Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt

by Mischief (lit)

cocked up my toes at Cabot's Farm this morning."

  Imogen scowled at him." Now, Matthias, that is not fair. You are

  her brother and she was naturally concerned."

  Matthias gave her a derisive glance over his shoulder as he got

  out of the carriage.

  Matthias." Patricia started down the steps." Are you all right?"

  Of course I'm all right. Don't I appear to be all right?"

  Well, yes." Patricia came to an awkward halt. Her eyes flew

  from Matthias to Imogen, who was still seated inside the carriage.

  She bit her lip and turned back to her brother." I . I heard the

  rumors. I was very concerned."

  Were you?" Matthias asked politely.

  Patricia's face threatened to crumple.

  Imogen smiled reassuringly through the carriage window." I'm

  sure that if my aunt were here, she would say that it was quite

  correct under the circumstances to give your brother a hug,

  Patricia. He won't mind a small display of sisterly affection, even

  though the servants are watching. Will you, Matthias?"

  What the devil are you talking about? Umph." Matthias broke

  off abruptly as Patricia put her arms around him and gave him a

  quick squeeze.

  I am very glad you did not get yourself killed, sir." Patricia's

  words were muffled by Matthias's coat. She released him before

  he could say anything. She blinked several times in an embarrassed fashion.

  For his part, Matthias appeared thoroughly disconcerted. But

  he pulled himself together with his customary aplomb and glowered at the assembled household." Haven't you all got work to

  do?"

  Of course, my lord," Ufton murmured." But first, on behalf of

  the staff, may I say that we are all extremely pleased to see you in

  such, er ."

  Such excellent health?" Matthias supplied very dryly." Thank

  you. But I fail to see what all the fuss is about. Surely a man may

  take his new bride for an early morning drive without causing

  such dire concern among those in his employ."

  Ufton cleared his throat." Yes, my lord. We had not realized that

  Lady Colchester had accompanied you."

  Of course I accompanied him, Ufton," Imogen said as Matthias

  swung her down out of the carriage." I am an early riser."

  Ufton and the staff gazed, astonished, at the bizarre sight of

  their mistress garbed as a stable lad.

  Imogen beamed at the small crowd gathered on the steps." I

  vow, these brisk morning drives certainly whet the appetite. Is

  breakfast ready?"

  Chapter 13

  There is an amusing rumor making the rounds today, Colchester."

  Alastair Drake dropped lightly into the chair across from the one

  Matthias occupied.

  It would have to be Drake who brought the first wave of gossip,

  Matthias thought. Alastair was a member of the Zamarian

  Society, but until recently Matthias had dismissed him as one of

  the many dilettantes who dabbled in the lore of ancient Zamar

  purely for reasons of fashion.

  The discovery of Alastair's past connection to Imogen,

  however, had altered Matthias's attitude toward him from one of

  complete disinterest to one of total disgust. That in and of itself

  did not mean much. Matthias harbored a deep disgust toward

  most of those who thrived on the cruel and ruthless games played

  among the ton.

  I rarely listen to gossip." Matthias did not look up from the

  Morning Post." I find that it is both inaccurate and boring."

  It was early by Town standards, barely eleven o'clock. The club

  was still quiet. Until Alastair had arrived, the only sounds had

  been the occasional clink of silver and china as coffee and tea

  were served to the few hardy individuals abroad at this hour. Most

  of the gentlemen of the club had not made it home from a night

  of whoring, gaming, and drinking until close to dawn. They were

  still sleeping off the sore heads brought on by overindulgence.

  Others were opening their eyes to vague memories of a fortune

  lost at cards.

  Actually, there are two rumors floating on the Thames this

  morning," Alastair continued." The first is that you married Miss

  Waterstone by special license late yesterday."

  That is no rumor." Matthias glanced up briefly." There is an

  announcement in the Morning Post."

  I see." Alastair's gaze was unreadable." My congratulations."

  Thank you." Matthias went back to his paper.

  The second rumor is almost as amazing as the first."

  Matthias did not inquire about the second rumor. He knew

  Alastair would be unable to resist telling him.

  Word has it that Vanneck had a dawn appointment today,"

  Alastair said.

  Indeed." Matthias turned the page. He could only hope that

  Imogen's name was not linked to the thing.

  It is said that Vanneck kept the appointment."

  Astonishing."

  Perhaps, but what is even more amazing is that the duel was

  conducted before any of the seconds arrived. Most unusual."

  Alastair paused." Apparently Vanneck did not survive the affair."

  Bloody hell, Matthias thought. So that was the direction in

  which the gossip flowed. At least no mention had been made of

  Imogen's presence." That sort of thing can happen in the course of

  a duel."

  Yes, indeed. Especially when there are no witnesses to assure

  that matters are conducted according to the rules. They say poor

  Vanneck was shot dead before he even got out of his curricle. His

  opponent apparently wished to take no chances on the outcome."

  Matthias accepted the inevitable conclusions with something

  close to relief. He had been so concerned with Imogen's reputation that he had forgotten about his own. Cold-blooded

  Colchester had struck again, so far as the ton was concerned.

  The rumors that he had shot Vanneck in cold blood would no

  doubt be served up as scandal broth for a few days, but they would

  soon fade. There was no evidence to support them, and no one was

  likely to be sufficiently concerned with Vanneck's death to keep

  the tales alive for long. They would go the way of all the other

  Cold-blooded Colchester stories. Matthias had survived such

  gossip in the past. He would do so again. The important thing was

  that Imogen not be made to endure more malicious talk. He was

  her husband now. He had the right and the duty to protect her.

  Alastair waited for a moment, his gaze greedy with speculation.

  Eventually he sighed and got to his feet. I can see that you are not

  interested in my news, Colchester, so I shall leave you to your

  morning paper. Kindly give my regards to the new Lady

  Colchester."

  I shall convey your felicitations, Drake." Matthias turned

  another page and mentally consigned Alastair's good wishes to

  Hades.

  He had no intention of mentioning Drake to Imogen. He was

  still uncertain of her feelings for Alastair. She did not show any

  signs of carrying a torch, but there was no point courting trouble.

  Matthias did not refold his newspaper until Alastair left the

  coffee room. When he sensed that he was alone again in front of

  the
fire, he tossed the paper onto a side table. He propped his

  elbows on the arms of his chair, linked his fingers, and looked

  deep into the dancing flames.

  Imogen had given him a promise of love, but Matthias knew

  that he could not depend upon it too heavily. After all, he had

  more or less blackmailed her into marriage at a moment when she

  had been terrified for his life. He had been out in the world for a

  long time. He knew very well that intense emotions had a way of

  encouraging people to make all sorts of wild, reckless declarations. If, or perhaps he should say, when Imogen discovered the

  truth about him, she might turn against him.

  He gazed into the depths of the fire and saw the old ghosts grin

  ning at him with their skeletal mouths. They knew just how precarious his newfound happiness was, how easily it could be destroyed.

  And when it all came crashing down around him, when he was

  forced to retreat back into the shadows, they would be waiting for

  him.

  He clenched one hand into a fist on the arm of the chair. There

  was still passion, he told himself. And there was still Zamar.

  Perhaps they would prove to be enough.

  Perhaps not.

  He was still staring into the heart of the blaze a long while later

  when Fairfax hailed him from across the room.

  Colchester. Thought I might find you here." Fairfax's perpetually cheerful expression was tinged with a line or two of concern.

  He moved to stand in front of the fire. I say, anything wrong?"

  No." Matthias glanced up at him." Why do you ask?"

  Had an odd expression on your face, that's all." Fairfax warmed

  his hands at the hearth." Never mind. Came to tell you that there

  are rumors all over Town about Vanneck's death."

  Save your breath. I've already heard them. They'll fade quickly

  enough."

  Fairfax cleared his throat. That might well be true. Under

  normal circumstances."

  What makes the present circumstances anything other than

  normal?"

  The new Lady Colchester," Fairfax said succinctly. He leaned

  down and lowered his voice even though there was no one nearby.

  Don't mean to tell you how to conduct your personal affairs, but

  have you considered how she will react if she hears this particular

  tale?"

  A very belated light dawned in Matthias's brain. He'd cautioned

  Imogen not to admit to anyone that she had even heard the rumor

  of a dawn appointment, let alone that she had accompanied him to

  Cabot's Farm. But he had not specifically told her how to react if

  she overheard others discussing the rumors of the duel.

  The problem with Imogen was that one had to be extremely

  specific in one's instructions. She had a way of going off on unex

  pected tangents.

  Matthias clamped his hands around the arms of his chair and

  shoved himself to his feet." Excuse me, Fairfax. I've got to go

  home. I want to have a talk with my wife."

  I fear it's a bit too late for a husbandly chat over breakfast."

  What are you talking about?"

  Fairfax's grimace was both sympathetic and amused." I stopped

  by your town house before I came here. Your man Ufton said

  something about Lady Colchester having just set off on a shop

  ping expedition."

  Good God." The horrendous possibilities loomed before

  Matthias, leaving him momentarily transfixed.

  One can only hope that the gossip has not yet reached the

  ladies of the ton." Fairfax took out his watch and glanced at the

  time." They will be descending upon Oxford Street and Pall Mall

  even as we speak."

  Not reached the ladies? Are you mad?" Matthias strode toward

  the door." The rumors will have reached them along with their

  morning chocolate."

  I was so worried when I realized that Matthias had left the house

  before anyone had arisen," Patricia confided as she walked beside

  Imogen." I was certain that he would be killed. I vow, I shall have

  nightmares about this entire affair for weeks."

  Nonsense. It is over and done and the less said the better." The

  morning's events had established a tentative new bond between

  Patricia and herself, Imogen realized. It was not surprising, she

  thought. After all, they both cared about Matthias." Remember

  what Colchester said. We are to act as if nothing out of the ordi

  nary has occurred."

  I understand. But I still do not comprehend why you were with

  him when he returned. And why on earth were you dressed as a

  stable lad?"

  I went along to make certain that the duel did not take place,

  of course," Imogen explained." I could not allow Colchester to risk

  his neck because of me."

  But what did you think you could possibly do to halt the

  affair?"

  I had formulated any number of plans," Imogen assured her.

  But as it happened, I was not obliged to employ any of them."

  Only because Vanneck got himself shot by a highwayman or a

  footpad." Patricia shuddered." What a bizarre thing."

  Very bizarre. But I for one will not mourn him."

  Imogen?"

  Yes?"

  Thank you," Patricia whispered.

  Oxford Street was a lively scene. It was nearly noon, prime time

  for the serious business of shopping. Elegantly dressed ladies

  paraded from one window to the next in search of the latest fashions. They were followed by maids and footmen burdened with

  packages and parcels.

  Lady Colchester." A middle-aged woman dressed in an expensive gown and a fashionable bonnet gave Imogen a cool smile. Her

  beady eyes were filled with avid speculation." Congratulations on

  your recent marriage, madam. I saw the notice in the morning

  papers."

  Thank you, Lady Benson." Imogen made to move off down the

  street.

  I also heard that there has been a most unusual occurrence

  regarding a mutual acquaintance," Lady Benson continued

  quickly." Lord Vanneck was found shot to death this very day.

  Quite early in the morning, I believe. Have you heard?"

  Sorry. Don't know a thing about it. I'm afraid I don't have time

  to chat. You must excuse us, Lady Benson." Imogen urged Patricia

  toward the nearest shop door." We have an appointment with .

  uh." She glanced at the small wooden sign overhead." With

  Madame Maud. Excellent modiste, you know. I trust I shall see

  you this evening."

  Of course." Lady Benson's eyes narrowed." You and Colchester

  will definitely be the main attraction at the best parties tonight.

  Perhaps we shall be able to talk later."

  Perhaps." Imogen whisked Patricia through the door of the

  dressmaker's shop. She was relieved to see that there were no

  customers in the front of the small establishment.

  We don't have an appointment with Madame Maud," Patricia

  whispered.

  I am aware of that." Imogen whirled to peer out the window.

  But I did not want to get into an extended discussion with Lady

  Benson. She is a notorious gossip. Just the sort Colchester frets

  about."

  Yes, I know," Patricia said in a very low voice." Lady Lyndhurst

  has mention
ed her. Imogen, where is the proprietor of this shop?

  There is no one here."

  Madame Maud is no doubt in the fitting room with a client."

  Imogen breathed a sigh of relief as Lady Benson walked off down

  the street." Good. She's gone. We can go on to the glovemaker's.

  Let's be on our way. I want to stop at the bookshop before we go

  home."

  At that moment a woman's voice rose shrilly from the back

  room." Never say that Colchester murdered Vanneck in cold

  blood, Theodosia. I do not believe it."

  They do not call him Cold-blooded Colchester for nothing,

  Emily," Theodosia retorted in a tone of morbid excitement.

  Personally, I am only too well aware of the fact that he is perfectly

  capable of killing a man. Lord Vanneck was one of many. There

  was my dear Jonathan. And you must have heard the rumors

  about Rutledge's mysterious death."

  Well, yes, of course I have. The Rutledge Curse and all. But,

  Theo, Jonathan Exelby was killed years ago. And Rutledge died in

  faroff Zamar. This affair with Vanneck occurred this very morning

  on the outskirts of the city."

  I know Colchester's true nature better than anyone, and I can

  assure you that. . . ouch. Do be careful with those pins, Maud. You

  stuck me."

  Pardon, madam," the modiste mumbled.

  Colchester is said to be an excellent shot," Emily observed

  thoughtfully." Why would he kill Vanneck before the duel? Why

  not simply wait and shoot him in front of the proper witnesses?"

  Who knows? Perhaps there was a quarrel before the seconds

  arrived," Theodosia said." One thing is certain, Colchester will

  never go to the gallows for his crimes. He is devious and far too

  clever."

  And he is an earl," Emily noted pragmatically." Speaking of

  devious, I wonder what deep game he is playing with Immodest

  Imogen. The engagement made some sense. Everyone knows he

  would stop at nothing in order to get his hands on a valuable

  Zamarian artifact. But marriage?"

  A marriage need not last forever," Theodosia said grimly." It is

  not all that difficult to murder a wife."

  It was too much. A white-hot rage boiled up within Imogen.

  How dare they talk about him in such a fashion?"

  Patricia glanced uneasily at the curtain that separated the

  fitting room from the front area of the shop." Perhaps we should

  leave."

  Not until I have had a few words with Theodosia Slott." Imogen

  rounded the counter and stalked toward the fitting room.