“Justin, please tell me the purpose of your visit. I’ve had a rough day and I don’t feel up to guessing games.”
“Yes, well, the truth is, I’ve decided to court Hesper.”
“Oh.”
Her voice trembled. She was affected. Why had he agreed? It was the only way to restore her family’s reputation, that was why. Maybe one day she would understand.
He strolled to the sideboard and forced his trembling hands to be steady as he poured a whiskey. The amber liquid scorched his dry throat but increased his courage. Maybe he should pour another?
“I assume this has something to do with what happened at Odell?”
Did she know something specific? He’d worried about that.
He faced her. Her expression was filled with hope. A hope he was doomed to dash.
“I’ll admit my affections faltered, but Odell sealed my feelings. She expressed a secret love that she had feared exposing.”
Magnolia took a step back. Did she recognize the false nature of his statements? Magnolia Quinn knew him better than he knew himself. She had to know he didn’t mean what he said, that he was being manipulated. That the secret love wasn’t for him, but another. Didn’t she know?
“Then I’m happy for you.”
Had he heard correctly?
She walked to the fireplace and grabbed the mantel. Her knuckles were white against the dark wood. Perhaps there was some hope.
“Is Miss Rotherham formally announcing the courtship?”
“Yes.” The answer hurt.
“That doesn’t surprise me. Everything will be done to the letter. You’ll be seen strolling through the park, riding carriages along the streets, dining with people of import. They’re won’t be a moment for anything besides Hesper.”
He blurted. “But what about the man behind Tyrrel and Roskin?”
She shrugged. Didn’t she care?
“I guess I can pursue them alone.”
He grabbed her upper arms. Warmth seeped into his hands. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears. He’d done this to her. Ruined her reputation, hurt her heart, almost made her cry, and all he wanted to do was kiss her. If he could kiss away the pain…
A sigh parted her rosy red lips, and he cupped her cheek. Her porcelain skin was warm to the touch. She turned into him and closed her eyes. Only a wisp of air separated them, but if he kissed her then he couldn’t leave and Hesper held him over a barrel filled with tar. Hesper was the only way to help the woman he secretly loved.
He released her and stepped back. Her eyes fluttered open, a single tear streaked down her cheek. He’d just sealed his fate and his future.
Chapter Three: Strings of Discord
The cool liquid tickled her dry lips. Magnolia had pretended to drink for hours. She refused to be impaired. Alert. She needed to be alert.
Rumors had circulated the London wealthy—Justin Blackmoor and Hesper Rotherham were officially courting. Just as she’d predicted they’d been seen strolling in the park, riding horses across Rotherham’s vast country estate, and dining at a restaurant—chaperoned, of course.
Even with the overwhelming evidence, Magnolia was unconvinced as to the validity of the relationship. After time for meditation, she’d realized something was amiss. While she’d believed Justin infatuated with Hesper in the past, recent events had changed that theory. Especially the conversation at Odell about not fulfilling a bargain. At the time ridding herself of Hesper had been enough, but now she was forced to wonder. Justin being inaccessible had given her plenty of time to think.
“Amazing turn of events.”
Magnolia stiffened. It couldn’t be. He wouldn’t.
Moist breath struck her neck. “You look handsome with your hair arranged atop your head thusly.” He grabbed a ringlet and tugged. “And these are the piece de resistance.”
She turned slowly as to avoid undue attention. Her heart would either jump from her chest or just stop altogether. “Mr. Hudson! What are you doing here?” Could anyone hear her rushed whisper? She hoped not.
Mr. Hudson’s dark hair now had streaks of blond and his skin was lighter. If she hadn’t been so close to him before and stared into his bright eyes she might not have known it was him.
“I fear my trip to India was delayed due to family…concerns.”
His grimace was almost imperceptible.
“Hmm, that seems to be going around.”
“Pardon?” He cocked a brow. He was a handsome man with long thick lashes that any woman would envy.
She ignored his question—etiquette was a pain. “So family has kept you here, but why are you here? Don’t you think you’ll be recognized?”
“Hardly. I’m Evander Hudson, or the Earl of Warwick to most in attendance.”
“Earl of Warwick?” How had her throat gone so dry? “But I thought the Earldom belonged to the de Newburgh family and that it had been forfeited?” His brows drew together. When would she learn to keep her mouth shut?
His lips twisted into a grin and he patted her hand. His palm was amazingly calloused for one of the peerage.
“My mother is a de Newburgh. As for forfeiting the title,” he shrugged, “nothing but rumors.”
She nodded, but she knew her eyes were still round with wonder.
“Don’t act so surprised, my dear.” He sighed. “I liked it better when you were unaware of my title and liked me for my good looks and charm.”
Evander’s family was one of the wealthiest and well known in London, and he was talking to her. That should help her reputation—and Father’s. “You have plenty of good looks.”
“No charm? Ah, you wound me. But I’ll overlook it.” He glanced around the room. “Where is your partner?”
“You mean, Mr. Blakemoor?”
“Who else.”
“He is entertaining another.”
He placed a hand dramatically over his heart. “What? I don’t believe it for a moment.”
Memories flooded her and pain clenched her heart. She had trouble believing it as well. “Remember the lady at Odell, the one who made your tongue loll?”
“I did no such thing.” He crossed his arms over his chest. He was cute when he feigned dissent.
“Yes, you did. Miss Hesper Rotherham caught your eye and I believe I saw drool.”
“I never—”
She held up her hand. “You asked about Blakemoor. There you have it. He’s thrown his lot in with Miss Rotherham.”
His brows dipped into a frown. “What kind of joke is that?”
“I fear it is not a joke.”
He placed a strand of hair behind her ear and her heart pounded madly.
“Then he is a fool.”
Soon Evander would be scooping her off the tiled floor because she will have melted at his feet. She’d lied—he was full of charm.
“Why are you complimenting me?”
His head reared back in laughter. “That is what I like about you—honesty. You’ve never been afraid to be honest with me. So many are.”
She could understand why. His family held influence.
Clapping surrounded them.
“I fear turning around.” Her voice trembled. Watching her secret love announce his intent to court another wasn’t on her list of wonderful things to do.
“Do so and you may lean against me for support.”
She didn’t know what made her comply, but she did. It wasn’t a bad thing to be shored up by a strong, handsome man. Not a bad thing at all.
****
“Miss Rotherham, I fail to understand the point.”
They’d been seen in every public forum but Hesper still wasn’t happy. She still wanted the dinner party announcing their status. Their status of falsehood.
His stomach clenched. Magnolia was out there. He’d seen her name on the guest list. Had she even wondered about his change of heart? If she hadn’t she wasn’t the investigator he’d expected.
He lifted the drapes and peeked inside the candlelit
ballroom. Servants served drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Mr. Rotherham declined to spring for more elaborate food until the engagement party. The thought made him cringe.
A quick survey of the room showed most of the same people from the Odell event, minus the locals. His palms sweated and his heart skipped a beat. Magnolia. He squinted. Who was she leaning against? Butter and biscuits! Evander Hudson. The fellow looked quite different but he’d recognize the man from a mile away. How had he been invited to the event? And why had he dared come? If someone realized that the chap hadn’t died…
“Mr. Blakemoor, would you be a dear and clasp my necklace about my neck?”
He stepped away from the curtain separating the rooms, but didn’t immediately comply. Hesper held out a jewel-studded necklace. Each stone was encased in silver and shaped like a heart.
“Well, are you going to help me or should I call my lady’s maid?”
His fingers trembled as he attached the clasp.
She faced him and placed his hand to her cheek. Her skin was smooth—cool, just as her heart.
“Don’t be afraid. I promise it will all be over soon. Once my love sees me with another and he sees my father’s wealth, then he is sure to propose.”
He retook his hand and shoved it in his pocket. Why did Liam Filbee need to witness such a debacle before he believed Rotherham’s wealth? Filbee had known Hesper as long as he had. It didn’t make any sense, unless Liam wasn’t the one Hesper was trying to impress.
The collar of his stiff white shirt squeezed his throat.
She wrapped her arm through his. “Now remember to at least appear happy. We are announcing our courtship.”
Her lips split into a wide grin, and she practically flounced through the curtain to the other side. He tried to hold back, but she didn’t comply with his wishes. When had she ever?
Once the night was over and Hesper’s love proposed, then Magnolia’s reputation would be restored and he would be free to pursue the one he really loved. If she wasn’t already taken by another.
****
The night was magical, but not the kind of magic Magnolia had hoped for. Every star had winked in a clear sky, but all that ended when Hesper and Justin entered. A pallor casted about the room. Her life was over.
“I can help.”
“What?”
“It is clear that you love Blakemoor. Kennaway told me as much but I didn’t believe him. Blakemoor is well enough, but not really up to you. But I digress, it is obvious you have feelings for the gentleman, so let me help you. We will make him jealous beyond belief.”
How could everyone know of her desire for Justin’s attention yet he remained ignorant? The universe had played a cruel joke upon her.
“I see your mind whirling, but the fact is men are clueless. We often overlook the one right in front of us.”
Evander’s voice lowered. Had he experienced such an occasion?
He patted her cheek as if she was a child in need of encouragement. “Of course I have experienced the same. I waited too long, but we must not let that happen to you. You must be happy. I will accept nothing less.”
“Why would you help me?”
He shrugged and his lips twitched. “London is boring. I need a project.”
A laugh stuck in her throat. “So you’re doing this because you’re bored and possibly to upset Mr. Blakemoor.”
He sipped his drink and looked coyly over the rim. “Absolutely.”
She slapped his arm and his smile broadened. He was a hopeless flirt, but he’d offered to help her. What could it hurt to take him up on the offer?
****
“Hurry, my dear.”
“Oh do stop rushing me. Some of these pieces are hardly worth the effort of hauling them from the room.”
“Eudora, you may inquire as to their value later. For now, we need the jewelry so I may discover it and become a hero. It is the only way to have my true worth recognized.”
She rounded on him. She was full in hip and her bust filled her dress to the brim. Golden ringlets danced about her slim face. Her lady’s maid had placed sprigs of greenery in her hair until she looked like a flower about to bloom.
“I’m pleased to see my charms still entice you.”
He approached like a predator stalking his prey. A ringlet fit perfectly around his finger. “No other will take my heart.”
She went to pull away but he grabbed her exposed shoulders, enjoying the heat that spread through his hands.
He walked his fingers along her collarbone until he cupped her cheek. She didn’t turn into him but she didn’t move away. Her skin was smooth and supple. One of these days she would be his, but not yet. It was too soon. He needed more funds to keep his love satisfied, and he needed to break up the happy investigating couple.
“This ploy is necessary. Mr. Blakemoor and Miss Quinn are too close to discovering the truth. And we can’t have that.”
She shook her head and her silken hair cascaded across his hand. He barely held his passions in check.
She was breathless. “No, we can’t.”
He rubbed his finger across her bottom lip. Her eyes widened. “Therefore we must cast suspicion upon them. The stunt at Odell proves they are searching. Constable Roskin’s incompetence is all that saved us.”
She pulled free and his heart skipped a beat. To keep from touching her again and stalling the plan further, he shoved his hands in his pockets.
She went back to the jewelry. “If you hadn’t mentioned Constable Roskin’s puppet status then Mr. Blakemoor would have been none the wiser.”
She was upset. He supposed she was right. He’d been upset himself when Tyrrel had been cast as a mastermind for the thefts taking place amongst the nobility. Then of course the fellow had tried to give him up. Tyrrel was nothing more than a thug born into wealth. His only goal was to bring everyone else to the brink of poverty. Of course he’d convinced Tyrrel to help him with his cause. But even if he was caught, he wouldn’t allow Tyrrel to accept the blame for his genius plans. It would be unfitting. That was the reason for their current predicament—pride.
A smile tilted his lips. It was great fun to be involved in such a caper. He’d never be caught. Not after Tyrrel and not now. Which meant he could continue stealing from the wealthy without fear. Roskin had arrested Basil Thornton after a charade of wits which they’d both failed. It would mean no more clandestine meetings in the alley, and no more imparting of instructions and money to Roskin. Such a pity. The secret meetings had fueled his desire for adventure more than he’d realized. Now he was forced to find it elsewhere.
“Do stop plotting and help me sack these.”
He obeyed his love. The jewels barely made a dent in the bag’s capacity.
“Miss Rotherham doesn’t have a lot to show for all her wooing of young men.”
He agreed. His secret love was obviously low on trinkets. Perhaps he should rectify that. He could always steal them back later. The thought left him feeling rakish—a feeling he liked.
“Let’s return to the party. The drabness of the room is ruining my aura.”
He complied. Miss Rotherham wasn’t as flamboyant as he’d expected. Browns and dark tan didn’t seem to fit her outlandish public persona.
Eudora cracked the door and peered into the hallway. She opened the door farther and scooted sideways until her gown was through. Then she thrust her chin outward and flung open her fan with no delay in the fluttering.
He followed behind like an obedient pup. The bag of jewelry was shoved in his pocket. Now all he needed was to find the right time to plant the evidence and pluck the strings of discord.
Chapter Four: Earl of Warwick
Greenery tickled Justin’s nose, but he would make no sound.
Night air flushed Magnolia’s pale skin as she leaned against the balcony railing. Moonlight created a halo around her mahogany-colored hair. Even nature knew she was an angel.
All night he’d covertly watched her. Evander Hudson
had laid claim, dancing her about, withholding her charms from others. She’d laughed and batted her lashes, but he’d recognized her turmoil. She couldn’t hide her fears from him.
“Justin, do stop skulking in the ivy.”
His heart hammered in his chest. How had she known?
“I can hear your brooding, and that combined with your scent is enough to identify you.”
Ah, she knew his aroma…that was encouraging.
“Why aren’t you inside with Hesper?”
He could have told her everything, but her future was at stake. “I needed a bit of air.”
“Is there too much hot air inside?”
Haughty as always. “Perhaps. Bluster and blow have never really impressed me.”
“Nor I.”
“Is that why you’re with Mr. Hudson?” He shouldn’t dig, but he must know.
She tensed. So he had gotten her attention.
She faced him. Shadows covered her face. “Mr. Hudson has been kind enough to keep me company. Everyone else seems to be shying away from me these days.”
Her hands were fisted to her sides. It hurt to see her in such personal pain.
“What about his death?”
She leaned farther over the railing. Perhaps he should drag her back.
“Yes, well, it seems he had a name we knew nothing about.”
“Which is?” His gut tightened.
“Earl of Warwick.”
Another title! Butter and biscuits! He’d never impress Magnolia now. When the business with Hesper ended and Liam or whomever was made happy, Magnolia would be whisked away by a title and he’d be left to investigate crime alone. Perhaps he needed a dog.
“No comment?”
“What is there to say? It appears that titled men find your company most alluring.” As did he.
“Justin, I—”
The Case of the Secret Love (A Justice and Miss Quinn Mystery Book 3) Page 2
