My lord." Horatia cleared her throat. You'll be interested to
learn that my niece is a student of ancient Zamar."
Indeed." Matthias took Imogen's gloved hand. He recalled the
script Imogen had provided in her morning note. What a coincidence. So am I."
Imogen's eyes danced in triumphant approval as he quoted the
proper opening lines. Sir, are you by any chance the Lord
Colchester who discovered lost Zamar and made it more fashionable than ancient Egypt?"
I am certainly Colchester." Matthias decided it was time to
depart from the script. As for Zamar, I can only say that it came
into fashion simply because it is Zamar."
Imogen's gaze narrowed slightly at his improvised lines, but she
stuck determinedly to her own role. I am delighted to meet you,
my lord. I believe we have much to discuss."
There is no better time than now to begin the conversation.
Will you honor me with this dance?"
She blinked in surprise. Oh, yes, of course, sir."
With a nod to Horatia, Matthias reached out to take hold of
Imogen's arm. He missed by several inches, as she had already
started off through the crowd. He managed to catch up with her
just as she reached the crowded dance floor.
Imogen turned smartly, stepped into his arms, and immediately
swept him into an energetic waltz.
It has begun." Excitement lit her eyes. I was greatly relieved to
see you here tonight, sir."
I merely followed instructions."
Yes, I know, but I confess I was a trifle concerned that you
might have succumbed to your doubts about my scheme."
I was rather hoping that you might have had a few qualms
yourself by now, Imogen."
Not at all." She cast a quick, searching glance from side to side
and then steered him toward a quieter corner of the floor. Have
you seen Vanneck?"
He's here." Being led about the dance floor by his partner was
something of a novelty, Matthias reflected.
Excellent." Imogen's hand tightened around Matthias's fingers.
Then he will have taken note of your sudden interest in me?"
He and everyone else in the room. I do not generally make it a
habit to be seen at this sort of thing."
All the better. Aunt Horatia is planting the tale of the Queen's
Seal in Lady Blunt's ear even as we speak. She will inform her that
Uncle Selwyn left the map to me. Word will spread quickly. I
expect Vanneck will hear the rumors tonight, or tomorrow at the
very latest."
No doubt, given the way gossip moves through Society,"
Matthias agreed grimly.
As soon as he learns that I possess the key to the Queen's Seal,
he will recall how you seized upon the opportunity to gain an
introduction to me at the earliest opportunity." Imogen smiled
with satisfaction. He will immediately wonder why you would
bother to do so. He will then conclude that there is only one obvious reason you would make it a point to meet me so quickly."
The Queen's Seal."
Precisely."
Matthias studied her obliquely. There is another reason for my
seeking an introduction tonight, you know."
She gave him a baffled look. What is that, my lord?"
I told you, Society believes me to be hunting for a wife."
Her face cleared. Oh, yes. You did mention something along
those lines. But no one is likely to conclude that you have fixed
your interest on me for that reason."
Why not?"
She frowned. Don't be dense, Colchester. No one will expect
you to be seriously interested in me as a wife. Do not concern
yourself, sir. Society will assume exactly what we wish it to assume.
You are after my map."
If you say so." Conscious of their audience, Matthias smiled to
conceal his exasperation. I suppose there is no hope of talking
you out of this plan?"
None whatsoever, my lord. Indeed, I am very pleased with the
way the thing has begun. Try not to fret. I shall see to it that you
are not placed in any danger."
If there is no possibility of convincing you to give up your
scheme, is there any chance that I can persuade you to let me
lead?"
I beg your pardon?"
I know it is somewhat boring and conventional, but I was
taught to lead when I waltz with a lady."
Oh." Imogen blushed a vivid shade of pink. Forgive me, my
lord. I am somewhat out of practice. I hired an instructor three
years ago. He was French. The French are very skilled at that sort
of thing."
So I've heard." Out of the corner of his eye Matthias saw
Vanneck hovering on the fringes of the crowd. He was watching
Imogen with unmistakable interest.
Philippe said that I had a natural aptitude for assuming the
lead on the dance floor."
Philippe?"
Philippe D'Artois, my French dancing instructor," Imogen
explained.
Ah, yes. The dancing instructor."
Imogen demurely lowered her lashes. Philippe said he found it
quite thrilling to have the lady take the lead."
Indeed?"
She cleared her throat discreetly. He said it heated the blood in
his veins. The French are inclined to be romantic, you know."
Indeed."
Matthias was suddenly consumed by a fierce desire to know a
great deal more about Imogen. He needed to find a place where
they could have a private conversation, he decided. The gardens,
perhaps.
By dint of brute strength, he managed to bring her to a halt at
the edge of the floor. Can I interest you in a breath of fresh air,
Miss Waterstone?"
Thank you, but I do not feel the need of any fresh air."
Nonsense." He wrapped his fingers very firmly around her
elbow and propelled her forcibly in the direction of the doors that
opened onto the gardens. It is quite warm in here."
Truly, sir, I am not at all overheated."
I am."
I beg your pardon?"
I expect it was the thrill of having you take the lead on the
dance floor. You did tell me that it has a tendency to overheat the
blood."
Oh." Comprehension dawned on her face. Yes, indeed. I quite
understand. Fresh air is exactly what you require, sir."
Matthias plowed through the crowd with Imogen in tow. Just
before he reached the doors, he was obliged to veer left to avoid
an encounter with a cluster of curious onlookers.
It was the sudden change of direction that apparently caused
the small disaster. Imogen was unprepared. She collided with a
footman carrying a tray of champagne glasses.
There was a sharp exclamation from the footman. The tray
slipped from his hands and fell to the floor. Glasses crashed and
shattered. Champagne sprayed the gowns of the ladies who stood
closest to the scene of the accident.
One of the ladies, Matthias saw, was Theodosia Slott. Her eyes
widened at the sight of him. Her mouth parted in shock. She put a
hand to her full bosom.
Colchester." Theodosia gave a muffled gasp, went quite pale,
and slid to the floor in a graceful s
woon.
Bloody hell," Matthias said.
An uproar ensued. The gentlemen looked nonplussed. They
glanced from the fallen Theodosia to Matthias and back again
with confused expressions. Several ladies sprang into action. They
reached for their vinaigrettes even as they turned their deliciously
horrified gazes on Matthias.
On second thought, Miss Waterstone Matthias paused when
he saw that Imogen had gone to her knees to help the footman
pick up the broken glass. He hauled her effortlessly upright again.
I believe it's time to leave. This affair is about to become exceed
ingly dull. Let's find your aunt and call your carriage."
But I've only just arrived." Imogen peered back over her shoulder as Matthias marched her away from the shattered glass and
the fallen woman. Who is that odd lady? I do believe she fainted
at the sight of you, sir."
My unfortunate reputation sometimes has that effect on
people."
Chapter 5
Matthias leaned into the carriage just before the footman closed
the door. He pinned Imogen in the glow of the carriage lamps, his
gaze grim with frustration. I wish to speak with you, Miss
Waterstone. Obviously that is not possible tonight." He cast a
brief, irritated glance over his shoulder at Lady Blunt's crowded
front steps, where guests were arriving and departing in a scene of
mild chaos. I shall call on you tomorrow at eleven. Make certain
that you are at home."
Imogen raised her brows at his cool presumption, but she told
herself that she must make allowances. It had obviously been a
trying evening for him, although for her part she thought things
had gone rather well. I shall look forward to your visit, my lord."
She gave him an encouraging smile, hoping to bolster his flag
ging spirits, but the expression in his eyes merely darkened in
response. He inclined his head in a brusquely civil farewell. The
lamplight iced the streak of silver in his hair.
I shall bid you both good evening." He stepped back and
turned away. The footman closed the door.
Imogen watched Matthias disappear into the shadows that
gathered in the street. Then she glanced at the front door of the
large town house. Vanneck emerged onto the front step. His eyes
met hers for an instant before the movement of the carriage broke
the connection.
Imogen sat very still against the cushions. This was the first
glimpse she'd had of Vanneck since the funeral. Three additional
years of intemperate living had not been kind. He appeared to
have grown more malevolent.
I must say, nothing is ever dull when Colchester is in the vicinity." Horatia raised her lorgnette to peer at Imogen. And as the
same can be said of you, my dear, I suspect we are in for a lively
time of it." She did not appear pleased by the prospect.
Imogen drew her thoughts back from the problem of Vanneck.
Who was the lady who fainted at the sight of Colchester?"
He does have a peculiar effect on certain females, does he not?
First Bess, and now Theodosia Slott."
Bess's reaction was understandable, given the circumstances.
She took him for a ghost or a vampire. But what of this Theodosia
Slott? What is her excuse?"
Horatia gazed out into the crowded street. It's an old tale and,
as is the case with so many of the old stories concerning
Colchester, I have no notion of how much of it is true and how
much is fiction."
Tell me what you know, Aunt Horatia."
Horatia glanced at her. I thought you did not wish to hear
gossip about his lordship."
I have begun to wonder if perhaps it would be wiser to be more
fully informed. It is difficult to know how to respond to a situation
when one does not know what is going on."
I see." Horatia settled back with a thoughtful expression.
Theodosia Slott was the reigning belle of her Season. She
contracted an excellent marriage to Mister Harold Slott. His family
was in shipping, I believe. Mister Slott was somewhat elderly, as I
recall."
Imogen grew impatient. Yes, yes. Do go on. What happened?"
Nothing all that unusual. Theodosia did her duty by her
husband. Gave him an heir. And then she promptly formed a
connection with a dashing young man named Jonathan Exelby."
Are you saying Theodosia and Exelby were lovers?"
Yes. Exelby frequented the most notorious gaming hells. One
in particular, The Lost Soul, was said to be his favorite haunt. It
was very popular with the young bloods of the ton. Still is, for that
matter. In any event, one night he encountered Colchester there
and the two men got into a violent quarrel. A dawn meeting was
arranged."
Imogen was horrified. Colchester was in a duel?"
That is the story." Horatia made a small, dismissing movement
with one hand. No one will ever confirm it, of course. Dueling is
illegal. The parties involved rarely discuss the matter."
But he could have been killed."
From all accounts, it was Exelby who was killed."
I don't believe it." Imogen felt her mouth go dry. Horatia gave
a small shrug. To my knowledge, Exelby was never seen again
following the events of that dawn. He simply disappeared. Dead
and buried in an unmarked grave, people say. He had no family to
raise questions."
There must be more to the story."
There is, actually." Horatia warmed to her tale. Theodosia
claims that to add insult to injury, Colchester showed up on her
doorstep later that same morning to claim her favors."
What?"
Colchester apparently told her that she had been the subject of
the quarrel and, as he had won the duel, he naturally expected to
take her lover's place in her bed. She claims she had him thrown
out into the street."
Imogen was speechless for a second. When she managed to pull
herself together, she exploded in protest. Outrageous."
I assure you, it was the on-dit of the Season. I recall it well
because the scandal even replaced the dreadful story of the
Demon Twins of Dunstoke Castle which had been on everyone's
lips that year."
Imogen was briefly distracted. Demon Twins?"
A brother and sister who conspired to burn down a house in
the north. It happened shortly before the Season began," Horatia
explained. Apparently the sister's aged husband was in his bed at
the time. Charred him to a cinder. The Demon Twins were said to
have made off with the husband's hoard of gems."
Were the twins ever caught?"
No. They disappeared along with the fortune. For a time every
one wondered if they would show up in London and attempt to
seduce and murder another wealthy old man, but they never
appeared. Left for the Continent, no doubt. In any event, as I said,
people stopped talking about the Demon Twins after the
Colchester affair."
Imogen frowned. Colchester would never have gotten involved
in such a thing."
Well, as he has never bothered to confirm or deny the tale, it
> stands to this day. And Theodosia still dines out on it. As you can
see, she works hard to keep the drama alive."
Imogen wrinkled her nose. She certainly does. That was a fine
bit of theater she staged tonight. But it is too ridiculous to be true.
Colchester would never engage in a duel, let alone kill his opponent and then attempt to seduce the poor man's lover."
You did not know Colchester in those days, my dear." Horatia
paused. In point of fact, you do not know him very well today
either."
On the contrary, I am beginning to believe that I am better
acquainted with him than with anyone else in Town."
Horatia was amazed. What makes you think that?"
We have so much in common," Imogen said. And I can assure
you that he is far too sensible to allow himself to be drawn into a
silly quarrel over a female such as Theodosia Slott. His nerves
would never survive a violent encounter. Furthermore, I cannot
for one moment imagine Colchester frequenting sordid gaming
hells."
No?"
Of course not," Imogen said. He is a man of delicate sensibilities and refined taste. He is simply not the sort to seek his enter
tainments in gaming hells."
My dear, Colchester owned the hell in question."
Imogen would not escape so easily the next time, Matthias
promised himself as he alighted from his carriage. He went up the
steps of his town house with a sense of resolve. He would get the
answers to his questions tomorrow when he called upon her. One
way or another, he intended to find out exactly what had
happened between Vanneck and Imogen three years ago. At the
moment he was inclined to believe that Society's version was not
entirely accurate. It seldom was.
Ufton opened the door with perfect timing. His entirely bald
head gleamed in the light of the wall sconces. He regarded
Matthias with his customary air of unflappable composure. I trust
you had a pleasant evening, sir."
Matthias stripped off his gloves and tossed them to the butler.
I had an interesting evening."
Indeed. I fear it is about to become even more so, my lord."
Matthias paused halfway across the hall and turned to glance
back over his shoulder. He and Ufton had known each other a
very long time. What the devil does that mean?"
You have guests, my lord."
At this hour? Who is it? Felix? Plummer?"
Your, uh, sister, my lord. And her companion."
If this is your notion of a joke, Ufton, allow me to inform you
Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt Page 9