Two Beaux and a Promise Collection (12 page)

“I’ll manage.”

“Good girl.”

His smile pooled heat in her womb. Ignoring it, she concentrated on business. “When?”

“It will take a day or so to arrange,” he admitted. “Not the amulet. I can cobble something together easily enough. But I need time to prime Merrimont so he’ll talk, and you’ll need time to convince her that the amulet is truly magic. Start tonight. Mention that I know Granny Gibbs.”

“The witch?”

“She has that reputation, though I’ve seen nothing to warrant it. I know her as an excellent healer. She patched me up more than once when I was a boy.”

“While you were visiting Hawthorne and Hughes, I suppose.”  He hadn’t lived in the area himself.

“Exactly. Tomorrow morning I’ll give Miss Russell an opportunity to ask me about it. I can produce the amulet the next day.”

“All right. But don’t speak with her alone. If I’m wrong and she’s given up on this match, she may attach a replacement before jilting him – that’s one lesson she would have learned from your imbroglio last Season. Only your betrothed’s immediate marriage to Hawthorne mitigated the scandal. You are the greatest catch in residence just now. More eligible than Merrimont, if truth be told, and far more eligible than Jessup. If she’s looking, she’ll know that.”

Shock flared in his eyes.

Leaving him to brood, she returned to the ballroom. Diana was waltzing with Jessup, much too closely. So much for Hawthorne’s warning. Glaring in the earl’s direction, Edith settled in for a long evening.

* * * *

Following her habit, Edith entered Diana’s room as the girl was preparing for bed. She liked to discuss the day while its events were still fresh.

“Did you enjoy the dancing?” she asked once the maid left.

“Mostly.”  Diana frowned. “But Giles is making me look a fool.”

“How?”

“He ignores me!  People notice. He’s hateful!”

“I saw nothing to criticize. He led you out for the first set and again for the fourth, then spent the rest of the evening entertaining your relatives. It would be ill-bred of him to hang on your arm.”

“Ill-bred!  We are betrothed!  He didn’t even notice my new gown.”

Edith sighed. “Men rarely notice appearance unless your attire is inappropriate. We’ve discussed this before.”

“Mr. Jessup noticed. Mr. Tomling noticed.”

“Because they have little to do beyond flirting with the ladies, so they need things they can praise. Giles has business to conclude before your wedding – business that is not going well from all accounts. He spent the afternoon in meetings with Baron Schechler and Lord Charles.”

“At
my
house party?  How dare they!”

“The Regent expects an agreement this week,” she snapped crossly, then stifled her temper. “You know Giles has responsibilities. We speak of it every day. As long as he works for the Foreign Office, he will have little control over where or when he conducts business. And if you wish to leave on a wedding trip, you will cease disturbing him. Let him finish his negotiations so he is free to go.”  She wondered if the baron was taking advantage of Diana’s antics to wring concessions from a distracted Giles. Not that Charles would let him get away with it, but—

“What business was Lord Hawthorne conducting when he decided to follow me about?” demanded Diana.

“I wasn’t aware that he was,” lied Edith.

“Though I suppose someone as beautiful as I must expect every man to watch her,” Diana continued with complete illogic.

“Having seen the way the earl looks at his wife, I can guarantee that he has no interest in you, no matter how beautiful.”

“Nonsense. Everyone loves me – except Giles. If you’d heard Mr. Tomling praise my eyes, you would understand.”

“Diana!”  Edith shook her head. “A man may enjoy looking at beauty. A young man may play at worshiping beauty. But a husband needs more than an ornament.”  She sighed. “If you are dissatisfied with Giles, perhaps you should reconsider wedding him.”

“He’s mine!”  She flung herself across the bed. “He offered prettily enough, so why won’t he even compliment my new gown.”

“Because you treat any notice as a skirmish won in a war only you are fighting. Yes, a war,” she repeated when Diana tried to object. “You have criticized him so relentlessly that he must conclude you are a shrew.”

“I’m not!”

“Think, Diana. What did Giles see tonight?  It wasn’t your gown, lovely though it is. It wasn’t your face, either. What he saw were flirtations that went well beyond propriety, vulgar laughter, abominable manners…  In short, he saw a girl whose behavior will embarrass him at best and possibly harm his position with the Foreign Office. Slipping outside to kiss Mr. Jessup was not well done.”

“How did you—”  The words were out before Diana remembered that a denial might serve her better.

“I heard about it, which means that others might also hear about it. Especially Giles. Do you really believe that Jessup will remain quiet?  He is working hard to discommode Giles, so he will certainly trumpet his triumph. And if Lord Hawthorne caught you together, Giles can hardly doubt Jessup’s word. Jessup may have arranged for Hawthorne’s presence himself.”

“What are you talking about?  Mr. Jessup loves me.”

“Jessup loves only himself. Haven’t you noticed that he is most attentive when Giles is watching?”  It wasn’t strictly true, but she needed to penetrate Diana’s arrogance. “His goal is to harm the man you vowed to marry, and you are helping him.”

Diana was off the bed in a trice, palm extended to slap. “You wrong him. He loves me more than Giles ever will.”

Edith caught her wrists. “No, Diana. Calculation fills his eyes. Determination stiffens his jaw. You are too young to recognize it and too determined to see only what you want to see. But in truth, he is using you to further his own goals.”  That much was real.

“Why should I accept your so-called truth?”

“Because I am older than you, with more experience of the world.”  She shook her head to cut off another protest. “But if you don’t believe me, then seek the truth for yourself. There are foolproof ways to discern it.”

“Then use them and prove yourself wrong.”

Edith nearly smiled, for the words played into her hands. “Only you can use such methods, Diana. The best way to divine truth is through magic, but magic only reveals truth about its user. It cannot uncover secrets about others.”

“Magic?”  Surprise threaded her voice.

“Exactly. I am not skilled in its use, but I overheard Lord Charles discussing Granny Gibbs this evening – he is well acquainted with the woman. She concocts amulets that reveal truth. Perhaps he can obtain one for you. But beware. Truth can be uncomfortable.”

Diana surprised her by nodding. “I will think on it.”

— 4 —

When Edith arrived at breakfast the next morning, Diana and Jessup occupied opposite ends of the table. It made her wonder if Charles had reinforced Hawthorne’s warning to Jessup.

That hope died five minutes later when she intercepted an exchange of sly glances that left Diana nearly bursting with suppressed excitement. They were up to something.

Her fears increased when Peter slid into the seat on Jessup’s right and murmured something into his ear. Jessup nodded briskly, then murmured a reply that brought a smile to Peter’s lips.

Edith hid a frown. Jessup had ignored Peter since arriving at Russell House, so why did they suddenly act like the best of friends?

Peter rose to address the company. “The ice is finally thick enough to be safe. Anyone wishing to skate should meet in the hall at ten. We’ll walk to the lake together.”

Diana squealed in delight. Jessup started to smile, but a word from Peter pulled his face into a scowl.

Edith chewed thoughtfully. Was Peter warning Jessup away from his sister – even the worse cads could be protective of family – or was he pressing Jessup to do something distasteful?  She suspected the latter. Peter cared only for himself.

“More trouble?” murmured Charles, sliding into the vacant seat on her left.

She nearly jumped out of her skin, and not just from surprise. Heat sizzled along her nerves until she had to inhale twice to keep her voice steady. “Puzzles rather than problems, my lord. Jessup’s odd behavior extends beyond Miss Russell and Mr. Merrimont.”

“To whom?”

“Mr. Russell.”  She nodded toward the pair.

“Did they arrive together?”

“No. Russell chose to sit there. Jessup doesn’t like him, yet he seems to be listening, almost as if Russell had some hold over him.”

“That sounds ominous.”  His gaze remained on Peter.

“Very. Jessup is full of surprises today. Did you speak to him last night?”

“There was no need. Hawthorne had already done so.”

“With minimal effect. He was waltzing with Miss Russell when I returned, and holding her far too close. They’ve been exchanging secret glances this morning.”

“I’ll see that he—”

“No.”  She grasped his wrist when he began to rise, keeping him in his seat. Electricity sparked. Her lungs tightened until she had to fight to draw her next breath. “Something powerful is driving him – why else would he ignore Hawthorne’s warning? 
Nobody
defies the Beaux. I doubt he cares a fig for Miss Russell, and I don’t like that Mr. Russell can seemingly influence him.”

“Nor do I.”  He paused to chew bacon. “Have you mentioned your fears to Miss Russell?”

“No. I only just noted the connection. And she swears that Jessup loves her.”  She finished her coffee. “But she may have doubts she won’t admit aloud. My mention of magic last night intrigued her. On the other hand, the news that we can skate this morning produced excessive excitement. Jessup may have sent her a note. I hope she’s not planning something drastic – like eloping. She has become almost frantic for attention, and Jessup is supplying it. His ministrations could easily scramble her wits. Will you be skating?”

“I’m supposed to meet with Schechler.”

“I hear he is stiff-necked and refuses any compromise.”

“Too true.”  He sighed.

“Then bring him along. The other guests are already caught up in the Christmas spirit, though the festivities won’t begin until tomorrow. Perhaps their excitement will work some magic on him. It can’t hurt. And be sure that Merrimont joins us.”

“Is that wise?  Watching Miss Russell flirt with Jessup is bound to irritate him.”

“Good. They need to confront this problem, not ignore it.”

“Do you want them to call off the wedding?” he asked softly.

“Personally, no. The scandal would make it difficult to find a new position. But neither do I want them to live fifty years in misery.”  She frowned as Jessup and Peter left together, heads bent in earnest conversation.

“Yes, that does seem odd,” he agreed. “And eliminates my own suspicions.”

“Which were?”  She finished her coffee.

“That Jessup is obeying Merrimont’s orders. If Miss Russell creates a large enough scandal, Merrimont could jilt her with impunity.”

“Is that what happened to you?”  The question was out before she could stop it.

“No.”  He scowled her into silence. “Russell’s involvement cannot be good. I will postpone my morning meeting and join you at the lake.”

She nodded, then followed the pair from the room, hoping to learn something useful.

* * * *

Charles watched her leave, grateful that she was gone. He was angrier with her today than he’d been after she’d cracked his skull. He knew it was unfair, but he couldn’t help it. She was walking proof that his judgment was hopelessly impaired.

He’d assumed that Miss Knolton was incompetent, ignorant, and lacking common sense.

He’d been wrong.

Yet more than his faulty assumptions irritated him. Everything about her triggered his temper. He’d wanted to destroy last night’s monstrous gown and replace it with a fashionable creation that would show off her intriguing bosom. He’d wanted to slide his hands into her lustrous hair, loosening pins until that severe knot softened to dark waves framing her heart-shaped face. Silky waves that would draw attention to her silver eyes. Those eyes had haunted him since the day she’d fallen into his lap, smearing a plate of cream cakes all over his coat. They were mesmerizing, drawing him into depths he’d not expected. And her mouth!  Sinfully red lips begged to be explored…  Once he dressed her properly, he would drape rubies around her neck, bringing roses to her creamy cheeks and tempting—

He broke off the thought, appalled. Damn Jacob for planting ideas in his head!  It was bad enough that she stirred lust. He didn’t need—

“Good morning, my lord.”  The sultry voice shattered his thoughts.

“Miss Russell.”  He rose to execute the expected bow, then spotted the gleam in her eyes and sighed. Miss Knolton was right to fear Miss Russell’s intentions. The girl was exploring her options and would jilt Merrimont in a trice if a better offer appeared. At least the breakfast room contained a dozen people.

His cold tone dimmed her gaze, but she quickly rallied, batting her lashes outrageously. “We were delighted that you could accept our invitation, my lord.” 

“My presence is purely a business matter, Miss Russell. If I didn’t have to speak with Baron Schechler, I would be with my family.”

“Oh.”  She’d obviously expected a compliment.

Laughter rippled from the corner where Riley was entertaining the crowd with the latest
on-dits
. A Home Office investigator, Riley was another of Merrimont’s friends.

Miss Russell tugged on Charles’s arm. “I need to speak with you, my lord. Privately.”

“So speak. No one is paying attention. It is unseemly to slip away from the others.”

She flashed a smile she must have practiced before a mirror. “But a gentleman of your high breeding can hardly care what others think, my lord.”

“On the contrary, Miss Russell. A diplomat must always consider appearances. Merrimont certainly does.”

“Hardly. Ignoring me cannot do his credit any good.”

Charles laughed. “You really are a peagoose, aren’t you?”  He dismissed her indignation. “Don’t you know anything about society?  Living in your pocket would reduce his credit – and yours, too, for doing so implies that he cannot trust you to behave.”