by Amanda Quick
“Angelstone.”
“Good afternoon, Merryweather.” Holding Lucifer in one arm, Sebastian went across the room to the table that held the claret decanter. “Will you join me?”
“No.” Trevor flushed. “Thank you. Sir, I have come to speak with you about my sister.”
“Ah, yes. You no doubt wish to discuss settlements and that sort of thing. Do not concern yourself, Merryweather. I will take good care of your sister.”
“Now, see here.” Trevor squared his shoulders determinedly. “I have had enough of your mockery and sarcasm, my lord. You have gone too far.”
“Not yet.” Sebastian took a sip of claret and wistfully recalled what he had been doing just before the ghost’s untimely interruption at the Leacock mansion. “But I have every hope of doing so quite soon.”
Trevor turned crimson with anger. “We both know you are only amusing yourself with Prue. You have no intention of actually marrying her. I won’t let you play your devilish games with her, Angelstone.”
Sebastian put Lucifer back on the sofa. Then he walked around behind his desk and sat down. He propped his booted feet on the polished wooden surface, brushed a cat hair off his breeches, and eyed Trevor thoughtfully. “What makes you think I won’t marry her?”
“Damn you, sir,” Trevor exploded. “You know very well she is not your type.”
“I disagree.”
“You bastard,” Trevor seethed. “I won’t let you hurt her the way Underbrink did. I don’t care what I have to do to stop you.”
Sebastian studied his claret. “What, precisely, went on between your sister and Underbrink?”
“He asked her to marry him.” Trevor’s hands clenched into fists. “He never quite got around to asking my father for permission, of course, because he never actually intended to go through with it. But Prue thought he loved her. She thought he was going to marry her.”
“Prue loved him?”
“She cared very much for him,” Trevor muttered. “He courted her all summer. Danced with her at the local assemblies. Sent bouquets of flowers to the house. Read romantic poetry to her.”
“And told her he wanted to marry her?”
“That’s right. But he was lying. He knew all along that he was going to have to marry a great heiress in order to restore the Underbrink fortune. There was no question of him marrying Prue. We all discovered the truth when he went back to London.”
Sebastian gazed into the claret. “Did your sister cry for him?”
“Yes, she cried.” Trevor braced himself. “And I won’t have her cry again because of a devil like you.” He hurled himself forward without any warning.
Sebastian took his feet down off the desk and rose swiftly. The claret sloshed onto the floor as he got out of Trevor’s path.
Trevor flew across the desk and crashed into the chair Sebastian had just vacated. He fetched up against the wall.
Sebastian set down his glass. “Merryweather, I assure you there is really no need for this sort of exertion.”
Trevor got groggily to his feet and stumbled toward Sebastian. He swung wildly with his fists.
Sebastian ducked a blow, stuck out his foot, and allowed Trevor to trip over it.
“Damn you.” Trevor sprawled facedown on the floor. He rolled painfully onto his side and struggled back to his feet.
“I’m going to marry her, Merryweather.” Sebastian stepped back out of reach as Trevor attempted another punch. “You have my word of honor on it.”
“What good is your word?” Trevor gasped. He staggered forward, hands extended toward Sebastian’s throat.
“Your sister trusts me.”
“Hah. What does she know about dealing with the devil?” Trevor threw himself into the fray once more.
Sebastian sidestepped the lunge. Trevor sailed straight past his target and hit the wall again. He turned, dazed but game.
Sebastian held up a hand. “Enough. If you go on like this you might do some serious damage to yourself. Prue would no doubt blame me for it.”
“Damn your eyes, Angelstone, this is not another amusing little jest for you to enjoy. This is my sister we’re talking about.”
“I am aware of that,” Sebastian said quietly. “What would it take to convince you that my intentions toward your sister are honorable?”
Trevor stared at him. “There’s nothing you can say that will convince me. I don’t trust you.”
“Merryweather, let us be clear on one point. I would rather not spend the rest of the Season wondering if you’re going to leap out of the nearest alley and go straight for my throat. I will strike a bargain with you.”
Trevor was instantly suspicious. “A bargain?”
“Give me the opportunity to prove that my intentions are honorable and I will see to it that you learn how to use your fists properly.” Sebastian smiled slowly. “And perhaps a pistol as well.”
Trevor scowled in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s quite simple. I shall arrange for you to take instruction in boxing at Witt’s Academy and I shall see to it that you are allowed to practice your shooting skills at Manton’s.”
Trevor narrowed his eyes. “I would never be accepted by Witt. He operates the most exclusive boxing academy in London. Only gentlemen from the highest ranks of the ton get instruction there.”
“I can get you in,” Sebastian said.
“I cannot afford a decent set of dueling pistols with which to practice at Manton’s,” Trevor persisted.
“I shall loan you mine.”
Trevor gazed at him in growing uncertainty. “Why would you do that?”
Sebastian smiled faintly. “Two reasons. The first being that if I fail to marry your sister as promised and if you do elect to come after me because of it, we shall at least be able to engage in a fair fight. There is no amusement to be had from participating in an unequal contest.”
“What’s the second reason?”
“I once had a younger brother of my own. You remind me of him.” Sebastian picked up the decanter and poured two more glasses of claret. He handed one to Trevor. “Do we have a bargain?”
Trevor looked down at the claret and then raised his eyes to meet Sebastian’s. “Are you really going to marry Prue?”
“Yes.”
“And you’ll get me into Witt’s boxing academy and Manton’s gallery so that I can learn how to fight you properly if you fail to marry her?”
“Yes.”
“I believe you actually mean it,” Trevor said slowly.
“I mean every word.”
Trevor took a swallow of the claret. “All right, then. And if you don’t, I shall tear your head off your shoulders or put a bullet into you.”
“Fair enough.”
Trevor looked visibly relieved. “Well, that’s that, then.”
“I certainly hope so.”
Trevor cleared his throat. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you, Angelstone.”
“Yes?”
“If you really are determined to be my brother-in-law, would you mind very much doing me a great favor?”
Sebastian raised his brows. “What sort of favor?”
“Would you teach me how to tie a cravat the way you tie yours?”
Sebastian smiled. “I’ll go one step further. After I have introduced you at Witt’s and Manton’s, I shall introduce you to my tailor.”
“Nightingale? I say.” Trevor was truly awed. “He is far more exclusive than Witt.”
“With good reason.” Sebastian eyed Trevor’s pink waistcoat. “His craft is infinitely more important to a gentleman.”
Prudence watched Drucilla Fleetwood bear down on her across the crowded ballroom. She braced herself for the encounter. It would have been difficult to miss Sebastian’s aunt, even if someone had not already pointed her out.
Drucilla was an impressively stylish figure in her marigold silk gown. There were matching plumes in her fashionably dressed hair. The diamonds
in her ears sparkled as brilliantly as the crystals in the chandeliers.
It was obvious Drucilla had been a beautiful woman in her youth. She was still quite attractive, Prudence thought. It was unfortunate that her striking features were set in such unpleasant lines. Drucilla had the expression of a woman who has committed herself to an extremely distasteful task.
Hester had warned Prudence barely an hour ago that Drucilla was expected to put in an appearance at the Craigmore ball.
“The on dit is that she is not at all pleased to hear of Angelstone’s engagement,” Hester had explained. “She was rather hoping that some dreadful accident would befall the earl or that he would get himself conveniently killed in a duel before he got around to marrying. The last thing she wants to see him do is produce an heir and secure the line for that branch of the family.”
Prudence had blushed furiously at the mention of an heir. “I’m sure it is none of her business. In any event, Angelstone and I will not be getting married for some time yet. There is certainly no rush. We intend to enjoy a very lengthy engagement.”
Hester gave her an odd look. “Do you, indeed? I am surprised to hear that, my dear.”
“Why?”
“’Because I cannot conceive of Angelstone tolerating a long engagement. Having made his choice in brides, a man of his nature is bound to be impatient to get on with the business.”
Prudence stared at her in astonishment. “Hester, are you by any chance anxious to marry me off?”
“To be perfectly blunt, my dear, now that the engagement has been announced, I feel it would be best to settle the matter as quickly as possible.”
“You mean before Angelstone changes his mind?” Prudence had inquired dryly.
“Precisely. The man is dangerous. I have told you that. One cannot be entirely certain of his intentions. I will feel much more secure once you are wed.”
“You are so eager to see me married to the Fallen Angel, then?”
Hester had looked thoughtful. “I believe you will be safe enough in his care. Angelstone will look after his own.”
Hester’s remarks were still fresh in Prudence’s mind when Drucilla finally came to a halt in front of her quarry.
“Well, well, well.” Drucilla looked her up and down and was clearly unimpressed by Prudence’s pale gray gown. “So you are the clever little ghost hunter whom Mrs. Leacock has been telling us about?”
Prudence swallowed a sharp retort and managed a smile. The subject of Mrs. Leacock’s ghost had been on everyone’s lips that evening. Prudence had been hailed as a clever, extremely brave heroine by a very grateful Mrs. Leacock. Fortunately, as Sebastian had predicted, the ghost, who had indeed been one of Mrs. Leacock’s nephews, had recalled nothing of how he had been rendered unconscious. As far as he was concerned, his downfall had been an unseen bump in the carpet that had caused him to trip.
“Good evening, madam,” Prudence said politely. “I collect you are Mrs. Fleetwood?”
“Of course I am. And you are the Original who is engaged to Angelstone.”
“Yes, madam, I have that honor.”
“I suppose I should not be surprised that he has chosen such an odd creature to be his countess. The man has absolutely no respect for the noble title that has come his way by sheerest accident.”
“I was under the impression the title came to him in the usual manner, madam. He was next in line for it.”
“Bah.” Frustrated rage burned in Drucilla’s fine brown eyes. “He got it because of the most flukish of circumstances. In actual fact, it should never have gone to him at all.”
“It is not fair to say that,” Prudence said gently.
“It was bad enough that his irresponsible father ran off with that actress. Jonathan Fleetwood had no business marrying that little lightskirt. If he had not been so stupid, your future husband would have been born the bastard he has taken such pains to become.”
Prudence was rapidly losing her patience. “I cannot allow you to insult my future husband’s family, madam.”
“I am part of his family, you silly chit. If I wish to insult his side of it, I shall do so.”
“An interesting point of logic,” Prudence acknowledged. “Nevertheless, I believe Angelstone’s side of the family has borne enough insults, don’t you?”
Drucilla’s gaze was scathing. “It should be obvious that nothing I say could be as insulting to the family name as what he has done.”
“What is that supposed to mean, madam?”
“Merely that it is entirely in keeping with Angelstone’s character for him to have selected a completely unsuitable female as his countess. The thought of a little countrified nobody like you becoming the next Countess of Angelstone is insupportable.”
There were several gasps and murmurs of excited dismay from those hovering around the pair. Prudence overheard them and realized that the scene with Drucilla was threatening to turn into a delicious morsel for the ton to chew on tomorrow morning over breakfast. Sebastian did not need the added notoriety.
Prudence determinedly brightened her smile as if Drucilla had just paid her a great compliment. “How kind of you to take the trouble to introduce yourself to me, madam. I have been rather curious about the rest of Angelstone’s family.”
“Have you, indeed?” Drucilla drew herself up and looked down her elegant nose. “The first thing you should know is that the title which Angelstone takes such delight in dragging through the mud at every opportunity should have been my son’s. If there is any justice in this world, it will someday come to Jeremy.”
“I was under the impression that the question of my husband’s right to the title had been settled long ago.”
“Rubbish.” Drucilla’s face turned a dull red. “I wish you joy in your marriage, Miss Merryweather. Perhaps you can produce a ghost or two on your wedding night with which to amuse your husband. You will certainly need to do something unusual to retain his interest for longer than a fortnight. Angelstone is very easily bored.”
Drucilla had gone too far and the shocked reactions of those standing nearby indicated that everyone realized it. Prudence knew that when Sebastian heard of this exchange, he would be coldly furious. He was highly unlikely to allow the insult to his fiancée to go unpunished.
She looked into Drucilla’s tormented eyes and suddenly felt very sorry for her. The poor woman was only too well aware that she had overstepped the line.
“I appreciate your concern about the family name,” Prudence said quietly. “It is obvious you have worked hard to keep it as untarnished as possible under extremely difficult circumstances.”
Drucilla stared at her. For a moment she appeared completely taken aback. “I have done my best,” she said finally.
“I realize it has not been an easy task,” Prudence said. “Please rest assured that I am very concerned about Angel-stone’s name and reputation, too. For the sake of the family, I shall exert every effort to see that scandal is avoided.”
Drucilla’s gaze flickered in outraged bewilderment. “What sort of game are you playing, Miss Merryweather?”
“I am not playing any games.”
“Then we must wait to see what devilish game Angelstone is playing.” Drucilla turned on her heel and walked off through the crowd.
A strong sense of misgiving went through Prudence as she watched her adversary’s rigid back disappear into the throng.
“Well, now. I expect Angelstone will have something to say about this,” a voice murmured behind Prudence.
She turned to see Garrick Sutton standing behind her. Sebastian had introduced her to him at the Bowdreys’ soiree. He had made it clear he considered Garrick a friend. Prudence noticed that Garrick was one of the few people in the room this evening who was not holding a glass of champagne. She gave him a worried smile.
“I would rather Angelstone did not hear of this little scene,” she said.
Garrick’s mouth curved wryly. “Not much chance of preventing him from lear
ning about it, I’m afraid. Too many witnesses.”
Prudence glanced uneasily around. “I suppose you’re right. Well, I shall just have to speak to Angelstone before he does anything rash.”
“What’s this? You think you can talk him out of exacting a bit of revenge on the Fleetwood clan?”
“There is no need for him to avenge me,” Prudence said. “That poor woman has obviously suffered a great deal over the years.”
“That poor woman,” Garrick said coolly, “was almost single-handedly responsible for seeing to it that the Fleet-woods never accepted Angelstone’s mother.”
“Nevertheless, Angelstone is the head of the family now. He can afford to be charitable toward the other members of the clan.”
“Charitable?” Garrick grinned. “Are we talking about the same Lord Angelstone?”
“This is not a humorous situation, Mr. Sutton.”
“No, it’s not. But it should prove interesting. Take my advice and stay out of the matter, Miss Merryweather. Angelstone is well able to handle the Fleetwoods. He’s been doing it for some time now.”
“What do you think he will do about tonight’s unfortunate scene?” Prudence asked.
Garrick gave an unconcerned shrug. “Who knows? Angelstone controls much of the family’s income. Perhaps he will cut off some of the Fleetwood portion.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Then again, he may simply content himself with getting Drucilla and her son barred from the best guest lists this Season. Or he might arrange to have his dear cousin kicked out of some of his clubs. No doubt Angelstone will think of some suitable vengeance. He is rather creative.”
“He may think of some method of revenge, but I do not believe he will go through with it,” Prudence said forcefully.
Garrick cocked an inquiring brow. “Who will stop him?”
“I shall see to it that he behaves sensibly and in a manner befitting the head of the family.”
Garrick glanced at a point just beyond Prudence’s shoulder. His smile was suddenly one of keen anticipation. “I cannot wait to see how you handle him, Miss Merry-weather.”
“And just who is she going to handle?” Sebastian asked with bland interest.
Prudence whirled about again and found Sebastian looming over her. He looked magnificent, as usual, in his evening attire. His white cravat was folded with stark simplicity and his well-cut coat revealed the breadth of his shoulders. His golden eyes gleamed as he looked at her.
