Wounds? What wounds?"
I was . hurt." His mouth tightened. Shattered, if you must
know the truth. It took me a very long time to get over the sight
of you in Vanneck's arms."
I was not in his arms," she said tartly. I, oh, never mind. It's all
in the past now and it would no doubt be best to leave it there.
May I ask why you chose to call upon me today?"
Isn't it obvious?" Alastair put down his cup and rose. I came to
see you because when I learned you were in Town I realized that
what I had once felt for you had not entirely died." He took her
hand and pulled her to her feet.
Alastair, please." Imogen was so shaken by his declaration that
she could not think of a graceful way to retrieve her hand from his.
There is something I must tell you. Something that has been
plaguing me for three long years. I want you to know that I forgive
you for what happened that dreadful night."
Forgive me?" She glowered at him. Well, that is very kind of
you, sir, but I assure you, I do not require your forgiveness."
You need not explain, my dear. It no longer matters. The whole
world knows what sort of man Vanneck is. He took advantage of
your innocence and naivete. I myself was much younger in those
days. I let Society's opinions influence me."
Do not concern yourself." Imogen braced her hands against his
shoulders. I comprehend perfectly well why you leaped to the
conclusion that I was Vanneck's paramour. Indeed, any gentleman
in your position would have believed the worst."
I was so shocked that I could not think clearly. And by the time
I came to my senses, it was too late. Lucy was dead. You were
gone."
Yes, yes, I understand." Imogen pushed against his shoulders.
We are both older and wiser now, my dear. Mature adults who
know the ways of the world." He bent his head to kiss her.
Imogen ducked his searching mouth and shoved hard. Pray,
release me, sir."
Surely you have not forgotten how it was between us? Those
warm embraces that we shared? Those intimate little chats about
lost Zamar. Your eyes lit with such passion whenever you talked
of Zamar, my dear."
A large, dark shadow blotted out the light in the doorway. Am
I interrupting anything?" Matthias asked in a voice that could
have frozen the fires of the second Zamarian hell.
What the devil?" Alastair released Imogen and hurriedly
stepped back. Colchester."
Imogen whirled around, flustered and breathless from the small
tussle. Do come in, my lord," she said in a loud, firm tone. Mister
Drake was just leaving."
Chapter 6
What was Drake doing here?" Matthias asked much too softly as
he lowered himself into the chair Alastair had just vacated.
He's an old acquaintance." Imogen reached for the teapot. She
was vastly relieved to have Alastair gone, but she was not certain
that Matthias would prove to be a significant improvement. He
did not appear to be in good spirits. A friend from three years
ago."
A close friend." Matthias regarded her with a shuttered gaze.
Of both Lucy and myself," she said pointedly.
I believe your aunt did mention him."
Vanneck could never be bothered to escort his wife to the
theater or to soirees and parties, and Lucy did so love to attend
such affairs."
Having acquired her, he ignored her, is that it?"
I believe he would have locked her away in a storage chamber
along with the rest of his collection if he could have managed such
a thing. Lucy joined the Zamarian Society in an effort to please
him, but he ridiculed her interest. She met Alastair there,
however."
And introduced him to you, I believe misses Elibank said,"
Matthias murmured.
Yes. As I said, the three of us went about together. Alastair was
very gallant. He was happy to serve as our escort."
I see." Matthias took the cup and saucer into his elegant hands
and leaned back in his chair. He stretched his legs out in front of
him and contemplated Imogen with an unreadable gaze. Pray,
continue."
She gazed at him blankly. Continue with what?"
With the rest of the tale."
There is nothing else of interest to relate, my lord. Last night
Alastair learned that I was in Town for the Season. He paid a call
on me just now to renew our acquaintance. That is all there is to
it."
Imogen, it is true that I have spent most of the past few years
in Zamar, and when I was in London I made it a practice to avoid
what is amusingly termed Polite Society." Matthias gave her a thin
smile. But I am not a complete idiot. When I walked in here just
now you were in Drake's arms. Therefore, I very cleverly deduce
that there is more to your tale."
What of it? I told you, we are old friends."
I realize from what your aunt told me that you hold excessively
liberal views on relations between the sexes. But I would have
thought such an impassioned greeting went a bit too far, even for
old friends. Having been obliged to witness the event, I feel I am
entitled to an explanation."
Imogen bristled. My connection with Alastair need not
concern you, my lord. It has no bearing on my scheme."
I disagree. If I am to assist you, I must be kept fully informed."
Calm yourself, my lord. I shall keep you apprised of everything
you need to know."
You obviously have no conception of how complex this sort of
thing can become," Matthias said. What if Drake takes a notion to
involve himself in this situation?"
She stared at him in astonishment. Why on earth would he do
that?"
He may decide that he would like to obtain the Queen's Seal
himself."
Imogen gave a ladylike sniff. Highly unlikely. I assure you,
Alastair's interest in Zamarian antiquities is superficial, at best.
He is a fashionable dilettante, not a true scholar. He does not even
collect artifacts. Alastair will not pose a problem in that regard."
Matthias's gaze narrowed. Then perhaps he will conclude that
having enjoyed an intimate connection with you three years ago,
it would be pleasant to, shall we say, renew the association?"
I do not intend to allow that to happen," Imogen said grimly.
Indeed?"
What are you implying, Colchester?"
That you had best do a more convincing job of discouraging
Drake than the one I saw you doing a few minutes ago."
Why are you so very concerned with this subject?" Imogen
demanded. It is none of your affair, I assure you. I shall deal with
Alastair."
Matthias drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. He
looked as if he were searching for another approach to the
subject. Imogen, I must insist on complete honesty between us
when it comes to any matter that touches on this damnable plan
of yours."
It is not a damnable plan. It is a very clever scheme."
It is a crazed notion, and if I am to be a part of it, I will have<
br />
honesty from you. You owe me that much in exchange for my
assistance. There are risks involved in this thing. Serious risks."
Comprehension dawned at last. Imogen heaved a disgruntled
sigh and sank back into the corner of the sofa. So now we come
to the heart of the matter. You are growing overanxious again."
One could say that."
No offense, my lord, but it is unfortunate that you are not a
more daring sort."
I comfort myself with the knowledge that we all have our
strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps I shall prove useful in the end."
Hmm." She considered him from beneath half-lowered lids.
There were times when she could not escape the nasty suspicion
that Matthias found her amusing. Very well, if it will settle your
nerves, I shall tell you about my association with Alastair Drake."
I doubt that your explanation will have a soothing effect on my
nerves, but I think I'd better hear it."
The long and the short of the matter is that Alastair was the
gentleman who discovered Vanneck and me together in a
bedchamber three years ago."
Your aunt already told me as much."
Then why the devil are you asking me all these silly questions?"
Imogen snapped.
I want to hear your version of the tale."
Imogen glowered. Alastair saw me in a compromising situation
and assumed the worst. That is all there is to it."
Matthias contemplated his teacup as though it were an interesting Zamarian relic. A man may be forgiven certain assumptions when he discovers two people in bed together."
Bloody hell, I was not in bed with Vanneck," Imogen exploded.
I was in the bedchamber with him. There is a difference, sir."
Matthias glanced up from the teacup. Is there?"
Of course there is. It was all a terrible misunderstanding. Or so
I thought at the time." Imogen nibbled on her lower lip as more
memories returned. Then Lucy died. There was talk of a note she
had written. People said she had taken her own life because her
husband and best friend had betrayed her. For a time everything
was muddled."
No doubt."
Imogen jumped to her feet, clasped her hands behind her back,
and began to pace the parlor. When I could think clearly again, it
occurred to me that perhaps Vanneck had deliberately lured me to
the bedchamber that night, knowing that we would be discovered."
So that when Lucy died, the rumors of betrayal and suicide
would conceal the truth? It seems a bit farfetched, Imogen."
You must admit it has a certain logic. Vanneck is a very clever
man. He would not have wanted anyone to cry murder. He
wanted Lucy's death to appear a suicide. That meant he had to
supply a plausible reason for her to kill herself."
Why did you go to that bedchamber to meet him?" Matthias
asked.
I did not intend to meet him. I went there because I had
received an urgent note asking me to go to the bedchamber."
Who sent the note?"
Lucy. Or so I thought at the time. Now I believe that Vanneck
himself wrote the note and signed her name. When I walked into
the bedchamber, I found him there. He was Imogen broke off,
blushing furiously.
He was what?"
She cleared her throat. He was partially undressed, if you must
know. He had removed his shirt and boots and was in the process
of taking off his breeches when I arrived."
Matthias set the cup and saucer down with great precision. I
see."
Vanneck pretended to be as astonished to see me as I was to
see him. I turned at once to leave the bedchamber, of course. But
at that very moment Alastair and his friend came along the hall
way. They passed the open door of the bedchamber and saw
Vanneck and me together inside."
And promptly dashed off to their club to inform their cronies
that Vanneck had seduced you?" Matthias asked dryly.
Alastair did no such thing." Imogen glared at him. He is a
gentleman. But his companion was not so discreet. Naturally,
Alastair did his best to protect my reputation."
Naturally."
Imogen shot him a quick searching glance, uncertain of his
tone. Was he mocking her again? She decided to ignore it. But it
was impossible to stop the gossip, especially after Lucy died."
Tell me, Imogen, did you explain the situation to Drake?"
Imogen paused in front of the window and gazed out into the
street. Alastair was distraught at the time. Quite overset by what
he thought he had seen. He hurried off before I could tell him the
truth. Later there was no opportunity to do so."
I see. Drake did not challenge Vanneck, then?"
Imogen flushed. Of course not. A duel would have been out of
the question. I would never have permitted such a thing."
Matthias said nothing.
Nor would it have done any good," Imogen said quietly. It is
just as my parents said, the Polite World cares only about appearances, not about truth. Which is precisely why Vanneck found it so
easy to deceive Society when he murdered Lucy. He gave them
the appearance of suicide and they believed him."
Matthias hesitated. Perhaps it's time to move on to more
productive subjects."
By all means, sir." Greatly relieved by that suggestion, Imogen
swung away from the window and went briskly back to the sofa.
Horatia appeared in the doorway. She gazed in surprise at
Matthias. What's this? I did not realize we had guests. I really
must have a talk with our housekeeper. She failed to inform me
that anyone had arrived."
Imogen and I were just discussing her plans." Matthias rose to
greet Horatia.
I see." Horatia bustled into the room and gave her hand to
Matthias. This scheme of Imogen's has made me exceedingly
anxious."
I am relieved to know that I am not alone in my qualms."
Matthias slanted a laconic glance at Imogen. Those of us who lack
stalwart nerves must join forces."
Imogen fixed both of them with a reproving look. All will be
well. I have everything under control."
One can only hope." Matthias took his seat. But as it happens,
I have another problem on my hands."
Imogen frowned. What is that?"
My half sister arrived on my doorstep last night. She
announced that she has nowhere else to turn and must take up
residence with me."
Imogen blinked. I did not know that you had a sister."
Matthias's eyes were devoid of expression. My father remarried after my mother died. Patricia is his daughter by his second
wife. To be blunt, I do not know what to do with her. She arrived
with a companion, but the woman could not stay."
How old is Patricia?" Imogen asked.
Nineteen."
Then she is of an age to enjoy the Season," Horatia observed.
How the blazes am I supposed to arrange for her to participate
in the Season?" Matthias grumbled. Firing a young lady off into
the ton requires gowns, proper invitations, a chaperone, and God
knows what else."
Put your mind at ease, Colchester," Imogen said. A
unt Horatia
is an expert on social matters. We shall turn Patricia over to her."
Horatia's eyes widened slightly behind the lenses of her spectacles.
Matthias's gaze slid from Imogen to Horatia and back again.
His relief was obvious. It is a great deal to ask."
Nonsense." Imogen glanced at Horatia. Well, Aunt? Are you
game to guide a young lady through a Season?"
It will be great fun," Horatia said cheerfully. Nothing I fancy
more than ordering vast quantities of beautiful clothes and send
ing the bills to someone else."
There was definitely much to be said for a female who was
inclined to take charge, Matthias thought three days later as he
walked into his club. In the blink of an eye Imogen had assumed
command of the pressing problem of Patricia. With any luck he
would get his sister married off this Season and thereby fulfill his
promise to his father.
That promise had been made here in this very club, he reflected
as he handed his hat and gloves to the elderly porter. Two years
ago Thomas had cornered him in the coffee room. Perhaps he'd
had some premonition of his own impending death, Matthias
thought.
I wish to speak with you," Thomas had said as he sat down
across from Matthias.
Of course, sir." Matthias was always careful to keep his tone
cool and unfailingly polite whenever he spoke with his father. Is
something amiss?"
I am concerned with the future."
Aren't we all? Personally, I've discovered that it is best to
ignore it."
I've noticed. Damnation, your irresponsible attitude does you
no credit. You have created nothing but scandal since the day you
came down from university." Thomas propped his elbows on the
arms of the chair, steepled his hands, and made an obvious effort
to control his anger. But as it happens, that is not what I wished
to discuss today. I seek to make provisions for Patricia in the event
that anything should happen to me and my wife."
Solicitors generally handle that sort of thing, I believe."
I have already taken care of the financial side of matters.
Patricia has been well provided for in my will. But her mother and
I are concerned with her happiness."
Ah, yes. Happiness."
Thomas frowned. That is something that is not so easy to
provide."
I have noticed that, sir."
Thomas's mouth compressed into a thin line. Should anything
happen to Charlotte and me, arrangements have been made for
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