allowed himself to be drawn back to the subject of Vanneck. He
covets anything said to be from ancient Zamar."
Imogen steeled herself. I shall be blunt, sir. Rumor has it that
you are of a like-minded nature. The difference between the two
of you is that you are the undisputed authority on Zamarian
antiquities. I'm sure you collect with exquisite taste and discretion."
I allow only the finest, rarest, and most interesting Zamarian
artifacts under my roof." Matthias watched Imogen with an
unblinking gaze. In other words, only those that I personally
unearthed. What of it?"
Imogen was astonished by the tiny chill that went down her
spine. There were very few things that could unsettle her nerves,
but some quality in Matthias's voice did just that on occasion. She
took a deep breath. As I told you, I have no proof with which to
accuse Vanneck of murder. But I owe Lucy too much to allow her
killer to go entirely unpunished. For three years I have tried to
devise a plan to accomplish my goal, but it was not until Uncle
Selwyn died that I finally saw a way to avenge Lucy."
What, exactly, do you intend to do to Vanneck?"
I have hit upon a way to destroy him in the eyes of the ton.
When I have finished, Vanneck will be in no position to prey on
innocent women such as Lucy."
You are quite serious about this, are you not?"
Yes, my lord." Imogen lifted her chin and met his eyes without
flinching. I am extremely serious. I intend to set a trap for
Vanneck, one that will ruin him financially and socially."
A trap requires bait," Matthias pointed out softly.
Quite right, my lord. The lure I intend to use is the Great Seal
of the Queen of Zamar."
Matthias stared at her. Are you claiming to possess the Queen's
Seal?"
Imogen frowned. Of course not. You of all people should know
that the seal has never been found. But shortly before he disappeared, Rutledge sent a letter to the Zamarian Review informing
the editors that he believed he was on the trail of the seal. The
rumors that he died in the underground labyrinth while searching
for the thing inspired the Rutledge Curse."
Which is rubbish." Matthias lifted one shoulder in an elegant
shrug. That damned notion of a curse persists only because the
seal was said to be extremely valuable. Legends always abound
concerning objects of great worth."
Your own researches claim that the seal is fashioned of a very
pure gold and encrusted with valuable gems," Imogen reminded
him. You wrote that you had seen inscriptions that described it."
Matthias's jaw tightened. The true value of the seal lies in the
fact that it is an object fashioned by the finest artisans of a
vanished people. If the seal exists, it is priceless, not because it is
made of jewels and gold but because of the tales it can tell us of
ancient Zamar."
Imogen smiled. I comprehend your feelings, sir. I would expect
you to take just such a scholarly view of the seal. But I can assure
you that a man of Vanneck's base nature will be far more
intrigued by the financial value of the thing. Especially in his
present reduced circumstances."
Matthias's smile was unpleasant. You are no doubt correct.
What has that to do with your scheme?"
My plan is simple. I shall travel to London with Aunt Horatia
and work my way into Vanneck's social circles. Thanks to Uncle
Selwyn, I have the money to do so. And thanks to Aunt Horatia, I
also have the proper connections."
Horatia stirred uneasily in her chair. She gave Matthias an
apologetic glance. I am distantly related to the Marquess of
Blanchford on my mother's side."
Matthias frowned. Blanchford is traveling abroad, is he not?"
I believe so," Horatia admitted. He usually is. It is no secret
that he cannot abide Society."
He and I have something in common on that point," Matthias
said.
Imogen ignored that. Blanchford rarely puts in an appearance
during the Season. But that is no reason Aunt Horatia and I
should not do so."
In other words," Matthias said, you are going to trade on your
aunt's connections in order to carry out this mad scheme."
Horatia rolled her eyes toward the heavens and made a tut
tutting sound.
Imogen glowered at Matthias. It is not a mad scheme. It is very
clever. I have been working on it for weeks. Once I am in the
proper social circles, I shall drop little hints concerning the
Queen's Seal."
Matthias raised laconic brows. What sort of hints?"
I shall let it be known that while conducting an inventory of my
uncle's collection, I happened across a map that contains clues to
the location of the seal."
Hell's teeth," Matthias muttered. You intend to convince
Vanneck that this nonexistent map can lead him to a fabulous arti
fact?"
Precisely."
I do not believe what I am hearing." Matthias finally looked at
Heratia for support.
I did try to warn you, my lord," she murmured.
Imogen leaned forward eagerly. I shall convince Vanneck that
I intend to share the clues to the seal with whoever will help
finance an expedition to retrieve it."
Matthias gave her a quizzical look. What good will that do?"
Isn't it obvious? Vanneck will be unable to resist the notion of
going after the seal. But as his finances are in a bad way at the
moment, and he has not yet found himself an heiress, he lacks the
funds to underwrite an expedition himself. I shall encourage him
to form a consortium of investors."
Matthias eyed her thoughtfully. Allow me to hazard a guess.
You intend to draw Vanneck out on a financial limb and then cut
off the limb, do you not?"
I knew you would understand." Imogen was pleased that he
was finally beginning to perceive the true genius of the plan. That
is exactly what I intend. It should be no great trick to convince
Vanneck to put together a consortium to finance the expedition."
And when he has spent the consortium's money to hire a ship
and a crew and to purchase the expensive equipment needed for
the expedition, you will provide him with a useless map."
And off he will go on a fool's voyage," Imogen concluded with
a satisfaction she did not bother to conceal. Vanneck will never
find the Queen's Seal. The expedition will collapse when the
money runs out. The members of the consortium will be furious.
There will be rumors that it was all a great fraud perpetrated upon
innocent investors. Another South Seas Bubble. Vanneck will not
dare to return to London. His creditors will hound him for years.
If and when he does come back, he will certainly not be able to
take his previous place in the ton. His chances of recouping his
fortunes with an heiress will be thin indeed."
Matthias looked bemused. I do not know what to say, Miss
Waterstone. You take my breath."
There was a certain satisfaction to be derived from having such
an electrifying effect on Colchester of Zamar, Imogen thought. It
is a clever plan, is it not? And you are a perfect partner for me, sir."
Horatia appealed to Matthias. My lord, pray tell her that it is a
mad, dangerous, reckless, foolish plan."
Matthias glanced briefly at Horatia and then returned his cold
gaze to Imogen. Your aunt is quite right. It is all of those things
and more."
Imogen was stunned. Nonsense. It will work. I am sure of it."
I know that I shall regret asking, Miss Waterstone, but morbid
curiosity compels me. What role have you created for me in this
grand scheme?"
Isn't it obvious, my lord? You are the acknowledged authority
on all things Zamarian. With the possible exception of I. A. Stone,
there is no finer scholar on the subject."
There is no exception," Matthias corrected her grimly.
Especially not I. A. Stone."
If you insist, my lord," Imogen murmured. Every member of
the Zamarian Society is aware of your qualifications."
Matthias brushed aside the obvious. So?
I would have thought it self-evident, sir. The simplest and most
effective way to convince Vanneck that I have a genuine map to
the Queen's Seal is for you to indicate that you believe I possess
such a map."
A short, sharp silence gripped the library.
Damnation." Matthias sounded almost awed. You want me to
persuade Vanneck and the rest of the ton that I believe your uncle
left you a map of ancient Zamar that shows the location of the
seal?"
Yes, my lord." Imogen was relieved that he had finally grasped
the essentials of the scheme. Your interest in the map will lend the
necessary credibility to my tale."
And just how am I expected to display this interest?"
That is the easy part, my lord. You will pretend to seduce me."
Matthias said nothing.
Oh, dear," Horatia whispered. I believe I feel a trifle faint."
Matthias gazed at Imogen with expressionless eyes. I am to
seduce you?"
It will be a pretence, of course," she assured him. All of Society
will notice that you are pursuing me. Vanneck will conclude that
there is only one reason you would do so."
He will think that I am after the Queen's Seal," Matthias said.
Precisely."
Horatia heaved another heartfelt sigh. We are doomed."
Matthias tapped one finger very gently against the rim of his
teacup. Why should Vanneck or anyone else conclude that I am
intent only on seduction? Everyone knows that I have recently
returned to England in order to assume my responsibilities to the
title. Society will expect me to be hunting a wife this Season, not a
mistress."
Imogen sputtered on a swallow of tea. Do not concern yourself,
my lord. You run no risk of finding yourself inadvertently engaged
to me. No one will expect you to make me an offer."
Matthias searched her face. What of your reputation?"
Imogen set her cup down with great precision. I see you do not
know who I am. Not surprising, I suppose. You have been out of
the country a good deal of the time during the past few years."
Perhaps you will enlighten me as to your true identity?"
Matthias growled.
Three years ago when I visited my friend Lucy in London, I
acquired the nickname Immodest Imogen." She hesitated. My
reputation was compromised beyond repair."
Matthias's brows came together in a dark line. He glanced at
Horatia.
It's quite true, my lord," Horatia said quietly.
Matthias looked at Imogen. Who was the man?"
Lord Vanneck," Imogen said.
Bloody hell," he said softly. No wonder you want revenge."
Imogen straightened. That incident has nothing to do with this.
I do not give a fig for my own reputation. It is Lucy's murder that
must be avenged. I told you the story because I want you to under
stand that Society does not consider me a suitable candidate for
marriage. No one would expect a man of your position to pursue
me for anything other than a brief affair or the opportunity to
acquire something valuable."
Such as the Queen's Seal." Matthias shook his head. Bloody
hell."
Imogen stood up briskly and gave him an encouraging smile. I
believe you have the gist of the thing now, my lord. We can go over
the details of my plan this evening at supper. In the meantime, we
have an inventory to complete. As you are here, and there is really
nothing else for you to do, perhaps you would care to assist us?"
Chapter 2
Horatia sidled closer to Matthias as soon as they were alone in the
library. My lord, you have got to do something."
Do I?"
Horatia's anxious expression congealed into one of stern disap
proval. Sir, I am well aware of just who you are and what you are.
As it happens, ten years ago I lived in London."
Indeed?"
I did not move in your circles, my lord. But then, few
respectable people did. However, I know how and why you
earned the name Cold-blooded Colchester. My niece knows you
only as Colchester of Zamar. She has admired you for years. She
is not acquainted with your more notorious activities."
Why don't you inform her of them, misses Elibank?" Matthias
asked very softly.
Horatia took a quick step back, as though she expected him to
spring at her with bared fangs. It would do no good. She would
dismiss the tales as malicious gossip. I know her. She would
assume that your reputation was unjustly shredded, just as hers
was. She would no doubt become your strongest ally and
staunchest supporter."
Do you really think so?" Matthias gazed thoughtfully at the
doorway. I have never had very many of those."
Horatia glared at him. Very many of what?"
Strong allies and staunch supporters."
I think we both know that there are some very good reasons
for that, my lord," Horatia snapped.
As you say."
Colchester, I realize that I have no claim on your consideration, but I am quite desperate. My niece is determined upon this
rash plan. You are my only hope."
What the devil do you expect me to do?" Matthias glanced over
his shoulder to make certain Imogen had not reappeared in the
doorway. No offense, madam, but I have never encountered a
female quite like Miss Waterstone. She leaves a man feeling as if
he had just been trampled by the hunt."
I know what you mean, sir, but you must do something or we
shall all find ourselves enmeshed in this grand scheme of revenge
that she has concocted."
We?" Matthias plucked a leather-bound volume off the nearest
shelf.
I assure you, Imogen will not give up her scheme if you refuse
to cooperate. She will merely find another means to implement it."
Strictly speaking, that is not my problem."
How can you say that?" Horatia looked desperate. You did
make that promise to my brother, sir. It was in Selwyn's will. It is
said that you always keep your promises. Even your worst<
br />
enemies, and I understand that there are any number of them, do
not deny that."
It's true, madam, I always keep my promises. But I do so in my
own fashion. In any event, my debt was to Selwyn Waterstone, not
to his niece."
Sir, if you would repay that debt to my dear, departed brother,
you must keep Imogen from coming to grief."
Imogen expects another sort of assistance entirely from me,
madam. She seems hell-bent on coming to grief and, given her
fortitude and determination, I expect she will achieve her goal."
She is amazingly strong-minded," Horatia admitted.
She puts both Napoleon and Wellington to shame." He inclined
his head toward the shelves full of books. Take my present occu
pation, for example. I have no clear notion of precisely how I
come to find myself assisting Miss Waterstone with the inventory
of her uncle's collection."
That sort of thing happens frequently around my niece,"
Horatia said ruefully. She has a tendency to take charge of a situ
ation."
I see." Matthias glanced at the title of the book in his hand. An
Account of the Strange and Unusual Objects Found in Tombs
Discovered in Certain South Seas Islands. I believe this goes on
your list."
Books on tomb artifacts, do you mean?" Horatia bustled over
to the desk and frowned at a page in the open journal. She dipped
a quill into the ink and made a note of the book. Very well, you
may put it with the others."
Matthias set the volume down on top of a growing pile of similar titles. He surveyed the remaining volumes absently, his brain
busy with the more important problem of Imogen Waterstone. He
told himself that he needed information before he could decide
upon a course of action.
How did Vanneck compromise your niece, madam?"
Horatia's mouth tightened. It is a very unpleasant story."
If I am to take any sort of action, I must know the facts of the
matter."
Horatia eyed him with some hope. I suppose you may as well
hear the details from me rather than one of the London gossips.
And it is not as though you were not saddled with a somewhat
nasty reputation yourself, is it, my lord?"
Matthias met her eyes. That is very true, misses Elibank. Your
niece and I have that much in common."
Horatia suddenly became keenly interested in an ancient
Etruscan death mask. Yes, well, three years ago Lucy asked
Imogen to come to see her in London. Lady Vanneck had been
Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt Page 3