“We’d just settled ourselves at a table when I noticed Faron d’Eglantine across the room. He has grown out his hair in an attempt to blend in with the lowlifes who frequent such establishments, but I know it was him.”
“I should have guessed they would send him. He’s just the sort of power-hungry weasel who would agree to such a mission. Did I hear you correctly when you said,
‘we’?”
Rhys took a deep breath. “Miss Halverston insisted on accompanying me.” Farrington raised his brows. “And you were unable to stop her?”
“When she sets her mind on something, God himself would struggle to stop her.”
“She sounds perfect for you.”
“I told you—”
0
Farrington held up his hand. “Please explain why she felt a need to accompany you.” Rhys weighed his options. He didn’t want to tell Farrington any more about Amanda’s situation than he absolutely had to. So far, he’d kept quiet about his suspicion that her attackers and the men they were after were one and the same. He would have to mention it sooner or later, but he wanted a bit more time to investigate on his own.
“As I told you earlier, someone has been threatening her. In one of the notes he sent, he asked her to meet him at the Black Eagle. I promised her I would go there and make inquiries.”
Farrington smiled. “That’s why you’d heard of the place.” Rhys nodded. “I tried to persuade her it was too dangerous, but she doesn’t seem to understand the need for healthy fear.”
Farrington laughed. “She sounds delightful.”
“You wouldn’t say that if you were the one trying to dissuade her. I determined that it was safer for her to come with me than to risk her striking out on her own. So she costumed herself as a lad and came with me.
“Once I saw d’Eglantine, I knew I had to get her out of there. On the way out, we were ambushed. Fortunately, I’d brought a few friends along and stationed them outside.”
“Yes, fortunate indeed. Otherwise, I might now be looking for someone else to help me, and Miss Halverston might have faced a very different evening than you provided for her.”
Rhys jumped out of his chair, reached across the desk and grabbed Farrington by the front of his jacket. “I’m the best man for this assignment, or you would never have asked me. But if you make one more comment about Miss Halverston, I’m walking away. You and the whole damn country can go to hell.”
“If I can goad you this easily, then perhaps you are not the right man for the job after all.”
Rhys let go of Farrington and stood “I’ll have all the control I need when dealing with d’Eglantine or anyone else from his set. I have no need for it with you. In fact, I’m itching for a chance to smash your smug face in.”
“You’ve always had an abysmal temper.” Farrington sank back into his seat and gestured for Rhys to do the same. “How do you plan to correct the error of being recognized?”
“I don’t.”
Farrington raised a brow.
“I want d’Eglantine to think I meant for him to see me and that I intended a conversation rather than a confrontation. If you can keep your distance from me rather than insisting I report my every step to you, then I hope to convince him that I’m finished with you and your organization, and I’m willing to work with him.” Farrington drummed his fingers on the desk for a few moments. “I think this could be quite useful. In fact, I like it immensely.” Rhys stood. “Excellent, I’ll proceed with my first attempt to contact him.
Farrington held up a hand, asking Rhys to wait. “One more thing. Just an added touch I think might help.”
“What?” Rhys asked, his suspicion rising. Farrington’s added touches were never to his liking.
“If Miss Halverston is truly as forceful as you say, I think you should bring her in on this.”
“No!” Rhys’s chest constricted until he could hardly breathe.
“She’d make the perfect accomplice for you. She sounds like someone whom I would love to have in the organization.”
“I don’t need an accomplice. I will take care of this on my own.”
“As you well know, women can often learn things men never could.”
“Things that get them killed.”
“There is that risk, but it’s a worthy cause.” Rhys couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Was Farrington really so callous? Rhys had at least thought the man had grieved over Therese. “Amanda will not become involved in this.”
“I could simply contact her myself.”
“You wouldn’t.”
Farrington smiled. “Talk to her. Let her know about the opportunity and see what she says.”
“I know exactly what she’ll say, so I have no intention of mentioning it to her.” Rhys stormed out of the townhouse, paying no attention to Farrington’s attempt to call him back.
*
Caitlin entered Amanda’s sitting room and informed her that Rhys was waiting in drawing room. Amanda considered telling her maid she was not receiving. Her anger at him had not cooled, and the thought of facing him after what they had done the night before made her stomach churn.
However, she wanted to find out why the men at the tavern had gone after him instead of her. In the end, curiosity won out. She told Caitlin to inform him she would be down shortly.
She walked through the connecting door to her bedroom and checked her appearance in the glass. She was afraid the yellow gown she’d selected that morning made her look sallow. She considered changing, but when she realized what she was doing, she wanted to scream at herself. Under no circumstances would she alter her appearance to impress Rhys.
She would extract the necessary information from him. Then they would part ways.
If only that were what she really wanted. But she wanted to experience more pleasure like she had the night before. And sadly enough, she would miss their quarrels. She’d come to think of antagonizing him as one of her favorite pursuits.
It was madness to continue seeing him when her only reason for doing so would be to conduct an affair he wasn’t even interested in. How pathetic was she? No, she would have to either find someone else who stirred her as he did, or better yet, give up this notion of exploring her capacity for passion. Maintaining a state of maidenly innocence would be easier without Rhys hanging about.
If only she hadn’t promised to stay in London for the remainder of the Season. But she had no choice. Her aunt needed her, and she could hardly leave Elise in the middle of her crisis with Mr. Whittaker. Besides, she couldn’t go anywhere until she figured out who was after her and whether he intended to make another attempt at obtaining the money he’d demanded.
She needed to find out everything she could about the men who’d attacked Rhys the night before. The only way to do that was to force herself down the stairs and into the drawing room where Rhys waited.
She repinned a strand of hair that had escaped from her topknot, took a deep breath, and pulled open the door to the hallway. Rhys looked up when she opened the drawing room door. He looked exhausted and none too happy. For just a moment, she felt sorry for him, but she refused to give him even an inch.
“So you’ve decided to come slinking around again. Does this mean you’ve changed your mind about treating me like a child?”
Rhys gave her a scathing look. “I explained my behavior last night. If you had any sense at all you would see that I’m right. I came here because whether you attach any value to your life or not, others do. I have no intention of allowing you to continue your investigation on your own.”
“I see. In that case, you would be wise to leave. I told you last night that I do not require your protection.” She tried not to let disappointment creep into her face. Foolish as it might have been, a part of her had hoped he’d come to apologize.
He stepped forward and grabbed her arm. “Amanda—”
“Unhand me, or I will have you thrown out.”
He dropped her arm as if it burned hi
m. She thought she saw anguish in his eyes before he looked away. Damn it. She was being a shrew. He certainly knew how to bring out the worst in her.
She took a deep breath. This was no way to get the information she needed. “Why don’t you sit down and tell me exactly what happened at the tavern last night.”
“You know what happened. In case you’ve forgotten, you insisted on accompanying me so you could witness all of it.”
“I know what I saw, but I don’t understand it. Those men were after you, not me. I want to know why.”
“Obviously, they thought I was the true obstacle. Had they been able to defeat me and my men, they would have turned on you.”
His answer came too quickly, almost as if he’d rehearsed it. “If that were the case, the first man would have made a move for me when he thought you were unconscious.”
“Perhaps he wanted to wait for the others to join him.” Amanda scowled. “I want the truth.”
Rhys took a deep breath and closed his eyes. What horrible thing was he keeping from her? “Rhys, if you’re hiding something that could help me find the man who attacked me, that is unfair and cruel. I know you don’t want me investigating on my own, but I deserve to know why this is happening to me.”
“What I’m hiding has nothing to do with your assailant, at least not directly.” She stared at him. She could have sworn fear flashed in his eyes. What was going on?
“You will remember I said we had to leave—because I recognized someone. A man I did not want to recognize me.”
Amanda nodded.
“I knew that man from time I spent in France a few years ago. I was asked to see if he or someone he is associated with were conducing business at the Black Eagle.”
“Asked? By whom?”
“During the war, I joined an organization that assists the government in locating groups or individuals who wish to undermine the regent’s authority.” Amanda sucked in her breath. “You’re a spy?” Rhys’s face reddened. “That’s not a term I prefer to use. I gathered information to help prevent a plot against the crown. I thought I was done with that work, but the head of the agency requested my assistance with one further assignment.”
“So you were working on two investigations last night, and the men who attacked you weren’t after me at all.”
“Apparently not.”
“Could there be a connection between these men and my attacker?”
“I think that is highly unlikely,” Rhys said, but his voice sounded strained. Amanda didn’t believe him.
“I want to help you.”
He shook his head. “No.”
“I’ll allow you to continue protecting me if I can help you in return.”
“Have you lost your mind?” Rhys knelt beside her and gripped both her arms tightly.
“My work is dangerous. People die and I—” He made a strangled noise and looked away.
Suddenly Amanda understood. “The woman. The one you wanted to protect. She was part of this agency.”
The color drained from Rhys’ face, and his grip tightened even more. “She was. And now she’s dead. Is that what you want? To end up like her?” His voice cracked and he looked as scared as a cornered animal. Amanda tried to swallow, but her mouth was too dry. “No, I—”
“Then think about what you are doing. Act like you have some sense.” He released her arms and sat back on his heels. Amanda wanted to make the pain in his eyes diminish. Instead she simply sat, silent and still.
He cleared his throat and started to speak. “I…”
“What?” She leaned forward and took hold of Rhys’s hands.
He looked up. His gaze was so intense it immobilized her. “I couldn’t survive another death like that.”
“Could you believe that I would be less reckless? That I would listen to your suggestions? That I would only accompany you only when you deemed it safe?”
“No, Amanda. I don’t want you involved in this.” She swallowed hard. “I’m sorry I ran away last night. I was—” Rhys held up a hand. “You don’t need to explain.”
She smiled, grateful he wasn’t going to push her. “I do need your help. Will you at least agree to continue working on my investigation too?” Maybe if the two investigations overlapped she would be able to learn more about his secret life as a government agent.
“Will you agree to follow the rules you just stated?” Reluctantly, Amanda nodded.
“Will you be attending the Winstons’ ball tomorrow evening?”
“Yes.”
“I will find you when you arrive. Under no circumstances are you to leave your aunt’s side until I do.”
Amanda wondered whom he hoped to find at the ball, but before she could ask, he rose and headed for the door. “My men are still guarding the house, but I would feel better if you stayed in as much as possible.” He was gone before she could protest.
Chapter Nine
Rhys sat in the bar at his club the following evening, wishing he could do anything but attend a ball where he had to both mix with society and seek out Faron d’Eglantine.
Not to mention he would spend every minute in terror that Amanda would be harmed.
You’re in love with her. Farrington’s words from the day before flashed through his mind.
For the sake of his sanity, he needed to finish this investigation as quickly as he could and put some distance between himself and Amanda. Unfortunately he was no closer to figuring out who was after her than he’d been when she first came to him for help. The inquiries his colleagues had made into her father’s financial state hadn’t revealed any dealing that might prompt one of his creditors to attack Amanda.
He ordered another drink, hoping he could chase such thoughts away. Downing it quickly, he checked his watch. If he wanted to get to the ball before Amanda, he needed to leave.
He sat his glass on his table and headed toward the entrance, but before he could call for his gloves and hat, he overheard a conversation taking place by the betting book.
Anger boiled in his chest.
“Many of you have encountered Miss Amanda Halverston as you’ve made your obligatory rounds in society, have you not?” Rhys turned and entered the room where the book was kept. Ten or twelve men, most of them young pups in their first or second Season were gathered around Andreas Mouton. It was Mouton’s voice he’d heard from the vestibule.
Heads nodded and several of the men murmured.
“Then I’m sure at least some of you have felt her icy sting.” Rhys stood at the back of the crowd listening, unable to stop the man without drawing attention to himself. He resisted the urge to call Mouton out then and there.
A voice behind Rhys said “Indeed we have!”
Rhys turned around and encountered Ross MacFarlane, another man who attended Langley’s gatherings, a man he used to consider a friend. Ross clapped Rhys on the shoulder. “Where have you been hiding?”
Rhys forced himself to smile. “Here and there. Trying to find new diversions.” Ross smiled. “London has grown so tedious, has it not?” Mouton continued. “Miss Halverston is one of the coldest women I’ve ever met.
Tonight, I’m issuing a challenge. I need volunteers to enter a competition with me. The winner is the first man to break through her icy shell and show her what a man is for. The rest of you can place your wagers on who you think most likely to succeed.” Several of the young men whistled and cheered. Rhys felt ill. The drinks he’d just finished threatened to come back up. Worst of all, he knew he’d willingly participated in bets like this in his younger years.
Before he could decide how to proceed, Mouton looked up and noticed Rhys. “Good evening, Stanton. From what I’ve heard of your reputation, you would be an excellent contender in my little game. What do you say? Would you care to pit your seductive powers against mine and see if you can bring down our little ice queen?” Rhys wanted to see the man die a slow, painful death. In fact, he could think of few tortures gruesome enough to satisfy him at the moment
.
“Come on, Stanton.” Ross took his arm and tugged him toward the front of the crowd. “I for one would put my money on you.”
“Yes, come on, Stanton, let’s put your name down.” This from a man he’d gone to Oxford with.
The last thing Rhys wanted to do was get his name mixed up with something so sordid. Yet, if he protested, everyone would want to know why. The man he’d pretended to be when he moved in society would certainly go along with such a scheme.
He wanted to challenge every man in room and knock them all senseless for their insult to Amanda. But if, as he strongly suspected, Mouton was connected to d’Eglantine
and to the men who were after Amanda, he couldn’t risk letting his feelings for Amanda be known.
He plastered a smile on his face and ignored the knot constricting his throat. “Sounds like damn good fun. Sign me up.”
Mouton smiled. “Nothing like a good challenge to make me work all the harder.”
*
Amanda searched the crowd for Rhys. She had gotten her aunt settled quite some time ago and was feeling agitated. She searched each group of dancers, let her eyes roam over everyone who stood along the walls, and maneuvered herself to see the men and women coming through the receiving line. Still no sign of him.
She had hoped to find him as soon as they arrived, but she hadn’t warned him that Aunt Claire liked to be as early as fashion allowed so she could get in plenty of gossiping before she grew too tired and had to seek her bed.
As she examined the dancers once again, Amanda spotted a man she was certain she’d seen in the Black Eagle the night before. Could he be the man Rhys had recognized? He was in the same set as Elise. If Rhys had not arrived by the time the dance ended, she would to seek out her sister and find out if she knew the man.
“What’s got you so impatient?”
A Persistant Attraction Page 11