Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt

by Mischief (lit)

  along the doctor in case he's needed."

  Where is Jeremy?"

  Right here." Jeremy Garfield, a short man with merry eyes and

  a shock of blond hair, descended sedately from the carriage.

  Morning, Colchester. I trust you'll get this over with quickly so

  that I can go home to my bed. Been up all night. Why must these

  affairs always be conducted at dawn? Ungodly hour of the day for

  this sort of thing."

  It's an ungodly business," Fairfax offered cheerfully." Well, at

  least the fog has lifted sufficiently to allow Colchester to take

  good aim at Vanneck. Assuming he shows, which ain't likely."

  Matthias inclined his head toward the curricle in the distance.

  It would seem that Vanneck is even more eager than I am to

  conclude the matter."

  Jeremy snorted at the sight of the small carriage." So he put in

  an appearance after all. That's a bit of a surprise. Where are his

  seconds?"

  Fairfax eyed the curricle." His seconds gave me the impression

  Vanneck would leave Town rather than face you."

  Matthias started toward the curricle." Let us see what is keeping

  him."

  Fear, most likely." Jeremy trotted to catch up with Matthias.

  Whole world knows Vanneck lacks bottom. Man's an out-and-out

  coward. Must have spent the night pouring courage from a bottle."

  Matthias did not respond. He glanced absently at the stable lad

  as he strode past his carriage. The boy was watching him intently

  from beneath the brim of his battered cap. The scarf was still

  wrapped closely around his face to ward off the dawn air.

  Awareness went through Matthias. A chill that had nothing to

  do with the fog made him frown. He tried to place the stable lad.

  He was suddenly very certain that he had not encountered this

  particular boy in his stables. Yet there was something disturbingly

  familiar about him. It had to do with his stance and the way he

  held his head.

  Very odd, if you ask me," Fairfax said.

  Matthias was briefly distracted from the small, niggling puzzle

  of the stable lad. He glanced at his friend." What's odd?"

  Whole thing." Fairfax looked around." Jeremy and I met with

  Vanneck's seconds last night. They both stated that if Vanneck did

  not leave Town, they would be here to examine the pistols."

  Matthias heard soft, hesitant footsteps behind him. He looked

  back over his shoulder and saw that the stable lad had left the

  horses to follow the three of them as they made their way toward

  Vanneck's curricle.

  " Ere now, where d'ye think yer goin', boy?" Shorbolt yelled.

  Come back" ere. This ain't yer affair."

  The lad halted and glanced uncertainly back at Shorbolt. The

  sense of familiarity deepened within Matthias. He noticed the

  elegant line of the boy's spine that not even the old coat could

  disguise. For an instant he refused to believe what his eyes told

  him. And then disbelief flashed into fury.

  Hell's teeth," Matthias whispered.

  Fairfax scowled at him in alarm." Something amiss, Colchester?"

  He took a deep breath." No. Nothing." He pinned Imogen

  briefly with his gaze, letting her see the anger that was seething in

  him. Her eyes widened as she registered the fact that he had

  recognized her.

  You and Jeremy go talk to Vanneck," Matthias said softly to his

  friend." Discover what's keeping him. I want to have a word with

  one of my staff concerning the horses."

  Be back in a moment," Fairfax promised." Come along, Jeremy.

  Let us see if Vanneck's courage has evaporated already."

  Matthias waited until the two were out of earshot. Then he

  whipped around to find Imogen standing a short distance behind

  him. He walked slowly, deliberately, toward her, reminding

  himself with every step that above all, he must keep her identity a

  secret from Vanneck and the others.

  The flames of rage within him were not fed solely by the knowledge that Imogen had taken yet another risk with her reputation.

  Matthias knew that his anger was based on a gathering sense of

  anguished desperation. Imogen would learn the truth about him if

  she saw him put a bullet into Vanneck. All her pretty illusions

  about his delicate sensibilities and weak nerves would be shattered once and for all.

  Imogen took a single step back as Matthias reached her. Then

  she braced herself. Her chin rose." Matthias, please, I had to come

  with you."

  What the bloody hell do you think you're about?" He wanted

  to shake her." Have you gone mad? Do you have any notion of

  what would happen to your reputation if word of this charade got

  out?"

  My reputation has never been of particular importance to me,

  sir."

  Well, it is to me." It was the only logical argument he could

  summon in that bleak moment." You're the Countess of

  Colchester now, and you will damn well act like it. Get into the

  carriage."

  But, Matthias"

  I said, get into the carriage and stay there until this is over, do

  you hear me? I shall deal with you later."

  Imogen drew herself up in a way that Matthias was coming to

  know all too well." I will not allow you to go through with this

  stupid duel."

  Just how do you intend to stop it?"

  She glowered." I shall convince Vanneck to apologize. If he does

  so, you will be obliged to cancel the duel. I have studied the rules

  for this sort of thing, and I know very well that an apology ends

  the matter."

  There is nothing Vanneck can say that will convince me to let

  him go unpunished for what he tried to do to you," Matthias said

  very softly." Nothing at all."

  But, Matthias"

  Get into the carriage."

  I cannot let you do this."

  You cannot stop me."

  Colchester," Fairfax shouted across the meadow." You'd better

  come here and see this for yourself."

  Matthias glanced impatiently at his friend." What is the problem, for God's sake?"

  Bit of a muddle here, Colchester," Jeremy called." Changes

  everything."

  Damnation." Matthias turned briefly back to Imogen." Wait for

  me in the carriage." He strode off without bothering to see if she

  had obeyed him.

  The gray geldings harnessed to the curricle continued to crop

  grass as the small crowd gathered. Matthias saw that the horses'

  reins had been secured to a fallen branch. Jeremy's face was troubled. Even Fairfax looked more sober than usual.

  Where is Vanneck?" Matthias asked as he reached the curricle.

  Jeremy cleared his throat." Inside."

  What the devil is he doing? Writing his will?"

  Not exactly," Fairfax said.

  Matthias peered into the cab and saw the slumped figure

  sprawled against the seat. Vanneck's head had fallen to one side.

  His eyes were open, staring sightlessly at nothing. He wore a cloak

  but he no longer needed any protection against the cold. A large

  quantity of blood stained the front of his shirt.

  One would hope," Matthias said," that he had already tended to

  the matter of his will
."

  But who shot him?" Imogen demanded as the Colchester carriage

  set off from Cabot's Farm. She prided herself on possessing sturdy

  nerves, but she was obliged to concede that the dizzying course of

  events and emotions that she had endured during the past few

  hours had left her feeling shaken.

  How the devil should I know?" Matthias lounged in the corner

  of the seat and contemplated Imogen with a dark, brooding

  expression." Given his unpleasant nature, I suspect that there are

  any number of candidates. I would send a bouquet to the appropriate party if I knew his identity."

  Whoever it was must have known about the duel. The killer

  went to the trouble of driving Vanneck's curricle all the way out

  here to Cabot's Farm and left the body for you to discover."

  The list of people who knew about the duel no doubt includes

  half the ton."

  But why would someone leave Vanneck's body at the scene of

  his dawn appointment?"

  Matthias shrugged." Fairfax no doubt had the right of it. He

  suspects that Vanneck was attacked by a highwayman shortly after

  he arrived at Cabot's Farm. Jeremy agrees with him. It's as sound

  a speculation as any."

  A highwayman. I suppose that is a possibility."

  A distinct possibility."

  Imogen considered that." It all seems very odd."

  Indeed. Almost as odd as learning that one's bride has a

  penchant for disguising herself as a stable lad."

  She blinked." Really, Matthias, that is a very small matter

  compared to Vanneck's murder."

  Not to me."

  I fail to see how you can concern yourself with such a trivial

  incident, when we are faced with something so extremely serious

  and perplexing."

  You'd be astonished at how I can focus on the trivial."

  Matthias's voice was laced with silky menace." I have a talent for

  it."

  Sympathy welled up in Imogen." I realize that you have been

  through a great deal this morning, sir. We both have. I must

  confess that even my nerves are somewhat disordered. It is

  perfectly understandable that you, with your more anxious

  temperament, are quite overset by all that's happened.

  Nevertheless"

  Overset?" Matthias's gloved hand flexed in a subtle movement

  that resembled the motion of a hunting cat's paw." That does not

  begin to describe my present mood, madam. In case it has escaped

  your notice, I am bloody furious."

  Imogen blinked." Furious?"

  You seem to have no notion of the damage that could have

  been done. Fortunately only my coachman realizes that you are not

  a stable lad and, as he wishes to retain his post, he will keep his

  mouth shut. But it was due to the devil's own luck that Fairfax and

  Jeremy Garfield were so astounded by the sight of Vanneck's body

  that they failed to notice that you were dressed for a masquerade.

  Matthias, please"

  It was even more fortunate that Vanneck was already dead and

  that his seconds did not arrive on the scene. I can only imagine the

  gossip, had you been discovered."

  Realization finally settled on Imogen." So that is the problem."

  He gave her a scathing look." You do not consider your eager

  ness to play ducks and drakes with your reputation a problem?"

  Imogen turned to gaze out the window. She tried and failed to

  suppress the pain his words caused." Sir, you knew when you

  married me that I was not concerned with social consequence or

  position. Furthermore, I did not believe that you cared about

  Society's opinion either."

  Damnation, Imogen, this goes too far."

  Hurt and angry, she whirled back around to face him." If you

  truly desired a wife who would conform to the ton's notion of a

  proper countess, you should not have wed Immodest Imogen."

  Bloody hell, madam. The only wife I want is you." Matthias

  moved so quickly that Imogen did not even realize his intent until

  his hand closed around her wrist. He tugged her off the seat and

  settled her against his chest.

  Matthias."

  His arms closed around her with the force of iron bonds." What

  you did this morning did far more to overset my nerves than the

  prospect of meeting Vanneck. Do you comprehend me?"

  All you seem to care about is my reputation, my lord."

  Do you think it so odd that a man might object to having his

  wife attend a duel?"

  I knew it." Imogen felt tears form in her eyes." You should have

  married a more suitable lady. We are doomed, you and I, and it is

  all your fault, sir. I tried to warn you."

  Doomed?"

  Oh, do stop interrupting, Colchester. I have had quite enough

  of your pithy little lectures." She fumbled in the pockets of the

  unfamiliar trousers, searching unsuccessfully for a handkerchief.

  You have chained yourself for life to a female who will cause you

  nothing but scandal and humiliation."

  He yanked a square of white linen from one of his own pockets

  and thrust it into her hands." It is not scandal and humiliation that

  I fear."

  Yes, it is. You have just said so. You told me that we had passion

  and Zamar in common, but that is obviously not enough." Imogen

  blew into the handkerchief." Not nearly enough."

  Imogen, you don't understand."

  I am well aware that I must take some of the blame for this

  disaster. I ought to have had the courage and the common sense

  to refuse your offer. But I allowed my heart to rule my head, and

  now I must pay the price."

  Matthias's eyes hardened." So you regret our marriage, then?"

  As I said, my lord, we are doomed. As doomed as ancient

  Zamar."

  Enough." Matthias seized her arms." I lied when I said that I

  feared for your reputation."

  She looked up warily." What do you mean?"

  His jaw could have been hewn from stone." Listen to me,

  Imogen, for I am going to explain this once and once only. I was

  forced to challenge Vanneck after what he did to you. I had no

  choice. But in truth, I believed that he would be too much of a

  coward to show this morning. I fully expected to be able to return

  to you with the news that there had been no duel."

  She frowned." I see."

  I thought myself quite clever, if you must know. I had anticipated that Vanneck would have been forced to leave London

  because of the day's events. He would have been ruined in Society,

  just as you had originally intended. And the whole thing would

  have been accomplished with no risk to your person."

  Good heavens," Imogen said, awed." That was indeed very

  clever of you, Matthias."

  But when I saw Vanneck's curricle, I assumed my scheme was

  in a shambles. I knew I would have to proceed with the duel. And

  then I realized that you were present in the guise of a stable lad. I

  faced both death and the prospect of a great scandal and, well, I

  fear you were right. It was all too much for my delicate nerves. I

  lost my temper."

  Death and scandal." She softened at once." Oh, Matthias, I do

  understand. I should have real
ized how much you had on your

  mind." She managed a wan smile." I must confess, I have been

  more than a little anxious myself for the past day or so."

  Matthias touched her cheek." If Vanneck did kill Lucy, she has

  been avenged. It's over, Imogen."

  Yes. It is, isn't it?" The realization seemed strange, almost

  unreal. She had lived with the desire to avenge Lucy for so long

  that it was difficult to believe that vengeance, in the form of a

  highwayman, had finally been delivered." I never intended that

  you risk your life to help me punish Vanneck, however."

  I know." Matthias put his arm around her and drew her against

  him.

  I wanted to protect you."

  I am quite safe, my dear."

  But it was a very near thing, my lord."

  Not really."

  Yes, it was," she insisted." For all we know, Vanneck intended to

  show up for his dawn appointment. His curricle was there at

  Cabot's Farm, after all. He must have meant to"

  Hush." Matthias brushed his mouth against hers." We will never

  know what he intended and it no longer matters. As I said, it's

  over."

  Imogen was about to argue the point, but at that moment the

  carriage rumbled to a halt in front of the town house." We're

  home."

  With any luck, the household will still be asleep and we can go

  quietly back to bed," Matthias said." I for one could use a nap to

  restore my rattled nerves."

  Perhaps a cup of tea would help calm you." Imogen glanced out

  the carriage window and saw the door open at the top of the steps.

  Ufton appeared." Oh, dear."

  Ufton was not alone. Two footmen, the cook, the housekeeper,

  and a maid crowded close behind him. They all wore expressions

  of anxious foreboding as they waited for the occupants of the

  carriage to descend.

  Hell's teeth," Matthias said as one of the footmen raced down

  the steps to see to the carriage door." The whole bloody lot of

  them are awake."

  Patricia appeared amid the cluster of servants. Imogen saw the

  look of fearful anticipation on her face as she waited for the

  carriage door to open.

  Your sister is obviously very anxious about your welfare, my

  lord," Imogen said with warm satisfaction." I knew she would be."

  More likely she's anxious about the future of her quarterly

  allowance and the roof over her head. She no doubt feared that

  she would be forced to move back into her uncle's house if I