foamed over his breeches.
Good heavens." Imogen sucked in her breath. Matthias's leg
moved higher between her thighs. I cannot think"
Neither can I at the moment." He released her wrists. His
powerful, elegant hands settled around her throat. He tipped her
head back.
Imogen grabbed awkwardly at the handle of the wardrobe to
steady herself. But at that exact instant Matthias whirled her away
toward the bed.
Imogen forgot to let go of the handle. The wardrobe door came
open with a jarring crash. The large object sitting on the middle
shelf shuddered beneath the impact and started to topple forward.
Matthias tore his mouth away from Imogen's throat. What the
devil.?"
Imogen watched in horror as the bowl slipped over the edge of
the shelf and plummeted downward. Oh, no'
Matthias moved with startling, graceful speed. He released
Imogen, stepped around her, and caught the bowl in a single lithe
movement.
Bloody hell." Matthias gazed at the bowl cradled in his hands.
Imogen breathed a sigh of relief. That was a very near thing, my
lord. You move quite quickly."
When there's a good reason to do so." He smiled slightly as he
studied the bowl.
His eyes still gleamed, Imogen noted, but not precisely the
same way they had a moment earlier. She took a closer look at the
bowl. It was delicately sculpted from a translucent blue-green
stone. The stone was unique to Zamarian artifacts. Imogen had
been told by one of her correspondents that the fashionable had
labeled the color Zamarian green. The bowl was inscribed with
words written in a flowing script that was as elegant as the vessel
itself. Imogen recognized the language immediately.
Zamarian." She gazed at the bowl with wonder. Uncle Selwyn
told me that he had some Zamarian artifacts, but I did not realize
that he possessed anything so lovely."
It probably came from a Zamarian tomb."
Yes." She leaned closer to examine the bowl. This is a very fine
piece, is it not? Look at the words. Informal script rather than
formal. A personal offering left in the burial chamber of a loved
one, if I am not mistaken."
Matthias tore his gaze away from the bowl long enough to give
her an assessing glance. You recognize the script?"
Yes, of course." Gingerly she took the sea-green bowl from him
and turned it slowly in her hands, marveling at the beautiful workmanship. lAs Zamaris embraces Anizarnara at day's end, our two
spirits shall be joined for all time. Isn't that a lovely sentiment, my
lord?"
Hell's teeth." Matthias stared at her with a dark intensity even
greater than that with which he had gazed at the bowl. There is
only one person other than myself in all of England who could
have translated that line of informal Zamarian script so quickly
and so flawlessly."
Too late, Imogen realized what she had just done. Oh, dear."
I presume that I have just had the pleasure of kissing I. A.
Stone?"
My lord, I assure you, I never intended to deceive you."
No?"
Well, perhaps just a trifle. I was going to explain everything."
Eventually?"
Yes. Eventually. At the proper time." She tried to summon up
what she hoped was a placating smile. We have been so busy since
you arrived, what with one thing and another, that there simply
has not been an opportunity."
Matthias ignored the weak excuse. The first initial is plain
enough. And it's obvious where the Stone came from, Miss
Waterstone. But what does the middle initial stand for?"
Augusta," Imogen confessed with a small sigh. Sir, please
understand. I have kept my identity a secret because I knew that
the editors of the Review would never publish my researches if
they learned that they had been written by a woman."
Indeed."
I intended to reveal the truth to you as soon as we were prop
erly introduced. But you made it clear straight off that you considered I. A. Stone a rival. I did not want that view to cloud your
perception of me or my scheme."
A rival?" Matthias raised his brows. Nonsense. I do not
consider I. A. Stone a rival. The word rival implies someone who is
on an equal footing. I. A. Stone is a presumptuous little scribbler
who bases her ridiculous conclusions on my articles."
Imogen was stung. May I remind you, sir, that good, solid inter
pretation of facts is every bit as important as firsthand experience."
There is no substitute for firsthand knowledge of a subject."
Rubbish. In the past you have leaped to a number of conclusions about Zamarian antiquities that were unwarranted by the
evidence that you yourself discovered."
Such as?"
Imogen lifted her chin. Such as those entirely unsupported
assumptions concerning Zamarian wedding rituals that you
detailed in your latest article in the Review."
I never make unsupported assumptions. I arrive at logical
conclusions based upon firsthand discovery and research."
Indeed?" Imogen fixed him with a challenging glare. You
claimed that the bride had no say in her marriage contract, when
it is obvious to even an amateur that Zamarian brides had a great
many rights and privileges. A Zamarian lady could even dissolve
her marriage if she wished."
Only under extremely limited conditions."
Imogen smiled coolly. She could do so if her husband proved to
be either cruel or impotent. That covers a great deal of ground, my
lord. Furthermore, she retained control of her own property and
income after marriage. That certainly puts ancient Zamarian law
well ahead of modern English law."
Do not be too certain of that," Matthias said. When it came to
marriage, the Zamarians were not so vastly different from the
English. The man was the master in his own home. His wife was
expected to be an obedient, compliant companion who saw to the
running of the household and to her husband's comfort. He in
turn assumed the responsibility of protecting his wife and chil
dren."
There you go, making unwarranted assumptions again. After a
thorough investigation of your writings, I have concluded that
Zamarian marriages were based on mutual affection and intellectual respect."
Only a fevered imagination and a complete lack of firsthand
familiarity with your subject could lead you to make such an
outrageous statement. Zamarian marriages were based on prop
erty, social standing, and business considerations, just as most
English marriages are."
That is not true," Imogen shot back. Mutual affection was the
most important element in Zamarian marriages. What about the
poetry you discovered in the ruins of the Zamarian library?"
Very well, so a few Zamarian poets wrote a few silly romantic
verses." Matthias ran a hand through his hair in a gesture of exasperated disgust. That proves nothing. Marriage was a business
matter in ancient Zamar, just as it is here in England."
Are you claiming that the Zama
rians did not believe in the
power of love, my lord?"
Love is a fine word for lust, which I'll wager was well known to
the Zamarians. They were a very intelligent people, after all."
Love is not the same thing as lust."
But it is, Miss Waterstone." Matthias's jaw tightened. I assure
you, I have drawn that particular conclusion from firsthand observation, just as I draw all my conclusions. Unlike some people."
Imogen was outraged. I am not entirely without some firsthand
experience of the subject, sir, and I have drawn different conclusions."
Matthias's smile was cold. You've had firsthand experience of
lust? Would you care to go into detail, Miss Waterstone?"
No, I would not. Such things are of a private nature."
Indeed. Well, allow me to give you a few of my own firsthand
observations on the subject of love and lust. I am the product of a
union that began in the fires of a grand, lusty passion. But when
that lust cooled, it left only bitterness, anger, and regret in its
wake."
Shocked sympathy doused the smoldering embers of Imogen's
temper. She took a quick step closer to Matthias and then halted
uncertainly. Forgive me, my lord, I did not understand that this
was such a personal matter for you."
Unfortunately it was too late for either of the two parties
involved to escape." All inflection had vanished from Matthias's
voice. My mother was pregnant with me. Her family demanded
marriage. My father's family wanted my mother's inheritance. It
was a match made in hell. My father never forgave my mother. He
claimed she had tricked him into marriage. For her part, my
mother never forgave my father for seducing her and then turning
against her."
What a dreadful experience your childhood must have been."
An icy amusement appeared in his eyes. On the contrary, I
consider that experience to have been a salutary one, Miss
Waterstone. I learned a great deal from it."
No doubt you feel you learned a terrible lesson." Imogen
suppressed a pang of sadness. Then a thought struck her. You
mentioned that you will be expected to wed now that you have
come into the title. Surely you will seek happiness in your own
alliance?"
You may be certain of that," Matthias said grimly. I intend to
contract a marriage based on a far more substantial foundation
than one built on foolish romantic passions and lust."
Yes, of course," Imogen murmured.
Matthias took the glowing blue-green bowl from her hands and
gazed at it with deep contemplation. I seek a bride endowed with
common sense rather than one who has muddled her brains with
romantic poetry. An intelligent female who is ruled by an
educated mind. One whose sense of honor will ensure that she
does not develop a passion for every dark-eyed poet who comes
along."
I see." It was difficult to comprehend how she could have been
so wrong about this man, she thought wistfully. The Colchester of
Zamar she had conjured in her mind was imbued with the very
essence of romance. The real Colchester was obviously a bit of a
stick-in-the-mud. It is very odd, sir, but when I sent for you, I had
convinced myself that we had much in common."
Had you?"
Yes. But now I see that I was quite mistaken. We are as opposite as two people can be, are we not, my lord?"
He looked abruptly cautious. In some respects, perhaps."
In every important respect, so far as I can see." Imogen gave
him a wan smile. I hereby release you from your promise, my
lord."
He scowled. I beg your pardon?"
It was wrong of me to expect you to assist me in my scheme."
Imogen studied the manner in which his sensitive, long-fingered
hands cradled the Zamarian bowl. You have quite convinced me
that you are not cut out for this type of adventure and that I have
no right to insist on your services."
I thought I made it clear that you are not going to get rid of me
quite so easily, Miss Waterstone."
Sir?"
I shall assist you in your plot. I may not be the man you
believed me to be, Miss Waterstone, but I find myself consumed by
a desire to prove myself something more than a milksop."
Imogen was horrified. Sir, I never meant to imply that I
thought you a . a milks"
He held up one hand to cut off her protest. You have made
yourself clear. You perceive me to be possessed of an overanxious,
fainthearted temperament. I do not deny that there is some truth
to that, perception, but I'll be damned if I will have you label me
an out-and-out coward."
Sir, I would never have dreamed of labeling you a coward. A
certain tendency toward nervous weakness is not something that
should cause shame. It is no doubt a family trait, rather like that
blaze of white in your hair. It is something over which you have no
control, my lord."
Too late, Miss Waterstone. I have decided that I must fulfill my
promise to your uncle. It is the only way I can retain even a few
shreds of my pride."
I was appalled, if you must know the truth," Imogen confided to
Horatia two days later as they set out for London in a post-chaise.
They were alone in the carriage because Matthias had left the
previous day with the list of instructions that she had given him.
He is doing this to prove that he is not lacking in nerve. I fear I
wounded his pride. I never meant to do it, but you know how I
sometimes get carried away when I feel strongly about a matter."
I wouldn't worry overmuch about Colchester's pride," Horatia
said crisply. He has more than enough arrogance to last him a life
time."
I wish I could believe that, but I'm convinced he is possessed
of rather delicate sensibilities."
Delicate sensibilities? Colchester?"
I wore out my tongue attempting to dissuade him from assist
ing me, but as you saw, I had no success."
Colchester certainly seems determined to help you pursue this
mad scheme. I wonder what he is about."
I just told you what he is about. He is attempting to prove
himself a man of action. Anyone can see that he is no such thing."
Hmm." Horatia adjusted the skirts of her carriage dress and
leaned back against the cushions. She fixed Imogen with a
thoughtful gaze. In the beginning, I told you that your plan was
dangerous in the extreme because I feared Lord Vanneck's reaction. But I am now persuaded that involving Colchester is an even
more reckless move."
Colchester is not dangerous." Imogen wrinkled her nose.
Indeed, I only wish he were. I would not be so concerned. As it is,
in addition to managing the details of my scheme, I shall be
obliged to keep an eye on him. I must make certain that in his
enthusiasm to prove himself, he does not get into trouble."
Horatia stared at her niece askance. You are going to watch
over Colchester?"
It is the least I can do under the circumstances." Imogen gazed
glumly out the window. He is not at all what I expected, Aunt
/>
Horatia."
You keep saying that. Be honest, Imogen, your expectations
were built upon a fantasy that you had concocted out of vapor and
smoke."
That is not true. I developed my notion of his lordship's
temperament from the articles he wrote for the Zamarian Review.
It only goes to prove that one cannot put much credence in every
thing one reads."
"
Horatia peered at Imogen through her spectacles. My dear, you
do not understand about Colchester. I have tried to tell you that
his reputation was firmly established nearly a decade ago when he
was in his early twenties. I know you will not believe this, but the
truth is that he was considered extremely dangerous and utterly
cold-blooded."
Imogen grimaced. Nonsense. One cannot know him for even
five minutes without realizing that such a reputation is completely
at odds with the true nature of the man. He is obviously the victim
of nasty gossip, just as I was three years ago."
He certainly seems to have convinced you of that," Horatia
muttered. I wonder why."
I appear to be stuck with his assistance," Imogen said, resigned
to the situation. He will no doubt prove to be more trouble than
he is worth."
I would not be surprised if he is saying precisely the same thing
about you at this very moment, my dear."
Imogen did not respond. She turned her attention back to the
countryside that was passing by outside the carriage window.
Fragments of the dream that had awakened her in the middle of
the night returned. She'd had similar dreams for the past several
weeks, but last night's imaginings had been the clearest and most
disturbing.
She was standing in the library of Uncle Selwyn's mansion. It
was midnight. Pale moonlight slanted through the windows.
Shadows bathed the chamber and its sepulchral furnishings.
She turned slowly, searching for the man she knew was there.
She could not see him. She had never seen him. But she sensed his
presence. He was waiting, cloaked in deepest night.
Something or someone stirred in the darkest corner of the
chamber. She watched with trepidation as a figure detached
himself from the surrounding shadow and walked slowly toward
her. His face was concealed by the gloom, but when he moved
through a patch of moonlight she saw the glint of cold silver in his
Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt Page 6
