Patricia to live in the home of relatives on Charlotte's side of the
family."
So?"
Thomas met his eyes. If that arrangement does not work out
for any reason, I want your word that you will take care of
Patricia."
Matthias stilled. What are you asking me to do?"
Your duty." Thomas wearily closed his eyes and then opened
them to pin Matthias. God knows, you have mocked your respon
sibilities as my heir for your entire adult life, but you will not avoid
this one. Patricia is your sister. You will take care of her should
anything happen to me. Is that understood? I want your oath on
this."
What makes you think that you can rely upon me to keep such
a promise?"
You disgraced your heritage when you established that
damned gaming hell. You went off in search of ancient Zamar
instead of contracting a good marriage and giving me a grandson
to ensure the title. Some suspect that you were responsible for
Rutledge's death. There is talk that you killed a man in a duel over
a married woman." Thomas bunched his hands into fists on the
arms of the chair. But it is said that you have never broken a
promise. I want your promise on this."
Matthias contemplated him for a moment. I know how difficult
this must have been for you, sir. You must love Patricia very
much."
She and her mother are the light of my life."
And every time you look at me, you can see only the darkness
that your marriage to my mother brought you," Matthias
concluded softly.
Thomas stiffened. His eyes went to the icy streak in Matthias's
black hair, a mirror image of the one that marked him. God help
me, every time I look at you, I see my son and heir."
Matthias smiled humorlessly. How very unpleasant that must
be for you, sir."
You have done nothing to make it pleasant, damn your eyes."
The anger in Thomas faded into a bleak weariness. You will not
believe this after all that has passed between us, but I regret that
you and I did not spend more time together when you were
younger. Perhaps I could have instilled a stronger sense of duty in
you."
Matthias said nothing.
Thomas watched him with palpable intensity. Do I have your
word that you will look after Patricia if anything happens to me?"
Yes." Matthias picked up the paper he had been reading.
Thomas frowned. Is that all you have to say?"
I gave you my word concerning Patricia." Matthias glanced at
him. Was there something else you wanted from me, sir?"
No." Thomas got slowly, heavily, to his feet. No. There is noth
ing else." He hesitated. That's not true. There is one other thing."
What is that, sir?"
Do you ever intend to wed? Or will you have your revenge
against me by allowing the line to die out?"
Why would I seek such revenge, sir?"
Bloody hell. We both know that you blame me for your
mother's unhappiness. But you are old enough now to understand
that there are two sides to any story. If you ever find yourself in
my shoes, you will realize why I acted as I did."
Then I must make very certain that I never find myself in your
position," Matthias said gently. Good day, sir."
Thomas hesitated, as though there were something else he
wanted to say. When he could not find the words, he turned and
started to walk away.
Matthias watched him go. He was startled to see how old his
father looked. Out of nowhere the long-suppressed wish to gain
Thomas's approval surfaced.
Sir?"
Thomas turned back. What is it?"
Matthias hesitated. I intend to do my duty by the title one of
these days. I will not allow the line to die with me, if I can help it."
Something that might have been relief, even gratitude,
appeared in Thomas's face. Thank you. I regret that I . Never
mind. It is no longer important."
What do you regret, sir?"
That I did not give you the money you needed to fund your
first expedition to Zamar." Thomas paused. I know how much the
venture meant to you."
Matthias knew that he and his father had come as close as they
ever had to a reconciliation that day in this club. He closed the
door on the old memories and went into the coffee room.
He nodded at one or two acquaintances, picked up a copy of
The Times, and settled into a large, overstuffed chair near the
hearth. The newspaper was camouflage. He did not wish to read it.
He wanted to think without being interrupted. In the past few
days his calm, orderly existence had been thrown into an uproar.
He gazed unseeingly at the front page of the paper and considered Imogen's tale of how she had been compromised by
Vanneck. Then he forced himself to recall the sharp, unpleasant
sensation he had experienced when he had seen Imogen in
Drake's arms. It was not jealousy he had felt, he assured himself,
merely irritation. He had every right to be annoyed under the
circumstances.
Imogen, Vanneck, and Alastair Drake. The three were linked
together and the connection among them disturbed Matthias as
nothing else had in a very long time. Damn it to hell, he thought.
Maybe I have developed a case of weak nerves.
He forced himself to conjure up the unpalatable vision of
Imogen in a bedchamber together with a half-dressed Vanneck
and a distraught Alastair Drake. He reminded himself that
Imogen was the daughter of unconventional parents. His fingers
clenched around the edge of the newspaper, crumpling it.
Colchester. I thought I saw you come in a few minutes ago."
Matthias slowly lowered his paper and looked at the tight
lipped young man standing in front of him. Have we been intro
duced?"
Hugo Bagshaw." A defiant glitter lit Hugo's eyes. Arthur
Bagshaw's son."
I see. As you obviously know my identity, perhaps we can end
this conversation. I wish to finish reading the paper." Matthias
made to raise The Times.
If I had realized that you were a member of this club, sir, I
would have joined another."
Don't let me stop you from canceling your membership here."
Damnation, sir. Do you know who I am?"
Matthias reluctantly folded the paper and regarded Hugo's
angrily flushed face. Bagshaw was an earnest-looking young man
with blunt, sturdy features and a strong, athletic build. His
crimped brown hair, extravagantly tied cravat, and snug-fitting
coat marked him as a man of fashion. The seething expression in
his serious brown eyes was not the poetic smoldering affected by
so many of the young bloods of the ton, however. It was quite
genuine.
Hugo Bagshaw, I believe you said," Matthias murmured.
Arthur Bagshaw's son."
You've already mentioned the connection."
You killed my father, Colchester. Just as surely as if you'd put
a gun to his head."
A great stillness descended on the coffee room.
I was under the impression that
your father was responsible for
his own death."
How dare you, sir." Hugo's hands flexed into fists at his sides.
His face worked furiously. He shot himself after he lost every
thing playing cards in that damned hell you operated ten years
ago."
That is not quite the way I recall the tale."
Hugo ignored him. I was only fourteen years old at the time.
Too young to avenge him. But one of these days I will find a way
to do so, Colchester. One of these days you will pay for what you
did to my family."
Hugo spun around on his heel and stalked off toward the door.
None of the other men in the coffee room looked up from their
newspapers, but Matthias knew they had all overheard Bagshaw's
accusation. He exhaled slowly. So much for finding a quiet place
to think.
He gazed into the flames on the hearth and contemplated the
ghost of Arthur Bagshaw.
Young Bagshaw has only recently arrived in Town," Vanneck
drawled from behind Matthias's chair. A distant relative died and
left him some money. Do you think we were inclined to be so
emotional in our younger days, Colchester? Or is it the influence
of the new poets on this generation of young men that makes
them so damnably melodramatic?"
Personally, I can scarcely recall being that young, and what bits
and pieces I do recollect are not inspiring."
I am of a similar opinion regarding my own youth." Vanneck
strolled around the chair and came to a halt in front of the fire. A
word of warning, Colchester. Bagshaw bears you a great deal of ill
will and could be dangerous. I hear that he is taking boxing lessons
at Shrimpton's and practicing his aim at Manton's. He is
accounted a decent shot."
Young Bagshaw's skills in such matters are of no great concern
to me. I have other, more pressing interests at the moment."
I see." Vanneck made a show of warming his hands at the fire.
And would those other interests be connected to Miss Waterstone
and a certain Zamarian artifact?"
Matthias gave Vanneck a quizzical glance. Wherever did you
gain that notion? I am not in the market for antiquities just now.
I have other plans. I fear I must find myself a wife this Season."
I am well aware that you have come into your title, sir. You
have your obligations to see to, as do I, devil take it."
I heard you were in search of a wife, yourself."
Vanneck snorted. My first wife could not be bothered to give
me my heir. She cared only about parties and balls and clothes.
Just between you and me, she was a cold fish in bed. Married me
for my title. And I was fool enough to let it happen."
You surprise me, Vanneck. I would not have thought you the
sort to be charmed by a pretty face."
You never saw Lucy." Vanneck paused. She was really quite
spectacular. But not a penny to her name. I got nothing out of that
damned bargain. Made my life a living hell. Believe me, I shall not
make that mistake again."
Indeed."
Vanneck gave him a sidelong glance. We were discussing you,
sir."
Were we?"
You cannot convince me that you seriously consider Miss
Waterstone a suitable candidate for a wife."
Why do you find that so difficult to believe?"
Come, sir, what do you take me for?" Vanneck gave him a man
to-man look. Miss Waterstone is five and twenty years of age.
Sitting rather high on the shelf, wouldn't you say? One can hardly
envision her as a blushing bride."
Personally, I prefer mature women." Matthias turned the page
of his newspaper. They tend to have more interesting conversation."
Vanneck frowned. Even if her age is a virtue in your eyes, there
are rumors to the effect that she lacks virtue of another sort. They
call her Immodest Imogen, you know."
Matthias put down his paper and looked straight at Vanneck.
Anyone who refers to her in those terms in my presence had best
be prepared to finish the discussion over a brace of pistols."
Vanneck flinched. See here, Colchester, don't expect me to
believe that you actually intend to make an offer for Imogen
Waterstone. If you're pursuing her, it's got to be for another
reason. And I can think of only one possibility."
Matthias rose to his feet. You may believe whatever you wish,
Vanneck." He smiled faintly. But I would advise you to be
extremely careful about what you say."
Patricia glanced uneasily around the interior of the bookshop.
Are you quite certain my brother will not object if I make a
purchase?"
Leave Colchester to me," Imogen said firmly. I shall deal with
him if he raises any objections. But I doubt that he will. The cost
of a book or two will be so paltry compared to the bills for your
gowns that I daresay he will not even notice it."
Patricia paled. I knew your aunt went too far at the modiste's.
So many gowns. And such expensive fabrics. Colchester will be
furious when he discovers how much we spent."
Nonsense. I shall explain matters to him if necessary." Imogen
gave Patricia a reassuring smile. Now, run along and browse a bit.
I want to inquire whether or not Garrison's new book on antiquities is available. By the time we are finished, Aunt Horatia will
have concluded her conversation with misses Horton. She will be
waiting for us in the carriage."
Patricia looked doubtful, but she obediently moved off to study
the titles on a nearby shelf. Imogen crossed to the counter. While
she waited for the shopkeeper to finish with another customer, she
idly examined several volumes lying on a nearby table. When the
shop bell tinkled behind her, she glanced absently over her shoulder to see who had entered.
She chilled at the sight of Vanneck standing in the doorway. It
was the first time she had run into him since she had seen him at
Lady Blunt's ball.
His appearance in the bookshop could be a coincidence, she
told herself. But it was far more likely that he had finally taken the
bait. About time, she thought.
Miss Waterstone." Vanneck gave her an oily smile as he walked
toward the counter. What a pleasant surprise. It has been three
years, has it not?"
I believe it has."
Are you looking for a particular book?" Vanneck inquired
politely.
Imogen summoned what she hoped was a serene smile. I am
hoping to find something on Zamarian antiquities."
Naturally. It does not surprise me that you have retained your
interest in ancient Zamar. You were quite passionate about the
subject, as I recall." Vanneck casually propped himself against the
counter and surveyed her with ill-concealed eagerness. There is a
rumor going round that you have recently come into a most inter
esting inheritance."
I was very fortunate. In addition to a pleasant income, my uncle
left me his entire collection of antiquities. There are some fascinating items in it."
Vanneck glanced around quickly and then edged closer.
Including a certain map t
hat purports to show the location of an
extremely valuable Zamarian artifact, I understand."
Word travels swiftly here in Town." She had to force herself to
stand still. The urge to step away from Vanneck was almost over
whelming.
It's true, then?" Vanneck searched her face with an avid expression. You believe this map can lead you to the Queen's Seal?"
Imogen shrugged lightly. Quite possibly, though it is of little use
to me at the moment. I cannot afford to mount an expedition to
search for the seal. But I have hopes that my financial problems
will soon be remedied."
You refer to Colchester, do you not?"
He has been kind enough to take an interest."
Damnation. So I was right." Vanneck's hand clenched on the
counter. I thought that was why he'd attached himself to you. The
whole Town's talking about it, you know."
Imogen looked down the length of her nose. Indeed, sir?"
He thinks to get his hands on your map. Colchester would do
anything to find the Queen's Seal."
It's certainly common knowledge that his lordship is a great
collector of the finest Zamarian antiquities," Imogen allowed.
Vanneck bent his head and lowered his voice. I know that you
harbor a certain degree of ill will toward me because of that
unfortunate incident three years ago. But I assure you that I was
just as much a victim of circumstance as you yourself were."
There is something I have always wondered about that incident, sir. Just what were you doing in that bedchamber?"
If you must know, I was waiting for someone. A lovely widow
whose name I will not mention for obvious reasons. I was certainly
not expecting you. It was all a dreadful mistake."
A mistake that cost poor Lucy her life."
Vanneck looked confused. Lucy?"
You remember her, my lord? She was your wife."
Don't be ridiculous." Vanneck ran a finger between the tower
ing folds of his cravat and his neck. Of course I remember her.
But she has been dead some three years now and a man must get
on with his life."
Indeed." Imogen's hand tightened on the book she held. She
forced herself to stay calm. She would jeopardize the entire
scheme if she gave in to her rage.
Vanneck scowled. You and Lucy were friends, Miss
Waterstone. Surely it did not escape your notice that my wife was
often possessed of an unstable temperament? It took very little to
depress her spirits You must not blame yourself for her death."
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