cocked up my toes at Cabot's Farm this morning."
Imogen scowled at him." Now, Matthias, that is not fair. You are
her brother and she was naturally concerned."
Matthias gave her a derisive glance over his shoulder as he got
out of the carriage.
Matthias." Patricia started down the steps." Are you all right?"
Of course I'm all right. Don't I appear to be all right?"
Well, yes." Patricia came to an awkward halt. Her eyes flew
from Matthias to Imogen, who was still seated inside the carriage.
She bit her lip and turned back to her brother." I . I heard the
rumors. I was very concerned."
Were you?" Matthias asked politely.
Patricia's face threatened to crumple.
Imogen smiled reassuringly through the carriage window." I'm
sure that if my aunt were here, she would say that it was quite
correct under the circumstances to give your brother a hug,
Patricia. He won't mind a small display of sisterly affection, even
though the servants are watching. Will you, Matthias?"
What the devil are you talking about? Umph." Matthias broke
off abruptly as Patricia put her arms around him and gave him a
quick squeeze.
I am very glad you did not get yourself killed, sir." Patricia's
words were muffled by Matthias's coat. She released him before
he could say anything. She blinked several times in an embarrassed fashion.
For his part, Matthias appeared thoroughly disconcerted. But
he pulled himself together with his customary aplomb and glowered at the assembled household." Haven't you all got work to
do?"
Of course, my lord," Ufton murmured." But first, on behalf of
the staff, may I say that we are all extremely pleased to see you in
such, er ."
Such excellent health?" Matthias supplied very dryly." Thank
you. But I fail to see what all the fuss is about. Surely a man may
take his new bride for an early morning drive without causing
such dire concern among those in his employ."
Ufton cleared his throat." Yes, my lord. We had not realized that
Lady Colchester had accompanied you."
Of course I accompanied him, Ufton," Imogen said as Matthias
swung her down out of the carriage." I am an early riser."
Ufton and the staff gazed, astonished, at the bizarre sight of
their mistress garbed as a stable lad.
Imogen beamed at the small crowd gathered on the steps." I
vow, these brisk morning drives certainly whet the appetite. Is
breakfast ready?"
Chapter 13
There is an amusing rumor making the rounds today, Colchester."
Alastair Drake dropped lightly into the chair across from the one
Matthias occupied.
It would have to be Drake who brought the first wave of gossip,
Matthias thought. Alastair was a member of the Zamarian
Society, but until recently Matthias had dismissed him as one of
the many dilettantes who dabbled in the lore of ancient Zamar
purely for reasons of fashion.
The discovery of Alastair's past connection to Imogen,
however, had altered Matthias's attitude toward him from one of
complete disinterest to one of total disgust. That in and of itself
did not mean much. Matthias harbored a deep disgust toward
most of those who thrived on the cruel and ruthless games played
among the ton.
I rarely listen to gossip." Matthias did not look up from the
Morning Post." I find that it is both inaccurate and boring."
It was early by Town standards, barely eleven o'clock. The club
was still quiet. Until Alastair had arrived, the only sounds had
been the occasional clink of silver and china as coffee and tea
were served to the few hardy individuals abroad at this hour. Most
of the gentlemen of the club had not made it home from a night
of whoring, gaming, and drinking until close to dawn. They were
still sleeping off the sore heads brought on by overindulgence.
Others were opening their eyes to vague memories of a fortune
lost at cards.
Actually, there are two rumors floating on the Thames this
morning," Alastair continued." The first is that you married Miss
Waterstone by special license late yesterday."
That is no rumor." Matthias glanced up briefly." There is an
announcement in the Morning Post."
I see." Alastair's gaze was unreadable." My congratulations."
Thank you." Matthias went back to his paper.
The second rumor is almost as amazing as the first."
Matthias did not inquire about the second rumor. He knew
Alastair would be unable to resist telling him.
Word has it that Vanneck had a dawn appointment today,"
Alastair said.
Indeed." Matthias turned the page. He could only hope that
Imogen's name was not linked to the thing.
It is said that Vanneck kept the appointment."
Astonishing."
Perhaps, but what is even more amazing is that the duel was
conducted before any of the seconds arrived. Most unusual."
Alastair paused." Apparently Vanneck did not survive the affair."
Bloody hell, Matthias thought. So that was the direction in
which the gossip flowed. At least no mention had been made of
Imogen's presence." That sort of thing can happen in the course of
a duel."
Yes, indeed. Especially when there are no witnesses to assure
that matters are conducted according to the rules. They say poor
Vanneck was shot dead before he even got out of his curricle. His
opponent apparently wished to take no chances on the outcome."
Matthias accepted the inevitable conclusions with something
close to relief. He had been so concerned with Imogen's reputation that he had forgotten about his own. Cold-blooded
Colchester had struck again, so far as the ton was concerned.
The rumors that he had shot Vanneck in cold blood would no
doubt be served up as scandal broth for a few days, but they would
soon fade. There was no evidence to support them, and no one was
likely to be sufficiently concerned with Vanneck's death to keep
the tales alive for long. They would go the way of all the other
Cold-blooded Colchester stories. Matthias had survived such
gossip in the past. He would do so again. The important thing was
that Imogen not be made to endure more malicious talk. He was
her husband now. He had the right and the duty to protect her.
Alastair waited for a moment, his gaze greedy with speculation.
Eventually he sighed and got to his feet. I can see that you are not
interested in my news, Colchester, so I shall leave you to your
morning paper. Kindly give my regards to the new Lady
Colchester."
I shall convey your felicitations, Drake." Matthias turned
another page and mentally consigned Alastair's good wishes to
Hades.
He had no intention of mentioning Drake to Imogen. He was
still uncertain of her feelings for Alastair. She did not show any
signs of carrying a torch, but there was no point courting trouble.
Matthias did not refold his newspaper until Alastair left the
coffee room. When he sensed that he was alone again in front of
the
fire, he tossed the paper onto a side table. He propped his
elbows on the arms of his chair, linked his fingers, and looked
deep into the dancing flames.
Imogen had given him a promise of love, but Matthias knew
that he could not depend upon it too heavily. After all, he had
more or less blackmailed her into marriage at a moment when she
had been terrified for his life. He had been out in the world for a
long time. He knew very well that intense emotions had a way of
encouraging people to make all sorts of wild, reckless declarations. If, or perhaps he should say, when Imogen discovered the
truth about him, she might turn against him.
He gazed into the depths of the fire and saw the old ghosts grin
ning at him with their skeletal mouths. They knew just how precarious his newfound happiness was, how easily it could be destroyed.
And when it all came crashing down around him, when he was
forced to retreat back into the shadows, they would be waiting for
him.
He clenched one hand into a fist on the arm of the chair. There
was still passion, he told himself. And there was still Zamar.
Perhaps they would prove to be enough.
Perhaps not.
He was still staring into the heart of the blaze a long while later
when Fairfax hailed him from across the room.
Colchester. Thought I might find you here." Fairfax's perpetually cheerful expression was tinged with a line or two of concern.
He moved to stand in front of the fire. I say, anything wrong?"
No." Matthias glanced up at him." Why do you ask?"
Had an odd expression on your face, that's all." Fairfax warmed
his hands at the hearth." Never mind. Came to tell you that there
are rumors all over Town about Vanneck's death."
Save your breath. I've already heard them. They'll fade quickly
enough."
Fairfax cleared his throat. That might well be true. Under
normal circumstances."
What makes the present circumstances anything other than
normal?"
The new Lady Colchester," Fairfax said succinctly. He leaned
down and lowered his voice even though there was no one nearby.
Don't mean to tell you how to conduct your personal affairs, but
have you considered how she will react if she hears this particular
tale?"
A very belated light dawned in Matthias's brain. He'd cautioned
Imogen not to admit to anyone that she had even heard the rumor
of a dawn appointment, let alone that she had accompanied him to
Cabot's Farm. But he had not specifically told her how to react if
she overheard others discussing the rumors of the duel.
The problem with Imogen was that one had to be extremely
specific in one's instructions. She had a way of going off on unex
pected tangents.
Matthias clamped his hands around the arms of his chair and
shoved himself to his feet." Excuse me, Fairfax. I've got to go
home. I want to have a talk with my wife."
I fear it's a bit too late for a husbandly chat over breakfast."
What are you talking about?"
Fairfax's grimace was both sympathetic and amused." I stopped
by your town house before I came here. Your man Ufton said
something about Lady Colchester having just set off on a shop
ping expedition."
Good God." The horrendous possibilities loomed before
Matthias, leaving him momentarily transfixed.
One can only hope that the gossip has not yet reached the
ladies of the ton." Fairfax took out his watch and glanced at the
time." They will be descending upon Oxford Street and Pall Mall
even as we speak."
Not reached the ladies? Are you mad?" Matthias strode toward
the door." The rumors will have reached them along with their
morning chocolate."
I was so worried when I realized that Matthias had left the house
before anyone had arisen," Patricia confided as she walked beside
Imogen." I was certain that he would be killed. I vow, I shall have
nightmares about this entire affair for weeks."
Nonsense. It is over and done and the less said the better." The
morning's events had established a tentative new bond between
Patricia and herself, Imogen realized. It was not surprising, she
thought. After all, they both cared about Matthias." Remember
what Colchester said. We are to act as if nothing out of the ordi
nary has occurred."
I understand. But I still do not comprehend why you were with
him when he returned. And why on earth were you dressed as a
stable lad?"
I went along to make certain that the duel did not take place,
of course," Imogen explained." I could not allow Colchester to risk
his neck because of me."
But what did you think you could possibly do to halt the
affair?"
I had formulated any number of plans," Imogen assured her.
But as it happened, I was not obliged to employ any of them."
Only because Vanneck got himself shot by a highwayman or a
footpad." Patricia shuddered." What a bizarre thing."
Very bizarre. But I for one will not mourn him."
Imogen?"
Yes?"
Thank you," Patricia whispered.
Oxford Street was a lively scene. It was nearly noon, prime time
for the serious business of shopping. Elegantly dressed ladies
paraded from one window to the next in search of the latest fashions. They were followed by maids and footmen burdened with
packages and parcels.
Lady Colchester." A middle-aged woman dressed in an expensive gown and a fashionable bonnet gave Imogen a cool smile. Her
beady eyes were filled with avid speculation." Congratulations on
your recent marriage, madam. I saw the notice in the morning
papers."
Thank you, Lady Benson." Imogen made to move off down the
street.
I also heard that there has been a most unusual occurrence
regarding a mutual acquaintance," Lady Benson continued
quickly." Lord Vanneck was found shot to death this very day.
Quite early in the morning, I believe. Have you heard?"
Sorry. Don't know a thing about it. I'm afraid I don't have time
to chat. You must excuse us, Lady Benson." Imogen urged Patricia
toward the nearest shop door." We have an appointment with .
uh." She glanced at the small wooden sign overhead." With
Madame Maud. Excellent modiste, you know. I trust I shall see
you this evening."
Of course." Lady Benson's eyes narrowed." You and Colchester
will definitely be the main attraction at the best parties tonight.
Perhaps we shall be able to talk later."
Perhaps." Imogen whisked Patricia through the door of the
dressmaker's shop. She was relieved to see that there were no
customers in the front of the small establishment.
We don't have an appointment with Madame Maud," Patricia
whispered.
I am aware of that." Imogen whirled to peer out the window.
But I did not want to get into an extended discussion with Lady
Benson. She is a notorious gossip. Just the sort Colchester frets
about."
Yes, I know," Patricia said in a very low voice." Lady Lyndhurst
has mention
ed her. Imogen, where is the proprietor of this shop?
There is no one here."
Madame Maud is no doubt in the fitting room with a client."
Imogen breathed a sigh of relief as Lady Benson walked off down
the street." Good. She's gone. We can go on to the glovemaker's.
Let's be on our way. I want to stop at the bookshop before we go
home."
At that moment a woman's voice rose shrilly from the back
room." Never say that Colchester murdered Vanneck in cold
blood, Theodosia. I do not believe it."
They do not call him Cold-blooded Colchester for nothing,
Emily," Theodosia retorted in a tone of morbid excitement.
Personally, I am only too well aware of the fact that he is perfectly
capable of killing a man. Lord Vanneck was one of many. There
was my dear Jonathan. And you must have heard the rumors
about Rutledge's mysterious death."
Well, yes, of course I have. The Rutledge Curse and all. But,
Theo, Jonathan Exelby was killed years ago. And Rutledge died in
faroff Zamar. This affair with Vanneck occurred this very morning
on the outskirts of the city."
I know Colchester's true nature better than anyone, and I can
assure you that. . . ouch. Do be careful with those pins, Maud. You
stuck me."
Pardon, madam," the modiste mumbled.
Colchester is said to be an excellent shot," Emily observed
thoughtfully." Why would he kill Vanneck before the duel? Why
not simply wait and shoot him in front of the proper witnesses?"
Who knows? Perhaps there was a quarrel before the seconds
arrived," Theodosia said." One thing is certain, Colchester will
never go to the gallows for his crimes. He is devious and far too
clever."
And he is an earl," Emily noted pragmatically." Speaking of
devious, I wonder what deep game he is playing with Immodest
Imogen. The engagement made some sense. Everyone knows he
would stop at nothing in order to get his hands on a valuable
Zamarian artifact. But marriage?"
A marriage need not last forever," Theodosia said grimly." It is
not all that difficult to murder a wife."
It was too much. A white-hot rage boiled up within Imogen.
How dare they talk about him in such a fashion?"
Patricia glanced uneasily at the curtain that separated the
fitting room from the front area of the shop." Perhaps we should
leave."
Not until I have had a few words with Theodosia Slott." Imogen
rounded the counter and stalked toward the fitting room.
Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt Page 24
