Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt

by Mischief (lit)

  that Colchester has not already made plans to search for the

  Queen's Seal."

  I expect we shall get to the matter one of these days," Imogen

  said carelessly. She tried for another glimpse of Patricia and Hugo.

  The pair had disappeared, swallowed up by the crowd on the

  dance floor." Bloody hell." She steered Alastair back across the

  floor.

  Alastair's mouth compressed with irritation." What did you

  say?"

  You are taller than I am, Mister Drake. Can you see Colchester's

  sister?"

  Alastair gave the crowd a cursory glance." No."

  I do hope young Bagshaw has more sense than to drag her out

  into the gardens." Imogen came to a halt in the middle of the

  dance floor and stood on tiptoe to see over the heads of the near

  est dancers." Ah-ha. There they go. You must excuse me, Alastair."

  Devil take it," Alastair muttered, furious at being abandoned in

  the middle of the dance floor." You do not have the least notion of

  how to behave properly in Society. Lucy was right. You're a walk

  ing joke, Lady Colchester."

  Lucy's name stopped Imogen as nothing else could have done.

  She whirled around to stare at Alastair." What did you say?"

  Nothing." The brief flare of fury faded swiftly in Alastair's gaze.

  He glanced around uneasily, clearly embarrassed by his predica

  ment." Run along and see to your duty as a chaperone."

  What did you say about Lucy?" Imogen staggered slightly as

  another couple, unable to change course quickly enough, plowed

  into her. She scowled at the pair. I'm trying to have a conversation here."

  Yes, we can see that, Lady Colchester," the gentleman said

  wryly." Perhaps it would be easier to conduct your discussion off

  the dance floor." The lady in his arms looked slyly amused.

  Imogen flushed." Yes, of course." She turned back to discover

  that Alastair had disappeared in the crowd." Damnation. Where

  did he go?"

  Matthias's strong, elegant fingers curled firmly around her

  wrist." Perhaps I can be of some assistance."

  Matthias." Imogen smiled in relief as he drew her into his arms.

  What are you doing here? I thought you intended to spend the

  evening at your club."

  I took a fancy to dance with my wife." Matthias surveyed the

  room over the top of her head." What happened between you and

  Drake a moment ago?"

  What? Oh, nothing important. He said something about Lucy.

  I tried to make him repeat it, but he vanished when I turned

  around to speak to those people who crashed into me."

  I see."

  I believe he was annoyed with me because I left him standing

  in the middle of the dance floor," Imogen confessed.

  I have no difficulty with that notion," Matthias said." But I'm

  curious as to why you abandoned him. Did he attempt to take the

  lead?"

  No, it wasn't that. I wanted to find Patricia. I had lost sight of

  her in the crowd."

  She's in the buffet room with Hugo Bagshaw. I saw her a

  moment ago."

  Oh." Imogen searched his face." I collect that you are not

  pleased."

  r

  No, I am not."

  I know that you are convinced that Mister Bagshaw is looking for

  a way to avenge himself against you, but I trust you will not make

  a scene tonight. Patricia would be mortified. I think that she is

  developing some very tender emotions for him."

  In that case, I had better move quickly."

  Now, Matthias, you must not be hasty."

  Matthias's brows rose." What would you suggest that I do?"

  I think that you should talk to Mister Bagshaw in private."

  Excellent notion. I shall take him aside and warn him to stay

  away from Patricia."

  Not that sort of talk. For heaven's sake, Matthias, warning him

  off will not do any good."

  You may be right." Matthias grew thoughtful." I do believe he's

  becoming more reckless in his attentions to Patricia."

  The important thing is that Patricia must not be hurt by what

  is going on here. I think you should tell Mister Bagshaw the full truth

  about his father's death."

  I doubt that he gives a damn about the truth. He was raised on

  a pack of lies."

  I think you could make him confront the truth, Matthias. He

  must accept it someday or else he will go through life nursing a

  hatred for you that will eat at his own soul."

  Matthias's arm tightened around her. His eyes were grim." What

  makes you think that I can force young Bagshaw to deal with the

  truth about his father?"

  Because you have been through a similar situation with your

  own father," Imogen said gently." You of all people understand

  something of what festers inside him. You know what it is to be

  rejected by your father."

  Bagshaw's father did not reject him. He committed suicide

  because of his financial problems."

  I suspect that the result was very much the same for Hugo.

  Rejection can take many forms, my lord. You and Hugo were both

  left alone at a very young age to deal with the consequences of

  your fathers" actions."

  Matthias said nothing.

  Imogen met his eyes." You found your salvation in the search

  for Zamar. I fear Hugo will not be so fortunate. You must guide

  him, Matthias.

  I have better things to do than try to talk sense into young

  Bagshaw."

  Imogen caught sight of Patricia and Hugo at the edge of the

  crowd. She saw the shy, eager expression on Patricia's face and

  then she saw Hugo glance across the room toward Matthias. There

  was no mistaking the seething anger in the younger man's eyes.

  No, Matthias," Imogen said softly." I do not think that you have

  better things to do."

  Matthias lounged, arms folded, in the doorway of the gaming

  room of The Lost Soul and watched Hugo roll the dice in a round

  of hazard. A hoarse shout went up as another player claimed the

  winnings. Hugo clenched his hand. His face was a mask of fury and

  recklessness. He was losing.

  The hour was late and the hell was crowded with a mix of young

  bloods, dandies, and world-weary rakes. A smoky haze of urgency

  and unhealthy excitement hung over the tables. The room reeked

  of sweat, ale, and perfume. Little had changed since he had owned

  the place, Matthias reflected. Perhaps the nature of gaming hells

  was immutable.

  Good evening, Matthias. Come to play, or just to pay a visit to

  some old shades?"

  Matthias glanced at the short, round man who had joined him

  in the doorway." Hello, Felix. You must be in good spirits tonight.

  A lively crowd."

  Indeed." Felix folded his hands over the ornately carved handle

  of his cane. His cherubic smile dimpled his plump cheeks and

  created good-natured creases at the corners of his shrewd eyes." I

  shall see a tidy profit off this night's work."

  Ten years earlier Matthias had hired Felix Glaston to manage

  The Lost Soul. Felix had an uncanny talent for numbers. He also

  had a knack for collecting information.
The combination of skills

  had made him extremely valuable to Matthias. Together they had

  created one of the most notorious and most popular hells in

  London. Their success had made them both very wealthy.

  When Matthias had gathered the funds he needed to finance

  the first expedition in search of Zamar, he had sold The Lost Soul

  to Felix. Glaston had been prospering in the role of owner ever

  since. He now lived the life of a wealthy merchant.

  The two men, from dramatically different social stations, had

  forged a bond of friendship that still held. A bond that still

  shocked Society. A gentleman might lose his fortune in a gaming

  hell, but he would not dream of consorting with the owner of one.

  Another shout went up at the table where Hugo stood. Hugo's

  face grew more rigid.

  Looks like young Bagshaw will be under the hatches by dawn,"

  Felix observed.

  Are you going to intervene?"

  Naturally." Felix chuckled." I have maintained your wise policy

  of never allowing a customer to lose his estates or his entire

  fortune at my tables. It's been good for business."

  Does young Bagshaw always play so wildly?"

  No. In truth, he rarely plays at all, from what I hear. And

  certainly not in this house. You know he still blames The Lost Soul

  for his father's death."

  I am aware of that."

  Yes, of course, you would know that better than anyone," Felix

  murmured." I comprehend that you have had a busy week,

  Colchester. My felicitations on your marriage, by the way."

  Thank you."

  And on surviving yet another duel."

  Matthias smiled grimly." It was not difficult this time."

  Vanneck, I understand, did not even fire a shot. Dead when

  you arrived at Cabot's Farm, I'm told."

  Your information is, as always, astonishingly accurate, Felix."

  I pay enough for it." Felix made a dismissing motion with his

  plump, be ringed hand." A bit odd though."

  What is?"

  Vanneck being at the scene. According to my sources, he

  dismissed his staff yesterday afternoon without notice. Apparently

  he planned to take an extended journey on the Continent."

  Interesting."

  I suppose some public-spirited footpad or a highwayman was

  responsible for removing Vanneck from this mortal plane?"

  I'm not so certain of that."

  Felix glanced at him." Why do you doubt it?"

  Because when we found him in his curricle, he was still wear

  ing his rings."

  Curious."

  Very."

  Felix frowned as Hugo seized the dice." I suppose I really must

  see to young Bagshaw. I doubt that he has the stamina or the

  temperament for this kind of play. I wonder what drives him to

  such recklessness tonight."

  I believe that tonight is the anniversary of his father's suicide."

  Ah, yes. That would explain it."

  Matthias watched Hugo throw the dice with feverish speed. He

  could almost hear Imogen whispering in his ear. You found your

  salvation in the search for Zamar. I fear Hugo will not be so fortunate.

  Matthias thought of the look he had seen on Patricia's face as

  she stood at the buffet table with Hugo. There was no doubt that

  she had developed a tendre for Bagshaw.

  One way or another, Hugo had to be sorted out.

  Matthias came to a decision." I shall handle Bagshaw for you

  tonight, Felix."

  Felix shrugged his well-padded shoulders." Be my guest."

  Matthias made his way through the crowd to where Hugo stood

  at the table, poised for another toss of the dice.

  If you don't mind, I'd like a word with you, Bagshaw," Matthias

  said quietly.

  Hugo stiffened." Colchester. What the devil do you want?"

  Matthias looked into Hugo's seething gaze and noted yet

  another ghost. This particular specter was unlike those he

  routinely saw in the flames. This apparition was one he occasionally encountered in his shaving mirror.

  I'm told that you and I have something in common," Matthias

  said.

  Leave me alone, Colchester. I have nothing to discuss with

  you." Hugo made to turn back to the gaming table. Then he

  paused, his mouth twisting into a taunting smile." Unless, of course,

  you're here to challenge me to a duel. I comprehend that you

  conduct your dawn appointments in a somewhat unusual manner."

  A sharp hush fell across the table. The other players watched

  Matthias and Hugo with glittering interest.

  You will come with me," Matthias said very softly to Hugo." Or

  we will have this conversation right here in front of your companions."

  Hugo gave him a derisive smile. I'll wager that this concerns my

  attentions to your sister. Well, well, well. I wondered when you'd

  notice that she and I have become very good friends."

  It's about your father."

  My father?" Hugo dropped the dice. They bounced across the

  green felt." What the hell are you talking about?"

  Matthias took advantage of Hugo's shock to seize hold of his

  arm. He led the younger man up out of the hot, smoky hell and

  into the clear, crisp night, where the hired carriage waited.

  Matthias is going to challenge poor Hugo," Patricia wailed as the

  Colchester carriage made its way through the clogged streets.

  How could he do such a thing? It is so very unfair. Hugo will not

  stand a chance against him. Matthias will kill him."

  Rubbish," Horatia said firmly. I'm sure Colchester has no

  intention of shooting anyone, least of all young Mister Bagshaw."

  Quite right, Aunt Horatia." Imogen leaned forward in the seat.

  Patricia, listen to me. I have told you several times already that

  Matthias is not going to challenge Mister Bagshaw. He is only going

  to speak to him."

  Threaten him, more likely." Tears glistened in Patricia's eyes.

  He is going to tell Hugo that he must never dance with me or

  speak to me again."

  No, I don't think so."

  How can you know what Colchester will do? He does not

  approve of Hugo. He has warned me to stay away from him."

  The friendship that has sprung up between you and Mister

  Bagshaw worries Colchester because he is uncertain of Mister

  Bagshaw's motives," Horatia said." And not without some reason,

  if I may say so. Your brother is right to be concerned."

  Hugo cares for me," Patricia said." That is his only motive. And

  he is perfectly respectable. Matthias has no right to raise objections."

  Imogen rolled her eyes." I have explained to you that Hugo

  blames Matthias for what happened to his father several years

  ago. Matthias is going to attempt to tell Hugo the truth tonight."

  What if Hugo does not believe him?" Patricia whispered." They

  will quarrel. You know how men are. One of them will challenge

  the other and there will be a duel."

  There will be no duel," Imogen announced." I will not allow it."

  Patricia seemed not to have heard her." It is the curse."

  Curse?" Horatia frowned." What on earth are you talking

  about?"

  The Rutledge Curse," Patricia said." We have been studying it
/>
  in Lady Lyndhurst's salon."

  The Rutledge Curse is utter nonsense," Imogen said very

  firmly." There is no curse involved in this situation."

  Patricia turned her head to look at her." I fear that you are

  wrong, Imogen."

  Matthias studied Hugo's angry, defiant face in the flickering light

  of the carriage lamp. He tried to think where to begin a conversation that he privately considered pointless.

  I have discovered over the years that it is often more satisfying

  to blame someone for an injustice than it is to accept the truth of

  the matter," he said.

  Hugo's mouth thinned." If you are going to tell me that you had

  nothing to do with my father's death, save your breath. I will not

  believe a word you say."

  Nevertheless, as we are here together, I may as well say the

  words. Now then, here are the facts surrounding your father's

  death. You may do with them what you will. He did not lose his

  fortune in a game of cards. He lost it in a poor business invest

  ment. He was one of many."

  That is a lie. My mother told me the truth. My father played

  cards at The Lost Soul on the night he died. You quarreled with

  him. Do not deny it."

  I don't deny it."

  It was after that game that he went home and put a bullet in his

  brain."

  Matthias looked at him." Your father was drinking heavily that

  night. He sat down at a table with several other gentlemen. He

  wanted to enter the game. I asked him to leave the club because I

  knew that he was too deep in his cups to even hold his damned

  cards."

  That is not true."

  It is true. I also knew that he had been informed of a serious

  setback in his finances that very day. In addition to being drunk,

  his spirits were very depressed. He had no business making any

  wagers that night."

  You took advantage of his condition," Hugo said furiously." He

  told others."

  Your father was enraged with me when he left the club because

  he had planned to recoup his fortunes at my tables. But if he had

  played, you may be assured he would have lost even more than

  he'd already forfeited in the shipping venture."

  I do not believe you."

  I know." Matthias shrugged." I told my wife that you would not

  accept my word on the matter. But she insisted that I try to

  explain what had happened."

  Why?"

  She worries that Patricia will be hurt if you attempt to use her