by Golden Angel
Elijah dropped his hand from Joseph’s shoulder as Rex ambled up. The leader of the Society of Sin always looked a bit out of place at formal gatherings, as though he was a lion who had been temporarily leashed but might decide to do away with his tether at any moment. He had lost some of his rakish air since becoming a married man. The matrons of the ton had been disgruntled to find the notorious Marquess of Hartford was in love with his wife and faithful to her.
Personally, Elijah thought they were all rather slow on the uptake. Rex’s reputation had become less deserved over the years. He was still the leader of the Society and wielded a great deal of power within Society, but his exploits had ceased years ago, and his proclivities became decidedly tamer. Elijah had been surprised how little Rex indulged in the Society’s decadences, even before his marriage to little Mary.
“Welcome to the club of married men. You will not be able to get rid of me now.” Rex smiled wickedly, his golden eyes lit with mischief.
“I never wanted to be rid of you,” Elijah protested, though he knew his words were not entirely true. After their school days, he had thrown himself into learning his father’s business and had not had time for his friends, especially scandalous friends like Rex, but he had missed him.
“Well, you will not be able to now, even if you change your mind.” Rex chuckled. “You are a married man, and your wife and my wife are practically joined at the hip.”
“Do not remind me.” Elijah scowled.
He could do with them being a little less joined, considering the scrapes Mary had gotten into recently—disguising herself and risking her reputation by going undercover into the Society, letting a man lure her into a carriage with a false story, and getting herself kidnapped. Clearly, time spent with Josie and Evie had rubbed off on her, rather than the other way round. Josie had better not expect to repeat Mary’s antics. He looked around the room.
“Where are they? They had better not be getting into more mischief.”
“They had to visit the retiring room,” Rex replied easily, amusement lighting his face. “I am sure there is not too much trouble they can get into there.”
Before Elijah could answer, a footman stopped in front of him with a note on a tray.
“This was delivered for you, my lord. The boy who brought it said it was urgent.” As Elijah picked up the note, the footman gave a slight bow before walking away.
“An urgent note of congratulations?” Joseph’s amusement was clear, and Rex chuckled.
Elijah ignored them, opening the crisp, white paper. Dark, bold letters written in a slanted hand jumped out at him, their threatening message clear.
Congratulations Durham. I am sure you think you thwarted me, marrying Miss Pennyworth in your brother’s place.
Enjoy your marriage while it lasts. Do you think your bride will enjoy being a widow more than a wife?
Jerking his head up, he cast his gaze around the room. Those who met his gaze started to smile, then looked away when his expression registered. None of them seemed suspicious.
“Go get that footman,” he ordered Joseph. “Get a description of the boy who delivered this.” It was an incredible long shot but worth trying. This was the first time the traitor had dared to contact him or anyone that he knew of directly. Joseph took off after the footman while Rex stared at him. “Go guard the retiring room. Keep your eye on the ladies. All the ladies. I will send help.”
Realizing the urgency of the situation, Rex hurried away without questioning him. Crumpling the note, Elijah set his jaw and strode across the room toward his father. They would have to end the brunch early to discuss this latest development.
Josie
“Do you have a particular fondness for retiring rooms at weddings?” Josie teased when she entered to find Evie as she had expected when Lily and Mary had come to fetch her.
“You are a wretch,” Evie said fondly, coming forward to hug her fiercely. “I cannot believe you are my cousin now.”
“You certainly do not look the part.” Josie wrapped her arms around her friend and squeezed tightly. Evie was dressed as a servant, as she had been at Mary’s wedding. She had applied makeup to her face to obscure her beauty and features even more than usual, and her long, dark hair was tucked up under a scarf. “And I married the wrong cousin.”
“I think you married the right one,” Lily interrupted, and Josie turned to glare at her, breaking apart from Evie. “Oh, do not look at me like that. I know you love Joseph, but he has caused you nothing but heartbreak over the years. Elijah has always looked out for you.” The statement was unnervingly close to what her mother had said.
“She does not look heartbroken today,” Mary chimed in, tilting her head to scrutinize Josie’s expression.
“Why are you all against me today?” Josie scowled. “Of course, I am still heartbroken. But I had some time to adjust my expectations.”
“Ah, yes, three days,” Lily said dryly. “Three days ago, you were crying into your tea.”
“What else am I supposed to do?” Josie was beginning to feel very cross with her friends. So, she was no longer bemoaning her fate or crying into her tea. She’d had all Season to accustom herself to the idea Joseph would marry Miss Bliss, and she would have to marry someone else. “I had the morbs, but now, I am going to make the best of my life. Besides, now that I am married to Elijah, surely I will be able to find out more about what he and Evie’s uncle are keeping from her about the traitor.”
“Do you think Elijah will let you?” Lily was clearly skeptical, pricking Josie’s pride. Let her. Since when had she ever waited for anyone to let her do something? The threat of being spanked by him had taken her aback, but now it felt more like a challenge. He thought he could keep her hemmed in with his threats, did he? Perhaps she might even be like Mary and would enjoy such activities.
Regardless, Josie had promised to help her friend, and she would. Besides, if the traitor was the reason for her being attacked and now married to Elijah, as Evie suspected, she had a personal matter to settle with the blackguard.
“Elijah shall not rule me.” She tossed her head. “I will do as I please, as I have always done.”
“This should end well,” Mary murmured. “You are going to have a very red bottom if you keep that up.”
“I did not need to hear that.” Evie nudged Mary with her elbow. “That is my cousin, remember.”
“You are the one who set me to finding out more about the Society,” Mary reminded her, bumping her hip against Evie’s. “It is not my fault Elijah joined. I didn’t want to see him in all his perverted glory.” Lily giggled, but Josie was suddenly ill to her stomach—even knowing about Elijah’s participation, she had not really thought much about it, especially since realizing she would have to marry him.
Would Elijah engage in the Society’s gatherings now that he was married? She could not imagine him taking her to such functions, which would mean he would go alone. Would he still touch other women, spank other women, now that he was married?
Josie did not like that idea at all. Even though she did not have the same feelings for Elijah as she had for Joseph, she realized she wanted some trust, faithfulness between them. What an awful time to have that revelation. It was a little late to discuss such matters with him, wasn’t it?
Sudden knocking at the door made all of them freeze. Evie shrank before their eyes, stepping back against the wall and blending in with her head down and hands folded properly in front of her, like a servant awaiting instruction.
“Mary? Are you in there?” Rex’s deep voice was easily recognizable, though slightly muffled by the door. There was a tightness to his tone.
Evie lifted her head to wave at them, the slight sheen in her eyes the only sign of her emotion. Josie’s heart thudded in her chest. She wished Evie could join them outside but knew Evie thought she was doing the right thing, and Josie believed she was as well.
“We are here,” Mary said, opening the door. “What is wrong?”
The moment he laid eyes on her, Rex’s broad shoulders relaxed.
“I am not sure. Elijah received a note, then sent Joseph running to try to discover the sender and me here to guard the three of you.” He cast his golden gaze over them as if taking stock of their well-being.
Josie’s curiosity was piqued.
“Where is he now?” she asked, stepping past Rex and into the hall. Something about the note must be very important, and she wanted to know what it said.
Chapter 8
Josie
Her new husband was standing with his father, youngest brother, and two other men she recognized. Captain Nathan Jones and Captain Anthony Browne had come along to rescue Mary when she had been kidnapped—though their services had ultimately been unnecessary. They were spies for Evie’s Uncle Oliver, though Elijah had told her they were friends of his when she inquired about their presence on the guest list.
“I do not want to put anyone in danger—” Elijah cut off what he was saying as Josie approached, his gaze meeting hers. The emotion bubbling in his dark eyes was more than protective, though she could not put her finger on what else was there. Elijah straightened. “Josie. I will join you as soon as I am done talking to my father.”
Sensing her two friends coming up alongside her, Josie put her hands on her hips. Behind her, she heard Rex’s quiet laugh.
“Or I will join you now. Where is this note?”
The look Elijah cast over her shoulder at Rex was half exasperation and half anger.
“You told them?” he asked Rex, right over her head, as if she did not exist. Josie scowled at him and barely managed to refrain from stomping her foot. Captain Browne watched her warily as if he thought she might throw a tantrum in the middle of her wedding brunch.
“Of course, I told them. I do not make a habit of lying to my wife.”
“Yes, Elijah. Rex does not make a habit of lying to his wife. Is that a habit you intend to embark on?” Josie held out her hand. “I want to see the note.”
“Absolutely not.” Elijah shoved it in his pocket, then turned back to his father. “We need to end the brunch… now.”
“What? No!” Josie, Lily, and Mary protested in unison. “Are you mad? What was in that note?”
“No, I am deadly serious. I need to leave and help Joseph hunt down the delivery boy, then the person who gave him the note.” There was a steeliness to Elijah’s expression she had never seen, but it did not matter. Josie was not about to be abandoned at her wedding brunch. As much as she wanted to know what was in the note that had caused his reaction, she had to prioritize keeping him from running off because of it.
“Absolutely not. What will people think? If you recall, the whole reason for this marriage was about what people would think!” Her voice was a little louder and getting shriller. Lily nudged her in the side and stepped forward, keeping her voice low but urgent.
“Josie is right. You will set off a torrent of gossip if you end the brunch early, especially if you leave Josie’s side immediately. You are already the focus of so much attention. The best thing you can do is behave like a newly married man and let others do this part for you. That is why Captain Jones and Captain Browne are here, is it not?” Even though Josie was standing slightly behind Lily and could not see her expression, she knew Lily had just arched a dismissive brow at Elijah, in the way only she could.
“Exactly. Not only that, but if you hie off, when you return, you will still have to live with me.” Though she said it mildly, Josie was pleased when the men flinched, including Elijah’s father. Yes, she could make Elijah’s life an absolute misery if she put her mind to it—and if he deserted her at their wedding brunch, she most certainly would.
Nodding, Evie’s uncle took charge, sending Browne and Jones after Joseph, who had apparently left to chase after the delivery boy. The rest of them were left to circulate among the guests and keep up appearances, which Josie could tell grated on Elijah. She took a fair amount of joy in his frustration, which made her own emotions easier to deal with.
He had received a threat on his life. A threat!
Every part of her was wound up with indignation. No, she had not wanted to marry him, but she did not want to be a widow, either. She could not imagine a world without Elijah in it, and she did not want to. Right now, he was far safer here at the brunch, though he clearly did not appreciate that.
“Stop grinding your teeth, Elijah,” she murmured as they walked away from the Spencers. “People will think you are unhappy to be married to me.”
Rolling his shoulders back, some of the tension in his body dissipated, and a blander social mask settled over his expression. Josie was fascinated to watch the transformation as though now that he had been reminded of his role, he could slip it on like a second skin.
“My apologies.” His voice was still tight with tension, though she doubted anyone who did not know him as well as she did would realize. “I am not used to being left behind while others take action for me.”
“Hmm.” She had absolutely no sympathy for him. “Perhaps you can compare feelings with Evie about what it’s like when you see her again.”
The dark look he shot down at her made her cackle inside.
Elijah
The wedding brunch was interminable, though he understood Father’s reasoning. He had known he would eventually need to take on a more similar role to his father, standing back while others did the dangerous work, but he had not expected it to happen now. Although he could not deny it was the wiser course of action.
Seeing him and Josie walking around, her hand on his arm, the guests seemed to think nothing was amiss. If anyone noticed Joseph’s absence, they said nothing—not to him and Josie nor in earshot of his father’s men. Ending the brunch early or him leaving would have caused a flurry of unwanted gossip.
Joseph, Anthony, and Nathan returned by the end of the brunch to the notice of absolutely no one. From across the room, Joseph met Elijah’s gaze and shook his head. They had been unable to find the delivery boy. Elijah cursed inwardly. Though he knew the result would have likely been the same if he had been the one to go, he still felt as if it was his fault they had missed another chance at the traitor.
Saying farewell to their guests, Elijah passed Josie over to the housekeeper, Mrs. Brandon’s, care. She would show Josie the house while he met with the others to find out what happened.
“I see you still have no sympathy for those left out,” Josie said, making a face at him. He almost expected her to stick out her tongue.
“You are the one who insisted we keep up appearances.” He smiled benignly.
“I already know this house like the back of my hand.”
Which was very likely true. She had been a regular visitor all Season, which had been both amusing and frustrating every time she had eavesdropped on him and Father. Knowing she was in contact with Evie, they had made a point to only talk about how worried they were about Evie in hopes Josie would pass the message on. However, her penchant for listening at keyholes had hindered some of the discussions they needed to have. Father had chosen to allow it to continue, though now that Josie was Elijah’s wife, he was determined to put a stop to it.
“But only as a guest, not as its mistress. You are now the lady of the house.” The words gave him a pang as he realized how true they were. With his mother gone and Evie having disappeared—again—Josie was the only lady of the house. Her expression softened to one of sympathy. As his neighbor, she would remember his mother’s death and funeral as well as he, though she had only been a young child when it happened.
“Well, as the lady of the house, I will expect to be kept informed. Eventually, you will have to tell me what was in that note.” The tartness in her voice did not have the edge it might have. She turned to follow Mrs. Brandon without further protest. The housekeeper would show her their wing of Stuart House. Odd to think of it as ‘their’ wing, no longer ‘his’ wing.
Elijah kept his face blan
k. They would have time enough later to talk about what her duties as lady of the house would entail. They would not include hunting traitors or putting herself in any danger. He rubbed his hand over his chest, imagining himself in Rex’s position a few weeks ago when Mary was kidnapped.
Of course, he was not in love with Josie, the way Rex was with Mary, but he cared about her greatly. He had grown up watching over her. It was nothing more than that.
“Elijah? Are you coming?” Jolted out of his reverie by Adam’s question and realizing he’d been watching Josie’s swishing skirts as she walked away, Elijah gave himself a little shake.
“Yes. I was… thinking.” Turning on his heel, Elijah made a face when he caught sight of Adam’s expression. He knew what his brother was thinking, but there was no way he would admit to Adam how attracted he now realized he was to Josie. He did not need to give his brother another reason to gloat.
Besides, his attraction to her had nothing to do with how she felt about him, which was a lowering thought.
“Come think with us. Though I am sure Josie’s skirts are very… thought-provoking,” Adam smirked. Ignoring him, Elijah strode into Father’s study.
Joseph was sitting in one of the chairs in front of Father’s desk, Nathan in the other, while Anthony paced by the window, occasionally glancing outside. Looking up when Elijah came in, Joseph grimaced in apology.
“The boy disappeared into the wind.” He sounded as weary and frustrated as Elijah felt. “We even asked some of the street boys if they knew who had delivered the letter, but none of them had any idea.”
Damn.
Coming up beside the chair, Elijah clapped Joseph on the shoulder.
“It was a slim chance you would find him. Thank you for trying.” Elijah turned his gaze to their father, who was watching them with fondness. “Now, what do we do?” Father’s countenance shifted to a more serious mien.