Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt

by Mischief (lit)

  Patricia hurried after her." Imogen, wait. I'm not sure my

  brother would approve. You know very well that he warned us not

  to speak of this affair."

  I have been pushed too far." Imogen grasped the heavy curtain

  and jerked it aside. Three startled gasps greeted her.

  Theodosia stood in front of a mirror. Her friend Emily sat on a

  chair, watching, as Theodosia was fitted for a new ball gown.

  Madame Maud, looking extremely harried, knelt on the floor to

  mark the hem of her client's gown.

  A moment, s'il vous plait, madam," the modiste said around a

  moutheul of pins.

  There is no rush." Imogen met Theodosia's startled gaze in the

  mirror." I merely wished to correct misses Slott. She is putting about

  false information."

  Miss Waterstone." Theodosia's mouth opened and closed in

  dismay." I mean, Lady Colchester. I did not hear you come in."

  Obviously," Imogen snapped." You were too busy spreading lies

  and falsehoods about my husband."

  Patricia plucked at Imogen's sleeve." I think we should leave."

  Imogen ignored her. She turned to Theodosia's companion.

  Good day to you, misses Hartwell."

  Good day, Miss . er, Lady Colchester." Emily Hartwell

  offered a weak smile." Congratulations on your marriage."

  Thank you." Imogen pinned Theodosia again in the mirror.

  Now, about those lies concerning Colchester."

  They are not lies." Theodosia had recovered from her initial

  shock. She raised a defiant chin." No one will ever prove a thing,

  but anyone acquainted with Colchester's character knows that it

  is very likely he shot poor Vanneck before the duel could be prop

  erly conducted."

  That is absolute nonsense, misses Slott," Imogen said." As it

  happens, there were witnesses to the entire affair, and they will be

  delighted to testify to my husband's innocence should it become

  necessary."

  Emily gasped. Her hand went to her throat." I had not realized

  that there were witnesses."

  Imogen, please, we must be off." Patricia sounded frantic.

  Appointments, you know."

  In a moment, Patricia." Imogen glared at Theodosia." It will not

  be necessary for anyone to testify concerning Colchester's inno

  cence because the notion that he might be guilty is utterly ludicrous."

  Do not be too certain of that, Lady Colchester," Theodosia

  retorted." The whole world knows that your husband has a very

  dangerous reputation."

  Emily was horrified." Theodosia, please, what are you saying?

  Colchester will be furious if he hears that you are accusing him of

  murder. You must be careful."

  Yes, misses Slott," Imogen said smoothly," I would advise you to

  be extremely cautious in your accusation."

  Theodosia blinked several times. A hint of uncertainty replaced

  some of the righteous indignation in her eyes. She cast a quick,

  uneasy glance at her companion." I am not making any accusations. I am merely commenting on the obvious."

  Indeed?" Imogen set her hands on her hips and tapped one toe.

  I fail to see anything obvious except, of course, that you had as

  much reason to shoot Lord Vanneck as anyone else. And more

  cause than most."

  What?" Theodosia's mouth fell open in scandalized outrage.

  You cannot be serious." Emily stared at Imogen, horrified.

  The modiste froze, her mouth still full of pins.

  Imogen," Patricia whispered desperately." Please. We must go."

  Before anyone could move, a familiar voice spoke from the

  front room of the shop.

  Do go on, Lady Colchester," Selena murmured as she glided

  into the fitting room." I cannot wait to learn why Theodosia killed

  Vanneck before the duel."

  Lady Lyndhurst." The modiste was becoming frantic." A moment."

  Everyone in the small room turned to look at Selena.

  I did not kill anyone," Theodosia wailed.

  Imogen scowled." I did not say that Theodosia shot Vanneck. I

  merely pointed out that she had as much reason as any number of

  people. Given that fact, she ought to be careful when it comes to

  making accusations."

  I never said that Colchester murdered Vanneck," Theodosia

  cried." I said he may have done so. That's all."

  Selena smiled faintly at Imogen." Why would Theodosia shoot

  him just before the duel?"

  To make it appear that Colchester had murdered him in cold

  blood," Imogen said calmly.

  Theodosia's face worked in desperate rage." But why would I do

  such a thing?"

  Imogen pursed her lips and considered the question." Perhaps

  because you hoped that the ensuing gossip would drive Colchester

  from London."

  What do you mean?" Theodosia demanded.

  It is somewhat awkward for you to have him hanging about, is

  it not Theodosia? After all, every time he appears in Society, there

  is the risk that he will let the truth be known."

  Selena's brows rose." What truth would that be, Imogen?"

  Why, that Theodosia has been living on falsehoods for years,"

  Imogen said." No one ever fought a duel over her. Her friend, Mister

  Exelby, left Town to seek his fortune in America after he was

  caught cheating at cards in The Lost Soul. And as for that

  nonsense about Colchester seeking to take Exelby's place in your

  bed, well, that is ludicrous."

  Theodosia gave her a seething look." How dare you imply that

  I have been lying to my friends."

  The only person who might wish to set the record straight is

  Colchester himself," Imogen continued." You could not risk that,

  could you Theodosia?"

  What do you mean?" she demanded.

  So long as he remained out of Society, your secret was safe. But

  lately Colchester has re-entered the social whirl. Only think what

  he could do to your position in the ton were he to start discussing

  the true events surrounding Exelby's departure from London.

  You would be made to look ridiculous."

  This is an outrage," Theodosia howled. I will not stand for it."

  And I will not abide any more of your silly accusations against

  my husband," Imogen said coldly." The next time you are tempted

  to imply that he may have killed Vanneck, stop and think that you

  could be made to appear the guilty party."

  You cannot do this to me," Theodosia hissed.

  Imogen gave her a scornful look and then spoke to a stunned

  Patricia." Come along. We must stop at the glovemaker's and then

  I want to pay a visit to the bookshop."

  She swung around briskly. And ran straight into Matthias, who

  lounged in the entrance of the fitting room.

  Umph." Imogen staggered. For a second she could see nothing

  but green straw. She realized that her wide-brimmed bonnet had

  been knocked askew by the impact and had fallen forward over

  her eyes. She grabbed the brim and shoved it out of the way.

  Matthias smiled slightly and reached out to adjust the bonnet.

  Allow me."

  Good heavens, Colchester." Imogen hastily retied the bonnet

  strings." I didn't see you. What on earth are you doing here in

  Madame Mau
d's shop?"

  Matthias surveyed the frozen tableau in the fitting room with

  gleaming eyes." Perhaps I have developed an interest in fashion."

  Selena appeared vastly amused. Emily's eyes darted anxiously

  about, as though she sought an escape.

  Theodosia made a very odd, strangled noise and collapsed to

  the floor in an untidy heap.

  Hmm." Imogen peered at the fallen woman." I do believe that

  this time her swoon is quite genuine. Perhaps you should get out

  your vinaigrette, misses Hartwell."

  The tall clock ticked heavily in the corner of the library. For some

  reason Matthias was intensely aware of the sound as he sat facing

  his wife and sister across the width of his desk. He studied the pair,

  trying to think how best to begin his lecture.

  Patricia would not be a problem, he decided. She already

  looked thoroughly uneasy about the outcome of this little inter

  view. Matthias suspected that her chief fear was that he would

  throw her out on her ear because she had inadvertently disobeyed

  his instructions not to discuss the duel.

  Imogen was another matter. She faced him with a disgruntled

  expression that did not bode well. Any apprehension she may

  have felt was buried beneath her sense of righteous indignation.

  Matthias folded his hands on his desk. He looked at Imogen.

  Perhaps I did not make myself clear this morning."

  You made yourself perfectly clear," Imogen assured him

  grandly." You told me that I was not to discuss the events

  surrounding Vanneck's death with anyone."

  May I ask why you chose to disobey me?"

  Patricia cringed at the tone of his voice. Matthias ignored her.

  Imogen gave him a frosty glare." I did not disobey you, sir."

  Then would you kindly explain just what the devil you were

  discussing in that dressmaker's damned fitting room?"

  Patricia crushed the hankie she held.

  Imogen bristled." It was not my fault that I happened upon

  Theodosia Slott spreading lies and falsehoods. All I did was put a

  stop to them by pointing out that there were any number of

  people besides you, my lord, who could be made to look guilty of

  Vanneck's murder."

  You damned near accused her of killing Vanneck."

  Not exactly," Imogen said carefully.

  Yes. Exactly."

  Well, even if one could interpret my words in that manner, it

  was only what she deserved." Imogen scowled ferociously." Aunt

  Horatia assures me that misses Slott has spread all sorts of malicious tales about you for years. And she as good as accused you

  of Vanneck's murder in that fitting room. Is that not true,

  Patricia?"

  Patricia gave a start at hearing her name brought into the

  discussion. Somewhat to Matthias's surprise, however, she

  managed to answer Imogen's question.

  Yes," she said very softly." It's true."

  There, you see?" Imogen flashed him a triumphant look." The

  gossip would have been all over Town by tonight if I had not inter

  vened."

  The gossip is already all over Town. Madam, you may be brilliant when it comes to deciphering the formal script of lost Zamar,

  but you are hopelessly naive where Society is concerned."

  Imogen was briefly diverted." Brilliant?"

  Matthias flattened his hands on the desk and got to his feet. It

  was not easy to scold her for leaping to his defence, but it had to

  be done." Dammit, Imogen, I told you to ignore anything that you

  overheard regarding Vanneck's death."

  I could not ignore Theodosia Slott's accusations. I did not want

  them going any further."

  Nobody, including me, gives a damn about Theodosia Slott's

  opinions," Matthias said through his teeth." Don't you understand?

  I am far more concerned with your reputation."

  I have told you that I do not give a bloody damn for my reputation."

  Well, I do. How many times must I remind you that you are my

  wife now? You will act accordingly."

  Is that all you can think about?" she flung back." How the new

  Lady Colchester should behave?"

  Hell's teeth, madam, I will not have your name linked to

  Vanneck's death."

  And I will not have yours linked to it either, my lord."

  The only way to deal with the inevitable gossip is to ignore it,"

  Matthias said." Believe me, I am an expert on the subject."

  I do not agree with you. In my opinion, one must fight fire with

  fire."

  We will fight this particular blaze my way," Matthias said

  bluntly." The tales will fade with time. They always do. Henceforth,

  you will follow my instructions to the letter. You are not to utter

  another word concerning Vanneck or his death to anyone outside

  this house. Do you understand me, madam?"

  Patricia jumped to her feet." Do stop shouting at her, Matthias."

  Matthias stared at her in astonishment. So did Imogen.

  Patricia's expression was a mixture of fear and determination.

  I

  She clenched her hands very tightly." I think it is grossly unfair of

  you to talk to Imogen in this manner, Colchester. Indeed, she was

  only trying to defend you when she confronted misses Slott."

  This does not concern you, Patricia," Matthias said." Sit down."

  Patricia. How kind of you." Imogen shot up from the chair. She

  threw her arms around Patricia." No one has ever defended me in

  such a fashion. How can I thank you for interceding on my

  behalf?"

  Patricia looked taken aback. She patted Imogen somewhat

  awkwardly on the shoulder." It's all right, Imogen. I was forced to

  speak up. Colchester is being most unfair."

  Damnation." Matthias sank wearily back down into his chair.

  Imogen stepped back from Patricia and whipped a hankie out

  of her reticule." You must excuse me." She blotted her eyes." I am

  overcome with emotion."

  She rushed toward the door, opened it, and vanished into the

  hall.

  Matthias drummed his fingers on the desk as the door closed

  behind Imogen." She does have a way of ending a conversation

  that she is not enjoying."

  You really should not have lectured her in such a nasty

  manner," Patricia muttered." She was only attempting to defend

  you."

  Matthias eyed her with brooding interest." When did you

  become one of Imogen's supporters? I thought you disapproved

  of her."

  I have changed my mind about her," Patricia said stiffly.

  I see. In that case, it would seem that we have a mutual goal."

  Patricia looked wary." What is that?"

  We must both exert a great deal of effort in order to keep her

  out of trouble."

  I do not think that will be easy," Patricia said slowly.

  Nothing is ever simple where Imogen is concerned."

  Chapter 14

  That evening, during the middle of the Reedmore ball, Imogen

  came to the conclusion that there was definitely something amiss

  with Patricia.

  Alastair smiled gallantly at Imogen and abandoned any

  attempt to lead her in a long, gliding circle around the dance floor.

  I assume you gave the map showing the location of the Queen's
<
br />   Seal to Colchester as a wedding gift. Tell me, was he suitably grateful?"

  Actually, we have not discussed the map." Imogen gave Alastair

  a vague smile and glanced to the side to see who was dancing with

  Patricia this time.

  Hugo Bagshaw. Again.

  Imogen nibbled on her lower lip. This was the second time that

  evening Hugo had led Patricia out onto the floor. Matthias would

  not be pleased.

  The strains of the waltz drifted from the ballroom balcony,

  where the musicians gamely battled the heat generated by

  hundreds of chandelier candles and an almost equal number of

  people. The affair was already accounted a crush, the highest acco

  lade that could be paid by Society.

  Imogen knew that Horatia considered Patricia an even greater

  success. She had told Imogen earlier that she was greatly relieved

  that the recent rumors concerning Colchester had done no harm.

  Indeed, the fresh gossip concerning the duel and the hasty

  wedding had served to make the Colchester women even more

  intriguing to the jaded members of the ton.

  Imogen?" Alastair sounded impatient.

  I beg your pardon?" Imogen forced herself to smile at him.

  Dancing with Alastair was somewhat boring, but at least there was

  never a struggle. Dancing with Matthias, on the other hand, was

  always something of a skirmish.

  Imogen had accepted Alastair's invitation to dance just as she

  had agreed to dance with a number of other gentlemen only

  because it was the most convenient way of keeping track of

  Patricia. Horatia had voiced some concerns earlier about the

  efforts of certain known rakes to lure Patricia out into the

  gardens.

  Imogen said nothing to Horatia or to Matthias, but she had

  become increasingly worried about Patricia since the duel. There

  was a moodiness about her that had begun to alarm Imogen. She

  knew that the Colchester bloodline harbored a tendency toward

  dark imaginings, but Patricia's current behavior appeared more

  anxious than usual.

  Imogen had begun to wonder if she should discuss the situation

  with Matthias. The only reason she had hesitated thus far was that

  she knew he was not fond of conversations about the family

  tendency toward anxious forebodings and weak nerves.

  Alastair must have realized that he had lost Imogen's attention

  again. Annoyance flickered briefly in his eyes. It vanished quickly,

  however, and was replaced by bland amusement." I am surprised