by Aliyah Burke
Honestly, he thought she would make him apologize more or suffer for not believing him. Again, Jo had proved him wrong. She was nothing like a lot of the women he associated with in the past. There was no desire to make him experience her in a bad mood just until he bought her something.
Now, he did not assume everything was okay between them, he was not that stupid. He knew his actions hurt Jo and he had to make it up to her, but it was because her feelings truly had been hurt. It had nothing to do with wanting bobbles or clothing. She wanted respect.
“What did you see?”
Jo served them and sat in a chair where she could see them both. “I saw The Alchemist. She is here, in London.”
“She?” Jack shook his head. “The Alchemist is not a woman.”
“Listen to her, Jack.”
The expression on Jo’s face told him she had not expected his support. Jack crossed his arms and settled back, waiting.
“When I was first taken to that house in Dover and put in the cell, a woman came down to check on those of us in the cells. There was no mistaking who she was.”
“Did you ever think it was a ploy to through you off and make you believe The Alchemist was a woman?”
“Why would they use a ploy, Your Grace, when they were very clear on wanting to kill me? Perhaps you should ask yourself this, why would Anthony try to convince you so much you will never find him and have your revenge?”
Jack looked at him and Tryst held his gaze without blinking. “I support Jo on this, Jack. This person is blending and one step ahead of us. Anthony has always had problems with authority, from men. Perhaps he is more comfortable taking orders from a woman.”
“Can you give a likeness of her?”
Jo nodded. “It would not take me too long to give a rough one, if you wished it more detailed, a day would be better.”
“Take your day.”
Jo rose and walked out. She did not curtsey nor did she say goodbye and Tryst knew she was still rattled. The sad thing was, he also knew why she was shaken up. It was not because she saw that woman looking at her, it was because she had Clara and two maids with her who could have gotten hurt.
“I do not know how this happened.” Jack rubbed his face, suddenly looking his age. No longer a spry man who seemed to defeat aging, he appeared old and drawn.
“Women have been spies, it is not such a surprise they could be doing this as well.”
“You need to come back.”
Tryst shook his head. “No, I told you, Jack. I am out.”
“You cannot quit. It is in your blood, this life pumps through your veins.”
The words were true, he had done this for so long he was not sure he would know what to do without it. “So you never once wished for something else? A family? Duchess Haversham?”
Nostrils flared as he shifted in his chair. “What are you going on about?”
“The past you have with the duchess. I do not want this job to take so much from me, I cannot be in the same room with the woman I love and not be able to show it for her. I do not want to be alone. How do you do it? Watch her and know she is so close and yet, you will never have her.” He poured himself another drink. “I have seen the way you look at her and she, you. What is it that keeps you from being with her? She is the only person who I have seen get emotion out of you and yet…” He shook his head. “Never mind, ‘tis not my concern. I will not live my life like that.”
Jack’s jaw clenched along with his fists. “You think you and Jo can have a life? You cannot. This follows you wherever you go, there is always someone from your past who may show up and seek revenge. There is no freedom from it.”
“I do not believe that, Jack. I will not. I have no intentions of being like my own father who drinks, whores, and gambles away everything only to die alone. I want more. I deserve more.”
“So you will be on missions worried about your wife and things back at home.”
“No. Precisely why I am out. I know I need to be focused completely on missions and I probably would not be with a wife. I am making a decision. I want a wife.”
“You think this chit will marry you? After all your lies and deceit to her and her friends. Do you think she will? There is a lot you did in the service of your job, Trystan Wilkes. Are you so sure this woman will understand and still want to marry you?”
“I did my job, I make no apologies for that.”
“Will she understand? Understand you had men following her parents because you were not sure her father was not part of The Alchemist’s scheme? Understand even after you sent me the message you figured she was in more danger and yet still used her as bait to draw out the traitor in our midst?” Jack leaned forward, arms on thighs. “That your need to find this person is what got her taken? There are many dirty secrets which are revealed and one must take care.”
“Are you threatening to tell her this?”
“There is no need.” A feminine voice stated. “You just accomplished that.”
Shite. Trystan turned to find Jo standing there with a piece of paper in her hand. Her face was devoid of expression yet he could see the betrayal in her blue eyes.
“Jo,” he began, rising from his seat.
“As you said, you were doing your job and make no apologies for it.” She walked to Jack and handed him the paper. “A brief sketch. I will have a detailed one sent to you when I finish.” She turned and walked out.
“You bastard!” Trystan seethed stalking toward his own boss.
Jack leaned back in his chair, nonplussed. “No wife, no need to leave the Crown’s service.”
He wanted to ram his fist into Jack’s smug face. “Get out.” Whirling on his heel, he went back to the door and left, needing to find Jo.
First stop, the library. Not a sign of her. He checked everywhere except her room and headed there. Knocking he swore when no answer came.
“Jo. Jo, open up, we need to talk.”
Still nothing in response.
Where the hell could she have gone in seconds? He headed back down the stairs and paused at the sound of feminine laughter. Okay, so he had not checked the dining room.
Entering, he drew up at the sight of Jo and Clara sitting there eating some pastries. The smile on her face made his heart melt. So did the way it slipped away when the women knew he was there.
“We need to talk, Jo.”
She popped the last bit of the éclair into her mouth. “No need. I will have the sketch for you later today.”
He turned to leave but stopped. “It is not what you think.”
Her smile was sad. “You have no idea what I think, Trystan Wilkes.”
“Let me explain. Clara, please give us a moment.”
“No. Clara stay. You leave, Trystan. I am having a good time with my friend and she is not leaving just because you feel guilty over something I overheard.”
“This needs to be explained.” He began to grow angry with her distance.
“So explain it to someone who cares. I do not.” She turned from him and he knew he had been dismissed.
Still so in control of her emotions. No sign of his hellcat and the woman he knew would fight. He had to push some more. So he did.
“Damn it, Jo. I asked you to marry me and I believe this needs to be talked about before that happens.”
Her entire body stiffened. Clara’s eyes widened but she did not move from her chair. Would it be enough?
“I recall declining that proposal for someone who was a ‘good match’ to you. I am sure the mistress you took me to see would also be a ‘good match’ so why not offer marriage to her. You already know all you need to do is buy her pretty and shiny things to keep her happy.”
Nope. Not enough. There was no bite to her words, no, if anything she was resigned. And he did not like it.
“I guess we will talk later.”
She muttered something under her breath he did not catch, however, Clara’s eyes grew wide, and her face turned a delightful shade
of pink. Frustrated, Trystan walked out of the dining room and leaned against the wall. Sure enough, within moments laughter came again.
A strange pain filled his chest and he rubbed it. Had he lost her? All his attempts to keep her at a distance, all the refusal to see how she looked at him. Now that he wanted her, she…was the one distant. He hated it. Was this what she felt all those years? If so, how the hell did she manage to remain upbeat and smile? He wanted to growl and snap at people. Then drink. A lot.
Chapter Sixteen
Duchess Haversham has sent an invitation for me to join her for tea tomorrow. I have only met her one time before and am a bit scared. What could a duchess want with a viscount’s daughter? I will do my best not to embarrass Father.
~From the private journal of Josephine Adrys
Jo sat by her window and brushed out her hair. Tonight was the party at the museum. The house was mostly quiet as she pulled on her dress, forgoing the stays. Right now she just wanted to get outside. The day was warmer than it had been and she wanted to be among the changing leaves.
Clara was taking a nap and, while she had thought doing that, honestly, she was too restless. She sat on a stone bench and tipped her head up to meet the sun’s rays. All too soon it would be cold, driving most people to stay inside.
“What are you doing out here?”
Her heart skipped a few beats at Trystan’s voice intruding on her solitude. She ignored her feelings for him and pulled on her mask of indifference.
“Enjoying the warm day.”
She did not open her eyes, not even when she felt him lower his body beside her on the bench.
“You know there is a good chance she will show up tonight.”
There was no need to ask who the “she” was he referred to. “I hope so. I would really like my life back.”
“Can we talk?”
She opened her eyes and glanced at him. Her stomach did that flipping thing. It truly was not fair. He got better looking every time she saw him. Which was often given he was staying with her.
“There is nothing to say, let it go. I just want to enjoy the day.”
A pained expression was on his face but he nodded and left her there. She blew out a breath and tried to regain the near peace she had prior to his appearance. It did not work.
During the daylight hours, things were different between them. She had her walls up and was determined to keep him at a distance. Trystan had his hands full keeping her household safe and had even brought in a few others to help keep an eye around.
But once the lights went out it was totally different. He had been in her bed each of the past three nights. They made love and he introduced her to a world she had never even dreamed about. He had taken her on the floor, bent over her bed, in numerous other positions and places. It was an euphoric high, one she knew would not last, but she was taking advantage of it while she could. Although she woke alone each morning, she fell asleep with his arms wrapped around her, making her feel like the most cherished and protected woman in the world.
“No, I cannot let this go.”
She groaned. Trystan was back.
“Then speak your piece and leave me alone.”
He straddled the bench so he faced her. Her breath caught briefly at the intensity in his gaze.
“I lied to you and I used you.”
She just watched him.
“Say something.”
“I know you did. I overhead Jack.”
“You know I did it for your safety.”
She battled back her anger forcing the calm to remain. “If you say so.”
“Damn it, Jo. You have to know I would never put you in danger like that.”
“Not without a good reason.”
“Right. What? No.” He shook his head. “No.”
She knew trying to stay impassive would not work, she could not contain her anger and it would explode. Not what she wanted, so she had to leave. Getting to her feet, she watched him. Coiled like a leopard, he held her stare, ready for anything.
“Do you remember when I told you never to lie to me again?”
He nodded. “I did not—”
“Enough, Trystan, enough. I am tired. You love the lies and subterfuge of this job of yours. It is not for me. You did what you did, leave it at that. I need my life back. I need to be around people who do not lie as easy as they breathe. This is your world, you can keep it for I have no use for it.” She walked away. “Catch this woman and give me my life back,” she called over her shoulder without slowing.
Fighting the tears, she returned indoors, her time outside ruined. Back in her room, she sat in the window again and rested her head against the glass. Exhausted she fell asleep and woke to find Clara shaking her lightly.
“Are you okay?”
“Just a bit tired. How are you?”
“Ready for the party.” A grin. “Well, I will be once I change.”
“We should eat first.”
Clara tipped her head to the left. “Had some sent up. I thought you may need to get a bit more rest.”
“You will be a great mother, Clara.”
“I hope so, I did not have the best example.”
“Love your children, that is what my parents always said they did. They loved me.”
“They still do. You will see them soon.”
“I hope so.” She gave a grin. “Let us eat. Then we can begin the dressing process.”
Clara laughed. “After all these years, you still are not used to this are you?”
“No. It is insanity to me. I can hardly breathe in this contrivance we are required to wear. The footwear is tight and uncomfortable. Then, to top it off, I am required to flit my fan in certain ways and have a card around my wrist so men can sign up to dance with me. Not like my breathing has gotten any easier.”
“Part of why you want to travel.”
She nodded and uncovered the dishes sent up. They ate quickly before cleaning and dressing. Later they sat with her abigail, Sally, and another maid for Clara, having their hair done.
Ready, the women gathered their fans and walked to the door before heading downstairs. They descended together and to her—and Clara’s by the gasp—surprise, not only did Trystan wait at the foot of them, but also Captain Bottomley. Royce wore his uniform and Trystan looked positively dashing in black.
She shared a look with Clara before they reached the bottom. Then her eyes returned to Trystan where they stayed as she approached him. His gaze burned her as it roved over her dress.
The green dress fit her beautifully and she knew it worked with her skin tone and hair. Still, she almost blushed from the frankness he ogled her with. His blue eyes darkened with desire.
“Good to see you again, Captain Bottomley,” Jo said with a smile.
Royce tore his gaze from Clara to return her greeting. “Miss Adrys.”
Trystan offered his arm and led her down to the waiting carriage. She noticed it had his family crest on the door. As had become habit for her, she looked around, paying attention to her surroundings. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary but she still felt as though something were. Once in the carriage, talk remained light and easy. They arrived fairly quickly at the museum and walked inside.
Beside her, Clara’s puff of air made her smile. She knew how much her friend had been looking forward to being here tonight. The place had been decorated beautifully. She looked at all the people already there. Some she knew, many she did not, and few she liked.
“Do not wander too far, Jo. I need to be able to get to you quickly.”
His whisper brushed along her ear and neck, sending shivers throughout her body. Unable to form a verbal response she nodded. He released her arm and stepped away.
How far was too far? She knew he was quick but she also did not want to follow him around the entire night like a puppy. Still, she did not want to die either, so…had to find a suitable middle.
For the moment, she wanted to begin looking at the statu
es, which were there. She did, grabbed a cup of punch and began walking around. There was music and dancing going on but she remained away from that for a while.
“Miss Adrys.”
She looked up to see Lord Stanton there. With a curtsey, she returned his greeting, all the while wishing he would leave her alone.
“I did not know you were interested in art.”
“I love it. What about you? Does art interest you?” Did she really care? Not even a teensy tiny bit, but she did know how to play the game.