Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt

by Mischief (lit)

  A great stillness settled on the interior of the carriage. It was as

  if a magician had worked a spell, freezing the moment. Imogen

  was dimly aware of distant voices and the din of carriage wheels

  and horses" hooves in the street. Lamps from passing coaches

  occasionally winked in the darkness. Outside the carriage the

  world was in motion. But inside nothing moved.

  You love me?" Matthias repeated very softly.

  Yes."

  Then marry me tomorrow by special license."

  Imogen's mouth dropped open." How can you talk about

  marriage when your life is at stake?"

  Somehow," Matthias said as he gathered her back into his arms,

  marriage is the only thing that seems important enough to discuss

  at the moment."

  But, Matthias"

  Say you will wed me before I go to meet my fate." He brushed

  a kiss across her damp eyes and dropped another into her tangled

  hair." It is all I ask, my sweet."

  I will give you anything you want if you will cancel your dawn

  appointment."

  I cannot do that, Imogen. I can only assure you that I expect to

  live through it and join you for breakfast afterward."

  Imogen heard the implacable note in his words and knew that

  further protest was useless. She pummeled his shoulders with

  small fists." Matthias, I beg you"

  Marry me. Tomorrow."

  She subsided against him, exhausted by her own helpless

  outrage. She turned her face into his coat to blot the new flood of

  tears." If that is truly your wish."

  It is my only wish. It is all I ask."

  She could deny him nothing at that moment." Very well." Her

  voice was muffled by his coat." I will marry you tomorrow."

  You do not have to sound as though you are about to be trans

  ported to the colonies."

  Oh, Matthias."

  I know." He stroked her loosened hair." I understand."

  Another silence descended. Imogen allowed herself only a

  moment more to wallow in despair. Oddly soothed by the feel of

  his powerful hands in her hair, she composed herself and turned

  her attention in a more productive direction. She had to devise a

  plan to stop the duel.

  But before she could conceive of anything clever enough to be

  effective, her thoughts were distracted by something even more

  pressing.

  Good heavens, I almost forgot." She straightened so quickly

  that the top of her head collided with Matthias's jaw." Ouch."

  Vanneck never really stood a chance, did he?" Matthias winced

  and rubbed his jaw." If you had not brained him with the picture

  frame, I'm sure you would have found another way to save your

  self."

  Sir, I am so sorry. I did not mean to hurt you."

  I know." His teeth flashed in a brief, startlingly playful grin.

  Now then, what was it that you suddenly recalled?"

  Patricia. Where is she?"

  Patricia is safe and sound with Horatia. I saw them both just

  before I went upstairs to the picture gallery to find you. I shall

  send the carriage back for them after I get you safely home."

  Your sister is with my aunt?"

  Yes/

  A grim realization dawned on Imogen." Sir, how did you know

  to search for me in the picture gallery?"

  Patricia told me that she had noticed you going upstairs to

  view the paintings."

  I see," Imogen whispered.

  She mulled that over as the carriage rumbled through the

  streets. There was nothing to be gained by confiding her new

  suspicions to Matthias. He had enough to concern him at the

  moment. It would only overset his already strained nerves to learn

  that his sister had very likely conspired with Vanneck to lead her

  into the picture gallery.

  Imogen leaned against Matthias and stared out the carriage

  window, her thoughts in fresh turmoil. She decided to make one

  more attempt to talk Matthias out of the duel.

  Sir, promise me that you will reconsider this ill-conceived

  notion of meeting Lord Vanneck. I comprehend that some gentle

  men feel that a duel is the only way for men to resolve a point of

  honor, but I believe it to be the height of idiocy. And you are

  surely no idiot. Therefore"

  Enough, Imogen," he said very quietly." The business is settled.

  Furthermore, you are not to speak of this to anyone, do you

  understand?"

  But"

  This is a matter for men. The gentlemen involved are obligated

  to keep the entire thing a secret. You are not to turn it into a tidbit

  of gossip for the ton."

  Imogen was appalled." I would not dream of gossiping about

  such a . a featherbrained, addlepated, nonsensical piece of

  masculine stupidity."

  Excellent." He wound his fist into her rumbled hair." I knew I

  could rely upon you to keep your mouth closed, my dear."

  Imogen, must you pace so?" Horatia poured tea into two cups." I

  vow, you make me quite dizzy."

  What else am I to do?" Imogen reached the window of her

  study and paused to gaze moodily out into the small, rainswept

  garden." I feel as if I were a bundle of fireworks about to explode

  over Vauxhall Gardens. It is a dreadful sensation."

  Nerves, my dear. Your first real case of overwrought nerves, I

  suspect."

  Rubbish. You know very well that I am not prone to nervous

  weakness."

  You have never before faced the prospect of marriage."

  Horatia made a tut-tutting noise. I do not know why his lordship

  is insisting upon going about things in this hurried fashion, but I

  suppose, given the situation, he feels it's for the best."

  Situation?" Imogen got out in a strangled voice. For a moment

  she wondered if Horatia knew about the duel." What do you

  mean?"

  No offense, my dear, but one does not plan a large, fashionable

  wedding under these circumstances. And his lordship is not much

  interested in such social affairs, in any event."

  Imogen relaxed slightly." No, he is not."

  She continued to gaze out into the garden. The entire world

  seemed to have turned gray overnight. A heavy fog had blanketed

  the streets at dawn. Her fitful sleep had been shattered by another

  of the disturbing dreams that plagued her of late. In it she had

  been attempting to save Matthias from some unseen peril, but

  time had run out. She had found him in the stone sarcophagus.

  There had been blood everywhere.

  Panic nibbled at the edges of her brain as she studied the mist

  shrouded garden. She had less than a day to find a way to stop the

  madness.

  Imogen?"

  I beg your pardon?" Imogen glanced at her aunt over her

  shoulder." What did you say?"

  I asked if you had instructed your maid to see to the packing."

  I must have said something to her. I'm sure I did." Imogen

  scowled." But, in truth, I have been thinking of other things. Now

  that you mention it, I am not certain that I told her that I would

  be moving into Colchester's town house this evening."

  Horatia gave her a reassuring smile as she got to her feet." Sit

/>   down and have your tea, dear. I shall go upstairs and deal with the

  maid."

  Thank you." Imogen went across the room to where the tea

  waited on a small table. She seized the cup and took a large, forti

  fying swallow.

  The door closed behind Horatia, leaving Imogen alone in the

  study. The ticking of the tall clock was very loud in the quiet room.

  When Imogen could not abide the sound any longer, she started

  to pace again.

  Over the years she had heard occasional rumors of duels. She

  had not paid much attention, having had no reason to concern

  herself with the subject. She was fairly certain that there were a

  number of people involved in addition to the two principals. The

  gentlemen's seconds and sometimes a doctor were present,

  according to one account Imogen had heard. And there had to be

  others, she thought. The men who drove the carriages. Perhaps a

  groom or two. Gentlemen rarely did anything alone in Society.

  They were always accompanied by coachmen and grooms and one

  or two close friends.

  misses Vine knocked once and opened the door." There be a lady

  to see you, Miss Waterstone."

  Imogen swung around so quickly that tea sloshed over the edge

  of the cup into the saucer." Who is it?"

  Lady Patricia Marshall, she calls herself, ma'am."

  Imogen put down her cup with a bang." Send her in at once, misses

  Vine."

  Yes, ma'am." misses Vine heaved a sigh and took herself off.

  A moment later Patricia appeared. She hovered in the doorway,

  looking very different from the vivacious young lady she had been

  last night. Her pretty face was drawn taut with tension. Her gray

  eyes were filled with anxiety. She was obviously close to tears.

  I must speak with you," Patricia whispered as misses Vine closed

  the study door.

  Sit down," Imogen said brusquely. She went behind her desk

  and sank into her own chair. She folded her hands on the polished

  mahogany and regarded Patricia closely." What is it you wish to

  say?"

  Matthias told me at breakfast that he is going to marry you

  today."

  Did he?"

  Yes. And tomorrow morning he intends to risk his life in a

  duel." Patricia's voice broke on a sob. She groped for a hankie in

  her small reticule." It was not supposed to happen like that."

  Imogen was dumbfounded." How did you learn of the duel?"

  I have just come from Lady Lyndhurst's house." Patricia sniffed

  into the hankie." She told me that the news is all over Town."

  So much for the supposed ability of the gentlemen involved to

  keep their ridiculous secrets, Imogen thought. Someone had obvi

  ously talked. Perhaps one of the seconds, whose task it was to

  arrange the details of the dawn appointment.

  And they have the gall to complain that women are inclined to

  gossip," Imogen muttered.

  Patricia gave her a quizzical look." I beg your pardon?"

  Never mind. Patricia, since you seem to be fully apprised of the

  dire straits in which we find ourselves, perhaps you will be good

  enough to tell me what the bloody hell you were doing last nightT

  Patricia flinched. Then a resentful anger pinched the corners of

  her mouth. I was only trying to save my brother from your

  clutches. But it all went wrong somehow."

  Ah." Imogen closed her eyes and sagged back in her chair." I

  wondered if that might have been your goal. It all begins to fall

  into place now."

  Lady Lyndhurst said that if Colchester discovered you in a

  compromising position with another man, he would have grounds

  to end the engagement. She said it would be simple to arrange."

  Indeed. So this was Lady Lyndhurst's notion?"

  Patricia blew into her hankie and then raised furious eyes to

  meet Imogen's gaze." I did precisely as I was instructed. I knew

  you would follow me from the ballroom up to the gallery. You are

  always attempting to play the chaperone even though you your

  self have no more notion of proper behavior than a . a flea."

  A flea?"

  I led you to the gallery and then made my way back to the ball

  room with Lady Lyndhurst. When Matthias arrived and inquired

  after you, I told him you were viewing the pictures. He went in

  search of you. Lady Lyndhurst said that everything transpired just

  as we planned it." Patricia's voice rose." But Matthias did not end

  the engagement as she said he would."

  You silly twit." Imogen shot to her feet and slammed her palms

  flat on the desk." Have you any idea of the harm you have done?"

  But I was only trying to save him." Fresh tears flowed down

  Patricia's cheeks." I did not want him to suffer the same fate that

  Papa suffered. I did not want him to ruin his life."

  I trust you are satisfied with the damage you have wrought."

  Imogen came around the edge of the desk." It would appear that

  your good friend Lady Lyndhurst must share a large portion of

  the blame."

  She was only trying to help me."

  Rubbish. Something tells me that Lady Lyndhurst is not the

  type to go out of her way to help anyone but herself. She is play

  ing some game."

  That is not true. She has been most kind to me. I consider her

  a true friend."

  She has certainly proved herself to be a very unusual sort of

  friend." Imogen pondered the implications." I wonder what there is

  in this to interest her. Perhaps she, too, is after the seal."

  I have no notion of what you are muttering about," Patricia

  said petulantly." But you must do something. What if Matthias is

  killed in the duel with Lord Vanneck?"

  Calm yourself, Patricia. I will think of a plan."

  Patricia hesitated." You could refuse to marry my brother. I

  realize that people would talk, but I do not see how jilting him

  could do any more damage to the reputation of a lady who is

  already known as Immodest Imogen."

  You may be correct, but I assure you that my refusal to go

  through with the marriage would not stop Colchester from meet

  ing Vanneck."

  Why would he fight a duel over a lady who has refused to wed

  him?"

  You do not know your brother very well, do you?" Imogen

  said." Believe me, he intends to proceed with the duel regardless

  of the circumstances. He has committed himself. His sense of

  honor will ensure that he meets Vanneck. In any event, I have

  given him my word that I will marry him today. It was Colchester's

  only request. I could not deny him."

  Lady Lyndhurst said that you would do anything to gain the

  title," Patricia blurted out.

  Imogen shot her a fulminating glance." The next time you are

  tempted to quote Lady Lyndhurst's opinions, you might recall that

  she is the one who got us all into this tangle."

  Patricia stared at her, briefly speechless. She found her voice on

  another sob." No, that is not true. She never intended this result.

  She wished only to help me."

  I do not have the time to argue the matter. Lady Lyndhurst will

  have to wait. I have more import
ant things to attend to at the

  moment." Imogen went to the door, opened it, and called down the

  hall." misses Vine? Would you please come here at once?"

  Patricia gazed at her, bewildered." What are you about?"

  Do not concern yourself," Imogen snapped, angry and

  disgusted." You have caused enough trouble. I suggest you return

  home and try to stay out of mischief until this is finished."

  What do you intend to do?"

  Be gone, Patricia. I have a great deal to accomplish before I

  marry your brother this afternoon."

  Patricia succumbed to another spate of tears." If Matthias dies

  tomorrow morning, you will be an extremely wealthy widow. It is

  not fair."

  Imogen whirled around and strode back across the room. She

  grabbed Patricia by her elbows and yanked her to her feet." Is that

  what this is all about? Are you worried about your brother only

  because you fear that if he is killed tomorrow morning I shall

  inherit his fortune and you will be left penniless?"

  Patricia looked stunned. Her eyes widened." No, that is not what

  I meant. I do not want anything to happen to my brother because

  he is all that I have left in the world. I am terrified that he will be

  killed in the duel."

  Are you?" Imogen searched her face intently." Do you truly

  care about him?"

  If you are asking me if I love him the way a sister ought to love

  her brother, then I must admit that I do not." Patricia twisted her

  hankie between her fingers. Her mouth curved bitterly." How can

  I love Matthias when I know that whenever he looks at me he sees

  his own unhappy past?"

  I'm certain that is not true, Patricia. Perhaps, when you first

  arrived on his doorstep, he was taken aback, but"

  You know perfectly well that he took me into his home only

  because he felt he had to honor the promise he gave Papa. How

  can I have a deep affection for him when I know that his goal is to

  marry me off as quickly as possible?"

  He is not going to force you into marriage."

  Papa always told me that if worse came to worst, Matthias

  would look after me. But if he dies in a duel I shall be forced to

  return to my uncle's house. And . and my dreadful cousin will be

  there. He will try to touch me and, oh, dear God, I cannot bear to

  contemplate what will happen."

  Hmm." Imogen absently patted Patricia's shoulder while she

  tapped one toe on the carpet.

  Patrjcia wiped her eyes." What are we to do?"

  You will do nothing. I shall handle this. Good day, Patricia."