Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt

by Mischief (lit)

  hoping that everyone would assume that Colchester had killed

  him in cold blood."

  Alastair shrugged." Or, at the very least, that he had been

  murdered by a footpad. It did not particularly matter so long as

  Vanneck was dead."

  Matthias shifted position again. The toe of his boot once more

  tapped the clay mask. This time Alastair did not appear to take

  any notice.

  Imogen realized that Matthias had made a number of such

  small, inconsequential motions during the past few minutes. Such

  restlessness was at odds with his usual air of controlled stillness.

  His gaze met hers for a fleeting moment. She had no difficulty

  reading the warning in his eyes. It was clear that he was planning

  some desperate action.

  In that instant of silent communication Imogen suddenly

  understood the reason for the series of seemingly unimportant

  movements. Matthias was attempting to lull Alastair and Selena

  into growing accustomed to such slight motions from him.

  One thing has puzzled me," Imogen said slowly." Why did you

  wait so long to kill Lord Vanneck? You murdered Lucy three

  years ago."

  Selena's eyes darkened." The bastard did not discover Lucy's

  journal until quite recently. No one knew that it even existed until

  a maid found it packed away with Lucy's things. It came to light

  when Vanneck moved into his new town house."

  For three years Selena and I assumed our secret was safe."

  Alastair grimaced." Then, a couple of months ago Vanneck came

  to me and said he had found Lucy's journal and that he knew what

  she had known. He said that if I made regular payments, he would

  maintain his silence. I was forced to comply while Selena and I

  devised a way to get rid of him."

  Selena smiled at Imogen." And then you conveniently

  descended upon the ton with that crazed tale of a map and an

  ancient Zamarian artifact. What's more, you had Colchester dancing attendance upon you."

  Alastair glanced at Matthias." I must confess, Selena and I were

  amazed when you showed a serious interest in Imogen and her

  map. When you went so far as to seduce her and announce your

  engagement, we knew that you believed that her map was

  genuine. There was no other explanation for such a ridiculous

  alliance."

  You think not?" Matthias asked gently.

  Selena paid no attention." As you were evidently serious about

  getting your hands on Imogen and her map, we soon saw a way to

  use the rivalry between you and Vanneck to bring about

  Vanneck's demise."

  There was still the problem of the journal," Matthias said." You

  had to get rid of it. You searched Vanneck's house to find it."

  Alastair scowled." And encountered you. But how did you know

  about the journal?"

  Ah," said Imogen." An excellent question." She took a small step

  back until she stood next to the tower of clay tablets that she had

  stacked a few minutes earlier." And how many other people know

  about it?"

  Bah. We shall find a way to get it once you have disappeared."

  Perhaps," Matthias said.

  It should not be difficult to convince your grieving sister to get

  rid of the cursed journal," Selena murmured.

  Matthias smiled." Do not be too certain of that. I have made

  arrangements to see that the journal falls into the right hands

  should anything happen to me or my wife."

  I don't believe you," Selena spat out.

  Matthias raised his brows but said nothing.

  Alastair frowned." Selena?"

  He is bluffing, Alastair. Pay him no heed. We will get the journal."

  You might be interested in learning how we discovered the

  existence of Lucy's journal," Imogen said coolly." It was no accident, you know."

  Alastair and Selena both rounded on her with glittering expressions. It was clear they had not considered that point.

  What the devil are you talking about?" Alastair demanded.

  Selena glared at her." Vanneck must have told you about it."

  Actually, no," Imogen said." It was not Vanneck."

  Then who?" Alastair shouted.

  Selena flicked him a repressive glance." Calm yourself, Alastair."

  Damnation, Selena, don't you see? Someone else knows about

  the journal."

  No. She's lying."

  For an instant Selena and Alastair were occupied with the fresh

  concern. Matthias chose that moment to move again. This time

  there was nothing casual or restless about the action.

  He reached down and seized the heavy clay mask that had been

  propped against the edge of the sarcophagus. He hurled it with

  deadly accuracy straight toward Alastair.

  What are you . ?" Selena reacted first, swinging around to aim

  the pistol at Matthias." No. Alastair. Look out."

  Alastair started to turn, but his reaction was too slow. He gave

  an inarticulate cry and raised his arm. The heavy mask was only

  partially deflected by his defensive reaction. It struck him with

  enough force to send him staggering backward. The pistol flew

  from his hand. Matthias raced toward him.

  Bastard." Selena's beautiful face contorted with rage. She

  started to pull the trigger.

  Imogen swept out her hand, striking the stack of Zamarian

  tablets. They toppled toward Selena, startling her before she could

  pull the trigger.

  You clumsy, cow-handed oddity." Selena whirled back to face

  Imogen." You have caused all this trouble."

  Imogen turned to flee. Her knee struck the edge of the sarcoph

  agus. She stumbled and fell just as Selena pulled the trigger.

  Imogen felt something cold brush her arm as she sprawled

  ignominiously forward into the stone coffin. Behind her she heard

  the sounds of a violent scuffle. Selena screamed in raw fury.

  Imogen sat up. For some reason her left shoulder did not function properly. She concentrated on using her right arm to pull

  herself out of the coffin.

  She saw with horror that Alastair and Matthias were circling

  each other warily. Light glinted on the knife blade Alastair

  gripped. Selena was crouched low in an attempt to seize the pistol

  Alastair had dropped.

  This time I'm going to kill you, Colchester," Alastair snarled.

  He feinted with the knife.

  Matthias lashed out with his leg in a strange sweeping move

  ment that caught Alastair on the side of his thigh. Alastair yelled

  in pain and lurched to the side.

  Imogen saw that Selena had almost gotten hold of the fallen

  pistol." Oh, no, you don't." She heaved herself out of the coffin and

  launched herself at Selena, colliding with her in a jarring thud.

  The force of Imogen's momentum propelled both her and

  Selena straight into the towering statue of Zamaris. The impact

  sent a shudder through the heavy figure. Its poorly repaired arm

  cracked at the shoulder. Stone grated ominously on stone.

  Imogen, get back," Matthias shouted.

  Imogen rolled to the side in a flurry of skirts. A fraction of a

  second later the great arm of Zamaris crashed to the floor.

  Selena was not able to get out of the way in time. The stone arm<
br />
  struck her shoulders, pinning her to the floor. She gave a short,

  broken cry and then lay still.

  Imogen sat up slowly. There was a strange buzzing sound in her

  brain and her shoulder hurt. She realized she must have scraped it

  when she fell into the sarcophagus.

  Silence gripped the chamber. She turned to look for Matthias

  and saw that he was getting to his feet beside Alastair's still form.

  Matthias." Imogen struggled to rise." Are you all right?"

  Yes. What about you?"

  Quite" Imogen sucked in her breath as pain lanced through

  her " fit."

  My dear, you never cease to amaze me." Matthias started

  toward her. His gaze fell on Selena." Is she dead?"

  I don't think so." Imogen glanced at Selena." Unconscious, I

  believe. What about Alastair?"

  The same. It looks as though they will both live to stand trial

  for their crimes." Matthias frowned." Are you sure you're all right,

  Imogen?"

  Yes, of course." It took an effort of will to get to her feet. She

  was forced to grab hold of Zamaris's leg to steady herself." I have

  told you often enough that I am not inclined toward nervous

  weakness."

  I envy you your stout nerves, madam." Matthias smiled

  ruefully." Personally, I am feeling somewhat overwrought."

  Imogen swallowed heavily." Do not expect me to believe that,

  sir. You have greatly misled me in the matter of your poor nerves."

  On the contrary. The realization that you were very nearly

  killed just now will be enough to send me to my bed for a fort

  night." Matthias's eyes darkened suddenly." Imogen, your shoul

  der."

  Calm yourself, sir. I merely scraped it a bit on the edge of the

  sarcophagus."

  The devil you did." Matthias's eyes were pools of silver ice as

  he hurried toward her." Selena shot you."

  Imogen glanced down at her injured shoulder and saw the

  blood." Oh, dear. So she did." And then the real pain struck.

  Searing, flaming, mind-dazzling pain.

  For the first time in her life, Imogen swooned. Matthias caught

  her before she hit the floor.

  Imogen surfaced from the darkness to find herself in Matthias's

  arms. She heard him issue orders to two workmen on the steps of

  the Zamarian Institution. Something about summoning the watch

  and securing the two people in the museum.

  The world spun again when Matthias lifted her into a hackney

  coach. She turned her face into Matthias's shoulder and gritted

  her teeth. His arms tightened around her.

  After what seemed a century of pain, she realized that the

  coach had come to a halt. Matthias carried her up the steps of the

  town house. The door opened.

  Raised voices sounded from the vicinity of the drawing room.

  A violent quarrel was in progress, Imogen realized.

  Take your hands off her," Hugo snarled." Or I'll smash your

  face."

  She's my niece," another man roared. I'll do what I like with

  her."

  Patricia is not going anywhere with you," Hugo vowed." Stand

  aside. I am prepared to defend her to the death."

  Ufton," Matthias bellowed." Where in the name of God are

  you?"

  Here, sir," Ufton said." Sorry, sir. Didn't hear you at the door.

  We've got a bit of a problem on our hands."

  It can wait. Imogen has been shot."

  Imogen opened her eyes and saw Ufton peering down at her

  with deep concern." Hello, Ufton." She was startled at the weak

  ness in her own voice.

  Bring her into the library at once," Ufton said.

  Voices rose again in the drawing room.

  That must be Patricia's dreadful uncle, Mister Poole," Imogen

  whispered." He's here, isn't he, Ufton?"

  Says he's come to take Lady Patricia back to Devon with him,"

  Ufton explained as he opened the library door." Mister Bagshaw

  objects."

  Imogen smiled." Good for Hugo."

  At that moment another fierce shout went up inside the draw

  ing room. A tall, thin man with greasy hair crashed through the

  open doorway and sprawled on the hall floor.

  For a moment the man lay, stunned, on the marble tile. Then he

  shook his narrow head and scowled up at Matthias with malevolent eyes. Yellow teeth flashed in his whiskers. He reminded

  Imogen of a rat.

  I say, you must be Colchester." The man sat up, rubbing his jaw.

  I'm Poole, Patricia's uncle. Come to take the chit off yer hands,

  m'lord. That young bastard in there says you told her she could

  stay with you."

  Hugo came to stand in the doorway. Patricia hovered anxiously

  behind him.

  It's the truth." Hugo massaged the bruised knuckles of his right

  hand as he looked down at his victim. Then he met Matthias's

  eyes." You gave Patricia your word that you would not send her

  back to this vermin, did you not, Colchester?"

  Yes, I did." Matthias walked into the library with Imogen in his

  arms." Get rid of him, Bagshaw."

  With pleasure."

  Imogen caught a blurred glimpse of Hugo as he reached down

  to haul Poole to his feet.

  Don't touch me." Poole reared back out of reach. He skittered

  across the tile toward the front door. Hugo pursued him.

  Patricia hurried across the hall as Hugo slammed the front door

  behind Poole." What's wrong with Imogen?"

  Lady Lyndhurst shot her." Matthias settled Imogen gently

  down onto the dolphin sofa.

  Dear heaven," Patricia whispered." Is she going to . to be all

  right?"

  Yes," Matthias said. The single word had the weight of a vow

  sealed with his own blood.

  Imogen reclined against the arm of the sofa and managed what

  she hoped was a reassuring smile." I'm going to be fine. There is no

  call for all of you to look so anxious."

  Let me see what we have here." With an effort, Ufton managed

  to get Matthias out of the way so that he could examine the

  wound.

  Well?" Imogen demanded. The world was no longer spinning.

  She was feeling better by the minute, she thought.

  Ufton nodded, looking quite satisfied." Just a superficial wound,

  my lady. You'll be fit in no time." He reached for the brandy bottle.

  If you'll take a good, long swallow, madam?"

  Imogen blinked." What an excellent notion, Ufton."

  She allowed him to pour a large measure of the strong brandy

  down her throat. The liquid burned all the way to her stomach, but

  it sent a pleasant warmth through her veins. When she was

  finished she blinked again and gave Matthias a beatific smile. He

  did not return the smile. If anything, his expression became even

  more grim.

  If you'll steady her, sir?" Ufton said softly.

  Matthias sat down on the arm of the sofa and took hold of

  Imogen. He braced her against his leg, his hands gentle but

  unyielding.

  Forgive me, Imogen," he said.

  For, what?" Imogen scowled up at him." You have done

  absolutely nothing offensive, my lord. Indeed, you were most

  heroic this afternoon. It was quite thrilling. I always knew that you

  were,
at heart, a man of action, sir."

  Ufton poured brandy into the raw wound. Imogen shrieked and

  fainted for the second time in her life.

  Chapter 21

  Three days later Imogen was again ensconced on the Zamarian

  sofa, chatting with Horatia, when Patricia breezed into the library.

  How are you feeling, Imogen?" she asked as she removed her

  bonnet.

  Very well, thank you," Imogen said." My shoulder has given me

  a few twinges, but on the whole it is healing nicely, thanks to Ufton

  and his brandy treatment."

  Do not remind me." Patricia grimaced as she dropped her

  flower-trimmed bonnet on a nearby table." I vow, I shall never

  forget the expression on Matthias's face when he held you still so

  that Ufton could pour the brandy into your wound."

  Imogen brightened." What sort of expression was that, would

  you say?"

  He looked as if he yearned to murder someone." Patricia sat

  down and reached for the teapot." At that moment I realized how

  he came by the name Cold-blooded Colchester."

  I expect that he was concerned about me," Imogen said. She

  had hoped that Patricia would describe Matthias's expression as

  one of impassioned, heartfelt anguish for the pain he had known

  she was about to experience. But murderous was sufficient, she

  told herself bracingly. It implied great depth of feeling.

  Horatia looked at Patricia, who was flushed and sparkling." You

  appear to be in excellent spirits this afternoon, my dear. Enjoy

  your drive?"

  Oh, yes." Patricia's blush deepened." Very much. Hugo is a true

  master of the ribbons. We were the center of attention in the park.

  By the way, Imogen, he sends you his regards and regrets that he

  would not see you this evening at the Sheltons" soiree."

  Imogen wrinkled her nose." Matthias has forbidden me to stir

  from the house for a fortnight. He has been absolutely adamant

  on the subject. Thus far I have had no success in persuading him

  to change his mind."

  He says you gave him a dreadful fright the other day." Patricia

  finished pouring the tea and set down the pot." He told me that he

  fully expects that his delicate sensibilities will take weeks to

  recover."

  Hmm." Imogen sipped her tea." Lately it has occurred to me

  that Colchester lays claim to anxious nerves and delicate sensibilities only when it is convenient for him to do so. He seems quiter

  oblivious of them the rest of the time."

  Patricia laughed." I believe you may be correct. Pity you will