brianna…” Wade attempted to step forward only to be shoved roughly back against the wall. “Damn. My dear, tell this madman to release me.”