The Virgin’s Secret

by Victoria Alexander

  Gabriella watched her circle the ballroom until she reached Mr. Dennison. Even from where she stood, she could see the manner in which Florence seemed to light up in the secretary’s presence. And the way he lit up in hers.

  Gabriella smiled. Florence had apparently found love. Love. Her smile faded. How could Florence say such a thing about Enrico? He did love her, of course he did. He was a good brother.

  As for the money, she was a child when he had found her. She certainly could not have managed her fortune. And if, as she grew up, he never mentioned it to her, it was no doubt because it wasn’t important. He’d used it to support them both as well as fund his travels and his work. Besides, even if she had known, she wouldn’t have protested. Aside from all else, he was her brother, her only male relative, and in the eyes of society he had every right to use her resources as he saw fit.

  Still, it would have been nice to know.

  Not that there was anything that could be done about it now. No one knew better than she that the past was the past, and aside from a few artifacts, a few crumbling relics and the occasional memory, it was best to put the past firmly in the past.

  “May I have the honor of this dance, Miss Montini?” A voice sounded behind her.

  “Certainly,” she said with a sigh of relief. A dance would be just the thing to set her spirits right. “I should be delighted.”

  She turned to face her new partner and froze.

  Fourteen

  Shall we?” Lord Rathbourne offered his arm.

  He was tall and imposing, with dark hair touched by gray at the temples. She’d seen him before, of course, but never this close. He looked younger than she had thought, somewhere in his fifties perhaps. On first glance he would have been considered distinguished and extremely handsome, until one noted the cold look in his eyes.

  “Yes, of course,” she murmured, and allowed him to escort her onto the dance floor. Words like ruthless and whatever means possible popped to mind and a chill shivered through her.

  They took their place on the floor, and for once the music didn’t sweep her away.

  “I understand you paid a call on my wife,” he said coolly.

  “Yes, I did.” She forced her most pleasant smile. He knew about their visit, she had no idea what else he might know. “She was gracious enough to talk with me for a few minutes.”

  “I know.”

  “She is quite lovely.”

  He smiled. “I know that too.”

  “You are a lucky man.”

  He glanced down at her, the smile on his lips never reaching his eyes. “I do not depend on luck, Miss Montini. With enough money and determination and power, one makes one’s own luck.”

  “Oh.” She uttered a weak laugh. “How resourceful of you.”

  “I am extremely resourceful.” He paused. “I understand you are looking for the ancient seal your brother once claimed to have in his possession.”

  “Yes?”

  “Come now, my dear, you needn’t look so surprised. Surely you understand what an incestuous community this is—this world of treasures and those who hunt for or study them. The only way to keep a secret is not to share it. You have been asking questions. It has not gone unnoticed.”

  A frisson of fear skated up her spine. It was absurd, of course. She was safe enough here in the middle of a crowded ballroom. “As you are aware of my search, perhaps you would be so good as to answer one of my questions.”

  “How wonderfully direct of you, Miss Montini,” he said smoothly. “I should be happy to answer any question you have.”

  “Excellent.” She didn’t quite believe him. Still, it would do no harm. “Do you have the seal?”

  “Alas, to my eternal regret I do not. I had, however, arranged to acquire it.”

  Her heart sped up. “Oh?”

  “I shall not bore you with the details. Suffice it to say, the efforts taken on my behalf—”

  “You mean the attempt to steal the seal by a man in your employ,” she blurted, indignation in her voice.

  He raised a brow. “My, you are direct. I would not have put it so bluntly.” He chuckled, a mirthless sound. “My methods may be considered—”

  “Nefarious?”

  He glanced down at her. “Again not the word I would have chosen. Regardless, my methods have always proved most efficient. This time, unfortunately, that was not the case.”

  She stared. “Then you admit you tried to have my brother’s seal stolen.”

  “Miss Montini, whether I admit anything or not scarcely matters. I could admit any number of misdeeds—”

  “Misdeeds?” She could barely choke out the word.

  “Crimes if you prefer, although that does seem an arbitrary term. And might I point out, Miss Montini, that as we are dancing, and dancing is supposed to be an enjoyable activity, you should try very hard not to look as if you are either furious with me or terrified.”

  She jerked her chin up and adopted her most brilliant smile. “Does this meet with your approval?”

  “Not entirely but it will do.”

  “Do continue, my lord. You were about to confess everything to me.”

  “What I was about to say is that I could admit any number of transgressions to you here in the middle of this ballroom. And while the world would prefer to believe the word of a beautiful young woman over an aging collector, that is not the way these things work.” He shrugged. “Furthermore, you have no proof of anything. My efforts were futile and I do not have your seal.”

  She studied him closely. “Why should I believe you?”

  “You have no reason to do so, but then I have no reason to lie to you.” He pulled her closer and spoke into her ear. “Still, it might be great fun to lie to you.”

  She shivered but refused to let her unease show. Indeed, this was her opportunity to get information from him. And if a little banter—even flirtatious banter—was required, why not? Besides, here and now she had nothing to fear.

  “And what, my lord, would you lie to me about?”

  “The usual things one tends to lie about to a lovely woman, I imagine. The extent of my estates. The quality of my stables. The size of my…” He smiled. “…fortune.”

  “And would you need to lie about such things?”

  “One could always own more land or have a larger fortune.” He chuckled. “But no, I have no need to lie about those matters.”

  “Then the seal remains the only thing to lie about?”

  “You are a clever girl. But I have not lied to you about the seal. You have my word, which I rarely give, and never lightly.”

  “I see.” It’s not that she trusted him, she had no reason to do that. But he was right when he’d said he could confess nearly anything to her and few would take her word over his. So why go to the bother of lying?

  They danced on in silence for a few moments.

  “I have a proposition for you, Miss Montini,” he said at last.

  “Do you, my lord? Dare I ask what such a thing would involve?”

  “Nothing nefarious, I assure you. It has come to my attention in recent days that many of my acquisitions have not been catalogued as thoroughly they should be. In the past, those I have charged with the care of my collections have been somewhat lax, which is why they did not maintain their positions for any length of time.”

  She stared. “You’re offering me a position?”

  “I am indeed.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Why?”

  “My, you are a suspicious creature, but then I should consider you rather foolish if you weren’t. The why is obvious. I have a task that needs to be done.”

  She shook her head. “But why me?”

  “Any number of reasons. First of all you are extremely qualified for a position of this nature. One might think you had been training for it for much of your life.”

  “Go on.”

  “One gets to a point in life when one realizes there are more days behind you than before you. I
n addition, I have recently realized that my friends are far fewer in number than my enemies. Indeed, I am hard pressed to name a true friend. It’s nothing new, it has always been that way. I am a difficult person to know and even more difficult to like. It’s the price one pays, I suppose, for taking what one wants in life without apology. Still…” A hard light shone in his eyes. “If I had to live my days over, I would do exactly the same things again.

  “I make no excuses for who I am, Miss Montini. No doubt it is my advancing years that cause me now to take notice of my failings in life in regards to those things other people take for granted—friends, family, and the like.” He paused. “But these are treacherous times, my dear girl, for both of us perhaps. You would beware.”

  She widened her eyes. “What on earth do you mean by that?”

  “Only that there are those who search for the same thing you do. Those who would not hesitate to do whatever they deem necessary to acquire your seal.”

  “Oh.” She swallowed hard. It wasn’t a completely new thought, of course, but coming from Lord Rathbourne, it seemed somehow less of a possibility and more of a certainty.

  “I want my collections put in order so that when the time comes that I am no longer on this earth, they will make a certain amount of sense. I want my genius, if you will, acknowledged.”

  “My lord,” Gabriella said cautiously. “Are you ill?”

  “No more so than any man of my age. My collections are priceless, and I intend for them to remain together always regardless of where they might end up. Beyond that…” He cast her an assessing look, as if she were a horse he intended to purchase. “…I rather like the idea of a beautiful woman among my other possessions.”

  “Your wife is beautiful.”

  “But she does not share my interests.”

  “Nonetheless, I’m not at all sure this is a good idea.”

  “Allow me to tell you why you cannot pass up this opportunity.”

  “I can scarcely contain my enthusiasm,” she said wryly.

  “Sarcasm, Miss Montini, is most unbecoming. I do not permit it among my employees.”

  “My apologies,” she murmured.

  “As I was saying, with your brother’s death, you cannot help but be at loose ends.”

  “Not at all,” she said staunchly. “I have much to keep myself busy.”

  “Really? Aside from your search for this seal, may I be so bold as to ask what precisely is filling your days, Miss Montini?”

  “No, you may not, my lord.” She huffed. He might be a bit frightening but he was not yet her employer, if indeed she decided to accept his offer. She couldn’t imagine why she would, although the idea of simply getting to see the art and artifacts he’d collected had an unexpectedly strong appeal. To see all that he had and make certain of what he said he didn’t have.

  He shrugged. “And I suspect you have considered the fact that, as you will be allowed total access to my collections, you will be able to make certain I have not lied to you. That I do not have the seal you search for.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that,” she lied.

  “Of course not,” he said smoothly.

  The music faded to a close. He offered her his arm and escorted her off the floor.

  “May I ask you one other thing, my lord?”

  “You may ask.”

  “Other than its intrinsic value as a rare and priceless artifact, why were you interested in the seal?”

  “My dear Miss Montini.” He cast her a disillusioned look. “I should think you of all people would understand that.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “Now I see. You wish to ascertain exactly what I know and what I don’t know.” He cast her a chastising look. “I did expect you to be a bit more subtle than this, however.”

  “I apologize if I have disappointed you.”

  “Do not let it happen again.”

  She stared at him. She could never work for such a man. “Yes, my lord.”

  “As you know, Ambropia was said to have been a city of great riches, great treasure. Whoever finds the city would claim a treasure beyond measure, not merely in a monetary sense but in terms of antiquities as well.” His eyes gleamed. “The finder of the city would have his choice of artifacts, hidden from mortal view for eons. Unique in today’s world. Irreplaceable. Priceless. For a collector of any stature, items from the lost city would make his collection the finest in all creation. The finest ever known.

  “A legacy of that magnitude, Miss Montini, would make a man of my nature go to nearly any length to acquire it.”

  “I see.”

  “Yes, I imagine you do.” He considered her closely. “Perhaps, before you make your decision as to whether or not to accept my offer, you might wish to see my collections for yourself.”

  Behind Lord Rathbourne, she noted Nathanial staring at them, a look of concern on his face. It was absurd. She wasn’t an idiot, she could certainly take care of herself. She met the older man’s dark gaze directly. “I would like that very much.”

  “Excellent. Let us say the day after tomorrow, then.” A knowing smile curved his lips. “You may bring Mr. Harrington along, if you wish. If it would make you less apprehensive.”

  “I am not the least bit apprehensive, my lord,” she said firmly, and held out her hand.

  “Perhaps you should be.” He raised her hand to his lips but his gaze locked on hers. “I understand your brother thought his seal, along with others, might hold the clue to the Virgin’s Secret.”

  “Two additional seals, possibly.” She thought for a moment. “His assumption was based on the pattern on the seal he had, although he suspected even with the other seals, the message would still need to be deciphered.”

  “How very interesting,” he murmured.

  “Is it?” She studied him carefully. “Why?”

  “Because, my dear Miss Montini, from all that I have been able to gather, not having seen your brother’s seal for myself, of course, I have one that appears very much to be its mate.”

  Fifteen

  What in the name of all that’s holy did you think you were doing?” Nate plastered a pleasant smile on his face, took Gabriella’s elbow and firmly steered her toward the door.

  “And what do you think you’re doing?” She smiled at him through gritted teeth.

  “I am getting you out of here so that we may talk privately.” He escorted her briskly through the door and across the corridor.

  “Where are we going?”

  “The courtyard,” he muttered.

  It was not the most private place, since anyone could walk in on them at any time, but he was not familiar enough with the society’s building to think of anywhere better. He directed her through the French doors, which had been thrown open to catch the breeze, and down three steps into the courtyard.

  There were benches and potted trees, urns overflowing with flowers and a bit of ancient statuary artistically placed as if to remind visitors that this was a place dedicated to such things. It was a charming setting and, as the night was exceptionally mild, would have been the perfect place for a momentary assignation. Indeed, if he hadn’t been so angry, that’s precisely why he would have brought her here. Thankfully, the courtyard was empty.

  She shook off his arm and glared at him. “Explain yourself, Nathanial.”

  “Explain myself?” He fairly choked on the words. “You want me to explain myself?”

  “I most certainly do.” She crossed her arms over her chest, a gesture that emphasized the full, ripe nature of her bosoms. It would have been most distracting if he wasn’t so annoyed. “Go on.”

  “Very well.” He clenched his jaw. “What were you doing with Lord Rathbourne?”

  “I believe we were dancing.” She shrugged in an offhand manner. “He is an excellent dancer.”

  “Oh no.” He shook his head. “You weren’t merely dancing. You were questioning him.”

  “Have you ever met Lord Rathbourne?”
>
  “No.”

  “He is not the type of man one questions.”

  “Regardless, I have known you long enough to recognize that look on your face.”

  Her brow arched upward. “And what look is that?”

  “You know the look.”

  “I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said in a lofty manner.

  “This is not a game, Gabriella.” He lowered his voice and leaned closer to her. “Lord Rathbourne is a dangerous man.”

  “I think his reputation is…” She raised her chin defiantly. “…exaggerated.”

  “Have you no sense whatsoever?”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “Lord Rathbourne is the kind of man who gets what he wants.”

  “And?”

  “And I saw the way he was looking at you. What he wanted on that dance floor was you.”

  A blush washed up her face. She stared at him for a moment, then laughed. “That’s absurd.”

  “Is it?” He narrowed his eyes. “Do you have any idea how delicious you look in that dress? How the fire of your passion lights up your eyes? How you appear both vulnerable and determined at the same time? Completely irresistible and somehow out of reach?”

  “Do you really think—” Her eyes widened. “You’re jealous!”

  “I most certainly am not.” He couldn’t possibly be jealous. Jealousy would mean all sorts of things he wasn’t prepared to admit. Or perhaps all sorts of things he was afraid to admit. In spite of Quint’s comments, it was too soon. Even so, he’d never had his heart broken, but if he knew nothing else, he knew that this was a woman who could do exactly that. “I am concerned for you. For your safety.”

  “My safety is not your concern.”

  “It most certainly is.” He grabbed her arm and glared down at her. “I have promised to help you find your brother’s seal. That promise extends to making certain you come to no harm in the process.”

  “I shall do exactly what I determine is necessary,” she snapped.