“Which is precisely the reason we need to step back and take a more measured approach,” Edward stated, meeting Cade’s gaze with a penetrating look. “So, regardless of your quite understandable desire for justice and revenge, you are to take no further action against Everett for now. Doing so will only bring more trouble down upon your head and that of the family. So stay the hell away from him, do you hear?”
Cade heard. He just didn’t know if he could manage to do as his brother insisted. Simply being aware that Everett was out there made his blood boil. Realizing Everett was being cheered and feted as some great hero—by Prince George and the military establishment, no less—while in actuality being a spy, double dealing for the French, sent his sense of outrage and wrath spiraling to nearly unbearable heights. How many more men would Everett betray? How many lives lost because of his treachery? How many well-laid plans and preparations would he scuttle with his deceit? And all the while, he might be stopped if only people would see the truth.
Bloody imbeciles! He railed in silent fury as he thought of the high-placed gentlemen, who’d dismissed his concerns today. How could they be so blind?
In the end, though, it wouldn’t matter whether they were blind or not. One way or another, he vowed to take care of Everett. Calida and her family—and all the others he’d harmed—would be vindicated. If it was the last thing he did on this earth, he would make certain their deaths did not go unanswered.
“So? Are we agreed?” Edward asked, shrewd speculation in his eyes, as though he knew exactly what Cade had been thinking.
Knowing Edward, he probably did. Annoying as it so often was, his older brother had a gift for reading people and being able to discern truth from lies.
Cade inclined his head. “Of course. You have my word that I will not publicly attack that treasonous rat again.” But in private…well, nothing will ever force such an assurance from my lips. As far as he was concerned, if Everett was ever careless enough to be caught alone, he would be fair game. And I can hardly wait for that day to arrive!
As quietly as she could, Meg eased away from the study door. Careful to keep her footsteps as light as a ghost’s, she resumed her journey to the garden at the rear of the house. Only after she slipped outside and shut the glass-paned door behind her did she give herself permission to breathe normally again. Crossing to a stone bench that was surrounded by fragrant lavender and cheerfully preening white narcissus, she sank down onto its cool surface. Relaxing there, she let pieces of the conversation she had just heard play again in her mind.
The Byron brothers would not have been pleased had they known their words were being overheard. Then again, they oughtn’t to have left the door ever so slightly ajar if they wished to maintain their secrecy, she rationalized. And it wasn’t as if she had meant to eavesdrop.
After a truly dreadful breakfast party where she, Mallory, and the dowager had done their best to smile and ignore the furtive looks and hushed whispers brought about by last night’s melee, the three of them had returned home. By mutual agreement, they went their separate ways—Ava to write letters in her sitting room, Mallory to take a nap in her bedchamber, and Meg for a visit to the garden where she planned to sit and read while savouring the sunshine and warm May breezes.
But as she was passing the duke’s study, she heard Cade’s deep, throaty voice and stopped, unable to tear herself away despite knowing it was wrong to listen. Now that she had, however, she couldn’t regret her actions.
Last night had disturbed her greatly, her dreams afterward a replay of the intense violence that had been unleashed only feet from where she’d been standing in the ballroom. One minute she was conversing with Lord Everett, and the next, Cade was throwing the man to the floor as he tried to choke the life out of him.
She knew that Cade had once been a soldier, and therefore capable of using brute force, but until she’d actually seen it, she hadn’t realized how ferocious he could be.
And yet, with her he had never been anything but gentle. She’d seen him drugged and drunken, and still he was always careful and kind; tender, even at his most passionately demanding.
A tingle skimmed over her skin like a pebble across a summer lake, remembered pleasure turning her warm from the inside out. Memories flooded her senses. The way he’d caressed her last night in the library. The way she’d let him, helplessly enthralled by his touch. Now, on the stone bench, she shifted her legs, willing away the ache that sprang to life between her thighs, fighting the sensations that lingered in all the places he’d kissed and stroked.
Dear Lord, he makes me feel so confused! About my own feelings and wishes. About his.
What does he want from me?
What do I want of him?
Yet for all her uncertainty regarding her emotions toward Cade, she suffered no such doubts over his brawl with Everett. She’d heard Cade’s accusations, then listened to Everett’s denials. She had witnessed people’s reactions, and was dismayed by their instant belief that Cade was deluded—or worse, insane. But despite all proof to the contrary, she knew beyond any doubt that Cade believed what he’d said—and even more, that he was right about Everett.
How she knew, she couldn’t say, but instinct told her that Cade’s memory of his tormentor’s voice was as clear and true as the day he’d first heard the man speak. Cade might carry scars—on his body, as well as his mind—but she knew he was as sane as she. Saner perhaps, given all he had endured and overcome. She’d seen what his nightmares did to him, and understood at least a portion of his agonizing loss. For that alone, she knew he would never wrongly accuse a man of crimes he had not committed. As his brothers had stated, if Cade said Everett was a spy and a scoundrel, then that’s exactly what he was.
Even more, she knew that Jack Byron was right and that Everett must not be allowed to go free and unpunished. Someone has to stop him! She determined. Cade wanted to, as did his brothers, but after last night’s incident, their hands were tied.
But mine aren’t! She realized. She’d made no promises involving herself, or about finding ways to unmask Everett for the fraud he was. She wasn’t sure yet how to prove his guilt to the world, but she was determined to do whatever it might take to help Cade.
“Would you care for a cup of punch, Miss Amberley?”
Meg glanced into the brown, puppy-dog eyes of the young gentleman who had just accompanied her for the last set. He was a friendly sort, if a bit dull-witted. Still, his well-meaning patter and attention was exactly what she needed tonight—giving her an easy opportunity to keep an eye out for Lord Everett.
Despite her resolution made nearly two weeks ago to expose him as a traitor, getting close enough to learn any useful information was turning out to be surprisingly difficult. Not that Everett was hiding himself away. Quite the contrary, in fact, since he seemed to make an appearance at every fete, soiree, and ball in the offing. No, the trouble stemmed not from his lack of accessibility, but rather from an excess of it.
Everywhere he went, people followed. Clusters of gentlemen eager to hear about his battlefield exploits and his opinions on everything from the economy to his choice of tailor. While the ladies—married and unmarried alike—flocked to his side in hopes of attracting some measure of his favourable regard.
Personally, she found the whole thing disgusting. But she supposed people saw what they wished to see, whether it happened to be the truth or not. Despite her frustration over being unable to proceed with her plan against Everett, the delay had provided at least one benefit.
In the days since Cade’s confrontation with Everett, the furore surrounding the incident had thankfully begun to fade from public consciousness. A more tantalizing scandal involving a marquis and the two married ladies with whom he’d been caught in bed—both at the same time—had shifted the attention of the gossip-loving ton.
Nonetheless, there were still those who had taken to calling Cade the “Mad Major”—delighting in offering him slights wherever he went. Stubborn
to his core, Cade refused to avoid the unpleasantness and stay home, insisting on escorting her, Mallory, and Ava to their promised entertainments. Since all three ladies had witnessed the fight, there was little required in the way of explanation—and Cade offered virtually none. He did, however, tell each of them how genuinely sorry he was for any personal distress his actions might have caused, then gave his mother a kiss on the cheek that earned him a fierce hug and a single, hastily dashed tear.
His only other concession to the scandal was the fact that, when out in public, he’d started spending more of his time in the company of his brothers. Large and formidable, the Byron men presented a united front that few dared to cross. At the moment, Meg knew they were all ensconced in the card room.
As for the dowager, she was sipping sherry and chatting with a group of her most stalwart friends, while Mallory, also in the ballroom, was dancing with her favourite beau, Major Hargreaves. The radiant smile on her face signalled she wouldn’t be leaving his side for some time to come. With all the Byrons otherwise occupied, Meg realized she was in an excellent position to pursue Everett.
She couldn’t believe her luck when he strolled outside and onto the terrace—alone. Knowing her moment had finally arrived, she refused her dance partner’s offer of punch, then quickly found an excuse to escape him and lose herself in the crowd.
Despite the warmth of the late May night, she shivered as she moved out into the darkness, a faint breeze bringing the contrasting fragrances of roses and cigar smoke to her nostrils. Following the acrid part of the blend, she walked farther away from the sheltering protection of the ballroom. Everett stood a couple yards distant, his blond hair gleaming a few shades lighter against the evening sky.
Fresh tendrils of unease coiled just beneath her skin. He hadn’t notice her yet, so it wasn’t too late to go back. She had only to turn around and retrace her path. After all, this was the man who had tortured Cade. The monster who had ordered the rape and death of an innocent girl and the execution of her entire family. A man who thought nothing of betraying his country and the honour of his name.
Hesitant and suddenly unsure of the wisdom of her plan, her step slowed. Yet I must try to help Cade, she thought, knowing if she failed to make an attempt to aid him, she would forever after feel that she’d let not only Cade down, but herself. Her father hadn’t raised her to be a coward, and she refused to be one now.
Besides, what can Everett do to me here with an entire house full of guests only yards away? If he tried something, she would simply scream. Wrapping her sense of resolve around herself like a suit of armour, she strolled forward.
At her approach, he turned his head, a stream of smoke trailing from his lips as he lifted his eyes to meet her gaze.
As if she had only just noticed him, she came to an abrupt halt. “Oh, my lord, I…pray beg pardon for the intrusion. I did not realize you were here.”
Flicking an ash off the end of his cigar, he lowered the cheroot to his side and bowed. “Please, do not upset yourself…Miss Amberley, is it not?”
“Yes. How good of you to remember, my lord.” All apparent politeness, she sank into a curtsey. “Well, I…um…I suppose I should be going.”
“You need not leave on my account,” he stated in a pleasant voice. “Although I must confess to some surprise at seeing you without a companion. I rather doubt your fiancé would be pleased to find you in my company.”
“No, I…am sure he would not.” She gave a small grimace, striving to look just the faintest bit embarrassed. “He…um…he and his brothers are in the card room, you see, and after the last dance, I just had to have some air—”
“Of course. An entirely natural response.”
She glanced around, as though checking to see if they were being observed. “Since we do have this opportunity to converse, there is something I have been meaning to say…”
“Really?” he said, curiosity clear on a face she might have found handsome had she not known what lurked beneath.
“Yes, but…” She gave a quick shake of her head. “I should not. Please forgive me. I ought to go.”
“But you cannot go now. Not until you tell me what it is you wish to say.”
Appearing to hesitate, she glanced around again before seeming to give in to an irrepressible need. “In no way do I wish to appear disloyal to my fiancé. He has been very good to me, but…”
“Yes?”
“What happened the other night between the two of you…well, I must apologize for his behaviour toward you. I was appalled—shocked, if you must know—as well as mortified. I have never seen anything like that from him. I had no idea he could…snap like that and turn so violent. It was horrible, and I am deeply sorry for any distress it may have caused you.”
Surprise lit his eyes. “Do not worry yourself, Miss Amberley. There is nothing to forgive. Major Byron—that is, Lord Cade—endured a very difficult experience during his military service. I have seen other men under similar circumstances who ended up in a far worse way than he has. I am sure with time he shall heal.”
She shuffled the toe of one slipper. “Yes, but what if he does not? What he did to you was unpardonable. Here you are, above reproach—a war hero who has received the very highest honours the nation can bestow—and he attacked you! If he could confuse you with this…Le Renard he mumbles about, then just think what might happen to the next gentleman he decides has done him wrong. And his brothers…”
“Yes?” Everett encouraged with soothing gentleness. “What about the Byrons?”
“They have all taken up for him, refusing to even consider that he might not be as well as he ought.”
“They are a close family and very loyal to one another.”
“Indeed they are. They have taken me under their wing, and yet…I do not always feel completely welcome.”
He took one of her hands and gave it a light squeeze. Only by sheer dint of will did she keep herself from yanking it away and wiping it on her skirt. “I understand you are only recently out of mourning,” he said in a sympathetic tone.
Needing to collect herself, she lowered her eyes to the ground. “Yes…my father passed away a few months ago. And my mother before that.”
“How very sad. I am sure you have acquired many friends here in London, but if I might presume, perhaps you could do with one more?”
Her gaze darted to his, then away again, her heart pounding with fear and elation. She hadn’t been sure it was going to work, but he seemed to be falling right into her palm. “Who could you mean, my lord?”
“Myself, of course, if you would allow me.”
“But Cade—”
“Cade need know nothing of it. It might seem odd, but I feel somehow responsible for you and Lord Cade. Perhaps if we meet on occasion with no one the wiser, I can offer you the occasional bit of counsel.”
“That would be most appreciated. Though I am still not certain it would work, what with Cade’s volatile nature.”
“Surely he doesn’t go everywhere with you?”
She paused, worrying a lip between her teeth as if she were considering. “I ride in the mornings and only take a groom.”
He smiled. “That sounds perfect. Mayhap I shall take a ride myself, and our paths shall just happen to cross while we are both in the park.”
Swallowing her nerves, she smiled back, wondering if she was only imagining the reptilian gleam in his eyes. “Yes. Perhaps we might meet there.”
Knowing she had taken all the time she dared, Meg curtsied and said her farewells. Everett gave her an elegant bow in reply.
Turning around, she hurried back to the ballroom. As she went, she couldn’t decide if she should feel glad of her success or afraid instead.
CHAPTER 15
The next week passed in a curious mix of normalcy and furtiveness, as Meg proceeded with her plan against Everett. In the main, her routine followed its usual pattern—if constant rounds of morning calls, afternoon teas, excursions to the park
, balls, routs, soirees, and the occasional evening at the theatre or opera could be termed “usual.” She was so busy some days that she barely had time to change gowns before rushing off to another new social engagement.
With the exception of a brief lull just after the incident between Cade and Lord Everett, she and Mallory had continued to receive a plentiful supply of invitations and callers. Every once in a while she would catch an odd stare or hear the hushed whisper of some sotto voce remark. But as she had learned, the duke and his mother wielded far too much influence for anyone to risk giving her or any of the Byrons the cut direct, especially over what was now being dubbed nothing more than “a lively bout of fisticuffs between gentlemen.”
Meg’s regular gentlemen callers certainly took scant notice, including Lieutenant McCabe, who stopped by Clybourne House more than once to take her driving or to escort her and Mallory for a stroll in one of the nearby parks. She was grateful for his attention, since she always enjoyed his company. Yet she felt guilty at the same time, as if she were taking advantage of his kindness. Of course, he still believed she was engaged, but she knew she was not, and therein lay the difficulty.
With the last full month of the Season upon them, Meg was aware that she ought to be getting on with the matter of securing a marriage proposal—and of all the eligible gentlemen, Lieutenant McCabe seemed the most likely choice. At least she could say she genuinely liked him, and imagined herself capable of spending more than an afternoon in his company without growing bored. But a strong liking seemed to be the limit of her affection for him, especially in light of her reaction to the passionate encounter she’d shared in the library with Cade.
In the three weeks that had passed since that evening, neither she nor Cade mentioned their embrace again. At first she supposed they had both been too wrapped up in the aftermath of his fight with Everett. But as one day melted into the next, and neither of them said a word, broaching the topic seemed to grow more awkward and unlikely.
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