How to Climb a Lady’s Tower

by Wolf, Bree

  “I love her,” Zach blurted out. The moment he said it, his heart settled into a rhythm that whispered of utter contentment, free of doubt and regret.

  Peaceful bliss.

  Markham smiled. “Then go and steal her away.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  The Man Behind the Mask

  Rebecca could not deny that her heart beat wildly from the moment she stepped into the carriage that would take them to Lord Tedious’ townhouse. Of course, he knew. Or at least he suspected something after seeing the ring. Why else would he have asked that she wear it tonight? It couldn’t possibly be a coincidence, could it? Would he confront her? In front of her family?

  Oddly, however, he did not.

  Instead, Lord Tedious received them all with the utmost politeness, exchanging the usual pleasantries with her aunt and uncle without paying overly much attention to her and Caroline. Supper passed in the usual way as well, with mind-numbing chitchat and the rather uneventful retelling of his attack. “He forced me to relinquish everything of worth I had in my possession that night,” Lord Tedious droned on. “Even my grandfather’s ring.”

  Rebecca swallowed. For in that moment, she could have sworn his gaze had flitted to her.

  “Had I not been so concerned for my driver’s welfare, I would have not simply relinquished my most prized possessions. However, he had his pistol pointed at poor Mr. Baker, a man who’s been in my employ for years. A man I hold in the highest regard.” He shook his head sadly.

  “You’ve got nothing to blame yourself for, my lord,” Rebecca’s uncle rushed to assure him. “You acted with the utmost honor, befitting a man of your station.”

  Lord Tedious sighed rather theatrically, Rebecca thought. “I must say I’m relieved that it was I who was struck down and not poor Mr. Barker. After all, the reason for the attack did not lie with him, but with me. It was my possessions the scoundrel was after.”

  Rebecca paused, her gaze lingering on Lord Tedious’ darkened features. “Didn’t you say his name was Baker?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Your driver,” Rebecca pointed out, wondering why on earth Lord Tedious felt the need to speak with such dedication of a servant. Never before had she noticed him being particularly kind to those tending to his needs. “You called him Mr. Baker, but just now you referred to him as Mr. Barker. Which is it?”

  While her uncle cast her a dark look, Lord Tedious laughed. “Barker, of course. It must have been the excitement why I misspoke. I apologize.” He nodded his head to her, his gaze strangely unsettling as though he were displeased with her for pointing out his error. Indeed, he appeared not quite like himself tonight. Below that well-mannered and courteous exterior Rebecca had become familiar with over the past few months – to her great regret! – she now sensed a slightly vindictive streak as though he could not bear to be bested. As though he needed to feel superior to those around him at all times. How had she not seen this before? Or was she misjudging him now? Now that she believed him to be in possession of Zach’s ring? Was her mind playing tricks on her?

  “Excuse me, my lord,” Caroline asked in that soft, demure voice of hers. “May I ask? Was it only one highwayman who attacked you?”

  “Caroline, that is quite enough!” her father snarled.

  Instantly, his daughter bowed her head, mumbling an apology.

  Rebecca sighed, wondering why Caroline insisted on acting so timid when, in truth, the strength of her father’s character was no match for hers.

  “It’s quite all right,” Lord Tedious trilled, a pleasant smile on his face. That smile did not reach his eyes as he looked across the table at Caroline. “Yes, it was only one man, but since he had a pistol trained on my trusted servant, I had no choice but to comply with his demands.”

  “I see,” Caroline mumbled, casting a careful glance at her father. “Did you see his face?”

  “Unfortunately, he wore a mask.”

  “Was there anything about him you recognized?”

  A frown slowly descended upon the man’s face as his gaze lingered on Caroline, and Rebecca knew that he was seeing her cousin with new eyes. The thought made her stomach turn for there was definitely something deeply unsettling about Lord Tedious she’d never taken note of before. “I cannot say that I did,” he replied, his narrowed eyes watching Caroline with the utmost attention. “Why do you ask?”

  Caroline shrugged, a cautious note coming to the way she averted her gaze in that demure way of hers. “I’m only concerned. The notion of a highwayman lying in wait is most disturbing.” She shuddered for good measure, and Rebecca had to suppress a smile at her cousin’s theatrical talent. “I can only hope he will be apprehended soon.”

  Lord Tedious seemed placated by Caroline’s reaction as his demeanor softened, grew less alert. “I assure you there is no need for concern. I’m quite certain that either he is long gone or he will be caught soon if he dares linger in the vicinity of London.”

  Suspecting that it was indeed Lord Markham, the Black Baron, who’d attacked Lord Tedious, Rebecca doubted that the man could be swayed to leave London. What he did he seemed to do with a clear head and great calculation. For a second, Rebecca wondered if he had done so before, set upon other noblemen on the road. Dimly, she recalled hearing instances of lords and ladies being robbed on their way into the country. Her gaze moved to Caroline, and Rebecca wished she could ask her cousin what had prompted her questions. Was it possible that Caroline somehow knew who the highwayman was? Never had Rebecca seen Caroline even exchange a word with Lord Markham. Or had she been too preoccupied and simply not noticed?

  Rebecca sighed. It would seem there was a lot she hadn’t seen. How inconvenient! Always had she been able to rely on her powers of observation. Now, however, where she herself was concerned, they seemed to fail her. Was it because she was biased? Because she had a personal involvement in the matter?

  “Certainly,” her uncle exclaimed in that moment, jarring Rebecca from her thoughts. “Of course, I have no objections as I’m certain she’ll be in good hands with you.”

  Frowning, Rebecca looked at her uncle, feeling her stomach plummet at the sight of utter glee in those beady eyes peeking out through thick spectacles. Something Lord Tedious had said had pleased him greatly, and Rebecca could not help but think that she knew what it was.

  “Colton will show you to the drawing room,” Lord Tedious said as he vacated his chair, his eyes drifting to her.

  Rebecca swallowed, dropping her gaze, as they rose from the table.

  A moment later, her uncle was beside her, leaning in to whisper, “Lord Coleridge wishes to show you his newly finished conservatory.” His brows rose to impart on her the significance of his words. “Do be polite, and accept his offer graciously.”

  Gritting her teeth, Rebecca nodded. She had been worried that Lord Tedious might take this opportunity to ask for her hand. What was she to do now? She couldn’t very well slip away when she was the only one in the room with him. Her eyes drifted to her cousin.

  Caroline’s blue eyes looked worried as she stepped up to her mother and father, waiting to be shown to the drawing room. Her forehead creased, frown lines appearing as she looked back at Rebecca, a question in her pale blue eyes.

  As her mother and father urged her out of the room, Rebecca heard her cousin ask, “What about Rebecca? Is she not joining us?” Then the door closed behind them, and Rebecca turned her head to find Lord Tedious standing beside her.

  A polite smile hung on his lips; his gaze, however, whispered of wicked amusement as he offered her his arm. “May I escort you, Miss Hawkins? I assure you the conservatory will take your breath away, especially in the dark it is quite spectacular as it allows one a perfect view of the stars.”

  “That sounds wonderful,” Rebecca replied with an equally feigned smile, accepting his arm and allowing him to lead her out another door and down the corridor. Her heart beat frantically as her mind raced. Would he propose? Or rather confront her ab
out the ring?

  Absentmindedly, her hand rose to touch the small emerald resting gently against her skin, her thoughts occupied with the coming moments and what they might reveal.

  “It is a magnificent ring,” Lord Tedious remarked, his gaze lowering to meet hers as he pushed open the double glass doors leading into the large conservatory. “Truly one of a kind.”

  Rebecca swallowed as she detected a hint of sarcasm in his voice, but willed her smile not to falter. “You’re very right, my lord,” she replied, then stepped across the threshold into a darkened world.

  The glass walls and ceiling made her feel as though she’d stepped outside, wrapped into the night’s dark blanket. Still, the air was warm and pleasant, and no chill chased itself across her skin. Plants and flowers stood everywhere, some tall and some small. Some with beautiful blossoms, and some merely sporting different shades of green. Candles burned here and there while stars sparkled overhead, casting a soft glow over the conservatory. Begrudgingly, Rebecca had to admit that it was breathtaking, indeed.

  “I was very pleased that you accepted my invitation,” Lord Tedious remarked from somewhere by the door as Rebecca took a slow turn about the room, welcoming the opportunity it afforded her to put some distance between them.

  “Oh, my uncle would not have it otherwise,” she assured him, casting a brilliant smile in his direction. “He holds you in high regard.”

  Lord Tedious’ lips curled upward in a somewhat sardonic smile, suggesting that he was far from ignorant when it came to the underlying meaning of her words. “Your uncle is a most accommodating man.”

  Coming to stand by the west wall of the conservatory, Rebecca looked out into the night, her reflection staring back at her as she fought to maintain a nonchalant expression on her face. The way Lord Tedious was watching her was truly unsettling, and it bothered her greatly that she couldn’t tell what he wanted. That he had no immediate intention to ask for her hand seemed quite clear – to Rebecca’s relief as well as regret! At least if he were to propose, she would know what to say. What was it that he wanted?

  Once more praising her uncle, he moved closer, and Rebecca could feel her skin crawl at the thought that they were indeed alone. Why had he maneuvered her here?

  Annoyance pushed to the front, and Rebecca belatedly realized that she was being a fool! She was allowing him to dictate the rules. She was allowing him to intimidate her. She was acting like a simpering miss, and she was anything but.

  Squaring her jaw, Rebecca lifted her head, pushed back her shoulders and put a most condescending expression on her face before she spun on her heel and met his eyes head-on. “I do enjoy this little game, my lord, however, I’m beginning to feel somewhat tired and I’d appreciate it if you would simply tell me what it is you want.” Batting her lashes, she smiled at him sweetly, however, her arms rose to cross in front of her chest as she stared him down.

  For a moment, Lord Tedious seemed completely taken aback – Rebecca cheered inwardly! – as he stared at her, his eyes wide, moving over her face as though he didn’t quite believe what he was seeing. Then he blinked and laughter spilled from his mouth, destroying any resemblance to the subdued lord he’d always pretended to be in her presence. “What a remarkable transformation!” he all but congratulated her, a sense of awe swinging in his voice. Holding her gaze, he moved closer. “I always thought to sense a more daring spirit within you, my dear Miss Hawkins, however, not in my wildest dreams would I have expected it to soar to such heights.”

  The appreciation in his voice confused her, and Rebecca wondered if she’d misjudged him yet again. Did he mean to ask for her hand after all? Why else would he be so delighted to realize that she, too, had been wearing a mask for the duration of their acquaintance? “You also seem strangely transformed, my lord,” Rebecca remarked, her brows rising in challenge. “I assume your interests go beyond that delightful canine of yours?”

  Raucous laughter shook him. “I detest that flea-ridden beast!”

  “And your driver?” Rebecca asked, feigning a similar delight with his true self when, in truth, it made her skin crawl. Who was this man?

  Lord Tedious shrugged. “I have no idea what the man’s name is, and I couldn’t care less. However, people respond favorably to those who portray a certain consideration for those below stairs. It gives one an air of benevolence, wouldn’t you agree?” His gaze narrowed. “It was very astute of you to notice such a small slip of the tongue. I hadn’t even been aware of it.”

  “You seemed to dislike my astuteness at the time,” Rebecca pointed out, even though she could not help but think that it was far from wise to antagonize him. Something dark lurked in his eyes as he looked at her, and Rebecca was very much aware of the fact that they’d walked for quite a while before reaching the conservatory. If she were to scream, would her family even hear her?

  She doubted it very much.

  The smile slid off his face, and something menacing came to his eyes as he stepped closer. “I dislike being corrected, especially in front of company. As my future wife, you will need to learn your place, to understand the distinction between representing a certain image and expressing one’s true self in the company of trusted friends.”

  Rebecca felt her jaw drop. “Your future wife?”

  A touch of pleasure came to his face at the sight of her shock, and he moved closer still, forcing her to lift her chin in order to maintain eye contact. “We would make a wonderful pair, would we not? Most young ladies only possess one aspect of what I desire in a wife.”

  Rebecca swallowed. “And what would that be? Is it my dowry that appeals to you? Urging you to look past my lack of title?”

  His jaw tightened. “Your dowry is much appreciated,” he hissed, lowering his head. “However, there are two sides of society and I’d prefer my wife were able to find her place in both.” His gaze held hers, daring her to answer, to contradict him, to challenge him.

  Rebecca swallowed, forcing the ugly reply that was already at the tip of her tongue back down for she would learn more about his true motives if she simply allowed him to talk.

  “By day,” he continued on, his demeanor relaxing at her feigned cooperation, “we must appear beyond reproach, follow the rules to the point, portray that which society demands.” An appalling grin contorted his face. “By night, however, we are free to do as we please, and I’d rather have a wife who can match my stride than one who shrinks away at the sight of my true self.”

  “You said by night,” Rebecca remarked, throwing all caution to the wind, feeling almost desperate to have the truth out in the open and not only have it hinted it, “but what you meant was in secret, isn’t that true?” His lips curled upward appreciatively. “Which is why you attended Lord Mortimer’s card game under a dead man’s name, or am I wrong?”

  Again, a moment passed as he stared at her in utter surprise before that look of dark appreciation settled on his face once again. “You’re a truly remarkable young woman,” he whispered before his gaze darted downward, touching upon the emerald ring around her neck. “Truly one of a kind, not unlike the ring you wear.” His eyes met hers, and she could see a question blazing there.

  Enjoying the triumphant smile that claimed her lips, Rebecca straightened, almost pushing herself onto her toes. “You were the one to win it that night.”

  Lord Tedious nodded. Then he reached into his jacket pocket. “Explain to me, my dear,” his tone demanding as he spoke, “how can there be two specimens of something considered one of a kind.” He pulled his hand from his pocket then and held it out toward her, his fingers closed over something small lying in his palm. “At first when I saw you wearing it, I thought you’d stolen it,” his fingers uncurled, revealing the simple, yet stunning ring Zach’s father had long ago settled on his beloved wife’s finger, “however, upon my return home, I found it where I’d left it.” His brows rose. “Care to explain? For neither is it a replica. I assure you I had it tested.”

  Reb
ecca chuckled, amused. She knew she ought not to, especially when his face darkened and anger blazed in his eyes. Of course, a man like him would not like being mocked, could not stand to be at a disadvantage. “Yours is not a replica,” she told him with a smile. “Mine, however, is.”

  His brows furrowed before he looked down at the ring around her neck, then back up at her. “A replica? But why? Why would you wear a replica? A replica of my ring?”

  Rebecca lifted her hands and settled them on her hips. “To find the original, of course.”

  He shifted from one foot onto the other, then paused. “You wore this to lure me out?”

  Rebecca nodded. “To discover who’d won it that night.”

  “But why? What is it to you? Certainly, it is a beautiful stone, but I’m certain your uncle can afford to buy you far more precious jewels. What does this mean to you?”

  For a moment, Rebecca merely stood there, looking at the man who’d tricked her ever since their first encounter, and her thoughts were involuntarily drawn to the man who’d come to her aid ever since their first encounter. “It means everything to me,” she whispered as Zach’s beloved face appeared before her inner eye, “and I will not leave here without it.”

  Lord Tedious shrugged. “If you desire it so, I shall offer it to you as a wedding present. In fact, it would please me to see it upon your fing—”

  “I will not marry you.” The moment these five simple words left her lips, Rebecca felt joy and pride swell in her heart. For months now, she’d feared she would succumb when the moment would be upon her, that she would choose the easier path. That she would choose security over adventure. Respectability over remaining true to herself.

  But she had not, and it made her proud like nothing ever had.

  The man in front of her, however, looked far from pleased. “Excuse me?” he demanded as he shot forward. Dimly, Rebecca heard the ring hit the marble floor with a soft clink as his hands grabbed her upper arms, bringing her face closer to his. “Your uncle assured me that—”