Patricia hurried after her." Imogen, wait. I'm not sure my
brother would approve. You know very well that he warned us not
to speak of this affair."
I have been pushed too far." Imogen grasped the heavy curtain
and jerked it aside. Three startled gasps greeted her.
Theodosia stood in front of a mirror. Her friend Emily sat on a
chair, watching, as Theodosia was fitted for a new ball gown.
Madame Maud, looking extremely harried, knelt on the floor to
mark the hem of her client's gown.
A moment, s'il vous plait, madam," the modiste said around a
moutheul of pins.
There is no rush." Imogen met Theodosia's startled gaze in the
mirror." I merely wished to correct misses Slott. She is putting about
false information."
Miss Waterstone." Theodosia's mouth opened and closed in
dismay." I mean, Lady Colchester. I did not hear you come in."
Obviously," Imogen snapped." You were too busy spreading lies
and falsehoods about my husband."
Patricia plucked at Imogen's sleeve." I think we should leave."
Imogen ignored her. She turned to Theodosia's companion.
Good day to you, misses Hartwell."
Good day, Miss . er, Lady Colchester." Emily Hartwell
offered a weak smile." Congratulations on your marriage."
Thank you." Imogen pinned Theodosia again in the mirror.
Now, about those lies concerning Colchester."
They are not lies." Theodosia had recovered from her initial
shock. She raised a defiant chin." No one will ever prove a thing,
but anyone acquainted with Colchester's character knows that it
is very likely he shot poor Vanneck before the duel could be prop
erly conducted."
That is absolute nonsense, misses Slott," Imogen said." As it
happens, there were witnesses to the entire affair, and they will be
delighted to testify to my husband's innocence should it become
necessary."
Emily gasped. Her hand went to her throat." I had not realized
that there were witnesses."
Imogen, please, we must be off." Patricia sounded frantic.
Appointments, you know."
In a moment, Patricia." Imogen glared at Theodosia." It will not
be necessary for anyone to testify concerning Colchester's inno
cence because the notion that he might be guilty is utterly ludicrous."
Do not be too certain of that, Lady Colchester," Theodosia
retorted." The whole world knows that your husband has a very
dangerous reputation."
Emily was horrified." Theodosia, please, what are you saying?
Colchester will be furious if he hears that you are accusing him of
murder. You must be careful."
Yes, misses Slott," Imogen said smoothly," I would advise you to
be extremely cautious in your accusation."
Theodosia blinked several times. A hint of uncertainty replaced
some of the righteous indignation in her eyes. She cast a quick,
uneasy glance at her companion." I am not making any accusations. I am merely commenting on the obvious."
Indeed?" Imogen set her hands on her hips and tapped one toe.
I fail to see anything obvious except, of course, that you had as
much reason to shoot Lord Vanneck as anyone else. And more
cause than most."
What?" Theodosia's mouth fell open in scandalized outrage.
You cannot be serious." Emily stared at Imogen, horrified.
The modiste froze, her mouth still full of pins.
Imogen," Patricia whispered desperately." Please. We must go."
Before anyone could move, a familiar voice spoke from the
front room of the shop.
Do go on, Lady Colchester," Selena murmured as she glided
into the fitting room." I cannot wait to learn why Theodosia killed
Vanneck before the duel."
Lady Lyndhurst." The modiste was becoming frantic." A moment."
Everyone in the small room turned to look at Selena.
I did not kill anyone," Theodosia wailed.
Imogen scowled." I did not say that Theodosia shot Vanneck. I
merely pointed out that she had as much reason as any number of
people. Given that fact, she ought to be careful when it comes to
making accusations."
I never said that Colchester murdered Vanneck," Theodosia
cried." I said he may have done so. That's all."
Selena smiled faintly at Imogen." Why would Theodosia shoot
him just before the duel?"
To make it appear that Colchester had murdered him in cold
blood," Imogen said calmly.
Theodosia's face worked in desperate rage." But why would I do
such a thing?"
Imogen pursed her lips and considered the question." Perhaps
because you hoped that the ensuing gossip would drive Colchester
from London."
What do you mean?" Theodosia demanded.
It is somewhat awkward for you to have him hanging about, is
it not Theodosia? After all, every time he appears in Society, there
is the risk that he will let the truth be known."
Selena's brows rose." What truth would that be, Imogen?"
Why, that Theodosia has been living on falsehoods for years,"
Imogen said." No one ever fought a duel over her. Her friend, Mister
Exelby, left Town to seek his fortune in America after he was
caught cheating at cards in The Lost Soul. And as for that
nonsense about Colchester seeking to take Exelby's place in your
bed, well, that is ludicrous."
Theodosia gave her a seething look." How dare you imply that
I have been lying to my friends."
The only person who might wish to set the record straight is
Colchester himself," Imogen continued." You could not risk that,
could you Theodosia?"
What do you mean?" she demanded.
So long as he remained out of Society, your secret was safe. But
lately Colchester has re-entered the social whirl. Only think what
he could do to your position in the ton were he to start discussing
the true events surrounding Exelby's departure from London.
You would be made to look ridiculous."
This is an outrage," Theodosia howled. I will not stand for it."
And I will not abide any more of your silly accusations against
my husband," Imogen said coldly." The next time you are tempted
to imply that he may have killed Vanneck, stop and think that you
could be made to appear the guilty party."
You cannot do this to me," Theodosia hissed.
Imogen gave her a scornful look and then spoke to a stunned
Patricia." Come along. We must stop at the glovemaker's and then
I want to pay a visit to the bookshop."
She swung around briskly. And ran straight into Matthias, who
lounged in the entrance of the fitting room.
Umph." Imogen staggered. For a second she could see nothing
but green straw. She realized that her wide-brimmed bonnet had
been knocked askew by the impact and had fallen forward over
her eyes. She grabbed the brim and shoved it out of the way.
Matthias smiled slightly and reached out to adjust the bonnet.
Allow me."
Good heavens, Colchester." Imogen hastily retied the bonnet
strings." I didn't see you. What on earth are you doing here in
Madame Mau
d's shop?"
Matthias surveyed the frozen tableau in the fitting room with
gleaming eyes." Perhaps I have developed an interest in fashion."
Selena appeared vastly amused. Emily's eyes darted anxiously
about, as though she sought an escape.
Theodosia made a very odd, strangled noise and collapsed to
the floor in an untidy heap.
Hmm." Imogen peered at the fallen woman." I do believe that
this time her swoon is quite genuine. Perhaps you should get out
your vinaigrette, misses Hartwell."
The tall clock ticked heavily in the corner of the library. For some
reason Matthias was intensely aware of the sound as he sat facing
his wife and sister across the width of his desk. He studied the pair,
trying to think how best to begin his lecture.
Patricia would not be a problem, he decided. She already
looked thoroughly uneasy about the outcome of this little inter
view. Matthias suspected that her chief fear was that he would
throw her out on her ear because she had inadvertently disobeyed
his instructions not to discuss the duel.
Imogen was another matter. She faced him with a disgruntled
expression that did not bode well. Any apprehension she may
have felt was buried beneath her sense of righteous indignation.
Matthias folded his hands on his desk. He looked at Imogen.
Perhaps I did not make myself clear this morning."
You made yourself perfectly clear," Imogen assured him
grandly." You told me that I was not to discuss the events
surrounding Vanneck's death with anyone."
May I ask why you chose to disobey me?"
Patricia cringed at the tone of his voice. Matthias ignored her.
Imogen gave him a frosty glare." I did not disobey you, sir."
Then would you kindly explain just what the devil you were
discussing in that dressmaker's damned fitting room?"
Patricia crushed the hankie she held.
Imogen bristled." It was not my fault that I happened upon
Theodosia Slott spreading lies and falsehoods. All I did was put a
stop to them by pointing out that there were any number of
people besides you, my lord, who could be made to look guilty of
Vanneck's murder."
You damned near accused her of killing Vanneck."
Not exactly," Imogen said carefully.
Yes. Exactly."
Well, even if one could interpret my words in that manner, it
was only what she deserved." Imogen scowled ferociously." Aunt
Horatia assures me that misses Slott has spread all sorts of malicious tales about you for years. And she as good as accused you
of Vanneck's murder in that fitting room. Is that not true,
Patricia?"
Patricia gave a start at hearing her name brought into the
discussion. Somewhat to Matthias's surprise, however, she
managed to answer Imogen's question.
Yes," she said very softly." It's true."
There, you see?" Imogen flashed him a triumphant look." The
gossip would have been all over Town by tonight if I had not inter
vened."
The gossip is already all over Town. Madam, you may be brilliant when it comes to deciphering the formal script of lost Zamar,
but you are hopelessly naive where Society is concerned."
Imogen was briefly diverted." Brilliant?"
Matthias flattened his hands on the desk and got to his feet. It
was not easy to scold her for leaping to his defence, but it had to
be done." Dammit, Imogen, I told you to ignore anything that you
overheard regarding Vanneck's death."
I could not ignore Theodosia Slott's accusations. I did not want
them going any further."
Nobody, including me, gives a damn about Theodosia Slott's
opinions," Matthias said through his teeth." Don't you understand?
I am far more concerned with your reputation."
I have told you that I do not give a bloody damn for my reputation."
Well, I do. How many times must I remind you that you are my
wife now? You will act accordingly."
Is that all you can think about?" she flung back." How the new
Lady Colchester should behave?"
Hell's teeth, madam, I will not have your name linked to
Vanneck's death."
And I will not have yours linked to it either, my lord."
The only way to deal with the inevitable gossip is to ignore it,"
Matthias said." Believe me, I am an expert on the subject."
I do not agree with you. In my opinion, one must fight fire with
fire."
We will fight this particular blaze my way," Matthias said
bluntly." The tales will fade with time. They always do. Henceforth,
you will follow my instructions to the letter. You are not to utter
another word concerning Vanneck or his death to anyone outside
this house. Do you understand me, madam?"
Patricia jumped to her feet." Do stop shouting at her, Matthias."
Matthias stared at her in astonishment. So did Imogen.
Patricia's expression was a mixture of fear and determination.
I
She clenched her hands very tightly." I think it is grossly unfair of
you to talk to Imogen in this manner, Colchester. Indeed, she was
only trying to defend you when she confronted misses Slott."
This does not concern you, Patricia," Matthias said." Sit down."
Patricia. How kind of you." Imogen shot up from the chair. She
threw her arms around Patricia." No one has ever defended me in
such a fashion. How can I thank you for interceding on my
behalf?"
Patricia looked taken aback. She patted Imogen somewhat
awkwardly on the shoulder." It's all right, Imogen. I was forced to
speak up. Colchester is being most unfair."
Damnation." Matthias sank wearily back down into his chair.
Imogen stepped back from Patricia and whipped a hankie out
of her reticule." You must excuse me." She blotted her eyes." I am
overcome with emotion."
She rushed toward the door, opened it, and vanished into the
hall.
Matthias drummed his fingers on the desk as the door closed
behind Imogen." She does have a way of ending a conversation
that she is not enjoying."
You really should not have lectured her in such a nasty
manner," Patricia muttered." She was only attempting to defend
you."
Matthias eyed her with brooding interest." When did you
become one of Imogen's supporters? I thought you disapproved
of her."
I have changed my mind about her," Patricia said stiffly.
I see. In that case, it would seem that we have a mutual goal."
Patricia looked wary." What is that?"
We must both exert a great deal of effort in order to keep her
out of trouble."
I do not think that will be easy," Patricia said slowly.
Nothing is ever simple where Imogen is concerned."
Chapter 14
That evening, during the middle of the Reedmore ball, Imogen
came to the conclusion that there was definitely something amiss
with Patricia.
Alastair smiled gallantly at Imogen and abandoned any
attempt to lead her in a long, gliding circle around the dance floor.
I assume you gave the map showing the location of the Queen's
<
br /> Seal to Colchester as a wedding gift. Tell me, was he suitably grateful?"
Actually, we have not discussed the map." Imogen gave Alastair
a vague smile and glanced to the side to see who was dancing with
Patricia this time.
Hugo Bagshaw. Again.
Imogen nibbled on her lower lip. This was the second time that
evening Hugo had led Patricia out onto the floor. Matthias would
not be pleased.
The strains of the waltz drifted from the ballroom balcony,
where the musicians gamely battled the heat generated by
hundreds of chandelier candles and an almost equal number of
people. The affair was already accounted a crush, the highest acco
lade that could be paid by Society.
Imogen knew that Horatia considered Patricia an even greater
success. She had told Imogen earlier that she was greatly relieved
that the recent rumors concerning Colchester had done no harm.
Indeed, the fresh gossip concerning the duel and the hasty
wedding had served to make the Colchester women even more
intriguing to the jaded members of the ton.
Imogen?" Alastair sounded impatient.
I beg your pardon?" Imogen forced herself to smile at him.
Dancing with Alastair was somewhat boring, but at least there was
never a struggle. Dancing with Matthias, on the other hand, was
always something of a skirmish.
Imogen had accepted Alastair's invitation to dance just as she
had agreed to dance with a number of other gentlemen only
because it was the most convenient way of keeping track of
Patricia. Horatia had voiced some concerns earlier about the
efforts of certain known rakes to lure Patricia out into the
gardens.
Imogen said nothing to Horatia or to Matthias, but she had
become increasingly worried about Patricia since the duel. There
was a moodiness about her that had begun to alarm Imogen. She
knew that the Colchester bloodline harbored a tendency toward
dark imaginings, but Patricia's current behavior appeared more
anxious than usual.
Imogen had begun to wonder if she should discuss the situation
with Matthias. The only reason she had hesitated thus far was that
she knew he was not fond of conversations about the family
tendency toward anxious forebodings and weak nerves.
Alastair must have realized that he had lost Imogen's attention
again. Annoyance flickered briefly in his eyes. It vanished quickly,
however, and was replaced by bland amusement." I am surprised
Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt Page 25
