by C. J. Archer
Lord Cox suddenly sat. He scrubbed a hand over his jaw as he shook his head, over and over. "You're blackmailing me."
"At present, your half-brother is not aware of his noble lineage. Both of his parents are now dead, and I have been informed that he was never told about his father. But I will make him aware. If you don't convince Patience Glass to marry you by four o'clock this afternoon, I will tell your half-brother everything. Indeed, I've even left a letter with a lawyer to send to him if something happens to me here today."
His eyes widened even further. "What kind of person do you think I am, Miss Steele?"
"You're a good man, my lord. Patience has often told me so. She was devastated when you ended your engagement, because she wanted to spend her life with you. She wanted to be a mother to your children and to love them—and you. She is a sweet and loving person and will make you very happy. Your marriage is my only demand in exchange for my silence."
He passed his hand over his eyes, down his face. My stomach tied itself in knots as I waited for him to respond, but he simply stared at the carpet. He reminded me of how Mr. Sweeney had looked after he shot the bullet that nearly hit Mr. Pelham. His hands shook, his face was deathly white, and he looked as if he wanted to sink into the floor and disappear. Matt had taken the moment to disarm Sweeney; I must use the lull to disarm Cox.
"The thing is," I said, "the man who threatened to expose Patience's past is now in jail awaiting trial. He'll be executed soon. Even if it does cross his mind to expose Patience's indiscretion now, who will he tell? His guards?" I shrugged. "You have a choice, my lord. You can worry about Sheriff Payne, a liar and murderer, or you can worry about me. I will keep my word. If you marry Patience, I will not tell anyone what I know about your brother." I stood. "I want to hear of your happy union by four o'clock today or the letter to your half-brother will be sent." I strode off, not at all sure if I should leave without his agreement.
I walked for another hour, in an attempt to settle my nerves, before returning to number sixteen Park Street. Once inside, I went straight to my room, closed the door, and withdrew my watch from my reticule. I stroked the case with my thumb and removed the back. A sense of calmness slowly washed over me, soothing me so deeply that I didn't jump when someone knocked on my door. I opened it to Matt, who looked somewhat harried.
"I would ask how your meeting went but I can see it's rather a stupid question," I said.
He sat on the bed and lowered his head. "Patience hardly spoke a word. Aunt Beatrice carried the entire discussion, informing me of the plans. I hated every second of it."
I shut the door and leaned back against it. I wanted to hold him, stroke his hair and tell him what I'd done, but I didn't dare. While I knew he would forgive me for going behind his back, in time, he would only worry about what Lord Coyle wanted from me in return for the information. If I could spare him the worry, I would.
"You're still working on your watch," he said, indicating the timepiece on the dressing table. "Are you still upset that it didn't chime yesterday, or is something else the matter?"
"Everything's fine, Matt. It's just habit, and something to fill in the day."
"You haven't started packing."
"I'll start after luncheon."
"I can help you. Most of mine is done."
I smiled. "It would be highly inappropriate for you to see my underthings."
He chuckled. "I long for the day when you will let me see and do inappropriate things with you." His smile faded and he settled his dark gaze on me. "I know you're worried. I know you don't really want to leave your home, your grandfather and friends. But we will return one day. I promise you."
I took him in my arms and rested my chin on the top of his head. I felt horrible for not telling him what I'd done. I wished I could reassure him that I wasn't afraid to leave, but I couldn't tell him that my real fear was that Lord Cox wouldn't do as I asked.
It was the longest afternoon of my life. My nerves stretched thin, and I couldn't sit still, not even to work on my watch. What if Lord Cox didn't believe that I'd inform his half-brother? Had I sounded convincing? Perhaps I should have been more threatening.
What if he told Matt?
"India!" Miss Glass barked from where she sat on the sofa. "Stop pacing. You're hurting my head."
"Sorry, Miss Glass," I mumbled. "I'll sit down now." I glanced at the clock on the mantel. It was three forty-five. I got up again and looked out the window to the street. Then I summoned Bristow.
"Has the afternoon mail arrived?" I asked him.
"Not yet, Miss Steele."
"Thank you, Bristow. Please inform me when it's delivered."
He left and I began pacing again, earning me a narrowed glare from Miss Glass.
"What are you expecting?" she asked.
"Nothing," I said.
"Nonsense. You're a hopeless liar, India. Tell me, what are you expecting?"
"Just a letter from a friend."
"Catherine Mason?"
"No. Actually, it's not from a friend, it's from Chronos."
She sighed. "India—"
"Have you packed yet, Miss Glass?"
"I did it this morning."
"Perhaps I should check it for you. Come on, let's see."
She rose, frowning. "India, you're acting very oddly. What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You're nervous about leaving, aren't you?" She patted my arm. "It's all right, dear. It's understandable that leaving London makes you anxious. It makes me anxious, too."
"I thought you wanted to go."
"I do, but one must be aware that at my age, I might not return." She tucked her arm through mine and led me to the door.
Matt entered, cutting off our exit, followed by Duke, Cyclops and Willie. He'd been meeting his lawyer, and the others had been enjoying their last day in London, visiting all the sights they had not yet seen.
"What are you two up to?" he asked, a suspicious smile curving his lips.
"India wants to oversee my packing," Miss Glass said. "She thinks I may have missed something."
"Have you packed, India?" Matt asked.
I nodded. I had thrown some things into a trunk, but if no message arrived in the next few minutes, I was going to have to do it properly. I glanced at the clock again.
"What about the three of you?" Matt asked his friends.
"All done," Duke said. "It didn't take long."
"That's because you ain't got many clothes," Willie said, swaying a little.
"And you have?"
"I got more than you."
"Aye, but you don't wear the dresses and petticoats."
"Or corsets," she agreed with a chuckle that was promptly followed by a hiccup.
Miss Glass wrinkled her nose. "Do stop talking of vulgar things. Cyclops, dear, why the long face?"
Willie nudged her with her elbow. "You know why, Letty. He's love sick."
"Shut it, Willie," Cyclops growled.
Willie tilted her head back, drew in a deep breath, and shouted, "He's in love with Catherine M—"
Cyclops clamped a hand over her mouth. "She's drunk," he told us. "Don't listen to her."
"You've been out drinking?" Matt asked. "Is that wise, the day before a long boat ride?"
"We were wise," Duke said, pointing at himself and Cyclops. "She drank as if it were her last."
"I thought you were going sightseeing," I said as Willie plucked Cyclops's hand from her mouth.
"We did," she said. "We saw lots of sights at lots of saloons around the city." She hiccupped and swayed again.
"Come with us," I told her. "I'll help you to your room." I glanced one more time at the clock on the mantel. Two minutes to four.
I gave Matt a grim smile. He frowned back. "India?"
A knock on the front door sent my heart leaping. I pushed past them all to see if the mail had finally arrived, only to see Bristow greet Lord Cox and Patience. They were smiling, although his was cautious, wary. Hi
s gaze met mine.
I pressed a hand to my rapidly beating heart.
Everything suddenly felt very strange, as if I were watching the scene from afar. Matt greeted his guests and invited them in, but they politely refused to move beyond the entrance hall.
"We have several other people we wish to call on," Lord Cox began. "Because of your…unique relationship with Patience, we thought you should be the first to know that we are getting married."
Silence.
"Who's getting married?" Willie asked, her nose screwed up.
"We are," Patience said, clinging to Lord Cox's arm.
"To each other?"
Duke smacked her shoulder. "Of course, idiot. Look at 'em."
Cyclops was the first to remember his manners. He shook Lord Cox's hand and then Patience's. Duke followed suit.
"Patience?" Miss Glass whispered. "Is this true?"
"Yes!" Patience said, bouncing on her toes. "Isn't it wonderful? He asked me just an hour ago and insisted we come here immediately to tell you."
"Does your father know?"
"Of course. He was shocked, but he gave us his blessing after I begged him. As much as I would have been content to be your wife, Matt, I do prefer my dear Byron. We are more suited to one another than you and I."
Matt nodded, somewhat automatically.
"You look shocked, Glass," Lord Cox said carefully.
It was as if his words triggered Matt into action. He stepped forward to shake Cox's hand and kiss Patience's cheek. "I am, but I had thought—" He winced as Willie pinched the back of his hand. "Never mind."
"Byron told me he couldn't bear the thought of me marrying you," Patience said with childlike happiness that made her seem so young and innocent. "I'm sorry I didn't break off our engagement with you first, but Byron insisted I agree then and there, and well, I knew you'd be pleased, Matt." Her voice softened. "You and India."
Matt grinned and kissed her cheek again. "I am very pleased, Patience," he said gently. "Pleased beyond words. Congratulations. You will both be very happy together."
Despite his insistence that they join us for a drink, they refused and left. The door had hardly closed when Willie let out a whoop. She hooked her arm through mine and danced me around the entrance hall.
Duke drew Matt into a hug and Cyclops clapped him on the back. "You're free," Duke said.
Matt extracted himself from their embraces and ran up the stairs, taking two at a time. "Wait here!" he called down.
I stopped dancing and watched him go. That was it? That was his response to the news?
"India?" Miss Glass asked. "Does this mean we're not leaving London?"
"We're staying," I said. "There's no reason to go now."
"Oh." She toyed with the lace at her collar. "Pity."
"Perhaps we'll go on a holiday to the seaside," I said, taking her hands.
"You could go to France for your honeymoon," Duke said. "It ain't far. We could come with you and take care of your aunt while you two, er…"
Willie smacked his arm. "They don't want us on their honeymoon."
"Your honeymoon," Miss Glass murmured. "Yes. I see. Of course."
I clasped her hands, but Matt returned, commanding everyone's attention with his sheer presence. He sported an oddly serious expression that had me worried. Shouldn't he be pleased? Was he concerned about what his uncle thought of the business of Patience's changed mind? Did he think Lord Rycroft would follow through on his threat to expose me now that Matt wasn't marrying Patience?
"Matt," I began, but I was cut off when he picked me up and swung me around.
He broke into a grin. It was a magnificent sight, and relief flooded me.
He set me down on the bottom step so that we were the same height. Then he dropped to one knee. My heart leapt into my throat. He was going to do it here? In front of everyone?
But the others faded into the background of my awareness. It was just Matt and me. Time itself no longer mattered. Only now. Only us.
He removed a box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a diamond ring. "India Steele," he said in that rich, velvety voice of his, "will you do me the honor of being my wife?"
"Yes!"
He slipped the ring on my finger and picked me up. He kissed me to the sound of applause from his friends and family, even Miss Glass.
They hugged us and congratulated us. Bristow appeared with Champagne, as if he always kept some on hand for impromptu celebrations. He ushered us into the drawing room and asked me if I wanted to give Mrs. Potter instructions to make something special for dinner.
"Nothing in particular," I said, "but I'd like to invite two more guests." I glanced at Matt and he only smiled.
"It's your house, India," he said. "You're the hostess. Ask whomever you want."
"Please send invitations to Miss Catherine Mason and my grandfather," I said to Bristow. I glanced at Cyclops, but he gave me a flat lipped smile in return. "Will you be all right if she comes?" I asked him.
"Don't mind me," he said, hugging me. "This is your night. Yours and Matt's."
Willie snorted. "And he'll make sure he sits at the other end of the table to her."
We toasted our engagement with Champagne and everyone began to talk at once, discussing dates and the menu and guest lists. Neither Matt nor I contributed. We would listen to their thoughts and then do as we pleased, but the time for planning would come later. Tonight, I wanted to enjoy being engaged to him.
He seemed to have the same idea. He pulled me aside and kissed me lightly on the lips. "Happy?" he asked.
"Very. I feel so lucky."
"I'm not sure luck had anything to do with it."
My heart thudded to a halt. "Oh?"
"Something changed Lord Cox's mind. I don't know what, but I am grateful he had a change of heart."
I blew out a measured breath. "So am I."
"I'm also glad that you accepted me without hesitation. I would have looked a fool today if you hadn't." He gave me a rare shy smile that I wanted to capture. I cupped his jaw and stroked his lower lip with my thumb.
"Matt, of course I want to marry you. Why wouldn't I?"
"It doesn't matter."
I clasped his hand hard, holding him to my side. "Matt?"
He glanced at his friends or perhaps at his aunt. She didn't notice. She was too busy arguing with Willie over what Willie should wear to the wedding.
"A little while ago, you said marriage would smother you," Matt said quietly. "That you've just found out what it's like to have independence but marriage to me, to anyone, would take that away from you."
I remembered saying that. Remembered how he'd looked when I'd said it, and I remembered how much I regretted my words later. "I no longer think that way, Matt. Not with you. I know you won't be that sort of husband, and I will always be my own person. I'm sorry I didn't clear it up at the time."
His chest expanded and his smile returned, more confident. "As long as you understand I won't stifle you. You've become a strong, vibrant, and independent thinker, and that's the woman I want to spend my life with."
"So we'll stay in London?"
"For as long as you want." He looked at his aunt again. "She doesn't seem too disappointed."
"That's because she thinks she's coming on our honeymoon with us. Apparently we're going to France."
He laughed softly. "I know this is all so new, but I want to set the date soon. I don't want my uncle to change his mind and decide to marry me off to Charity or Hope."
I pulled a face. "That would be a tragedy worthy of Shakespeare. I agree, we should marry soon." I rested my forearms on his shoulders and admired my diamond ring. "When did you buy it?"
"A few weeks ago. I wanted to have it with me in case the moment arose."
"I recall that day. You refused to tell us where you'd been."
He smirked. "I have to keep some mystery in our relationship or you'd grow bored of me."
"Not too much mystery, please. My poor he
art can't cope with it."
He stepped closer until he crushed my skirt against my legs. I could smell the spicy soap he used, feel his heat, and see the throb of his pulse at his throat.
"Let me worry about your heart from now on," he murmured in my ear. "I'll take good care of it."
"I know you will, Matt. I know you will."
* * *
THE END
* * *
Coming Soon:
* * *
THE CHEATER’S GAME
The 7th Glass and Steele novel by C.J. Archer
As Matt and India prepare for their wedding, trouble arrives in the form of a Wild West show. Meanwhile, India finds herself in demand - and Matt doesn’t like it.
Read on for an excerpt from THE PALACE OF LOST MEMORIES, the 1st book in C.J.’s new series.
Excerpt: The Palace of Lost Memories
About THE PALACE OF LOST MEMORIES
The new king's magnificent palace is built in a matter of weeks. No one saw the builders, no villagers are allowed beyond the gilded gate, and only one servant has ever left. She was recaptured by the palace guards, but the haunted look in her eyes is not forgotten by Josie, daughter of the village doctor.
For Josie, the palace is a mystery that becomes more intriguing after she meets the captain of the guards, a man known only as Hammer, as mysterious and captivating as the palace itself. Whispers of magic fuel Josie's desire to uncover the truth, but an ordinary girl can only dream of getting close enough to find answers.
When the king decides to take a wife from among the eligible daughters of the noble families, the palace gates are finally thrown open and the kingdom's elite pour in. In a court where old rivalries and new jealousies collide, the king's favorite is poisoned and the doctor is summoned. Finally Josie sees inside the lavish walls, but she soon learns the palace won't give up its secrets easily, for not a single resident, from the lowest servant to the king himself, has a memory from before the palace existed.