Temptation & Twilight (12 page)

No, Orpheus must be stopped before he could take any other lives—especially the lives of those she loved so dearly. She only wished she had the ability to stop him herself. Would that she could! But she couldn’t. She wouldn’t even be able to identify him, or know if he stood nose to nose with her. Some assistance she would bring the Guardians! she thought with a snort. She was an intelligent, honest female. She knew her limitations. It was her heart that would not admit to them.

BOUND GALLEY EDITION March 23, 2012

9780373776627_CS5_txt.indd 96

12-01-31 4:03 PM

CHARLOTTE FEATHERSTONE

97

After her talk with Adrian, she felt more resigned to her fate than ever. He was correct, of course. In the past she had been part of debates and discussions, of stories passed down from their Templar ancestors. They had never fought a true enemy. Not until Orpheus. She was not equipped to help them, or protect herself. How it stung, to admit the truth.

“Now, then, miss, you’re looking radiant and composed. I daresay your
gennleman
will be gobsmacked when he sees you.”

“Maggie, you’re a wonderful balm for a nervous soul,” she replied, not feeling any sense of composure. She was still rattled by the dead body that had appeared that morning, and what was more, she was horridly nervous about what lay just beyond the closed door in front of her.

“Now, there’s nothing to be worried about. That nasty bit of business this morning is done and over, and should be far from your thoughts. You sail right on into that room with Rosie here, and don’t let him see your uneasi-ness. Everything is out of the way. I made sure of it myself. You’ll make a grand entrance, just like a queen, and there will be nothing to cause you to stumble.” Nodding, Elizabeth smoothed her damp palms down the sides of her skirts. She was nervous. More than nervous. She was bloody terrified. It was one thing to indulge in a short stroll around a salon with dozens of eyes watching her. Quite another to entertain a man—alone.

What will he think of me?

She had not been able to stop asking herself that question all morning. And now, after the early morning’s excitement, she was even more rattled. She must act calm and cool and collected. Neither she nor her brother could afford to make her caller suspicious of anything. She just hoped that Alynwick would not be back for hours, giving BOUND GALLEY EDITION March 23, 2012

9780373776627_CS5_txt.indd 97

12-01-31 4:03 PM

98

TEMPTATION & TWILIGHT

her plenty of time to entertain Sheldon, and have him depart before Alynwick and Black’s return. The marquis, she acknowledged, had been somewhat of a loose can-non that morning, and after last night’s debacle she had no wish for him to meet up with Sheldon in the hall. The less Alynwick knew of her appointments and visitors the better. The man had no right to interfere with her life, but it seemed that part of being a Brethren Guardian was protecting and smothering the blind sister of one of their group. How she despised Alynwick’s overprotective and arrogant commands, which she was still seething over.

Letting out a long breath, Lizzy forced the marquis out of her thoughts. She had worried about him on that desolate field with a gun pointed at him. It had robbed her of sleep, made her forget his past betrayal. But this morning he had seemed as fit as ever—and as surly. She had regretted almost immediately that she’d given up hours of sleep worrying over the beast. But then, it had not been all wasted, for she had put those hours to use by thinking of Sinjin’s journal and trying to piece the puzzle together. Who was the Veiled Lady whom Sinjin York had loved until his dying breath? It had been her obsession to discover the woman’s identity the moment she had finished the diary. Of course, at that time she had fancied herself having the same sort of clandes-tine romance, only her Lancelot had turned out to be a toad—with warts.

Now that it seemed likely she would be cast aside, unable to aid the Brethren, she needed something to do.

Perhaps focusing all her attention on the diary and the identity of the woman would bring her some measure of accomplishment. At least it would give her something to ponder during the day.

“Now, don’t fret about a thing,” Maggie was saying, BOUND GALLEY EDITION March 23, 2012

9780373776627_CS5_txt.indd 98

12-01-31 4:03 PM

CHARLOTTE FEATHERSTONE

99

drawing her from her thoughts. “I’ll be in with the tea tray, and I’ll set you up all proper. His Grace has gone into his study, and has asked not be disturbed. I shall attend you, but I’ll sit out of the way while you have your visit.”

“There really isn’t a need for you to chaperone. I’m quite firmly a spinster.” Besides, it would be terribly uncomfortable to sit through this first visit while her companion watched. It was already going to be damned difficult to entertain, knowing a woman who had been connected to her father—and Sussex—had just been murdered. It was even more disconcerting to know that Lizzy was completely unable to help them in capturing the murderer. Even Lucy had been of some assistance.

Lucy, who was new in their little group. It had chafed Lizzy a bit, listening to Lucy and Alynwick discussing facts and evidence. Evidence Lizzy could not see. Facts she could not supply, or provide a reasoning for.

It was not like her to be envious, but that morning she had been, and in truth, still was. That morning she had felt like an outsider. A weakling. And those feelings of inadequacy and disability plagued her still as she stood immobile, regretting her decision to allow Lord Sheldon to call on her.

“There now, quit wringing your hands in your skirts.

You’re wrinkling the taffeta. In you go, miss, and lift that chin high.”

She was thirty years old, she reminded herself. Not some green girl. She did not need to allow herself to sink into melancholy because of hurt feelings. No, she had to stand tall, to be the woman of strength she had always been.

“Wish me luck?”

“Luck?” Maggie scoffed as she gently urged her for-BOUND GALLEY EDITION March 23, 2012

9780373776627_CS5_txt.indd 99

12-01-31 4:03 PM

100

TEMPTATION & TWILIGHT

ward. “You’ve no need for luck. A woman makes her own luck. Besides, you look absolutely radiant.” Smiling, Lizzy heard the click of Rosie’s nails against the marble floor. With a quiet snick a footman opened the door for her, and she felt the reassuring pressure of Rosie’s muzzle pressing into her thigh.

“Shall I lend my arm, Lady Elizabeth?” a voice asked in low tones.

It was her most favoured footman. “Not today, Charles.

You understand, don’t you?”

“Indeed, my lady.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Knock ’em off ’is feet.” She would indeed, she thought as she gathered her confidence and breezed into the little yellow salon that was her favourite room in the mansion. The windows faced east, and she liked to feel the sun on her face as she sipped her tea. The colours, she knew, were warm and cheerful, reminding her of a summer’s day, rather like the dress she was wearing.

Already her spirits were boosted. The sun was out, she realized as she stepped into the room. And he was there.

She could smell him, the scent of masculinity and shaving soap. He was close, she knew, and when she heard the scrape of a chair against the floor, she realized that he was immediately to her right. She stopped, allowing Rosie’s head to gently nudge her to the left.

“Good afternoon, Lady Elizabeth.” Lord Sheldon. His voice was soft, mellow, like a fine vintage wine—smooth and decadent.

She curtseyed and said, “My lord.” Rising, she extended her arm, and he took it, wrapping his fingers around her elbow, steering her across the room to where she felt the curved wooden arm of the settee.

Lowering herself onto the cushion, she took extra care BOUND GALLEY EDITION March 23, 2012

9780373776627_CS5_txt.indd 100

12-01-31 4:03 PM

CHARLOTTE FEATHERSTONE

101

to look controlled, yet elegant—and not blind. More than anything, she did not want to appear disabled and dependent during this, their first visit. First impressions, she knew, were lasting. It was one thing to stroll about a salon with him, but quite another to get through a proper afternoon call.

“Astonishing,” he said, and she could hear amaze-ment in his voice. “That little spaniel nudged you along, all the way.”

Patting the empty cushion beside her, Elizabeth heard the scratching of Rosie’s paws against the chintz fabric.

Grasping her gently about the middle, she hefted her up, and smiled when Rosie inelegantly flopped down beside her, giving a little sigh of relief, or perhaps annoyance.

Sheldon joined Lizzy in a laugh.

“Poor darling, she is in the family way, I am afraid.”

“I can see that,” the earl replied as he pulled a chair across the floorboards, closer to the settee. “Her time must be soon?”

“I believe so. Sussex says within the month.”

“I’ve never seen an animal do such a thing. She was guiding you, wasn’t she?”

Nodding, Elizabeth dragged her hand through Rosie’s fur. “She was. My brother trained her, and he hopes her pups might be just as agreeable as their mother to this sort of training.”

“I must speak with him about this. It sounds like a venture that could benefit many. I wonder if he could do anything with my retriever? He’s a dashing fellow, but rather disobedient. Terrible habit of jumping, and breaking lead to go haring off into the forest.”

“Sussex has a way with animals, that is for certain. I am quite sure he would be more than happy to explain his methods.”

BOUND GALLEY EDITION March 23, 2012

9780373776627_CS5_txt.indd 101

12-01-31 4:03 PM

102

TEMPTATION & TWILIGHT

“I will ask him.”

“I should like to meet this retriever of yours. He sounds positively naughty.”

“He is. But he has the most affectionate face. Makes it rather difficult to reprimand him.”

“I adore animals. They have such perfect instinct, don’t they? And they care for everyone, no matter how many times you scold them.”

“They do, indeed. Jack, my retriever, travelled with me from Egypt. I’m afraid he’s having some difficulty fitting in. But I hope it will pass soon. And it would be my honour to introduce the two of you. Perhaps you might even teach me how to scold him.” Lizzy laughed. “Not likely. I’m much too inclined to spoil and coddle. Just look at Rosie here, sprawled out on my settee. And worse, she has positively comman-deered Sussex’s leather chair that sits before the hearth in his study. No, I am the last person to teach any amount of discipline.”

“Well, then, I shall have to try to prevent myself falling victim to his lolling tongue and sparkling eyes. And I will still introduce you, and pray he doesn’t jump up and knock you to the ground.”

“Oh, I am rather sturdy, my lord. Besides, I’m used to dog hair and sticky licks. I am made of stern stuff, I daresay.”

“Indeed, I do believe you are, Lady Elizabeth. I detect a steel core in you that few women could boast of.” What a lovely compliment, Elizabeth thought as the salon lapsed into polite silence, broken by Maggie rolling the tea cart into the room. “Tea, Lady Elizabeth.” This would be the test. How would his lordship react when she could not perform the task of hostess?

“How do you take your tea, Lord Sheldon?” BOUND GALLEY EDITION March 23, 2012

9780373776627_CS5_txt.indd 102

12-01-31 4:03 PM

CHARLOTTE FEATHERSTONE

103

“Just black if you please.”

Nodding, she asked, “And a square, or biscuit?”

“You know,” he replied, and Elizabeth had the feeling he was not addressing her, but Maggie. “Why not leave this with us, and I shall pour and prepare Lady Elizabeth’s tea?”

“Why, that’s very good, my lord.” He had won her companion over with that, and was well on his way to winning her, too.

When Maggie had retreated, Sheldon turned to Elizabeth and asked, “How do you take your tea?”

“One cube of sugar and a generous dollop of cream, please.”

“You have a sweet tooth,” he remarked, and she could hear the teasing in his voice.

“I do indeed.”

“Now, how shall I do this? Hand the cup to you, or set it on the table before you?”

Cocking her head to the side, Elizabeth sat silent for a moment.

“Lady Elizabeth,” he said, and there was a great deal of embarrassment in his voice. “I… Forgive me.”

“No,” she admonished, her voice soft even to her own ears. “Forgive
me.
I was just taken aback, is all. It is so very nice to be asked how one should deal with my im-pairment, instead of skirting about it as if it didn’t exist.”

“I don’t want you burned, and, in truth, I don’t want you to put an end to my call because of my ineptness.” She flushed; she knew she did. Her cheeks must be crimson. “If you will, place a biscuit on the saucer, and the handle of the teacup to my left, and place it in my hands. That would be perfect.”

He did as she instructed, and she flushed again when BOUND GALLEY EDITION March 23, 2012

9780373776627_CS5_txt.indd 103

12-01-31 4:03 PM

104

TEMPTATION & TWILIGHT

their fingers brushed. She heard the catch of his breath—

it echoed hers—and a pleasant warmth infused her.

The air stirred, followed by the sounds of Lord Sheldon settling into his chair and taking his cup and saucer in hand.

“Darjeeling?” he enquired as he sipped the brew.

“My favourite. I hope you don’t mind it.”

“No, of course not. The flavours remind me of the East. When I was in Jerusalem I enjoyed my tea infused with cardamom pods, and a hint of sugar. It is not unlike this Darjeeling.”

“Oh, it sounds wonderful. When you next come to call I’ll make certain to serve the tea with cardamom.” Lizzy heard him chuckle. “I have a supply at home.

I shall bring it.”

“And I’ll provide the tea.”

“It all sounds very polite, Lady Elizabeth.”

“Please, call me Elizabeth, or Lizzy. All my closest friends do.”