“Mr. Blakemoor! There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you. Father is set to announce us.”
Cold entered his heart as Hesper clasped his arm. She had interrupted what sounded like a confession on Magnolia’s part. But about what?
Hesper tugged. “Come.”
Magnolia turned away. Her hands strangled the balustrade. She wasn’t happy. That could mean so many things.
“Miss Rotherham, I’ll be but a moment.”
“I think it best if you come now.”
Hesper was forcing the issue, making him look weak. Maybe her ploy was further reaching than just Magnolia’s ruin. No one would take him after Hesper was finished. But perhaps no one would take her either. She’d better hope her ploy to win her love worked or she might create a scandal that would leave her a spinster. That gave him a small amount of pleasure.
“You should go, Justin. You mustn’t keep your public waiting.”
Scorn? Her tone dripped with it. He should have told her the truth and Justice and Miss Quinn could have concocted a solution to her plight. Going along with Hesper’s plan would ruin them both.
“Magnolia—”
“Miss Quinn! There you are.” Evander appeared from a side door. He lifted Magnolia’s hand and placed it to his lips. A smile graced his face. “A moment from your company is far too long.”
He was too late. Magnolia was already gone from him.
****
Magnolia wasn’t happy. Evander had interrupted right as Justin prepared to tell her the truth about Hesper, and now it was too late.
However, Evander was a bit of saving grace. The affections of the Earl of Warwick would make her look less pathetic and a tad more desirable. His company might even improve her family’s reputation. She hoped.
She rotated to face him. The Earl was dashing with the moonlight striking his tanned skin. He winked. It was only for her. She could learn to like his attention very easily.
“Let’s go inside and dance.” His voice lowered. Intimate.
“Oh, we should.” She meant it.
He locked their arms and escorted her through the open double doors. Justin and Hesper were behind them. She could hear Hesper’s cogs turning and Justin’s anger was palpable.
“That gentleman looks extremely familiar. Do you know him?”
Her shoulders tensed. What would Justin say?
Evander patted her hand. “Don’t worry. He knows not to reveal my true identity. It wouldn’t go well for any of us.”
Justin didn’t speak softly. “That is the Earl of Warwick. He has only just arrived in London.”
Air rushed between her teeth.
“See, I told you so.”
So Evander wasn’t humble. Truthfully, she hadn’t expected him to be.
Music overwhelmed them as they entered. Evander immediately strolled her onto the dance floor and placed his hand at her waist. The tempo increased, and he twirled her around like an expert.
He pulled her close. “You’re a delightful dancer.”
“As are you.” She hurried to catch her breath before they parted once more. “Much better than Sir Kennaway.”
He laughed deep in his throat. “Yes. Kenelm has other talents.”
She wasn’t so sure, but she’d not argue.
“They are looking.”
“They are?” Why did that unnerve her so?
“I’m going to dip you, bring you up slow, and then study your eyes with a smoldering look. Are you ready?”
“What?”
He didn’t give her time to question before he put his plan in motion. The room swirled before her eyes as he rolled her upward from the dip and stared into her eyes. His eyes were a smoky gray and held her mesmerized. The corner of his lips rose as he leaned forward. What was he planning to do next?
****
Justin had yet to approach Mr. Rotherham. Maybe Hesper would like for him to, but he was in no hurry. The music had drawn couples onto the floor, and no one seemed to remember why they were in attendance. He wasn’t overly eager to remind them.
Magnolia and Evander were the most prominent dancers. The gent must have taken lessons. He was superb.
His heart stopped. Evander was staring into Magnolia’s eyes with a longing expression. He leaned forward, closer and closer until his lips touched the corner of Magnolia’s perfect mouth. Justin’s jaw dropped. H-he kissed her! Evander had kissed Magnolia! In public!
Evander rose to his full height, pulling Magnolia with him. Her eyes were wide, but she didn’t move from his grasp. Why didn’t she move away? Why didn’t she slap him? The kiss in a public forum would force her father to encourage marriage between the couple. He truly was doomed to be alone.
Hesper stomped her foot, barely missing his toe. “Come on. I’m stopping this music right now. This is my day. I will not allow Magnolia Quinn to steal it.”
She grabbed his hand and tugged. He followed because he could do nothing else. He was in shock. The world he’d hoped for had just been dashed. More like smashed against an iceberg.
His eyes landed on Magnolia’s as he climbed on stage. The musicians stopped. The crowd clapped but without enthusiasm. There were words. Had Mr. Rotherham announced their official courtship? He thought so.
The crowd’s reaction should confirm. Liam Filbee stomped from the room. Snickers went around. So Liam wasn’t happy. That was good, right?
Why couldn’t he just hide somewhere for the rest of his life? Maybe if he ever got the courage to return, the world would be back to normal.
****
Magnolia’s lips tingled. Evander had kissed her! Admittedly it had been so light she wasn’t sure if they’d connected, but they must have—heat from Justin’s gaze confirmed it.
Hesper’s skirt struck her as she raced to the front of the room. She couldn’t concentrate on her, or Mr. Rotherham’s words. Evander stood close—too close. He was a flirt. He’d arranged the evening’s activities to assist with a jealousy ploy, not because he liked her, but because he disliked Justin. What had happened in that room when they faked Evander’s death?
Why didn’t she feel more like the traitor she was?
“Don’t.”
“What?” She truly didn’t know what he referred to. So many contrary ideas ran amuck in her mind.
“Appear displeased. It is not all about Mr. Blakemoor. I do enjoy your company.”
Heat flushed her cheeks. How could he read her mind so well? If Justin was as adept as he, then she would never have been able to hide her affections. “I’m destitute.” The admission stung.
He shrugged. “I have enough money for the both of us for several lifetimes.”
“I didn’t mean—”
He faced her. “I know what you meant.”
He turned away but not before she caught his hurt look. He’d said it was all a joke, not her. And how could he know that she was not spurning him because of his tarnished reputation. He was surely a good catch no matter what he’d insinuated at Odell.
Oh, what a mess.
Pitiful clapping echoed. So the announcement had come and the masses weren’t enthused. That must have sucked the wind from Hesper’s sail.
The couple stepped from the stage. Weak congratulations continued. The young men seemed generally upset that Hesper was no longer available and the women seemed uninterested. Justin’s disinterest had kept most eligible females at a distance, and of course the fact that he’d investigated them as criminals and accused them of murder had not helped his position as a potential husband.
Mr. Rotherham shouted. “Let’s continue the celebration!”
The crowd responded to the suggestion by separating into smaller groups, and she allowed Evander to lead them to an empty settee. He crossed his legs, leaned back, and laid his arm behind her—relaxed as always.
Soon their corner was filled.
“What do you make of the announcement?”
Phebe Joysey spoke first, which was odd. Normally she was
reserved.
“Mr. Filbee seemed upset by tonight’s news.”
Randall Kaye, her companion, took her hand. “I wouldn’t be too upset. I’ve heard Rotherham had to use his daughter’s dowry to pay off a debt. Other than her beauty, she has little to offer.”
Phebe grimaced and pulled her hand free. Randall had insulted her beauty by commenting on Hesper’s—Magnolia understood.
Evander played with a strand of her hair. Heat flushed her skin. “Dowry or no, I’m sure Miss Rotherham is a fine catch, however, I must admit I’m partial to Miss Quinn. Her emerald green eyes remind me of the Aegean Sea. I could get lost there and be content forever.”
What was he doing?
“I’m sorry to argue with you, sir, and I mean no disrespect to Miss Quinn—we’ve been friends with her family for generations—but she has lost her staff and her reputation. She has nothing to offer a husband, either.”
Tears welled in her eyes but she didn’t allow them to fall.
Evander leaned forward and clasped her hands. His voice deepened. “Magnolia Quinn is not a woman that requires a dowry. She is a princess amongst women and deserves to be treated as such.”
Randall batted his thin lashes and sputtered.
“Cat got your tongue, Mr. Kaye?” Baron of Eure, Fortescue Cunning, joined the fray.
Where had he come from? And where was his partner, Eudora? She was never far behind him.
“He said—”
“I know what he said. What I want to know is who he is?”
Evander rose to his full height, and she prayed he wouldn’t give his real name.
“I’m the Earl of Warwick.”
Those in close proximity clamped their mouths shut. The revelation had gotten their attention. Maybe Evander’s flirting was helping her after all.
Chapter Five: The Plant
Magnolia leaned her forehead against the parlor window. A light rain fell, covering the bushes in a crystal coat.
Three days had passed since the announcement. Three painful yet busy days.
Today Evander had requested she meet him at a friend’s home for an art showing. She’d agreed. His company was quite pleasant. She found the longer she was with him the less Justin’s betrayal affected her. The only dark spot was Father. Even with a title he didn’t care for Evander. He hated calling him Lord Warwick and urged her for his true name, but she refused. Evander or Hudson, his servant name, was deceased; she couldn’t risk others knowing the truth of what had occurred during the party at Odell.
Lenoir entered. “I ordered a hackney, my lady.”
Of course no servants had returned even after her status updated to courting an Earl. She’d have no Quinn carriage to deliver her any time soon.
“Thank you.”
She shrugged on her pelisse, adjusted her bonnet and stepped into the dreary afternoon. The ride was quiet, not like those in recent days. Apparently Justice and Miss Quinn was a thing of the past. Her adventures were over at the age of nineteen. Spinsterhood was around the corner.
Before her wallowing ended, the carriage shuddered to a halt. The door opened and she was assisted by Evander. The smile on his face almost made her think he was glad to see her.
“Welcome, Miss Quinn.”
“Thank you.”
He wrapped their elbows then tipped his hat to the driver as they walked toward the massive home.
“Oh, I forgot to pay.”
“No worries, my dear. Payment has already been taken care of.”
“But how?” What had she missed now? Her deductive reasoning skills were lacking of late. The problems of a distracted mind.
“The hackney and driver belong to my family.”
She blinked.
He smiled. “I know royalty doesn’t usually dive into business but my maternal grandfather was an avid businessman. My father admired his acumen and when grandfather passed, my father inherited his companies.”
“You continue to impress me, Mr. Hudson.”
“No more than you impress me.”
“Pshaw. There is little impressive about me. I’m a simple girl.” At least I am now.
He reared his head back and laughed. “No more false statement has been made. You are wise beyond your years and you see things others ignore, which is one reason I invited you here.”
Her heart thrilled. “I don’t understand.”
“Come. I’ll explain as we observe.”
He led her inside the gallery, directing her to a colorful painting of a bridge over a creek. Beside the creek was a blanket with two individuals lying back and studying the sky.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Yes, it is. My Rose painted it.”
Had he said May Rose or my? Her heart hammered loudly between her ears. The painting was signed—Rose Angelic—so it was my. He’d meant what he’d said. He loved another but had waited too long. He had no designs on her. Why did her heart hurt a little?
“Rose visited me in India, and on her journey home she went missing. This painting was all that was left.”
“Did her ship sink?”
He shook his head. “Her ship returned to port, but when her father went to pick her up she’d disappeared with her luggage. Everything was gone except the painting.”
“When did she paint this?” Magnolia slipped forward and studied the frame. It was a light pine complete with knot holes. A shiny coat had been added which made it glisten in the candlelight.
“It wasn’t with her during her visit, so I presume it was painted on the ship before her disappearance.”
Magnolia narrowed her eyes. “Did you two picnic in such a place during her visit to India?”
“No. I’ve never seen such a place.”
“Hmm.” Perhaps Rose had left a clue? “Why would Rose disappear?”
“Her father was tough but fair. Her mother had passed many years before. She once told me there was little for her in England.”
“Why did she visit then leave you?”
He held his hands behind him. Sorrow tinged his tone. “India wasn’t her type of place. She kept speaking of America and her desire to see the new world.”
“Perhaps she traveled there and this was her hint so you could find her.” The romance wasn’t lost on her. What would it feel like to have someone love you so much they would cross oceans for you?
He relaxed. “Do you think so? Oh, how would I ever find her in so vast a land?”
“Let’s look for some clues.”
She drew him closer to the painting. Just because she couldn’t have her own heart’s desire didn’t mean that he had to be unhappy as well.
****
The hackney pulled away with Miss Quinn. Eudora had knocked on the door and sent the only housemaid on an errand. Rumors that helped remove the staff had been fortuitous indeed.
Eudora met him on the stoop. She’d picked the lock and then entered. He followed, and a tiny thrill raced along his limbs.
She coughed and swatted at the air. “The dust is horrendous.”
“I assume one lady’s maid can’t care for the entire house. Perhaps you shouldn’t have done so well in your slander.”
Eudora lifted her skirts to keep from cleaning a trail along the hardwood floors.
“Where should we hide the jewelry? If we do too good a job the items will never be found.”
He agreed, best to make the evidence easy to find but not too easy.
“Honestly I’m surprised Miss Rotherham has yet to sound the alarm. Then again the pieces are scoffable. Perhaps she doesn’t delve into them often. And how will you direct the constable here? Suspicion must be cast on Magnolia Quinn posthaste, then you can give up the charade of courting Hesper and let her know you were never interested and nothing she can do will make it so.”
Eudora rambled when nervous—a trait he despised. However, she made good points. This game of secret loves had many elements that needed consideration. Most of all the one where he disposed of Hesper’s
affections. He’d sought them as a way to ruin Justin and Magnolia’s relationship. The vixen had played his game perfectly. But casting her aside without consequences might prove difficult.
Eudora entered the parlor. By far it was the least dusty room in the house.
“It appears this room receives the most attention. Perhaps we should hide the jewelry amongst the glasses or maybe inside the sideboard? Or on the mantel? Or—”
“Do stop talking, Eudora. I know the perfect place.”
Sunlight glistened off the waxy leaves. He’d found the perfect hiding spot.
****
“Mr. Blakemoor, this is truly awful. Truly awful.”
Hesper had discovered her missing jewelry after the party. He’d urged her to report it to the authorities immediately, but she’d been too ashamed.
“Why did they take the bad jewelry? If they’d only lifted the drawer they’d have seen my rare gems, the ones of real worth. Now they’ll think I’m worthless.” She buried her head in her hands and wept as if a two-year-old that had lost her favorite rattle.
Mr. Rotherham patted her shoulder. “We must report the theft even if you’re embarrassed.”
Justin studied the list of guests. Tyrrel was still in the gaol. Basil Thornton was awaiting trial. That only left the constable’s master.
“What do you think, Mr. Blakemoor?”Mr. Rotherham urged him with his voice and eyes.
“I concur.”
Hesper threw up her hands. “Very well, call the constable. Let all in the county know that I own jewelry of such ill design.”
Mr. Rotherham left the room, and immediately a knock echoed along the long corridor. Hesper leaned forward in her chair, and he lowered his papers.
Whispered voices. The library door swung open. Constable Emmett Roskin. His eyes drifted to Justin. “Why are you here?”
Justin didn’t understand. Why was he questioning his presence? How had he arrived so quickly? They hadn’t even called him. Further proof that Roskin’s master was involved.
Hesper stood behind his chair. “Mr. Blakemoor and I have announced our courtship. He is here often.”
The Case of the Secret Love (A Justice and Miss Quinn Mystery Book 3) Page 3
