by Robyn DeHart
Bennett swore.
“What’s the matter?” Evelyn asked. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Someone recognized you.”
…
Evelyn sat alone in her room for the first time in what seemed like weeks, even though she had been at Buckingham for two days. Her pencil poised above her paper, she tried to think of what else to do with her story. This was why she was here, wasn’t it? To find inspiration to write her own adventure novels? But all she could think about was the night before.
Despite the fact that Bennett was convinced someone had recognized her, she had not seen anyone she knew. She deemed the evening a success. She had not tripped, nor made any large social mistakes. While she had not felt like a queen, she knew she must have looked like one because no one ever treated her so royally in her regular life.
Last night, she’d also gotten, what she realized, was a rare glimpse into Lord Somersby. He was obviously not accustomed to speaking with people about such things, but they’d talked and he had been charming, and she’d nearly swallowed her teeth when he’d smiled at her. The grin transformed his face from the normal intensity to boyish good looks. Good heavens, if he wasn’t the most attractive man she’d ever seen.
A footman broke her reverie when he knocked on the door and introduced a gentleman. She was not accustomed to the amount of servants the queen dealt with on a daily basis. She nearly stood, then remembered her place and kept her seat.
In walked a man that was beyond handsome. He was tall and slender and impeccably dressed with a stark white cravat, a rich emerald-green coat, and grey trousers. She knew by the way he moved, sleek and graceful, that he was confident, yet he did not seem to possess the gruff arrogance that Bennett had perfected.
The man’s dark brown, almost black, hair created a sharp contrast to his pale and piercing blue eyes. When he smiled at her, his cheeks dimpled. He came forward, bowed deeply.
“I thought you might be getting lonely here so far away from your family.” He grinned. “I am Philip Wells, Earl of Morton.”
Panic rose in her throat. “So you know that I’m not…”
He leaned up against the desk, his foot swinging loosely, highlighting the sheen on his black boots. “Of course, my dear, I too am a member of the Brotherhood.”
She relaxed some, tension tumbling off her shoulders. She was pleased to possibly have someone else to talk to, someone who knew she wasn’t the Queen.
He moved closer to her, sat in a chair adjacent hers. “Tell me, how are you enjoying your stay in London?” he asked, his voice smooth but low.
“It is rather pleasant, certainly more lively than life in the country, but as you’re likely aware, my regular life is vastly different from this one.” It was so welcoming to be able to talk about this with someone. Bennett didn’t encourage discussion and hadn’t asked her much of how she was managing things. The conversation they’d had the night before at the opera had been the most personal discussion between them. He’d even been charming.
“I myself have always preferred London. The country life is rather drab and boring for a fellow such as myself.” He gave her a sly grin and a wink. “I admit that I enjoy the parties and clubs and the like far too much. Are you a card player?”
“No, I cannot say that I’ve ever developed much taste for any of the games.” Of course that was generally because they were played in groups and she preferred more solitary activities.
“What is it that you do for pleasure?” he asked. He leaned in and again she was struck by how attractive he was; it was rather distracting. His eyes were alarmingly blue, and his grin so easy.
“I enjoy reading. Adventure novels, mostly, but I will read nearly anything.”
He waved his hand dismissively. “I’ve never had the patience for reading. I’m afraid it made for a not so successful schooling.” Again he winked. “I’d rather be out there living in the adventure than at home reading about it.” He chuckled at his own jest. “But I suppose that’s the benefit of being a man. Real adventure is far too dangerous for genteel ladies such as yourself.”
“Indeed,” she said, but beneath that she hid a retort that probably would irritate him. He’d been so pleasant and friendly thus far, it seemed a waste to annoy him and frighten him away, especially when he was only expressing an opinion that was widely held in their Society. She believed women could have adventures as well as any man, but she knew her opinion was an unpopular one. It was something she’d have to remedy in her own books.
Perhaps that was the problem. All of the books were written about the adventures that men had. She’d need to rethink her current idea, and give the adventure to the woman, though she had come to like her surly earl and the words that he spoke, so she couldn’t cut him out of the book all together.
“If you do not enjoy games of chance, do you play any instruments or paint?” he asked.
“I play piano, though admittedly, I’m not very accomplished. I do enjoy music.”
He crossed his leg over the other and nodded. “Ah, yes. How did you enjoy the opera last night? I found the Belgians to be a little melodramatic for my tastes.”
Lord Morton certainly had his own opinions, and seemed none too reluctant to share them.
“I would have to agree with you, though I’m not certain my opinion would represent Her Majesty’s.”
His laugh rang through the large room. “Indeed. You are quite the charming woman, Miss—” Then he paused, a slight frown furrowed his brow. “I’m afraid I was not given your name.”
“Evelyn Marrington.” She nodded. “And thank you.”
“Now then, you must tell me, how is Lord Somersby treating you?”
Her heart stuttered at the mention of his name, an annoying affect. “He has taken great care with me and has instructed and assisted me every step of this journey.” She tried to imagine Bennett and this man conversing, and the picture would not form in her mind. “Are you and he friends?”
A cross expression came to Lord Morton’s face. “Perhaps we could have been at some point, but I’m afraid I do not hold the man in high esteem. I shall not speak ill of him though since he is a champion to you.”
Curiosity shot through her. She was not one to gossip, but in truth she knew very little about Bennett, and she could not deny he was quite intriguing. “Oh, no, he is merely my guide here. I could not say that I truly know him at all.”
He learned further over. “I probably should refrain from telling you this, but since it is all truth, then it can’t constitute as gossip. You see, he was engaged to be married once upon a time to a beautiful woman who gave him her heart.”
The beautiful woman who had come to his townhome, that had to be her. Evie had noted that they had a past. “Go on,” she said.
“Somersby tired of her, leaving her destitute at the altar. Her reputation was shattered, no one would have married her or even allowed her to govern their children.” He shook his head, his features spoke of concern and pity. “I did the noble thing and married her since Lord Somersby walked away. It was the only solution.”
She’d heard something similar at that first ball when Bennett had walked in, that he’d jilted some poor woman. At the time she’d assumed it was idle gossip, not at all the kind of thing she’d lend credence to. Now that she knew Bennett better she didn’t know what to think. She would have sworn he was incapable of such dishonor, but how well did she truly know him? A few days in a man’s company was not enough to know his character, and he certainly hadn’t treated her very well when they’d first began this journey. “That was quite generous of you,” she said.
“Unfortunately, I believe no one in the Brotherhood has ever forgiven me for making Somersby look bad. None of Somersby’s cohorts treat me with the same respect I provide them.” He gave her a smile. “But as I said, I have not had a good experience with the man, though it does not mean that he is all bad.”
She didn’t believe him all bad. She wasn’t even
sure he was bad at all. And then as if she’s summoned him merely from thought, he walked into the room. He saw her first, and then his eyes landed on her companion and Bennett’s frown turned into a glower. The muscles along his jawline clenched and his fists knotted at his sides. He strode directly to Lord Morton.
“Out,” he said, though he did not yell. The intensity in that one word skittered chills across the back of her neck.
The man stood. “I believe I have been dismissed. It has been my pleasure, Miss Marrington.” He bowed to her. “I do hope we can see one another soon.”
Her pulse raced and she could scarcely take her eyes off Bennett. If she’d needed a reminder of how much she did not know the man, here it was, in a huge hulking pile of anger. “Yes, thank you,” she said to Lord Morton.
Bennett slammed the door after both men had left the room.
Perhaps Lord Morton had spoken the truth—Bennett was arrogant and rude. He couldn’t simply storm in there and demand her guest leave! Well, she presumed he could do that considering this was not her palace and he was likely trying to protect her. Still, it would seem that another member of the Brotherhood would be a perfectly safe visitor for her to have. There was obviously more to the relationship between Lords Morton and Somersby. She intended to uncover precisely what that was.
…
It was all Bennett could do not to slam Morton’s perfectly dressed body against the wall and then pound his fist into the man’s perfect face. “What the devil do you think you’re doing here?” Bennett asked once they were in the corridor.
“Do you believe me a fool, Somersby?” The arrogance in Morton’s stance and expression made it doubly difficult not to punch him. “I knew as soon as I saw her last night that she wasn’t the queen. Where is Victoria?”
“That is not any of your concern.” Bennett did his best to keep his tone even. Yelling would solve nothing. “And you can wipe that snide look off your face, Morton.”
He had the audacity to appear surprised at that. “This is official work of the Brotherhood. Need I remind you that I am still a member of the order? That Her Majesty, herself, insisted I be retained?”
Bennett moved his hand close to Morton’s throat simply to watch the fear shudder across his pretty face, then he straightened the man’s cravat. “No, you need not remind me about anything.” Two months earlier the Brotherhood had voted to remove Morton from their membership, but the queen stepped in and demanded he be allowed to remain.
Victoria had a soft spot for the Earl of Morton. Bennett suspected it was the same with all women, enchanted by the man’s handsome features. No wonder Gwyneth had chosen him over Bennett. He was prettier than some of the women in London. More than likely he took as long as a lady to ready himself for the day.
“I came to introduce myself to the young woman. No doubt you have been as surly with her as you are with everyone else.” He tugged on his waistcoat. “And your obscene size must frighten the poor girl.”
Bennett did not take the bait.
“I came to demand answers.”
Bennett laughed. “You are in no position to demand anything. Potterfield followed Her Majesty’s wishes and retained you as a member, but it is in name only. You are privy to no information.”
“The devil I’m not.” Morton made the mistake a stepping towards Bennett. “I shall go straight to Her Majesty and tell her all about this nonsense.”
Bennett allowed himself to loom at his full height over the shorter, thinner man. “Go ahead, do it. See if you can find her.”
“You cannot do this.”
Bennett half expected the man to stomp his foot as a child would.
“I shall get the answers I want one way or another, or I’ll—”
Bennett took a step even closer to the man. “Or you’ll what?”
“I’ll go forward to The Times. I’ll tell them that the woman living in Buckingham is a fraud, that something dreadful has happened to the Queen, and that you are responsible.”
Bennett schooled his features. He would report this to Potterfield later, but for the moment, there was no reason to take the threat with any seriousness. “Who do you suppose will believe you? You are dreadfully close to being sent to debtor’s prison, despite Her Majesty’s obvious lack of insight when it comes to you. No one else in this town would pay you any heed. And when that time comes, Victoria won’t be there to save you. She might have stepped in the last time, but only because she doesn’t know the entire truth about you.”
“We shall see about that. Women always believe me, they trust me. Why right now, that girl in there is thinking about the wretched thing you did to poor Gwyneth.”
Bennett seethed. He grabbed Morton by the throat and slammed him into the wall.
“Somersby!” Potterfield called from behind them. “Let him go.”
“He has threatened the Brotherhood. Infiltrated Her Majesty’s private offices to seek an audience with her,” Bennett said, not moving his hand from Morton.
The handsome man’s eyes watered and his hand turned red as he clawed at Bennett’s vice-like grip.
“Let him go,” Potterfield said again. “Now.”
Bennett did as he was told.
Morton gasped for air and put his hand to his throat. “You are a monster,” he whispered hoarsely.
Bennett made to walk off and Potterfield put a hand to his arm. “We will discuss this later.”
Bennett had never liked Phillip Wells. He’d always seen him as an inflated pompous ass, but today when he’d found him sitting with Evelyn, it had gone past irritation or dislike. He’d been ready to throttle the man. His reaction had been completely irrational. Perhaps he was angry because he knew Mortan had recognized that Evie wasn’t the queen. That was the only explanation that made sense. Her safety in Buckingham could be at stake and Victoria’s reputation could be in even more danger.
And he’d told her about Gwyneth, which meant he’d told her the version of the story he always told, that Bennett had jilted her and he swooped in and rescued her reputation. Morton always conveniently left out the part of when Bennett had found Morton and Gwyneth together in bed. His own bed, no less. He’d come home early from an assignment and he’d ended their relationship that night, kicked them both out of his house. But if Bennett knew anything about Morton it was that the man was ridiculously lazy and unmotivated. It was primarily what made him an ineffective member of the Brotherhood, that and the fact that Bennett had always believed the man had a price. People who could be bought or persuaded by any sum of funds were dangerous.
Now it was time to deal with Evelyn. Bennett took several deep breaths before he entered the room where he’d left her. There was no reason to be angry with her; she hadn’t done anything wrong. Unless she’d told that bastard something. The calming breaths forgotten, he opened the door and glowered in her direction.
“You are surly,” she said as he stepped into the room.
It was evident she’d been pacing the length of the room as she’d stopped midstride to speak to him.
“It’s as if no one ever taught you to smile,” she said.
“What?”
“Lord Morton said that of you and he’s absolutely correct, you are constantly surly. You’ve been scowling since I met you. In fact…” She held up one finger. “The only time I’ve ever seen you smile is last night at the opera, and I believe that was an act to fool the onlookers.”
Bennett’s hands clenched. “Yes, well, we all can’t afford to be as charming as Lord Morton.”
She rolled her eyes and gave a little shake of her head. “Well, that is a ridiculous sentiment. It takes no extra time to be charming, only effort.”
“I cannot believe you granted him an audience. Did you not hear me last night when I told you that someone recognized you?”
“You said precisely that.” She pointed at him, her frown heavy on her brow. “Someone recognized me, but I saw no one I knew.”
“I meant that someone
realized you were not the queen.”
“That is a vastly different statement.”
“With the same result,” he yelled back, then instantly regretted it. If he frightened her, she’d likely run back to Essex. Then again, her staying likely no longer mattered. Yes, they had decided to use her for an additional appearance, the reason he’d come to see her, but Potterfield had seen him lose his temper with Morton and Bennett would pay for that. Perhaps the ultimate price, his future with the Brotherhood.
“How was I supposed to know that?” She shook her head, exasperation vibrating off her. She certainly did not seem the least bit frightened by his outburst. “Besides,” she said, “he never pretended to believe I was Victoria. He came in and introduced himself as a member of your Brotherhood. Is that not true?”
Bennett exhaled slowly. “Technically, that is true, but not every member is privy to all details. Only a handful who know you are here.”
“Still, he was very friendly and charming, and he seemed far more concerned with how I’m doing with all of this. You haven’t asked me even how I’m feeling, other than to ensure I’m going to follow through with the assignment.”
Her cheeks flushed when she was angry and it made him wonder what she’d look like in the throes of passion. That was one of the reasons why he didn’t inquire to her well-being. He didn’t want to spend any more time with her than was necessary, because being in her presence made him want to toss her onto the bed and run his fingers through her fiery red hair. He shoved the desires aside.
“What did you discuss with him?” Bennett asked as he crossed the room. He loomed over her, fully acknowledging that his size alone could intimidate or frighten her, he’d been able to utilize that to his benefit since the summer he turned sixteen, but thus far she seemed unflappable..
She stood straight, her petite height only bringing her to his chest, but did not cower. “I don’t see how that is any of your business. My discussions on my own time should not be relevant.”
Though her words annoyed him, the fact that she did not seem the least bit intimidated by him, inexplicably pleased him. “Perhaps if you were on your own time, but you are currently in my employment and thus your private conversations are very much my concern.”
