that Colchester has not already made plans to search for the
Queen's Seal."
I expect we shall get to the matter one of these days," Imogen
said carelessly. She tried for another glimpse of Patricia and Hugo.
The pair had disappeared, swallowed up by the crowd on the
dance floor." Bloody hell." She steered Alastair back across the
floor.
Alastair's mouth compressed with irritation." What did you
say?"
You are taller than I am, Mister Drake. Can you see Colchester's
sister?"
Alastair gave the crowd a cursory glance." No."
I do hope young Bagshaw has more sense than to drag her out
into the gardens." Imogen came to a halt in the middle of the
dance floor and stood on tiptoe to see over the heads of the near
est dancers." Ah-ha. There they go. You must excuse me, Alastair."
Devil take it," Alastair muttered, furious at being abandoned in
the middle of the dance floor." You do not have the least notion of
how to behave properly in Society. Lucy was right. You're a walk
ing joke, Lady Colchester."
Lucy's name stopped Imogen as nothing else could have done.
She whirled around to stare at Alastair." What did you say?"
Nothing." The brief flare of fury faded swiftly in Alastair's gaze.
He glanced around uneasily, clearly embarrassed by his predica
ment." Run along and see to your duty as a chaperone."
What did you say about Lucy?" Imogen staggered slightly as
another couple, unable to change course quickly enough, plowed
into her. She scowled at the pair. I'm trying to have a conversation here."
Yes, we can see that, Lady Colchester," the gentleman said
wryly." Perhaps it would be easier to conduct your discussion off
the dance floor." The lady in his arms looked slyly amused.
Imogen flushed." Yes, of course." She turned back to discover
that Alastair had disappeared in the crowd." Damnation. Where
did he go?"
Matthias's strong, elegant fingers curled firmly around her
wrist." Perhaps I can be of some assistance."
Matthias." Imogen smiled in relief as he drew her into his arms.
What are you doing here? I thought you intended to spend the
evening at your club."
I took a fancy to dance with my wife." Matthias surveyed the
room over the top of her head." What happened between you and
Drake a moment ago?"
What? Oh, nothing important. He said something about Lucy.
I tried to make him repeat it, but he vanished when I turned
around to speak to those people who crashed into me."
I see."
I believe he was annoyed with me because I left him standing
in the middle of the dance floor," Imogen confessed.
I have no difficulty with that notion," Matthias said." But I'm
curious as to why you abandoned him. Did he attempt to take the
lead?"
No, it wasn't that. I wanted to find Patricia. I had lost sight of
her in the crowd."
She's in the buffet room with Hugo Bagshaw. I saw her a
moment ago."
Oh." Imogen searched his face." I collect that you are not
pleased."
r
No, I am not."
I know that you are convinced that Mister Bagshaw is looking for
a way to avenge himself against you, but I trust you will not make
a scene tonight. Patricia would be mortified. I think that she is
developing some very tender emotions for him."
In that case, I had better move quickly."
Now, Matthias, you must not be hasty."
Matthias's brows rose." What would you suggest that I do?"
I think that you should talk to Mister Bagshaw in private."
Excellent notion. I shall take him aside and warn him to stay
away from Patricia."
Not that sort of talk. For heaven's sake, Matthias, warning him
off will not do any good."
You may be right." Matthias grew thoughtful." I do believe he's
becoming more reckless in his attentions to Patricia."
The important thing is that Patricia must not be hurt by what
is going on here. I think you should tell Mister Bagshaw the full truth
about his father's death."
I doubt that he gives a damn about the truth. He was raised on
a pack of lies."
I think you could make him confront the truth, Matthias. He
must accept it someday or else he will go through life nursing a
hatred for you that will eat at his own soul."
Matthias's arm tightened around her. His eyes were grim." What
makes you think that I can force young Bagshaw to deal with the
truth about his father?"
Because you have been through a similar situation with your
own father," Imogen said gently." You of all people understand
something of what festers inside him. You know what it is to be
rejected by your father."
Bagshaw's father did not reject him. He committed suicide
because of his financial problems."
I suspect that the result was very much the same for Hugo.
Rejection can take many forms, my lord. You and Hugo were both
left alone at a very young age to deal with the consequences of
your fathers" actions."
Matthias said nothing.
Imogen met his eyes." You found your salvation in the search
for Zamar. I fear Hugo will not be so fortunate. You must guide
him, Matthias.
I have better things to do than try to talk sense into young
Bagshaw."
Imogen caught sight of Patricia and Hugo at the edge of the
crowd. She saw the shy, eager expression on Patricia's face and
then she saw Hugo glance across the room toward Matthias. There
was no mistaking the seething anger in the younger man's eyes.
No, Matthias," Imogen said softly." I do not think that you have
better things to do."
Matthias lounged, arms folded, in the doorway of the gaming
room of The Lost Soul and watched Hugo roll the dice in a round
of hazard. A hoarse shout went up as another player claimed the
winnings. Hugo clenched his hand. His face was a mask of fury and
recklessness. He was losing.
The hour was late and the hell was crowded with a mix of young
bloods, dandies, and world-weary rakes. A smoky haze of urgency
and unhealthy excitement hung over the tables. The room reeked
of sweat, ale, and perfume. Little had changed since he had owned
the place, Matthias reflected. Perhaps the nature of gaming hells
was immutable.
Good evening, Matthias. Come to play, or just to pay a visit to
some old shades?"
Matthias glanced at the short, round man who had joined him
in the doorway." Hello, Felix. You must be in good spirits tonight.
A lively crowd."
Indeed." Felix folded his hands over the ornately carved handle
of his cane. His cherubic smile dimpled his plump cheeks and
created good-natured creases at the corners of his shrewd eyes." I
shall see a tidy profit off this night's work."
Ten years earlier Matthias had hired Felix Glaston to manage
The Lost Soul. Felix had an uncanny talent for numbers. He also
had a knack for collecting information.
The combination of skills
had made him extremely valuable to Matthias. Together they had
created one of the most notorious and most popular hells in
London. Their success had made them both very wealthy.
When Matthias had gathered the funds he needed to finance
the first expedition in search of Zamar, he had sold The Lost Soul
to Felix. Glaston had been prospering in the role of owner ever
since. He now lived the life of a wealthy merchant.
The two men, from dramatically different social stations, had
forged a bond of friendship that still held. A bond that still
shocked Society. A gentleman might lose his fortune in a gaming
hell, but he would not dream of consorting with the owner of one.
Another shout went up at the table where Hugo stood. Hugo's
face grew more rigid.
Looks like young Bagshaw will be under the hatches by dawn,"
Felix observed.
Are you going to intervene?"
Naturally." Felix chuckled." I have maintained your wise policy
of never allowing a customer to lose his estates or his entire
fortune at my tables. It's been good for business."
Does young Bagshaw always play so wildly?"
No. In truth, he rarely plays at all, from what I hear. And
certainly not in this house. You know he still blames The Lost Soul
for his father's death."
I am aware of that."
Yes, of course, you would know that better than anyone," Felix
murmured." I comprehend that you have had a busy week,
Colchester. My felicitations on your marriage, by the way."
Thank you."
And on surviving yet another duel."
Matthias smiled grimly." It was not difficult this time."
Vanneck, I understand, did not even fire a shot. Dead when
you arrived at Cabot's Farm, I'm told."
Your information is, as always, astonishingly accurate, Felix."
I pay enough for it." Felix made a dismissing motion with his
plump, be ringed hand." A bit odd though."
What is?"
Vanneck being at the scene. According to my sources, he
dismissed his staff yesterday afternoon without notice. Apparently
he planned to take an extended journey on the Continent."
Interesting."
I suppose some public-spirited footpad or a highwayman was
responsible for removing Vanneck from this mortal plane?"
I'm not so certain of that."
Felix glanced at him." Why do you doubt it?"
Because when we found him in his curricle, he was still wear
ing his rings."
Curious."
Very."
Felix frowned as Hugo seized the dice." I suppose I really must
see to young Bagshaw. I doubt that he has the stamina or the
temperament for this kind of play. I wonder what drives him to
such recklessness tonight."
I believe that tonight is the anniversary of his father's suicide."
Ah, yes. That would explain it."
Matthias watched Hugo throw the dice with feverish speed. He
could almost hear Imogen whispering in his ear. You found your
salvation in the search for Zamar. I fear Hugo will not be so fortunate.
Matthias thought of the look he had seen on Patricia's face as
she stood at the buffet table with Hugo. There was no doubt that
she had developed a tendre for Bagshaw.
One way or another, Hugo had to be sorted out.
Matthias came to a decision." I shall handle Bagshaw for you
tonight, Felix."
Felix shrugged his well-padded shoulders." Be my guest."
Matthias made his way through the crowd to where Hugo stood
at the table, poised for another toss of the dice.
If you don't mind, I'd like a word with you, Bagshaw," Matthias
said quietly.
Hugo stiffened." Colchester. What the devil do you want?"
Matthias looked into Hugo's seething gaze and noted yet
another ghost. This particular specter was unlike those he
routinely saw in the flames. This apparition was one he occasionally encountered in his shaving mirror.
I'm told that you and I have something in common," Matthias
said.
Leave me alone, Colchester. I have nothing to discuss with
you." Hugo made to turn back to the gaming table. Then he
paused, his mouth twisting into a taunting smile." Unless, of course,
you're here to challenge me to a duel. I comprehend that you
conduct your dawn appointments in a somewhat unusual manner."
A sharp hush fell across the table. The other players watched
Matthias and Hugo with glittering interest.
You will come with me," Matthias said very softly to Hugo." Or
we will have this conversation right here in front of your companions."
Hugo gave him a derisive smile. I'll wager that this concerns my
attentions to your sister. Well, well, well. I wondered when you'd
notice that she and I have become very good friends."
It's about your father."
My father?" Hugo dropped the dice. They bounced across the
green felt." What the hell are you talking about?"
Matthias took advantage of Hugo's shock to seize hold of his
arm. He led the younger man up out of the hot, smoky hell and
into the clear, crisp night, where the hired carriage waited.
Matthias is going to challenge poor Hugo," Patricia wailed as the
Colchester carriage made its way through the clogged streets.
How could he do such a thing? It is so very unfair. Hugo will not
stand a chance against him. Matthias will kill him."
Rubbish," Horatia said firmly. I'm sure Colchester has no
intention of shooting anyone, least of all young Mister Bagshaw."
Quite right, Aunt Horatia." Imogen leaned forward in the seat.
Patricia, listen to me. I have told you several times already that
Matthias is not going to challenge Mister Bagshaw. He is only going
to speak to him."
Threaten him, more likely." Tears glistened in Patricia's eyes.
He is going to tell Hugo that he must never dance with me or
speak to me again."
No, I don't think so."
How can you know what Colchester will do? He does not
approve of Hugo. He has warned me to stay away from him."
The friendship that has sprung up between you and Mister
Bagshaw worries Colchester because he is uncertain of Mister
Bagshaw's motives," Horatia said." And not without some reason,
if I may say so. Your brother is right to be concerned."
Hugo cares for me," Patricia said." That is his only motive. And
he is perfectly respectable. Matthias has no right to raise objections."
Imogen rolled her eyes." I have explained to you that Hugo
blames Matthias for what happened to his father several years
ago. Matthias is going to attempt to tell Hugo the truth tonight."
What if Hugo does not believe him?" Patricia whispered." They
will quarrel. You know how men are. One of them will challenge
the other and there will be a duel."
There will be no duel," Imogen announced." I will not allow it."
Patricia seemed not to have heard her." It is the curse."
Curse?" Horatia frowned." What on earth are you talking
about?"
The Rutledge Curse," Patricia said." We have been studying it
/>
in Lady Lyndhurst's salon."
The Rutledge Curse is utter nonsense," Imogen said very
firmly." There is no curse involved in this situation."
Patricia turned her head to look at her." I fear that you are
wrong, Imogen."
Matthias studied Hugo's angry, defiant face in the flickering light
of the carriage lamp. He tried to think where to begin a conversation that he privately considered pointless.
I have discovered over the years that it is often more satisfying
to blame someone for an injustice than it is to accept the truth of
the matter," he said.
Hugo's mouth thinned." If you are going to tell me that you had
nothing to do with my father's death, save your breath. I will not
believe a word you say."
Nevertheless, as we are here together, I may as well say the
words. Now then, here are the facts surrounding your father's
death. You may do with them what you will. He did not lose his
fortune in a game of cards. He lost it in a poor business invest
ment. He was one of many."
That is a lie. My mother told me the truth. My father played
cards at The Lost Soul on the night he died. You quarreled with
him. Do not deny it."
I don't deny it."
It was after that game that he went home and put a bullet in his
brain."
Matthias looked at him." Your father was drinking heavily that
night. He sat down at a table with several other gentlemen. He
wanted to enter the game. I asked him to leave the club because I
knew that he was too deep in his cups to even hold his damned
cards."
That is not true."
It is true. I also knew that he had been informed of a serious
setback in his finances that very day. In addition to being drunk,
his spirits were very depressed. He had no business making any
wagers that night."
You took advantage of his condition," Hugo said furiously." He
told others."
Your father was enraged with me when he left the club because
he had planned to recoup his fortunes at my tables. But if he had
played, you may be assured he would have lost even more than
he'd already forfeited in the shipping venture."
I do not believe you."
I know." Matthias shrugged." I told my wife that you would not
accept my word on the matter. But she insisted that I try to
explain what had happened."
Why?"
She worries that Patricia will be hurt if you attempt to use her
Amanda Quick - Mischief.txt Page 26
