you anywhere in the future."
Trust me, Lucas. This gown is in the
height of fashion."
It reveals more than a tavern maid's
dress. You are practically falling out of it.
If I had seen it before we left the house,
I would have sent you straight upstairs to
change."
Too late for that now," she told him
cheerfully. Now do stop frowning so. We
are about to be announced and you surely
would not want Lady Atherton and her
guests to think we are quarreling."
You have won for now, madam, but
rest assured, this discussion will continue
at a later time." He led her toward the
top of the stairs that descended into the
glittering, crowded ballroom.
A hush fell over the throng of beautifully
dressed people as the Earl of stone vale
and his lady were announced. And then
a ringing cheer went up and glasses were
raised in a salute as Lucas and Victoria
went down the staircase to greet their host
and hostess.
Lady Atherton's gaze held a trace of
wistfulness as she smiled at Lucas. Lord
Atherton, an austere man who was active
in politics, inclined his balding head over
Victoria's hand.
So kind of you both to honor us
with this reception tonight," Victoria forced
herself to say as sincerely as possible.
You look lovely, my dear," Jessica said
to Victoria. That gown is simply exquisite.
And such an unusual style for a new bride.
But, then, you have always been something
of an Original, have you not?"
I do my best," Victoria assured her.
After all, I would not want to bore my
husband."
Lucas shot her a warning glance.
His smile was full of menacing charm.
Boredom is not something I have suffered
from much since the night I met you,
my dear."
Lord Atherton smiled briefly. And as I
understand it, that momentous occurrence
took place right here in this ballroom, did
it not?"
Lady Atherton was kind enough to
introduce us," Victoria said politely.
So I heard." Lord Atherton extended
his arm. Would you be so gracious as to
honor me with the first dance, madam?"
It would be my pleasure."
As she was led out onto the floor,
Victoria glanced back over her shoulder
in time to see a crowd of people close
in around Lucas. He caught her eye over
the heads of the throng and smiled faintly,
a smile of possession, admiration, and
sensual promise; a lover's smile.
Warmed by that smile, Victoria turned
to give her attention to Lord Atherton, who
was already starting to talk about politics.
Lucas kept an eye on his Amber Lady
as the evening passed, but he had very
little opportunity to speak to her. Just as
well, he told himself. If he did get close
to her, he would probably be unable to
avoid bringing up the topic of the dress
again, and since the damage was already
done, it would be pointless to continue the
argument.
A husband had to learn which battles
Were worth fighting, and he could not deny
that the military strategist in him could not
help but sympathize with Victoria's need to
make a brilliant splash tonight in front of
Jessica Atherton.
Nevertheless, he vowed as he caught
sight of Victoria being led out onto the
floor again, he would pay much closer
attention to her clothes in the future.
Your wife is cutting quite a swath
through my male guests tonight," Jessica
Atherton murmured as she glided up to
stand beside Lucas. I am gratified that
she is enjoying herself."
She deserves to enjoy herself."
Yes. It cannot have been easy for her
to come here tonight."
Lucas raised a brow at that bit of
unexpected insight. No, it was not."
I know she must have been feeling
somewhat battered by all that happened
at the time of her marriage to you. And I
did not aid matters by calling on her that
morning before you left for Yorkshire. I
am sorry about that, Lucas. I have wanted
to apologize for it. My only excuse is that
I was desperately anxious to know if you
were going to be happy with her," Jessica
said weakly.
Forget it, Jessica. It is all in the past."
Yes, you are quite right. It is just that
I know you were angry with me that day
and I expect I am trying to find out if you
have forgiven me."
As I said, it is over and done. Don't
fret about it. Victoria and I have arrived at
an understanding and we are both content
with the marriage."
Jessica nodded. I rather thought that
is what would happen. She is, after all,
an intelligent woman. She may be rather
outrageous at times, but she is also a
woman of honor and integrity. I would
not have introduced you to her if I had
thought otherwise. I was certain that when
all was said and done, she would learn to
accept her fate and fulfill her duty, just as
you must."
Lucas realized he was starting to grit his
teeth. He reached for a glass of champagne
and took a large swallow. Tell me, Jessica,
have you had much pleasure in your
marriage?"
Atherton is a tolerable husband. That
is as much as a woman can hope for from
her marriage. I take satisfaction in knowing
I am a good wife to him. One does what
one must."
A tolerable husband. Victoria had called
him that once or twice, Lucas reflected.
He suddenly felt slightly savage. Was that
all he was to her he wondered? A tolerable
husband?
Excuse me, Jessica. I think I just saw
Potbury in the crowd by the window. I
wanted to ask him a question."
Of course."
Lucas escaped his hostess, but he knew
he could not escape her words. As was
frequently the case with Jessica Atherton,
she might grate a bit, but she was not
altogether wrong in her observations. She
was right about Victoria being a woman
of honor and integrity. But Lucas did not
want to think she was also right when
she claimed that Victoria had no doubt
accepted the marriage because it was the
reasonable thing to do. He did not want
to be merely a tolerable husband.
He could not bring himself to believe
that when Victoria shivered and cried out
in his arms, she was merely performing
her wifely duty. She cared for him, he told
himself. He was almost positive she could
learn to love him again if she would just
st
op erecting defenses to protect her pride.
Her damned female pride was all that kept
her from the final surrender.
Lord Potbury smiled in genial welcome
when he saw Lucas coming toward him.
Good to see you again, stone vale. Must
say your bride is looking positively radiant
this evening. How are things in Yorkshire?"
Very well, thank you. But I miss our
weekly meetings of the society. Wanted to
ask how the electricity experiments were
proceeding. Heard of any more interesting
work in that area?"
Lord Potbury brightened. Grimshaw
had a bit of an accident last week.
Gave himself a terrible jolt. Thought he
was done for at the time, but he is quite
recovered now.
I'm relieved to hear that. What was he
working on?"
Thinks he's got an idea for creating a
smaller, more compact system for storing
electrical energy. Have to hope he doesn't
kill himself with the stuff before he finishes
his work on the invention."
I read something recently about more
work on reanimation of the dead," Lucas
said casually.
Yes, yes, saw that bit myself. Quite
interesting, but so far no one's seen any
reanimated corpses walking about." Potbury
chuckled.
You don't believe that line of experi
mentation will prove fruitful?"
Who can say for certain? But personally
I'm highly doubtful."
Yes," said Lucas. So am I. Which
means that we must look to the living
for answers."
Beg pardon?"
Never mind, sir. Just making an obser
vation to myself. If you will excuse me, I
think I shall try and forge a path over to
where my wife is standing."
Good luck. Quite a crush here tonight,
ain't there? And getting worse. More people
arriving by the minute. Probably going to
be the rout of the Season. There's Lady
Nettleship. Looks quite lovely tonight,
doesn't she? Believe I'll try to make my
way over to her."
Lucas nodded politely and started off
through the crowd. Progress was difficult
because nearly everyone he passed insisted
on stopping him long enough to congratulate him.
He was midway in his journey across the
ballroom when one of the liveried footmen
stepped into his path. He held out a small
silver tray on which lay a sealed note.
A man appeared at the door and asked
that this be given to you, my lord," the
footman said politely. I am sorry for the
delay. It took me a while to find you in
the crowd."
Lucas frowned and picked up the note,
nodding abruptly in appreciation of the
service. He put a few coins on the tray
and the footman disappeared into the sea
of guests.
Have information that should interest
you concerning certain incidents. Very
urgent. Am waiting outside in black
carriage near corner.
Lucas crumpled the note and looked
across the room to where Victoria was
standing in a group of chattering, laughing
people. He started toward her again, this
time not pausing politely when he was
greeted by well-wishers.
I wonder if I might steal my wife for
a moment or two," he said as he moved
through the small crowd around Victoria.
It was a command, not a request, and
everyone stepped back immediately.
Victoria looked up in surprise and
then smiled knowingly at the women
in the group. Men go through such
a change after marriage, do they not?"
she murmured by way of apology. Why
is it they are always so accommodating
and gallant before the wedding and so
dreadfully dictatorial afterward?"
Lucas took her arm and led her a short
distance away, aware of the laughter and
giggles behind him. I shall only keep you a
minute, madam, and then you may return
to your observations on husbands."
Lucas, I was only joking, for heaven's
sake. What is it? Is something wrong?"
I don't know. I just got this." He showed
her the note.
She read it with widening eyes. Edge
worth?"
It must be him. He probably does not
have an invitation and could not get inside
to talk to me. I am going outside to see
what he wants. I came to warn you I would
be missing for a while. I did not want you
calling attention to the fact that I'm gone.
I don't know how long this will take."
Victoria glanced around assessingly. I
think it will be perfectly possible for you
to slip away unnoticed. Do you know, I
believe we could both slip out. This crowd
has gotten so huge no one would guess we
had left. Anyone looking for us would just
assume we were at the other end of the
room or on the balcony or in the card
room or even outside in the gardens."
Victoria ."
Her expression brightened with anticipation.
Yes, I am certain we could both slip
out. You go first and I will just sort of
casually move out into the gardens, hop
over the wall, and pop around the corner.
You can meet me there."
Are you out of your mind?" He was
thunderstruck even though he supposed
he should have been expecting something
along this line. You will do no such thing.
I absolutely forbid it. You are to stay right
here, Vicky. That is a direct order. Under
no circumstances are you to leave this
ballroom. Do not even go out into the
gardens for fresh air. Do you hear me?"
Very clearly, my lord. I assure you, you
have made your point. Honestly, Lucas,
sometimes you have the most annoying
tendency of putting a damper on something
that particularly interests me."
Forgive me, my dear, but sometimes
you have the most annoying tendency of
coming up with the most idiotic notions
I have ever heard. Now go back to your
friends. I shall return as soon as possible."
I will require a full report as soon as
you get back inside the ballroom."
Yes, madam."
She put her hand on his arm and her
eyes were suddenly very intent. Lucas,
promise me you will be careful."
I am sure there is no danger in this,"
he said soothingly. But I give you my
promise." Then he scowled briefly at the
decolletage of her gown. The only real
danger around here tonight is that you
might catch a severe chest cold."
She grinned. I shall try to keep warm by
dancing. On your way, Lucas. Hurry back."
He wanted to kiss her full on her lovely
mouth but knew that was impossible. Such
a public display
of affection would be
quite scandalous. Absolutely unthinkable.
Except that he could not seem to stop
thinking about it.
Vicky?"
Yes, Lucas?"
Do you still find me merely a tolerable
husband?"
Quite tolerable, my lord," she said
cheerfully.
He turned and pushed through the
crowd toward the windows. He took his
time, not wanting to call attention to
himself now. When he was satisfied no
one would think it amiss if he stepped
outside for a breath of fresh air, he
did so.
And kept on going.
The Athertons" garden wall was no more
difficult to climb than Lady Nettleship's.
Lucas found a few chinks in the bricks,
a handful of ivy, and a moment later he
was over the top and safely down on the
other side.
He found himself in a narrow alley that
was nearly pitch dark. It stank, as all
London alleys seemed to do, but other
than that presented no great difficulty.
He walked around to the front of the
house and moved through a group of
lounging coachmen and grooms who were
throwing dice.
He paused in the shadow of a team of
horses and scanned the line of carriages.
Near the corner, a little removed from
the others, was a small, black vehicle of
undistinguished lines. The coachman was
on his box, apparently waiting.
Lucas circled around two other coaches
that stood between him and the small,
black one and came up on the far side
of the vehicle.
Were you by any chance expecting
someone?"
The coachman turned around with a
start and peered down at Lucas. Yes, sir."
Perhaps I am he."
Never even saw you come out of the
house," the coachman said with a touch
of admiration. Got a passenger inside who
wants to have a word wi" ye."
Lucas glanced speculatively into the dark
carriage and saw a man lounging in the
corner. He reflected that being obliged
to leave the party unobtrusively as he
had, he had not been able to collect
his greatcoat. There was, of course, no
way to secret a pistol in his close-fitting
evening clothes. Pity.
Good evening, Edgeworth. Waiting for
me, I presume?"
I have something that I think will
interest you, stone vale. Do step inside
for a moment, won't you?"
Lucas considered the possibilities and
decided the prospect of getting some
answers outweighed the risks. He opened
the door and got into the carriage with
some awkwardness, deliberately favoring
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