Imogen sucked in her breath. / blame you, she thought. Not
myself. But was that true? she wondered suddenly. Was it possible
that her quest to punish Vanneck had its roots in her own sense of
guilt about what had occurred that night? She shivered.
There is no point dwelling on the past," Vanneck continued
forcefully. As you and I were once acquainted because of your
friendship with my wife, I feel a certain responsibility to advise
you."
Imogen stilled. Advise me?"
I must warn you against forming any sort of connection with
Colchester."
So he has, indeed, taken the lure. Imogen gave him a brittle
smile. But I am determined to find the Queen's Seal, sir.
Colchester can help fund an expedition."
Forming a business alliance with Colchester would be akin to
dancing with the devil himself."
Nonsense. Surely you exaggerate, sir."
I'm telling you the truth," Vanneck spat out. The man is called"
Cold-blooded Colchester for good reason. If he agrees to finance
an expedition to search for the seal, it will be only because he
expects to possess it when it's discovered."
I'm, sure the two of us can work out a mutually satisfying
arrangement."
Bah. That is undoubtedly what poor Rutledge thought. We all
know what happened to him."
Do we?"
He never returned from lost Zamar," Vanneck snapped. There
are those who think that Colchester knows exactly how he died."
I do not believe that ridiculous gossip for one moment.
Colchester is a gentleman to his fingertips. He had nothing to do
with Rutledge's death."
A gentleman? Colchester?" Vanneck's eyes widened and then
slitted with sudden understanding. Good God. Surely you haven't
allowed him to convince you that he's developed a genuine tendre
for you, Miss Waterstone. You cannot be that naive. Not at your
age."
There was no need for Vanneck to look quite so incredulous at
the notion of Matthias falling in love with her, Imogen thought.
My relationship with Colchester is a private matter."
Forgive me, but I would be remiss in my responsibility as an old
friend if I did not warn you that Colchester may attempt to seduce
you in order to get his hands on the map."
Rubbish. I resent that, sir."
He stared at her with disbelief. You surely don't think that a
man in Colchester's position would make an honorable offer to a
woman of your years and, uh, unfortunate reputation?"
Imogen planted her hands on her hips and began to tap her toe.
To be perfectly honest, sir, I am not nearly so interested in
marriage as I am in finding someone who can help me finance my
expedition. At the moment I do not see a lot of alternatives to
Lord Colchester. He is the only gentleman I know who can afford
to mount an expedition and who has an interest in doing so."
There are other methods of financing an expedition," Vanneck
said quickly. Methods that would be far less dangerous than deal
ing with Cold-blooded Colchester."
Imogen pursed her lips. Do you think so? I did consider form
ing a consortium at one time, but I do not have the knowledge or
connections to forge such a complex business arrangement."
Vanneck blinked. A gleam of excitement glowed in his eye.
Forming a consortium would be child's play for me, Miss
Waterstone. I have extensive experience in matters of business."
Really? How interesting." Good Lord, was she going to have to
steer him every step of the way through this tricky waltz? Imogen
wondered. She made a show of studying the face of the little watch
pinned to her pelisse. It is getting late. If you will excuse me, sir, I
am in a hurry. My aunt is waiting for me."
Vanneck frowned. I shall see you tonight, I trust?"
Perhaps. We have a number of invitations. I am not certain yet
which ones we shall accept." Imogen smiled vaguely and moved
away from the counter. Good day to you, sir."
Until tonight." Vanneck nodded brusquely. He turned and
strode to the door with a determined expression.
Miss Waterstone?" Patricia came up to her, a volume in her
gloved hand. I have made my selection."
Excellent." Imogen watched the door close behind Vanneck.
Then she glanced out the window. I believe I see Aunt Horatia
being handed into the carriage. Let us be off. We must get you
home so that you can unpack your purchases. The gown you are to
wear tonight is to be delivered at five o'clock. There is much to do
before it arrives."
Do you really think the dress will be ready on time?" Patricia
asked. We gave the modiste such short notice."
Imogen grinned. Aunt Horatia promised Madame Maud a
king's ransom. You may be assured it will arrive on time."
Patricia did not appear reassured. In fact, she looked more
worried than ever. Are you quite certain that my brother will not
be furious when he learns how much money we have spent
today?"
You seem inordinately concerned about Colchester's attitude
toward your expenses. What makes you think that he will be
angry?"
Because he hates me," Patricia whispered.
Imogen stared at her. Impossible."
It's true, Miss Waterstone. He holds me in the lowest regard
because I am the daughter of our father's second wife."
Surely not."
Mama explained it all to me the day she told me that I had an
older brother. She said I must never expect anything from
Colchester. She told me that he was very dangerous and that he
possessed none of the more refined emotions."
Rubbish. For heaven's sake, Patricia, that's ridiculous."
She told me that he was given the name Cold-blooded
Colchester when he was barely four and twenty."
I assure you, Colchester is the victim of malicious gossip."
Patricia struggled with a hankie. Two years ago Papa told me
that if anything ever happened to him and Mama and if I felt I
would not be happy in my uncle's house, I must call on Colchester.
Papa said he had promised to take care of me."
And so he shall."
Papa said that the only good thing about Matthias was that he
had a reputation for keeping his promises."
Very true."
But I know he does not want me in his home, Miss Waterstone.
He will seek any excuse to be rid of me. When he receives the bills
for my gowns, he may very well decide that I am too expensive.
And then where will I go? I dare not go back to my uncle's house.
I shall surely end in the workhouse or worse. Perhaps I shall be
forced to sell myself on the streets."
Somehow I don't think it will come to that," Imogen muttered.
Oh, Miss Waterstone, I miss Mama and Papa so much."
Sympathy surged through Imogen. She had been the same age
as Patricia when she had lost her own dearly loved parents. She
recalled the loneliness and the sense of loss far too well. There had
been little comfort from anyone except Lucy. Horatia had been
unable to visit
often because the demands of her sickly husband
had kept her trapped in Yorkshire. Her uncle, Selwyn, had been
consumed by his sepulchral interests. Yes, Imogen thought. She
knew precisely what Patricia felt.
Ignoring the disapproving glances of the bookshop patrons,
Imogen put her arm around Patricia and gave her a quick, warm
hug. Things will be different now, Patricia. You are no longer
alone."
Chapter 7
The commotion in the hall brought Matthias to the door of the
library. He lounged there and watched, bemused, as the intrepid
shoppers returned from their whirlwind tour of Pall Mall and
Oxford Street.
Boxes and bundles of every description were in the process of
being unloaded from the carriage. Ufton stationed himself to one
side, a stoic expression on his stony face as Imogen assumed
command. She stood on the front step, looking very cheerful in a
Zamarian-green sprigged walking dress and a huge bonnet
trimmed with shells.
She issued instructions to the footmen with the crisp precision
of a military officer. Horatia fluttered about, checking the pack
ages as they were brought into the hall. Patricia hovered, her
expression anxious, as usual. She kept shooting uneasy glances in
Matthias's direction.
His sister had been in the house for only a matter of days, and
already he had grown weary of her nervous manner and her
tendency to weep at the least provocation. She reminded him of a
frightened rabbit.
Yes, yes, bring everything inside." Imogen motioned briskly
with her dolphin-handled parasol. And then take the whole lot
upstairs to Lady Patricia's bedchamber. My aunt will accompany
you and see to the unpacking. She knows about the proper care
and storage of fine materials and such." She glanced at Horatia.
You will handle that end of things, will you not? I wish to have a
word with Colchester."
Yes, of course." Horatia smiled with satisfaction. We must also
set out the things that will be needed for Patricia's first appearance tonight." She beckoned toward Patricia. Come along, my
dear. We have a great deal to accomplish."
Horatia started toward the stairs. Patricia gave Matthias one
last skittish glance and then scurried after her.
Imogen turned to Colchester with a determined air. May I
speak with you in private for a moment, my lord? There is some
thing I wish to discuss."
I am at your service, Miss Waterstone." Matthias moved
politely out of the doorway. As always."
Thank you, sir." Imogen untied the strings of her oversized
bonnet as she strode past him into the library. This will not take
long. A slight misunderstanding I wish to correct."
Another one?"
This one has to do with your sister." Imogen broke off on a
sharp gasp of delighted astonishment. She gazed in rapt fascination at the interior of the library. Good heavens. This is amazing."
Matthias watched as she came to an abrupt halt just inside the
door. He realized he had been awaiting her reaction. This was,
after all, I. A. Stone, the only other person in all of England who
could properly appreciate what he had created in this room. Her
expression of unabashed wonder was deeply gratifying.
Do you like it?" he inquired offhandedly as Ufton softly closed
the door behind him.
It is really quite wonderful," Imogen whispered. She tipped her
head back to study the green and gold ceiling hangings.
Extraordinary."
Slowly she began to walk through the room, pausing here and
there to examine the exotic landscape scenes on the walls and the
vases sitting on the carved pedestals.
You have captured the very essence of ancient Zamar. I vow,
its spirit lives and breathes in this room." She stopped in front of
the towering statue of Anizamara, Goddess of the Day.
Exquisite."
I brought it back with me on my last trip. I discovered her and
the statue of Zamaris in a prince's tomb."
It is fantastic, my lord." She ran her gloved hand lovingly along
the back of one of the twin dolphins that supported the sofa.
Absolutely fantastic. How I envy you."
I would not go so far as to say that it is a perfect copy of the
Zamarian library." Matthias tried to maintain a semblance of
modesty, but it was not easy. He leaned back against the edge of
his desk, crossed his booted ankles, and folded his arms. But I
admit that I am pleased with the way it turned out."
Incredible," Imogen murmured. Absolutely incredible."
Matthias had a sudden vision of Imogen lying nude on the
dolphin sofa. The vision was excruciatingly clear. He could see her
tawny hair tumbled around her shoulders, her gentle curves
bathed in firelight, one knee gracefully raised. He felt his lower
body harden with a desire that was almost painful.
You are fortunate to have been able to re-create this wonderful setting for yourself, my lord." Imogen stooped to study the
script on a clay tablet. A bit of verse. How unusual."
I discovered it in a tomb. Most of the Zamarian clay tablets
that are floating around London these days are rather dull records
of business transactions. Rutledge arranged to send hundreds of
them back to England. He thought he would make a tidy fortune
selling them. And so he did."
Speaking of financial matters, I have a question to put to you."
Imogen glanced at him with perceptive eyes. Tell me, Colchester,
did you establish The Lost Soul in order to pay for your venture
to Zamar?"
He raised his brows. As a matter of fact, yes."
She nodded with evident satisfaction. I thought that might be
the reason. Well, that explains everything, of course."
I asked my father for the funds," Matthias said slowly. It was the
only thing he had ever asked of his father in his adult life. He
refused. So I opened the hell."
Perfectly natural. You had to find a way to come up with the
money. Zamar was simply too important."
Yes."
Imogen touched a vase with delicate fingers. About misses Slott."
Matthias grimaced. I caught her lover, Jonathan Exelby, cheat
ing at cards one night in The Lost Soul. I told him he would have
to leave. He was outraged. Said I had impugned his honor, which
I certainly had. He challenged me to a duel but thought better of
it once he grew sober. He decided to seek his fortunes in America
instead. He never appeared in London again, but the rumors of his
death were legion."
Imogen gave him a serene smile. I thought it must have been
something along those lines. Well, then, on to other matters. I wish
to discuss your sister, sir."
Matthias frowned. What about her?"
For some odd reason, she appears to feel unwelcome in your
household. Indeed, she is living in a state of near terror."
Don't be ridiculous. Why should she be terrified?"
Perhaps nervous weakness runs in your family, sir. It is not
uncommon to observe families in which each generation reflects a
certain temperament just as they often reflect a chin or a nose or'
- she glanced at the icy streak in his hair, other physical attrib
utes received from a parent."
Nervous weakness?" Matthias decided he was tired of listening
to Imogen's theories concerning his temperament. Where the
devil did you come up with such an idiotic notion?"
Lady Patricia certainly seems to have inherited your tendency
toward anxious forebodings and uncertainties."
That is quite enough on the subject of my sister," he said coldly.
You need not concern yourself with anything other than getting
her launched into her second Season."
Imogen ignored him. She clasped her hands behind her back
and began to pace thoughtfully across the green and gold carpet.
I am of the opinion that you must make more of an effort to
encourage her to feel at home. The poor girl believes that she is
here on sufferance. As if she did not have a legitimate claim on
your assistance."
Anger flashed without warning deep inside Matthias. It went
through him with the force of a storm, overcoming his self
mastery before he realized what had happened. He unfolded his
arms and straightened away from the desk. I do not want your
advice on this matter."
This time his tone of voice had some impact on Imogen. She
stopped pacing and turned to stare at him. But, my lord, you do
not appear to comprehend Patricia's anxious nature. I am merely
attempting to explain that she, too, possesses extremely delicate
sensibilities, just as you yourself do and that she"
I do not give a damn about her nerves," Matthias said through
his teeth. I have done my duty by my half sister. I have provided
her with a roof over her head. From what I saw out there in the
hall a short while ago, I shall very shortly be paying some
extremely large bills. I am prepared to settle a suitable portion on
her when she marries. You cannot ask any more of me."
But, sir, you speak only of your financial obligations. I grant
you that they are important, but not nearly so crucial as kindness
and brotherly affection. That is what your sister needs most at the
moment."
Then she should not have thrown herself on my mercy."
But surely you feel some degree of warmth toward her."
I made her acquaintance for the first time a few days ago,"
Matthias said. I barely even know her."
Well, she knows entirely too much about you, sir, and it
Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt Page 13