“Too late.” Rome straightened, but his smile faded as he came within a nose length of a gold ring sitting on the edge of the desk.
A rose crossed with a sword within a circle, and the rose was a bloodred ruby.
The back of his neck prickled. What was Vaughn doing with a Triad ring?
“Blast it all,” Vaughn muttered, scooping the ring and remaining coins out of Rome’s view and into the bag. “Why is it these things always happen when a man is in a hurry?”
“I wish I knew,” Rome replied. He stood and handed the coins over to Vaughn. As the older man deposited them into his pouch and pulled the strings tightly, Rome glanced around the office again.
Swords, everywhere. Why hadn’t he noticed before?
Jeweled broadswords, crossed rapiers, elegant fencing foils. All graced the walls like artwork in the Louvre.
He turned his attention back to the other man, the muscles in his chest and stomach tense with battle readiness. “You fancy swords, Mr. Vaughn?”
“A hobby of mine. I collect them.” He shoved the purse of gold in with his papers and closed the satchel. “Not to be rude, Devereaux, but I do have an urgent matter to attend to outside London and no time to spare. I would like to reschedule our appointment for Tuesday at ten o’clock. Is that convenient?”
“Quite convenient.”
“Excellent. Until Tuesday then.” Vaughn thrust out his hand.
Managing to hide his aversion, Rome shook it. “I look forward to it.”
“Excellent. Pennyworthy will see you out.”
Anna sat at the writing desk in her room, a stack of unposted letters to various friends at her elbow. She was right in the middle of a lengthy missive to her cousin Melanie when the door to her bedroom swung open. Her mother stood there, her well-endowed chest heaving, her lips thin with anger.
“I have just heard the most amazing account,” she announced, “of a certain young lady sneaking out of this house at night and taking a hack to the docks.”
The pen dropped from her suddenly nerveless fingers. “What?”
“You heard me.” Henrietta closed the door firmly behind her. “The housekeeper noticed that Lizzie was nowhere to be found on Wednesday night. She had to threaten to sack her, but finally the girl confessed the whole story.”
“Mrs. Nivens is most persistent,” Anna mumbled.
“How could you?” Henrietta demanded. “How could you have the audacity to sneak out of this house and venture to that part of London? Do you have any idea how much you risked by doing such a foolish thing?”
“I can explain.”
“I don’t need your explanation.” Henrietta loomed over Anna and pointed a finger at her. “I know what you were doing.”
“But don’t you want to hear—”
“No!” Henrietta made a slicing motion with her hand. “From now on, I forbid you to do leave the house without my express permission.”
“But, Mama—”
“Hush.” Her mother held up a hand, and Anna fell silent. “I know this has to do with Anthony. Good God, Anna, but I thought you had dispensed with that nonsense when we came to London. I’m most disappointed to discover this is not the case.”
“He was murdered,” Anna broke in. “And—”
“By footpads,” Henrietta interrupted. “Let it lie, Anna. There is nothing you can do for your brother except marry well and live a life of happiness.”
“I can’t be happy unless I find out the truth.”
“Bah! Haven’t you heard me? This ends now, my girl.”
Anna glanced down at her half-written letter. The words swam before her stinging eyes, and she blinked back tears. “Yes, Mama,” she whispered.
Henrietta patted her on the shoulder. “You will see I am right in this, Anna. When you are wed to the earl and live the rest of your life in comfort and security, you will thank me.” She moved to the wardrobe. “Now, let’s see what you have to wear to the Lorrington soirée this evening.”
Anna said nothing as her mother began to sort through her dresses, but her mind raced. How could she possibly continue her investigation with Mama watching her like a hawk?
“Perhaps the blue silk, Anna?”
“The Melton ball.” She fingered the edge of her stationery. Words danced along her peripheral vision. Mrs. Emberly…the earl’s cousin…may become good friends…
“Oh, that’s right. You can’t wear that again because the Lorringtons are cousins to the Meltons. Perhaps the ivory satin?”
“I don’t believe I’ve worn that yet.” Anna stared at Lavinia’s name on the page, an idea formulating in her mind.
“And flowers in your hair,” Henrietta continued. “You’ll look like a fresh young bride, and perhaps his lordship will be inspired to offer.”
Anna turned to look at her mother, who held up the ivory satin, studying it with a critical eye. “Mama, I was supposed to call on Mrs. Emberly today.”
Henrietta cast her a glance askance as she hung the evening dress back in the wardrobe. “I just told you that you cannot leave this house without my permission.”
“Then may I have your permission to go?”
“I don’t know, Anna.” Tapping her foot, her mother studied the other dresses in the wardrobe. “Has that peach satin been delivered from Madame Dauphine’s yet?”
“I believe it’s supposed to arrive today,” Anna replied, getting to her feet. “Mama, I promised Mrs. Emberly I would call. Since she is Lord Haverford’s cousin, I should hate to slight her.”
“Oh.” The mention of the earl broke Henrietta away from her contemplation of fashion. “That’s right, we would not want to offend his lordship’s family. Unfortunately, I am to call on Admiral Whiting’s wife today, which is very important to your father. And you cannot go alone to Mrs. Emberly’s.”
“Lizzie—”
“That girl!” Henrietta gave an exasperated huff. “She is lucky I did not turn her out without a reference for going along with that half-witted plan of yours! No, you will not take Lizzie anywhere, Anna.”
“Then who can accompany me, Mama? If you are otherwise engaged, and Lizzie is not allowed to go…”
“Bliss shall go!” Satisfied with her solution, her mother turned back to the wardrobe.
“Bliss?” Anna echoed weakly. She sank back into her chair. Her mother’s maid never smiled, rarely spoke, and tolerated no nonsense of any sort. She was a completely humorless creature who was totally devoted to Henrietta.
“It is the perfect solution. Bliss will be certain that you indeed arrive at Mrs. Emberly’s home and do not, shall we say, ‘divert’ down any unscheduled paths.” Henrietta gave her a hard look. “It’s the best offer you will get from me, my girl.”
Anna sighed. “Very well.”
“What time are you expected at Mrs. Emberly’s?”
“About four o’clock. She has asked me to tea.”
“How lovely. Now what will you wear to that, I wonder?”
As Henrietta flipped through the dresses again, Anna set aside the letter to her cousin and pulled forth a fresh sheet of paper. Since she had just manufactured the appointment for tea out of thin air, she needed to let Lavinia know that she was coming and also to make certain that Rome joined them.
This turn of events had forced her hand. She only hoped that Rome still wanted to be her partner.
Having received a note from his sister to present himself before four o’clock, Rome arrived on Lavinia’s doorstep in a state of annoyed disbelief. Fate had dealt him a rotten hand in the past twenty-four hours, and he didn’t know if he should bet or fold.
First, his suspicions about Rose’s true identity had been verified, confirming that he had indeed made improper advances to his cousin’s woman. That he hadn’t known her real name at the time was irrelevant; if the truth came out, his relationship with Marc, as well as everything he had worked for, would be irrevocably damaged.
His best opportunity to overcome the shadow of his fat
her’s scandal had appeared to be a position in Edgar Vaughn’s office. But now he didn’t know what to think about Vaughn. What was he doing with a ring that belonged to the Black Rose Society? Was he a member? Peter had said that only members of the society wore such rings, and that the ones worn by the elite members of the Triad had rubies where the rose should be.
Just like the one in Vaughn’s office.
Before Vaughn had entered the diplomatic arena, he had been a military man, well-known for acting honorably even in the most horrific of circumstances. As he had carried on his duties as a diplomat, he had earned a reputation for being a stickler for propriety and decorum.
Which had made his willingness to consider the son of Oliver Devereaux for a position in his office even more of a miracle.
Coldness dragged at his shoulders and knotted his guts. He respected Vaughn, had even looked upon him as a role model. Now he wondered if he’d been mistaken in his admiration.
Bagsley admitted him and showed him to the parlor.
“Rome, there you are.” Lavinia greeted him from the sofa, her smile inviting but not quite as vivacious as usual.
“Hallo, Vin. Are you all right? You look a bit too pale, if I may take a brother’s prerogative and say so.”
She shook her head. “Brother or not, you always say what you think, Rome. And yes, I imagine I resemble day-old porridge, if how I feel is any comparison.”
Rome came to sit beside her and covered her cold hand with his. “I’m surprised you summoned me here if you are not feeling quite the thing.”
“It came on rather suddenly. Normally I nibble on a bit of bread to settle my stomach in the mornings, but even that makes me ill to think of it.”
“Shall I summon the physician?”
“No, silly. It’s just the child. Mama told me to expect such things.”
“Oh. Well, then if that is what our mother said…” Uncomfortable with the talk of such feminine mysteries, Rome shifted and patted her hand. “You should follow her advice.”
Vin gave a little laugh. “Very well, I shall take pity on you and change the subject. How was your interview with Mr. Vaughn?”
“Very short.” Rome rose, still disturbed by the ring in Vaughn’s possession. “He had to leave town unexpectedly.”
“Oh, dear. Does this mean you did not secure the position?”
“No, we rescheduled the appointment.” Rome prowled the room.
“Then what’s wrong?”
He stopped near the mantel and tried to smile at her. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m just disappointed that the interview did not go as expected.”
“Are you certain there’s nothing else?”
He came to his sister and kissed her cheek. “I have no intention of burdening you with my troubles, Vin. ’Tis nothing dire, I promise you.”
“You always do this,” she scolded. “You’re clearly worried about something, and yet you won’t tell me what’s wrong.”
“Just being in your presence is enough to cheer me,” he said, completely sincere. “It’s just some business matters that need decisions. Don’t fret.”
“How can I not fret when you won’t confide in me? I’m a grown woman, Rome.” She patted her belly. “Or had you forgotten?”
“Vin!” His face flushed. “You are far too outspoken for a lady.”
“So I’ve been told. But I’m a married woman now, and once in a while I will speak my mind. I do wish you would talk to me honestly.”
He shook his head slowly. “I’m sorry, Vin.”
Hurt flickered across her face. “Very well. By the way, Anna Rosewood sent a note around that she would be calling today.”
He couldn’t mask his surprise. “Really?”
“She asked if I would invite you as well. Rome, what’s going on?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
Vin pounded the cushion of the settee with one small, clenched fist. “There you go again, keeping secrets! Just tell me this isn’t what it looks like.”
He stiffened. “That depends on what it looks like.”
Concern shadowed her hazel eyes. “An affair.”
“You know better than that.”
“I should, but I also know other things. Such as the way you closeted yourself in the library with her the other day. The fact that she asked questions about you the last time she visited me. And now she is coming to call and asked me specifically to invite you here.”
He let out a deep sigh. “I am not intent on stealing Haverford’s bride, Vin.”
“Then what are you doing? Because whatever it is, Marc will think the worst if he gets wind of it. You know how he is about loyalty.”
“I know.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Anna has information I need for an investigation I am conducting. And no, sweet sister, I am not going to tell you about it.”
“How can Anna be involved in an investigation? I thought her reputation was impeccable?”
Rome sent her a look. “Didn’t I just say I am not going to tell you about it?”
“It’s my house, and if Anna is involved with something that could possibly hurt Marc—”
“It’s nothing like that. Her brother was involved, not Anna. She is a perfectly acceptable female. And that is all I am going to tell you, brat.”
Lavinia pouted, but only for a moment. “Very well. Just take note that I have no intention of playing Friar Lawrence for you, dear brother.”
“I understand. But since this is the only place Anna and I can meet to discuss our business that would cause no gossip…”
She sighed. “Oh, very well, as long as this is not a romantic rendezvous, you may meet here.”
“Of course it’s not.” Unable to look her in the eye, he said, “I have no romantic interest in Anna Rosewood.”
Before Lavinia could say anything more, Bagsley entered the room. Rome and Lavinia looked up expectantly.
“The Earl of Haverford,” Bagsley said, then stepped aside.
Marc entered, his polite smile widening. “Good afternoon, Lavinia. Rome, a pleasant surprise.”
“Good afternoon,” Rome echoed, stunned. What was Marc doing here, when Anna was due any moment? He turned away, staring out the window until he could get his guilt under control.
“Good afternoon, Marc.” Lavinia flicked a concerned glance at Rome, then turned a wan smile on her cousin. “Do sit down.”
A frown wrinkled the earl’s brow as he settled into a chair. “Lavinia, you seem rather pale. Are you ill?”
She cleared her throat. “I must look worse than I had imagined.”
“Don’t let her fool you,” Rome remarked from the window. “She’s not feeling well at all.”
“I’m very sorry to hear that.” Marc tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair, lips pursed in thought.
“Is something wrong?” Lavinia asked. “It’s unusual for you to call unannounced, though I am always happy to see you, of course.”
“I have been summoned to Leicestershire to assist with a business matter for Mr. Fellhopper. I had thought to have you come with me, Lavinia, as you are acquainted with Mr. Fellhopper’s sister.”
Lavinia brightened. “Dear Charlotte? I recall her well. She had barely made her debut when her parents died.”
“A tragedy, that,” Rome remarked. “Old Fellhopper had gotten himself into some deep waters financially.”
“I remember.” Vin shook her head. “Charlotte had to cut her Season short and return home while her brother tried to recoup the family fortunes.”
“Which he has done admirably,” Marc reminded them.
“Quite so,” Rome said. He came away from the window, comfortable that he had recovered from the surprise of Marc’s visit. “I thought they were in Town for the marriage mart. Isn’t that right, Marc?”
Haverford cleared his throat. “Mr. Fellhopper has indeed brought his sister to London for the purpose of finding a husband for her.”
“I imagine she would have any numbe
r of suitors already,” Lavinia said, reaching for her tea.
“I have no doubt of it,” Rome agreed. “Miss Fellhopper is a lovely woman.”
Marc shot him a quick glance. “Do you have interests there, cousin?”
Rome blinked at the edge behind the polite words. “Not at all.”
“Oh. Very well then.” Marc turned his attention back to Lavinia, once more his usual urbane self. “Fellhopper has requested my assistance with this matter, and I thought you and Emberly might want to join the party to keep Miss Fellhopper entertained. I am certain she will miss the delights of London.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Lavinia said. “However, I must decline the invitation. Henry’s schedule is quite full, and I cannot believe the motion of a carriage for all that time will improve my state.”
Marc flushed from neck to brow. “Of course. I apologize for being so insensitive to your condition.”
“What about Miss Rosewood?” Even as he said the words, Rome could hardly believe it. But if Anna were with Marc in the country, she would be protected, and he could see to the Black Rose Society without having to worry about her safety. “As I recall, she and Miss Fellhopper are acquainted.”
“Ah…I had thought of that.” Marc’s eyes darted away. “But it is improper for her to accompany me alone, and I know her parents have many engagements in the city.”
“Nothing they would not cancel for an earl’s request,” Rome said, his lips twisting in a brief, cynical smile.
“Rome!” Lavinia gave a sigh of exasperation.
Marc frowned. “Even if that were true, I would never ask such a thing.”
“Of course not,” Lavinia agreed, with a quelling glance at her brother. “It’s a lovely idea, Marc, but surely Miss Fellhopper has friends in the country. After all, she has only arrived in Town quite recently.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“When do you leave?” Rome asked.
“In the morning. I don’t expect the matter to take more than a day or two.”
“Oh, then dear Charlotte will be fine,” Lavinia asserted with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Certainly there are activities to keep her entertained—riding, visiting with friends?”
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