Wait Until Midnight (28 page)

"What happened?" Julia asked.

"
Aurora followed me one afternoon," Caroline said. "I swear, she stalked me as if she was a hunter and I was the quarry."

"Dear heaven," Julia whispered.

Ivybridge rolled his eyes. "Such a melodramatic imagination. No wonder Miss Connor became a sensation novelist."

Caroline looked at Adam. "
Aurora came upon me while I was sitting beneath a tree, making some notes. I saw at once that something was terribly wrong. She was dressed in only a nightgown and a pair of shoes. I spoke to her, asking her if she was ill. She did not seem to hear my question. She just kept repeating the same words over and over again."

Adam could not abide the cloudy veil of old terror gathering in her eyes. He straightened and crossed to where she stood in the center of the room. He put his hands gently on her bare shoulders.

No one moved or spoke. Even Ivybridge seemed suddenly bespelled.

"What did she say?" Adam asked Caroline, speaking
to
her as if they were alone.

"She said,
You have to go away. Don't you see? He will come back to me if you go away."

When she repeated
Aurora's words, her voice changed ' subtly, sliding into an eerie singsong. She was falling back into the memory, he realized, reliving a nightmare. Beneath his hands, her skin had gone cold. He could feel the shivers arcing through her. Very carefully, he tightened his fingers, forcing her to take notice of him.

"What happened next?" he asked into the crystalline silence.

Caroline watched him as if she were trapped in a whirlpool and he held the rope that she could use to pull her-self to safety. "She had been clutching a carving knife be-hind her back. She brought it out, raised it high and rushed at me. She tried to kill me, Adam"

He pulled her close against him, wrapped his arms around her and tried to warm her with the heat of his own body.

"You lived," he said into her ear, rocking her gently. "You lived. You are all right, Caroline. It is over."

"I turned to run," she whispered into his coat. "But my skirts got tangled around my ankles, tripping me. I fell. She was right there, almost on top of me. She went for my throat with the blade of the knife. I managed to roll to the side and scramble to my feet. I ran."

"Caroline" Emma started forward, one arm outstretched.

Out of the corner of his eye, Adam saw Milly wrap her hand around Emma's shoulders, silently halting her.

Ivybridge gave another disgusted snort. "For the information of everyone present, no knife was ever found. I fear it was but another figment of Miss Connor's overheated imagination."

"I picked up my skirts and fled toward the river," Caroline said numbly. "She was right behind me every step of the way. So close. I knew that I could not outpace her for long in my heavy dress. I reached the river and started across the footbridge. But she was almost upon me"

Caroline was as tense as though she were still in the act of fleeing for her life, Adam thought.

"What in God's name did you do?" he asked tightly.

"I finally remembered my parasol. It was attached to my waist by the new chatelaine that Aunt Emma and Aunt Milly had given me for my birthday. I unsnapped it and stopped on the bridge. I used the parasol as though it were a long sword, stabbing toward
Aurora's face. She fell back, instinctively trying to protect her eyes, I suppose. But she was off balance. The back of her knee struck the low railing of the footbridge. She went over the edge and into the river. The water was very deep. She could not swim."

"She drowned?" Adam asked.

Ivybridge snorted. "Nothing so neat and tidy. It happens that, among her other unladylike accomplishments, Miss Connor is an excellent swimmer. She stripped down to her chemise without a thought to propriety, went into the water and dragged the wretched Miss
Kent to safety. Both women were discovered, soaking wet and dressed in their lingerie, by one of the tenants on my estate. A shocking sight, I as-sure you. The gossip did not die down for months."

"What happened to Aurora Kent?" Richard asked. "I trust she was sent to an asylum?"

Caroline raised her head from Adam's shoulder. "She took her own life later that same afternoon."

"Used her father's pistol to accomplish what the river had failed to do," Ivybridge said offhandedly. "Rendering Miss Connor's ridiculous rescue entirely moot."

"What happened to the knife?" Adam asked.

"Aurora Kent had it in her hand when she fell into the river," Caroline whispered. "She dropped it in the deep water beneath the footbridge. I suppose it is still there in the mud on the bottom."

"It was all a great uproar, I assure you" Ivybridge said. "Just to top it off, there were rumors to the effect that Miss Connor and I had been involved in an illicit affair. What with one thing and another, Miss Connor's reputation was in tatters."

Richard took his hand off the mantel and bowed respectfully to Caroline. "I stand in awe of your heroic nature, Miss Connor."

Julia got to her feet. "As do I, Caroline. Indeed, I am greatly moved by this sad tale. In my opinion, Ivybridge's actions lack any semblance of honor or nobility."

Ivybridge was thunderstruck. "I beg your pardon, madam. I am a gentleman."

"I agree entirely with my wife," Richard said. He looked at Ivybridge. "You, sir, are no gentleman."

"I never did like you, Ivybridge,"
Wilson said. "Please find your wife in the ballroom and leave immediately. You are no longer welcome as a guest in this household."

Ivybridge's face scrunched up first in disbelief and then in growing alarm. Adam could see that it had finally dawned on him that his role in the episode in Chillingham was not viewed with approval by anyone present.

"Now, see here" Ivybridge lurched to his feet. "I was at-tempting to do you a favor, Hardesty. If you wish to offend Society by forming a very public liaison with a woman who was involved in a great scandal, that is your affair."

"You're right." Adam released Caroline and started across the room toward Ivybridge. "It is my affair. And there is another aspect of this situation that you would do well to bear in mind."

Ivybridge gripped the back of the chair. "What do you mean?"

"Miss Connor is not only a very close friend, but I am hoping that in due time she will consider accepting a proposal of marriage from me."

Ivybridge's heavy jaw dropped. Adam heard Caroline utter a tiny squeak of astonishment. It amused him that no one else in the room seemed the least bit amazed by his announcement.

He halted in front of Ivybridge. "I'm sure you can guess how extremely annoyed I would be if Miss Connor were to be embarrassed in any way by gossip concerning the events in Chillingham."

"How dare you threaten me, sir?" Ivybridge blurted.

"1 would be so annoyed, in fact, that I would not hesitate to disclose your investment in a certain establishment in
Marbury Street
to every intrepid newspaper correspondent in town."

Shock glazed Ivybridge's face. "I have no notion of what you are talking about."

"It is one thing for a gentleman to purchase some discreet entertainment at a brothel, but it is another thing altogether for him to invest in one, isn't it? Imagine how that will appear to your friends when they read it in the press."

"See here, I don't know what you are implying but I can assure you that you cannot prove anything."

Adam spread his hands. "That is the amazing thing about a newspaper sensation, isn't it? Great damage can be done to a gentleman's reputation and his standing in Society without going to the bother of supplying hard facts or proof of any kind." He paused. "But if it eases your mind, rest assured, I shall be able to provide the correspondents with a quantity of evidence"

"I have no intention of discussing Miss Connor's past," Ivybridge said, clearly shaken. "But what about my wife? She will surely recognize her."

"I strongly suggest that she does not recognize her," Adam said. "If any rumors, even the merest hint of Mrs.

Fordyce's connection to the events in Chillingham of three years ago, happen to reach my ears, I will assume that they originated with you, Ivybridge, and respond accordingly."

"You can hardly blame me if someone else recognizes Miss Connor and relates the gossip."

"On the contrary, I won't hesitate to blame you. Not for a moment. I'm sure you can persuade your wife of the wisdom of not spreading gossip over tea." Adam glanced at the tall clock. "You have five minutes to collect her and de-part this house"

Dazed, Ivybridge staggered to the door, jerked it open and rushed out into the hall.

A short silence fell upon the small group left in the library.

Milly shattered it by whipping open her fan. She gave Adam an approving smile.

"That was the most entertaining sight that I have seen in ages, sir," she said. "Thank you for rounding off a most enjoyable evening with such a pleasant farce."

Emma took a step forward and halted. "Do you really have damaging information concerning Ivybridge's investment in a brothel?"

It was Wilson who answered. He chuckled. "You may depend upon it, madam. Adam knows everyone's secrets in Society."

"I certainly don't regret cutting him off our guest list," Richard said. He took Julia's arm and went toward the door. "He was on it only because his father and mine were old acquaintances. But as it happens, both of those gentle-men are dead. I see no need to pursue the connection, do you, my dear?"

"Not at all," Julia said.

"Come, we must return to our guests." Richard paused at the door and grinned at Adam. "By the way, allow me to wish you good luck with your wedding plans, Hardesty. About time you tied the knot. You're not getting any younger, you know."

Adam inclined his head. "Thank you for pointing out my advancing years, Southwood."

"Think nothing of it. Felt it was my responsibility as your brother-in-law." He whisked a laughing Julia out the door.

"Let me echo Southwood's sentiments on the subject of your marriage plans, Adam."
Wilson gave Caroline a gratified smile. "Excellent choice of bride, I might add. She'll fit right into the family."

Milly fanned herself happily. "This is so romantic"

Emma's brows came together in a severe line. "Are you serious in your intentions toward my niece, Mr. Hardesty? Or was the subject of marriage mentioned solely to intimidate Ivybridge?"

"Of course he is serious."
Wilson took Emma's arm in one hand, grasped Milly's in the other and headed toward the door. "Adam has rules when it comes to dealing with a lady. Trust me, he would not have mentioned the subject of marriage unless he was very serious indeed"

The threesome disappeared through the doorway. Adam found himself alone with Caroline.

"Adam."

She ran to him and threw herself into his arms, holding him so tightly that he hoped she would never let go. He put his arms around her, savoring the vibrant, feminine warmth and feel of her.

"I cannot believe what you and your family just did," she whispered.

He smiled into her hair. She did not know the half of it,

he thought. The mild threats that had sent Ivybridge running from the room were the least of it. Over the course of the next few months the real justice would be delivered. Ivybridge would slowly but surely discover that he was no longer on the guest lists of some of Society's most important hostesses. He would be left out of certain private in-vestment consortiums. He would no longer be welcome in certain clubs. In the end he would pay, and pay dearly, for what he had done to Caroline. But there was no need to burden her with the details.

"It was little enough, given what he put you through," he said aloud.

"I appreciate your feelings." She raised her head and stepped back reluctantly. "Unfortunately, in your desire to quell Ivybridge, I fear that you took matters a step too far."

"Damn. I find it so annoying when that happens."

THIRTY-FOUR

He was obviously not giving the situation the serious attention it required. Perhaps he had not yet thought through the implications.

"This is not amusing, Adam," she said reproachfully. "Your family knows how you are about your rules." He inclined his head. "True"

"After what you just said to Ivybridge, they will no doubt expect us to become engaged. Really, sir, what were you thinking?"

"Apparently I was thinking of marriage" He crossed the room to the brandy table and picked up the decanter. Light sparkled on the cut crystal facets when he tipped the bottle over a glass. "Everyone else, with the glaring exception of Ivybridge, seems to feel that we would make an excellent match." He paused, holding the glittering decanter aloft. "Would you care for a brandy?"

"No, thank you. One of us must remain clearheaded here."

"Better you than me
_.
"

He drank a large measure of the brandy.

She whirled and began to pace the long room, struggling to pull her chaotic emotions into some sort of order.

"Please do not misunderstand me,
^"
she said quickly. "I am deeply indebted to you for the manner in which you dealt with Ivybridge. Indeed, I do not know how I shall ever be able to repay you"

For the first time since Ivybridge had depart
^ed
the library, Adam appeared displeased. "There is no need to re-pay me," he said, a chill in his words. "You owe me

' nothing. I am the one who is indebted to you for providing me with an alibi for the murder of Irene Toller
^."

^"
Nonsense. I merely told the truth.
^"

He shrugged. "I did the same just now.
^"

"But you told Ivybridge that you planned to offer marriage."

"Yes, I did, didn't I?"

She sighed. "I realize that it was all part of your brilliant plan to intimidate him. And I do not doubt that he will certainly think twice before spreading gossip about the mysterious Mr. Hardesty's intended bride. But you did not have to go that far. Surely you can see that
^.
He was al-ready trembling in his shoes after you brought up his connection to that brothel."