by Wolf, Bree
A true waste of time, indeed!
By the time Rebecca set foot across the threshold of her uncle’s townhouse, she was exhausted. Her feet hurt, and every muscle in her body ached. Also, her temples throbbed from the mindless chitchat she had to endure all night.
“You look ready to fall over,” Caroline whispered as she drew up beside her, their feet directed toward the stairs that would lead them to their chambers. “I assume your evening did not go as expected?”
Rebecca yawned. “Unfortunately not.”
“What a pity. Is there anything I can do?”
Before Rebecca could answer her cousin, her uncle’s laughter echoed through the entrance hall. Turning to look, they found his eyes glued to a peace of parchment, presumably a letter, his face glowing with delight. Then his gaze rose and met Rebecca’s. “Dear Niece, I have wonderful news,” he exclaimed, striding forward. “In our absence, this note arrived from Lord Coleridge.”
Rebecca’s insides tensed.
“He bids us to join him for supper at his home tomorrow evening,” her uncle went on, his gaze darting back to the parchment in his hands again and again as though fearing that he had misunderstood.
“He asks—”
Caroline let out a yelp of pain as Rebecca’s fingernails dug into her arm.
“ – that you wear the emerald ring as it matches your eyes so beautifully.”
Aunt Mildred smiled. “How charming!”
Rebecca let out a sigh of relief, casting an apologetic glance at Caroline, who rubbed the spot on her arm where Rebecca’s fingernails had left marks. “I’m sorry,” she whispered before she directed her attention back at her aunt and uncle.
“Wear your best,” her uncle commanded, his eyes darting left and right as he walked off, no doubt picturing the moment Lord Tedious would finally ask for her hand. It would certainly make her uncle the happiest of men!
Rebecca, however, could imagine few things that would bring her less pleasure.
The notion had to have shown on her face for her aunt’s gaze narrowed. “Very few men,” Aunt Mildred began as she stepped toward her niece, “notice these little things that are so important to a woman. You should consider yourself fortunate that you’ve found a man who’s so eloquent with words and bestows such compliments on you.” Her eyes became imploring. “It is good to choose a husband utterly devoted to oneself. Mark my words, and choose wisely.” And with a nod of her head, she left, leaving the two cousins alone.
“You will not accept him, will you?” Caroline asked as they strode up the stairs side by side.
Rebecca shook her head. “I cannot stand the man, and I do not care how thoughtful his compliments are, I—” Her voice broke off and her right foot hovered above the last step of the large staircase when a sudden realization hit Rebecca right between the eyes.
Something she ought to have seen before!
Something she still couldn’t believe!
And yet…
“Are you all right?” Caroline demanded, concern tinging her voice. “You look pale. I think you should lie down.” As Rebecca’s thoughts raced, her cousin pulled her down the corridor and into her chamber, closing the door behind them. “Sit!” she ordered, all but pushing Rebecca onto the cushioned armchair in the corner. A moment later, a glass of water appeared in Rebecca’s vision, and she reached for it without thought, her mind still otherwise occupied.
“It cannot be true,” she mumbled after a moment, her head moving from side to side as she recalled all the many moments she had been forced to spend in Lord Tedious’ company. “It cannot be true.”
Still, at the same time, Zach’s voice echoed in her head. After you wore it the last time, no one addressed you? No one mentioned the ring? Asked where you got it?
Indeed, Rebecca had only seen Zach, his reaction, the only one she’d been hoping for at the time. However, Lord Tedious had looked at the ring that night, had he not? In fact, Rebecca remembered well her surprise, thinking he was ogling her décolletage. Never, though, would she have thought it had been the ring that had caught his attention.
Not Lord Tedious, a man with the most proper manners if ever there was one! A man who never did something out of place. A man boring to the core, who knew nothing exciting to speak of than his dreaded dog. Could she have been wrong? Had he fooled her? Could it be that he simply liked the ring on her? That he thought it complimented her eyes with no hidden agenda attached? No deeper meaning?
“What cannot be true?”
Blinking, Rebecca found her cousin’s blue eyes looking into hers, unobstructed by the thick lenses she usually wore. Concern rested in their depths, and the hands that held hers spoke of tension.
“What is going on, Becca?” Caroline inquired, her voice taking on a more pressing tone. “The look on your face is highly unsettling. Are you unwell? Or does it have something to do with the invitation for supper?”
In truth, Rebecca had no idea how to answer her cousin. All she knew was that she needed to know what it was that had prompted said invitation. Was Lord Tedious planning to ask for her hand? Or had he grown tired of waiting and would confront her about the ring that night? Whichever the reason, if indeed he had the ring in his possession, it would be an opportunity for Rebecca to retrieve it without endangering Zach. After all, had he not told her tonight how much he detested breaking into people’s homes?
“Rebecca, answer me!”
Shaken from her thoughts, Rebecca turned to her cousin, forcing a calming smile onto her face. “I’m well, Caroline. Don’t worry. In fact, I could use your help.”
Her cousin’s gaze narrowed. The look in her eyes remained as sharp and pointed as though she had no need of her spectacles. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
Rebecca chuckled, trying to appear unperturbed by her recent discovery so as not to worry her cousin. “Truly, it is nothing. I promise.” She swallowed. “However, I could use your help tomorrow night.”
Caroline’s gaze narrowed further.
“When I wink at you,” Rebecca began, praying that her cousin would not abandon her trust in her now, “do you think you could faint? Draw everyone’s attention?”
“Why?” Caroline demanded, suspicion ringing loud and clear in her voice.
Rebecca bit her lip. “That, I cannot say. Please trust me. I shall be fine.”
“What about Lord Pembroke?” Caroline inquired. “Tonight it seemed that he was involved in whatever plan you’re working on. Why do you not ask for his help?”
Rebecca sighed. “I can do this on my own. After all, he is not invited, and there would be no reasonable explanation for his appearance at Lord Tedious’ townhouse that night.” She grasped Caroline’s hands. “Please, help me, and I swear I shall tell you everything!”
Her cousin’s gaze remained on hers for a long moment, indecision weighing heavily on her, before she finally nodded her head. “Very well. I’ll help you.”
Rebecca surged into Caroline’s arms, hugging her tightly. “Thank you so much.” With any luck, all would be resolved tomorrow…and Zach could finally speak to her uncle.
It was so utterly liberating to know what she wanted.
Who she wanted.
From this day onward.
Chapter Thirty
Unusual Women
“That is not an answer!” Zach snapped, his fist connecting hard with the top of his large desk as he fought to remain in control. His pulse thudded in his veins as he stared at his friend, seated leisurely in the armchair across from him, the look on his face not agitated in the least.
Since neither Markham nor Lord Tedious had made an appearance at last night’s ball, Zach had felt confirmed in his assumption that it had indeed been his friend who had sent men to rob the boring viscount. When he had then missed Markham at his own residence that morning, Zach had left a note, asking Markham to call on him.
Which his friend had done late that afternoon, giving Zach enough time to work up his anger and dis
appointment into a raging fury.
“What do you want to hear?” Markham asked, his dark gaze steady in a rather unsettling way. Did he truly not think he’d done anything wrong? “I knew you wouldn’t have approved, and so I made the decision not to consult you.”
“Is that a confession?” Zach demanded, feeling his palms begin to sweat.
Markham rose from his chair, his gaze now on the same level with Zach’s. “The word confession implies something done wrong, does it not?”
Zach shook his head. “Do you truly not see anything wrong in attacking another?”
Markham shrugged, then sat back down. “You don’t know the man. He deserved what he got. As do they all.”
“What does that mean?”
Again, Markham shrugged.
Zach could have strangled him. His hands balled into fists and his body hummed with the need to hit something, to release this pent-up energy and regain some of the calm that had been absent for too long.
Rising from his chair, Markham strode over to pour a drink, then returned and held the glass out to Zach. “Here, you need this. Perhaps then we can speak.”
After a moment of hesitation, Zach downed the liquid, feeling it burning down his throat. He coughed and inhaled a sharp breath before setting down the empty glass with a loud clunk. Then he sank into his chair, feeling oddly depleted.
Seating himself, Markham steepled his fingers, his dark gaze fixed on Zach. “I apologize if my approach was not to your liking. However, you cannot argue with the results.” He lifted a finger when Zach was about to interject. “Coleridge is a cold-hearted bastard. He deserves far worse. If you knew…” His lips clamped together and for the first time that day, his usual air of nonchalance slipped from his fingers, revealing deeper emotions.
Zach sighed, seeing the upheaval in his friend’s eyes. “How do you know him?”
Markham cleared his throat. “I know men like him,” he gritted out, his jaw suddenly tense. “I’ve seen what they do without remorse, without mercy, without even the slightest hint of compassion.”
Zach swallowed hard. “What happened?”
“You don’t want to know,” Markham stated with a haunted look on his face. “But I assure you he has blood on his hands and no honor to speak of. He was more than willing to sacrifice his driver last night so that he could live. He had no thought for the man. None. His only concern was for himself and always will be. Men like him do not change.” He exhaled slowly, and Zach could see from the faraway look in his friend’s eyes that there was a lot more on his mind than the previous night. “All that matters now is to see your father’s ring returned. Were you successful last night?”
Despite his disappointment that Markham continued to keep him at arm’s length, Zach found relief in the knowledge that a compassionate heart beat in his friend’s chest after all. Something dire had to have happened for Markham to view Lord Tedious in such a dark light and Zach could not help but worry for Becca. Was she aware of the man’s true nature? Was anyone?
“Unfortunately, no one paid the ring any attention,” Zach replied with a sigh. On top of his anger with his friend, last night had brought him a deep sense of disappointment with regard to retrieving his father’s ring. It seemed there was nothing that could be done to locate it.
“That is truly unfortunate. Perhaps—”
A knock sounded on the door and, a moment later, Gusford shuffled into the study. “I apologize for the interruption, my lord. This letter was just delivered for you. It was said to be urgent.”
Taking the item in question from his butler, Zach thanked him and then tore open the envelope. The handwriting on the front was clearly feminine, but it was not Rebecca’s. Who could it be from?
Lord Pembroke,
I write to you in the hopes that you truly care for my cousin and would never knowingly endanger her. As she refuses to confide in me, I can merely guess what is afoot. I thought you should know that Lord Coleridge sent a note inviting our family to his townhouse for supper tonight. Judging from my cousin’s reaction, I assume that she plans something, whether or not you’re aware of it I cannot say. I leave it to you to decide whether or not such a plan could be dangerous to her. I must warn you, should you fail to act and my cousin is harmed in any way, I shall become very unpleasant. I hope I’ve made myself clear.
The Other Miss Hawkins
“Are you all right?” Markham asked before he rose to his feet, his hands settling on Zach’s desk as he leaned forward.
Zach felt his friend’s gaze, but could not tear his eyes off the parchment and the words written there. What was Becca doing? What plan could she possibly have to pursue at Lord Tedious’ townhouse?
“Pembroke!”
His head snapped up. “What?”
Markham’s gaze drifted to the letter. “What happened? You look concerned.”
“I am,” Zach croaked, forcing a deep breath down his throat. “Becca has been invited to supper at Coleridge’s house.” Markham’s jaw clenched. “Her cousin writes that she suspects Becca is pursuing some kind of plan.” He shook his head. “I cannot think what it could be.” He pushed to his feet. “Why did she not write to me herself?” Becca couldn’t possibly be thinking of accepting that man’s proposal, could she? Not after that moment they’d shared last night.
“Her cousin?” Markham asked, the look on his face one of amused expectation. “Caroline Hawkins?” Then he held out his hand. “May I read it?”
Shrugging, Zach handed the letter over and began pacing his study, his thoughts occupied with what to do. If her cousin was worried, then he doubted that Becca simply planned to accept the man’s proposal – which would destroy him, of course! But what other plan could she have? One that her cousin believed he was involved in? After all, the only thing they’d both been working on was the retrieval of his father’s ring, and…
Zach froze midstep. “She believes him to have the ring,” he muttered, shock chilling his bones. Behind him, Markham chuckled, amusement tinging his voice, and when Zach turned around, he found a large smile on his friend’s face. “What is it? What is so entertaining?”
Instantly, Markham’s expression sobered. “She has a way with words, does she not? Veiled threats; quite unusual.”
Zach nodded, noting the way his friend gently folded the parchment before handing it back to him. “It seems the Hawkins women are quite unusual.”
Markham linked his hands behind his back. “What do you suppose she is referring to? What plan?”
Zach closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath, praying that he was mistaken. Still, he couldn’t see a way how that might be possible. “I fear Becca has somehow deduced that it is Lord Tedious who is in possession of my father’s ring and intends to retrieve it tonight at supper.” He shrugged. “What other explanation could there be?”
Markham’s features tensed. “Why would she not tell you?”
Zach shrugged. “I wish I knew.”
“How would she have deduced that in the first place? Coleridge was not there last night, so he couldn’t have said or done anything that would have told her—”
“I don’t know!” Zach snapped, feeling his pulse quicken once more. “Perhaps it was something in the note he sent.” He frowned. “The man was just knocked out in an attack, and the same night, he sends out an invitation to supper? Isn’t that odd?”
Markham nodded. “He’s planning something. If he truly is the one who won your father’s ring, he might have been highly suspicious ever since first seeing it on her weeks ago.” A muscle in his jaw twitched. “The man possesses unlimited patience as well as firm control over his emotions. He hides his true face well and rarely slips up.” Shaking his head, Markham came to stand in front of Zach. “Believe me when I tell you that if he’s planning something, he will see it through.”
Zach felt chills run down his limbs. “But what could he want from her? More than her hand in marriage?” That thought alone almost sent him flying backwar
d.
Markham shrugged. “That, I cannot say. Perhaps it is her dowry he needs. From what I hear, his funds are all but depleted. After all, the man enjoys his gambling.” His jaw clenched. “Or perhaps he simply enjoys the game.”
“What game?”
“The game she began by wearing the ring,” Markham pointed out. “If he recognized it – and we have to assume he did – then he probably has a lot of questions.”
“You think all he seeks are answers?” Zach asked hopefully.
Markham grimaced. “I doubt it is that simple.” He held Zach’s gaze. “If I were you, I’d be concerned. Very concerned.”
“Tell me what he did!” Zach all but yelled. “If he’s truly the monster you think him to be, I need to know. For Becca’s sake!” His heart beat wildly in his chest as he stared at his friend.
Markham stilled, a hint of indecision coming to his eyes before his jaw hardened once more. “Knowing more details will not change what you already know,” he stated calmly, yet the pulse in his neck thudded rapidly. “If she is intent on seeing this through herself, then you need to make a choice.” His gaze intensified. “Here. Now.”
Zach swallowed hard. “That settles it.” He stormed out of his study and then proceeded up to his chambers.
“What do you intend to do?” Markham asked, his long strides keeping up with him.
“I’ll invite myself to Coleridge’s supper tonight.”
Markham grabbed him by the arm and spun him around. “You intend to walk in the front door?”
“I cannot leave her alone with him!”
“Of course not,” Markham agreed. “However, you need to ask yourself what it is you want, what it is you’re willing to do to protect her.” His brows rose in challenge. “What does she mean to you? Is what is between you merely another game? Or—?”