“The truth, you mean?” Tony shook his head. “I haven’t the vaguest idea right now, but something will come to me. It always has in the past.”
“Pardon me for saying it, but isn’t this rather different than anything in the past?”
“Rather,” Tony muttered, and met the other man’s gaze directly. “Still, there’s nothing to be done for it, is there? I’ll tell Kimberly everything and hope he is a wiser man than I am and has a way out of this mess.”
“You know, sir,” Mac said thoughtfully, “it shouldn’t be all that curious if her new staff was to resign. We have not been in her employ for very long. And Gordon could always claim a distant relative, an elderly aunt, say —”
“She’d have to be ancient.”
“Perhaps living near Edinburgh —”
“Edinburgh?”
“Gordon is an old Scottish name, and I myself have an elderly aunt living near Edinburgh. You can use her.” Mac grinned. “She’s a nasty old thing at that.”
“I appreciate your offer,” Tony said with a wry chuckle. “But Gordon has already told her he has no family.”
“Even so, the point I’m trying to make is, why tell her the truth at all? We resign. Gordon goes off to care for his poor old auntie, or whatever else you can come up with, and she’s none the wiser.”
“It’s an interesting idea, but” — Tony shook his head — “it doesn’t seem right. It seems —”
“As if you’re lying to her, sir?”
Tony studied the man. “I know what you’re trying to say, but I can’t compound one lie with another. She deserves to know the truth.”
“Beg pardon, sir, but if you don’t mind my saying, that’s, well, one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard any man say.” Mac shook his head, sympathy in his eyes. Obviously for Tony’s lack of intelligence. “It’s been my experience with women that the less of the truth they know, the less they can hold against you or over you. And quite frankly, sir, this particular woman has enough to make your life miserable for the rest of your days.”
“Thank you, Mac, I hadn’t thought of that,” Tony said dryly. “You do put it in an interesting perspective.”
“When it comes to women, there are times for honesty, sir, and times when the wisest course is to keep your mouth shut.”
“You’re probably right. I’ll consider it. It’s a better solution to all this than I have thus far.”
Indeed, thus far his only solution was a vague, convoluted plan to get Delia to fall in love with him on the theory that she would then forgive all. A plan he still believed had some merit, although even he could see its potential for disaster. Still, he’d hate to start their lives together with a deception of this magnitude between them. And he did love her.
Perhaps Lord Kimberly would have a suggestion if, of course, he didn’t have Tony shot for mucking everything up.
On the other hand, being shot might just be the best solution of all.
———
“Is she back yet?” Tony closed the front door behind him. He’d been gone the better part of the day. Mac, as always, was in his assigned spot.
“No, sir.” Mac studied him curiously. “If I might ask, how did it go with his lordship?”
“Not well, not well at all,” Tony said, and headed toward his room. He wanted nothing more at the moment than a bit of privacy to gather his thoughts and decide on a next step.
Indeed, saying Lord Kimberly had not taken Tony’s confession well was something of an understatment. Even now, hours later, Tony was still blistering from his superior’s dressing down. He well deserved it, of course. There was never a particular problem with involvement with a women, even bedding her, in the course of an investigation, especially if it provided needed information. But this was not any female. This was the niece of the Duke of Roxborough, who was not merely powerful but the ultimate head of the organization. A man who was already quite unhappy with the use of his niece in an investigation that had stretched on for more than half a year, cost the life of a good man, ruined a young woman’s reputation, put her at risk of further scandal as well as real harm and occupied far more department resources than could be spared.
Tony had unwisely pointed out that that first part was not his fault.
Kimberly had taken that bit of information even worse, if possible. However, to give the man credit, he had had a modicum of sympathy for Tony’s awkward position and thought a marriage with Lady Wilmont might well be the most graceful solution in the end. At least as far as the duke was concerned. Furthermore, he wanted Tony and the others to continue their masquerade. Kimberly had the same feeling Tony had that something was amiss, even though he too had nothing solid to base it on. Both men had long ago learned the value of listening to that vague instinct.
Nor had Kimberly been at all happy to hear Tony would be leaving the department when this episode was finished. All in all, it was not a particularly pleasant meeting.
Tony reached his room, stepped inside and shut the door behind him. It was small but adequate for his needs, or rather Gordon’s, with a bed, chest of drawers and a writing desk. He leased rooms that weren’t substantially bigger than this, but then he was scarcely ever there. It had only been recently that he’d spent more time in London than anywhere else. Indeed, he had a town house somewhere in the city, as part of his inheritance, that he’d never so much as stepped foot in. That too was something he needed to think about.
Still, Tony’s day hadn’t been a complete disaster. He had made arrangements to provide Delia with enough of her adventures to move sharing his bed to the top of her list. He smiled at the thought of what he had in store for her. She would have a day she would never forget. If all did not work out between them, he could at least give her that. A day to remember always.
He sat down at the desk, selected a piece of plain paper and a pen, thought for a moment, then penned a few lines. He folded the note and sealed it. That should do nicely.
Tony adjusted his mustache in the small mirror over the basin, checked to make certain his eyebrows were still straight, scratched his scalp, then dusted a bit more powder on it. He had become used to the cotton in his upper jaw and the spectacles and could even ignore them, but damnation, he hated the powder and the mustache and the eyebrows. At this point, he hated everything that made up Gordon. It would almost be worth it to confess all to Delia and take his chances.
Of course, those chances were slim at the moment, but he loved Delia and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He’d never given up on anything in his life without a fight, and he was not about to start now.
Tony returned to the front hall just in time for the arrival of Delia and her sister, accompanied by high spirits and a large number of oversized parcels.
“What a grand day we have had, Gordon.” Delia’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “We have made no end of interesting purchases of fabrics and linens and I can scarcely remember what else. Would you have these packages brought upstairs, please?”
“At once, my lady.” He handed her the note. “This arrived while you were out.”
Delia stared at it for a moment as if debating whether to read it now or wait until she was alone.
“Do open it now, Delia,” Miss Effington said impatiently. “It’s obviously from your Lord Mysterious.”
Tony glanced at Mac, who was doing his best to hold back a grin.
“Very well.” Delia unfolded the note and read it to herself, a slow, private smile spreading across her face.
“What does it say?” Miss Effington demanded.
“It’s very brief,” Delia murmured, still studying the note. “A carriage will arrive for me at dawn three days hence.” Delia looked up. “It’s signed ‘St. Stephens’ and that’s all it says.”
That wasn’t entirely all it said, but Tony was rather glad she hadn’t shared the rest with her sister.
“No indication of what he has in mind?” Miss Effington frowned in obvious disappointment. “I daresay
that’s rather annoying of him.”
“I think it’s quite exciting,” Delia said staunchly. “Part of the fun of adventure is the surprise inherent in it.”
“I suppose,” Miss Effington muttered.
Delia stared at her sister. “I believe you’re jealous.”
“Good Lord, Delia, I’ve never been more jealous in my life.” Miss Effington grinned. “You must promise to give me every detail afterwards.”
“Every detail?” Delia’s brow rose. She met her sister’s gaze and the women laughed at some privately held joke.
Tony did hope Delia would not share every detail. It was difficult enough to try to win the heart of one woman without another scrutinizing his efforts. Particularly a woman who did not especially like him. No, if this was a sporting event, Miss Effington would no doubt be wholeheartedly cheering for the opposition.
“That’s that, then. I must be off.” Miss Effington gave her sister a quick hug. “I shall be back first thing in the morning with an entourage of workmen and a seamstress or two and whatever else I can think of.”
“I do appreciate it all, you know,” Delia said.
“As well you should.” Miss Effington’s voice rang with affectionate firmness.
The ladies said their farewells and Miss Effington took her leave. Mac and the other two footmen carried the packages upstairs.
“I am quite famished, Gordon, and should like dinner as soon as possible.” She grinned. “Spending money takes a great deal of effort, you know.”
“I can well imagine, ma’am.”
She laughed and started up the stairs, then called back over her shoulder, “Backgammon after dinner, Gordon?”
“I quite look forward to it, ma’am.”
“As do I.” Abruptly, she stopped and turned back to him, her brow furrowed. “How are you feeling?”
He ignored a stab of guilt. “Quite well, thank you for asking.”
“Good.” She nodded with relief, started off again, then paused and turned back. “Life is really turning out quite better than I ever dared to hope.” An expression akin to amazement or awe brightened her face and his heart twisted at the sight. “Who would have ever imagined?”
“I wish you every happiness, my lady,” he said without thinking. “You truly deserve it.”
“I doubt that, but thank you, Gordon.” She laughed softly and continued up the stairs.
He stared after her for a long moment. She had the look of a woman falling in love. Odd, the realization didn’t bring quite the same sense of smug satisfaction it had before.
His discussion with Mac hung in the back of his mind. Tony dreaded telling her the truth. Could she possibly ever love him or anyone enough to forgive a deception like this? Good God, he hoped so. Prayed so. He was betting his future on it. And his heart.
Still, there was a fine line between love and hate, and it was entirely possible knowing the truth might push Delia from one side to the other.
Chapter 15
My Dear Delia,
I left this note for you because I was not entirely certain you’d listen to me otherwise.
I know you are quite looking forward to whatever Lord Mysterious has planned for you, and as much as I wish you well, I urge you, dearest sister, to tread with caution. Your desire to be a woman of experience is one thing, but I fear you are in danger of losing your heart to this man. I suspect you weathered losing Wilmont as you did because love was not involved, and suspect as well you are perilously close to now finding love for the first time.
I freely confess you have surprised me any number of times in recent months, but still I know you well enough to know once your heart is engaged it can be easily broken. I fear my advice may well come too late, but take care, dear sister. Do not let your newfound passion for adventure lead you to heartbreak.
On other matters, I have all sorts of marvelous ideas for the refurbishing of the remainder of your house. I know you are as pleased as I with the result of our efforts in what I now think of affectionately as the blue room, although I prefer not to dwell on precisely what activities may take place there.
Curiosity kept Delia on the very edge of the carriage seat. She sat alone in the enclosed vehicle and had been a bit surprised when she realized Tony had not seen fit to accompany her. Still, his absence lent a delightful sense of heightened mystery to the proceedings. She smiled to herself. Not that the situation needed it. With every turn of the wheels, her anticipation and excitement grew.
It was good to get out of the house, although it was blissfully quiet this morning. The house had been filled with all manner of people in recent days: painters and paper hangers, movers and seamstress, all operating under Cassie’s watchful eye.
Indeed, her sister had been not unlike a general commanding her forces in a battle waged with hammers and paint and fabric. It had seemed like a scene from Bedlam to Delia, although Cassie had constantly reassured her the chaos was entirely organized and proceeding nicely. Still, Delia had noted some of her things in the bedchamber she still used appeared to have been rearranged, although nothing was missing. It was probably no more than the work of the new maids, yet she had the oddest sense of something amiss.
Both sisters were surprised to discover Cassie had a true talent for decorating, a realization that spurred her enthusiasm and determination. Indeed the end result was a tasteful symphony in blues and golds, silks and satins. The perfect new bedchamber for a woman of independence. A woman bent on seduction.
Delia glanced out the window and noted they had turned into Hyde Park. The park was all but deserted at this early hour, no doubt exactly why this was her destination.
She’d been truly touched by Cassie’s concern, but there was no need for it. Just as with Charles, she was keenly aware of what she was getting into. With Charles, she knew full well her reputation, the loss of her virtue and scandal were at stake. With Tony, quite simply, it was her heart. She knew the risk and was willing to take it for the adventures that went well beyond whatever he had planned for her. And what she had planned for him.
The carriage rolled to a stop. The door opened and Tony poked his head in.
“Beautiful morning for an adventure, Lady Wilmont.” He grinned and helped her out of the carriage. This was a distant area of the park near the far end of the Serpentine that she’d never stepped foot in before. Almost like a foreign land. How very exciting. What was the man planning?
“Indeed it is, Lord St. Stephens.” She held his hand a moment longer than was proper and gazed up at him. Her heart skipped a beat. “And where is my adventure?”
He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Your grand adventure, don’t you mean?”
“I daresay that’s yet to be decided.”
“I can see you are not going to make this easy.” He led her around behind the carriage. “I believe your adventure — and I can confidently say it is in the category of grand — is about to begin.”
She followed his gaze and stopped short. Delia widened her eyes in disbelief. “What is that?”
“Come, now, Delia, you know precisely what it is.” A satisfied grin curled his lips.
“It’s a camel,” she said slowly.
A very large, pale brown beast stood beside the road chewing in what appeared a most contented manner, but Delia suspected it was a ruse. Nothing that large could truly be that docile. Besides, she’d read that the creatures were not at all pleasant. A grinning stableman held on to its reins and she hoped he had a firm grip. She’d only seen camels drawn in books or in an occasional painting depicting the mysteries of the desert. She’d never imagined they were quite so big, nor quite so threatening.
“Indeed it is.” Tony stepped away and spread his arms in a wide flourish befitting grandness. “And he — actually, I believe it’s a she — is your first grand adventure.”
“Charming,” she muttered.
“You said you wanted to ride a camel.” He gestured again and she could have sworn she hea
rd a trumpet fanfare in the far distance. “And here it is.”
“I see that.” Good heavens, one couldn’t help but see it. It was enormous. “Might I speak to you for a moment? Privately?”
“Of course.” He glanced at the stableman and lowered his voice confidentially. “She’s quite excited by all this.”
“I can see that, my lord,” the man said, still grinning.
Delia stalked back to the other side of the carriage, Tony at her heels. This was absurd. Ridiculous. He was truly deranged if he thought for a moment she’d get on that thing.
She whirled toward him. “Are you mad?”
“Mad with desire, passion.” He wagged his brows wickedly. “Possibly even love.”
“Yes, well, love is the only thing that would get me on that…that…that animal!”
He folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the carriage. “Why, my dear Lady Wilmont, surely you’re not afraid of a mere beast of burden?”
“I’m not afraid, exactly,” she lied. “It’s just most” — she searched for a word — “inappropriate.”
He laughed. “There’s scarcely anything on your list that isn’t inappropriate. I daresay, inappropriateness is as much a part of adventure as surprise.” He studied her for a moment. “You were surprised, weren’t you?”
“Dear God, yes!”
“You said you wanted to ride on a camel. I distinctly remember. It was the very first thing you said. Therefore, I thought it was the adventure you wanted most.”
She huffed. “It was the first thing that came to mind, not what I wanted most. And I’m certain I meant ride a camel in the desert, in some exotic country far, far away, not ride a camel in Hyde Park. One is an adventure; the other is a…a…a joke. You should have realized that.”
“But you didn’t say desert,” he said pointedly.
“As I recall, I had difficulties saying or thinking much of anything at all at that particular moment.” She wrung her hands together. “I can scarcely be accountable for what I might have gasped, unthinking, in the throes of —”
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