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Additional Dragonblade books by Author Jude Knight
WhenLadyLaurelineBarkerasksMrs.DoveLyonstofindherahusband,shedoesnotexpectoneofherchoicestobetheman she admired years ago, whenshe was still a schoolgirl the manwho rescued her fromdrowning He is also a war hero, famedfortradinghisownfreedomandhealthforthesafetyofothers.
Angelico Warrington doesn’t expect Laurel to remember him. Even if she does, why should she favor himover other suitors?Sheistherespectedsistertoanearl,withonlyoneflawinherreputation sherefusedtomarryacadwhohadbeen puttingofftheirweddingdateforfiveyears.
IF THE KITTEN hadnotlostitsballbehindthesofa,LadyLaurelineBarclaymightnothavecalledahalttoherfast-approaching weddingday.
She was behind the sofa onher hands and knees whenher brother and her betrothed entered the room. She stayed there whensherealizedtheyweretalkingaboutTiber’swishtopostponethelong-expectedeventyetagain.
“Hastings,” said Benjamin, “you are a careless ass. Do you mean to tell me that you still haven’t read the marriage agreement?Evenafteragreeing andthenchanging fiveweddingdates?Six,now.”
Thatfetched a deep sighfromTiber “For good reason, Somerford,” he insisted “Some ofthe time, atleast” His voice brightened.“Butyouareearlnow,”heremindedherbrother.“Justchangetheagreements.”
“Iesteemher dowry,” Tiber admitted. “Ievenquite like the lady. She is prettyenough. Abittoo strong-minded for my tastes,though Ithinkshewillmakethedevilofawife ButIhavepromisedtomarryher,andsoIwill Idon’tdisliketheidea ofmarriagesomuchthatIwouldleavehertodwindleintoaspinster,forIdoubtanyoneelsewillhaveheratthislatestage. Andatleastherdowrywillallowmetosetupanothermistress”
After Tiber left, Benjaminasked Laurel to thinkverycarefully. “Youhave loved Hastings since youwere nineteen,” he pointedout.“Don’tthrowhimoveronawhim.”
“Iwas foolishlyinfatuated withHastings whenIwas nineteen,” Laurel retorted. “Ihave lost myaffectionand evenmy respect for himsince then. Youmust know, Benjamin, that I have beenconvinced for some time that goingahead withthis marriagewouldbeamistake Wedonotsuit,HastingsandI”
Thatwas animprovementover those excruciatingmonths after his friends rescued himfromthe Frenchcamp Theyhad insistedonsendinghimtoLondontoseeseveraldoctorsfortheiropinions,butherememberedlittleofthejourneyfromSpain andnotagreatdealofsuccessivefailedtreatments Exceptforthepain Herememberedthepain
He had beenworkingfor Mrs. Dove Lyons for a calendar month, completingthe trial period she had offered himatthe behestofherchiefguard.Her wolves,shecalledtheguard.TheirleaderhadservedwithsomeofthesameofficersasAngel butatdifferenttimes.
Still, at the request of one of those officers, Titanhad put ina word withMrs. Dove Lyons, who had declared herself willingtoemployAngelforamonth Andafterthat,shesaid,theywouldsee He hadnotdoubtedhis abilitytoprove himself.Angel hadalways beena capable violinist,thoughhe hadbeena better singer Longago BeforehehadscreamedhisthroatrawoverandoverduringthemonthhehadbeeninthehandsoftheFrench Hehadbeenagooddancer,too,once.
Instead, he was alive, free, and mostlyrecovered. He was evenmobile, sortof. And he now had a permanentjob. Mrs. DoveLyonshadpronouncedherselfsatisfiedwithhisperformancesinthepastmonth Shehadofferedhimacontractandan increaseinhiswages.Hecouldpossiblymovefromhisfourth-floorroominanearbybuildingthathesharedwithoneofthe othermusicians Ifhecouldfindacheapenoughplaceonthegroundfloorsomewhereclose
“Take a moment, Nereus Mylady, would youfetchmyfriend’s crutches?” Itwas Titan, the head wolf Notthathis true namewasTitan,anymorethanAngel’swasNereus.ButMrs.DoveLyongaveeachofherworkersaname astagename,asit were. From Midsummer Night’s Dream, most of them, but not Angel. For him, their employer had strayed into Greek mythology.Nereuswastheshape-changinggodoftheseaandparticularlyofitsfish.TitanmusthavetoldtheladythatAngel’s nicknameinSpainhadbeenThe Mer-King.
“Itrulydo apologize, Mr. Nereus,” she insisted, as she handed Angel eachcrutchand he tucked themunder his arms. “I wasspeakingtoMr Titanovermyshoulder,andnotlookingwhereIwasgoing IdohopeIhavenothurtyou Well Imean,I canseethatIhurtyou,butnotworse,Imean.”
Titanstoppedtosay,“StaythereandI’llhelpyoudownwhenI’veseentheladytoMrs.DoveLyons.”Hehurriedafterthe lady
Angelstayedleaningagainstthewall,itandhiscrutchesdoingmostofthejobofsupportinghim.Heignoredthepain it wasafamiliarcompanion.Thethoughtsthatseethedinhismindtookallhisattention.TheladywasLadyLaurel.
WhyonearthwasLadyLaurel,virtuoussisterofanearl,andfloweroftheEnglishballrooms,visitingtheproprietorofa gambling den? Even such a gambling den as this, popular as it was with men and women alike, was not the place for an unmarrieddaughterofanaristocraticfamily.
Athoughtcrossed his mind, but that couldn’t be her errand. Mrs. Dove Lyonwas a matchmaker for the misfits and the desperate Laurel is betrothed And if she does not like Lord Tiberius Hastings, and who could blame her, she can just choose another.
Titanraised a brow. “Her business withMrs. Dove Lyonis her own. Whendid youhave anopportunityto meet Lady Laureline?IthoughtyouonlycametoEnglandeighteenmonthsago.”
“Itwaslongago,”Angelsaid Eightyears,tobeprecise “WewerebothonthesameshipcomingfromItaly”Forthelast partofthe trip, anyway. Angel had beentakenfromhis Sicilianhome bypirates and was onhis wayto the Tunisianslave blockswhenthepiratevesselencounteredaBritishnavalpatrolandcameofftheworst
“Thecommodorewas LadyLaureline’s uncle LordSomerford’s brother.Ican’tsaythatwemet,exactly.Shewas with herfatherandwell-chaperoned,andIwasworkingwiththecrew.Then,offPortugal,astormstruckthefleet.Itwasscattered andourshipwasblownontorocksandfoundered”Angelshrugged “LadyLaurelinewasthefirstpersonIrescued”
Angel shruggedagain.He hadnoidea.Justthe memoryofachingheavymuscles as he forcedhimselfthroughthe waves againandagain “Anyway,theofficer inchargeoftherescueeffortfromtheshoretookmehomewithhim”Moredeadthan alive,butnoneedtogointodetail.“Ijoinedthearmyafter Irecovered.LadyLaurel andher father wereguests ofthelocal noblemanuntilarrangementscouldbemadefortheirjourneyonwards,soIsawheraroundthetownfromtimetotime.”
Hehadevendancedwithheracoupleoftimessincehisfather’sbloodinhisveinshadbeenenoughforhimtobeinvited to be partofhis benefactor’s trainand attend the entertainments ofher host. He had never mentioned to her his role inher rescue Shehadbeensemi-consciouswhenheleftheronthebeachtoreturntotheseaforothers
ShewasusuallyescortedtosuchentertainmentsbyanassofalieutenantnamedLieutenantLordAugustusSeward,aman whomthe troops called Lieutenant Lord Sewer Seward was the officer incommand ofthe patrol he had lefther with She probablythoughtSewardwasherrescuer.
Titan regarded himfor a moment, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully The man had always been far too perceptive “Lady Laurelineisnolongerbetrothed,”hecommented.“IgatherLordTiberiusHastingswantedtoputtheweddingoffonetimetoo manyforthelady’spatience.”
Angeltriedtoconvincehimselfthattheleapofhisheartwassimplypleasurefortheladyheadmired.Shewouldnowhave a chance to marrya manwho esteemed her as she deserved. Thatmanwould not, ofcourse, be him. She would notgive a
second lookata manlike him, workingfor a living, unable to walkwithoutcrutches, scarred bothwithinand without, and estrangedfromhisfather’speople theonlyfamilyhehadhereinEngland.
Besides, Angelico, he told himself, you barely know the woman You are in love with a dream Very possibly, she is a spoilt Society princess, without a thought in her head beyond her clothing and her entertainments. You are better off as you are
Butherememberedher softvoiceaskingafter his welfarewhenshebumpedintohim.Andher softcurves pressedfor a momentagainsthisbody,thoughnotinthewayhehadimaginedinhisnaughtiestdreams Hedidn’tbelievehisownrationalizationsforamoment.
Chapter Two
MRS DOVE LYON wasnotasLaurelhadimaginedher Laurelhadexpectedsomeonegarishlypaintedandindiscreetlycladin gaudycolors.Afterall,sheranagamblingestablishmentthatalsoofferedotherentertainmentsofthemostscandalouskind.
The personwho joined Laurel was clothed all inblackand veiled. Her garb would nothave looked outofplace onthe mostdignifiedofSociety’sfashionablematrons,andwasfarlessrevealingthanmanygownswornbysuchaugustladies.Her languageandcarriagetoo,assheinvitedLaureltositandaskedherpreferenceforbeverage,werethoseofalady
Bluntandtothepoint.Alsosurprising,forLaurelhadagreedtoBenjamin’srequestthatthebrokenbetrothalshouldnotbe made public justyet. Laurel thoughthe wanted to give Tiber time to talkLaurel into reversingher decision, as she had last time,butshehadagreedanyway.Itsuitedhertokeepthegossipsatbayforaweekorso.
Her hostess musthave guessed ather thoughts, because she said, “Lord Tiberius Hastings was here lastnight, and he is indiscreetwheninhiscups.Mostofthegentlemenpresentwillnowbespreadingthenewsthatyouhavejiltedhim.Mindyou, hisloosetonguewillworktoyouradvantage,forhewasbemoaninghisownstupidityinputtingofftheweddingonceagain And,makingitclearthathischiefregretwaslosingyourdowry.”
Mrs.DoveLyondeepenedher voiceandspokeagaininatonesoreminiscentofTiber’sthatLaurel wouldhaveguessed shewasquotingthedastardevenifshehadn’theardwordsverylikethemthepreviousafternoon “It’snotthatI’mnotfondof thelady.Sheisprettyenoughandgoodcompany.Ijustneverwantedtobemarried.Ifherdowrywasn’tsoattractive,I’dnever have proposed, and I’ve never needed her moneyenoughto actuallygo throughwiththe wedding Ifonlyshe was a placid, biddablelittlething.Icouldhaveplantedmybabeinherbellyandthenignoredher.ButLadyLaurelineistoostrong-minded formytastes Chaste,too Neverwouldletmestealmorethanakiss,dammit Ifshehad,Icouldforcehertohaveme Still I amgoingtomissherdowry.”Theywerewordsshecouldhavequotedherselfbutevenso,theymadeherangryanew.Thegall oftheman!Thearrogance!
“Hastings has done me a favor, then,” Laurel realized “He is wrong that I would marry himunder any circumstances whatsoever,butatleasthehasmadeitclear thatIamnot…”Sheblushedatthewordsthatcametomindtodescribealady whohadbeenfreewithherfavors Wordssheshouldnotevenknow Cruel,demeaningwords
Notmuchlicense.NotwhenTiberhadbeenawayfromLondononmilitarydutiesformuchoftheirbetrothalandspentas little time with Laurel as he could when he was in London Not when her father had insisted on her being as closely chaperoned after the betrothal agreement as she was before. Not, furthermore, whenshe had had her owndoubts about the relationshipforthepastthreeyears
“Youare hardlyold,” Mrs. Dove Lyons pointed out. “Manymenprefer a sensible womanrather thana sillygirl. But I acknowledgethatIhavebeensuccessfulinputtingtogethermenandwomenwhoaresuitedtooneanother Foraprice,Imight add.”
“I canpayyour price,” Laurel said. She had beeninvestingfromher allowance since she was eighteenwhenshe was invitedtojoinaconsortiumofladyinvestors whousedthebrother ofoneofthemas their proxy.Sheusuallyreinvestedher
Tiber had never made her heartsing, though, inthe earlydays, he had caused flutterings inless decorous parts ofher. If onlyMrs DoveLyonscouldarrangeamarriagetosomeonelikehergoodangel Herthoughtsmusthaveshowninherexpression.“Thereissomeone,”Mrs.DoveLyonsguessed.
“Amemory”Laurelgrimaced Suchapersistentmemorythatshehadeven,forjustamoment,thoughtoftheensignwhen shebumpedintothemanonthestairs.Tall,slenderalmosttothepointofgauntnessbutwithpowerfulshoulders,hewasnotthe youthshe remembered His hair was darker His eyes, too, she thought And he’d shownno recognitionofher, eventhough Mrs.DoveLyon’sservanthadsaidhername.
Laurel swallowed the sudden lump of trepidation. “I will be here, Mrs. Dove Lyon,” she promised, even as her heart pounded.
ANGELDONNED HIS Nereusmaskbeforeenteringthepublicrooms.HechosetokeephisfacehiddenfromtheLion’sDenpatrons because so manyof the aristocratic menwho thronged here night after night were ex-militaryand Angel had once beenan officer.
ThecurrentEarlofSomerfordwasaslightlybuiltmanasdarkashissister.Histhinfacewithitssardonicsmilewasnotas handsome as she was beautiful, and there was little resemblance betweentheir expressions Still, Angel would have known himforLaurel’sbrotherevenifhehadneverseenthepairofthemtogetheroutsideoftheirMayfairhomeandridingatHyde Park
Had recognized him, infact, since the firsttime he saw himhere inthe Lyon’s Den, usuallysittingalone witha glass of wineorbrandy,watchingwhatwashappeningaroundhim.
Somerfordraisedhisglassinasalute.“Youhavethehonorofsettingmysisterfreeyourself,mydearfriend,”hesaid.“If youhadmarriedanyone ofthe firstfive times youagreedtoa weddingdate,youwouldnothave beenjilted.Yougave her
freedombykeepingyourown.”
Hastings looked awayfromSomerford’s crocodile smile and hard eyes and his owngaze fell onAngel. “Whatare you hangingaboutfor,listeningtoyourbetters?”hedemanded Angelusedacrutchtoindicatethefewinchesbetweenthebackofhischairandthenexttable.“Iamwaitingtopass,my lord,”hesaid
Somerford stretched outa booted footand shoved one ofthe unsupported chair legs, and Hastings fell witha crash, his head collidingwiththe table behind himbefore he sprawled across the floor, outcold. Unperturbed, Somerford sipped his drink,hiseyesonAngel,oneeyebrowraisedasifinvitingAngeltocomment.
The boss ofthe gamblingpithurried up to checkHastings’pulse and the backofhis head, whichsetthe mangroaning “Mostlythedrink,Ithink,mylord,”shesaidtoSomerford.“Wewilltakehimsomewheretorecoverandcallaphysicianifit seemsnecessary”Twooftheservantsliftedhimandcarriedhimaway,oneofthempausingtosetthechairbackonitslegs, andpushedinagainstthetable.
“Thereyougo,Nereus,”saidSomerford “Thepathisclear” Angel inclinedhishead.Thiswasadangerousman.Sowhyhadhelefthissister danglingonHastings’linefor somany years?Clearly,hewaspleasedthebetrothalwasover. Why did you not break it years ago, when you first realized the cad didn’t care for Laurel? Hewantedtoask,thewordstremblingonhistongue Heswallowedthem “Thankyou,mylord,”hesaid.
If this is how you treat your friends,Angelthought, I am not surprised you are so much alone. Heinclinedhisheadagain andwentonhisawkwardway.
THE LYON’S DEN also catered to ladies, who were entertained onthe floor above the maingamblinghall and its associated parlorsandsupperroom.Toreachtheoutsideagain,Laurelhadtopassthroughthewomen’sfloor,includingalonggallerythat lookedoutoverthegamblinghall.Shecouldnotresistapeep,andthatwashowshesawherbrotherandherformerbetrothed, deepinconversation Ifeitheronethoughttoforceherhand,theymighthaveanotherthoughtcoming Allshehadtodowasput themoffforanotherweek,orperhapstendays,andtheywouldnotbeabletotouchheragain.
Then,twoyearsago,DaviddiedatWaterloo.Reubenwaskilledwhenhefailedtotakeacornerinhishigh-perchphaeton just a fortnight later and Papa passed not longafter that Benjaminhad to come home to be earl He seemed to have been constantlytravelingsincehisarrival,fromoneestatetothenext.Shehadbeensorryforhim forcedtoleavethearmyandfix alltheproblemsthatPapaandReubenhadcausedbyignoringtheestates
WhenhewaswiththeminLondon her mother preferredtolivehereyear-round hewaspolitebutdistant.Washethe sortwhowouldconspirewithHastingstogethishandsonpartofherdowry?Theideasoundedlikesomethingoutofagothic novel, and she shookitoff, butitkeptreturning, eveninher dreams, where a nightmare saw her runningawayfromanevil leeringHastingswhileBenjamincheeredHastingson.
Another confrontationwithher mother over breakfastthatmorningstiffened her spine Mama usuallytooka trayinbed, leavingLaureltobreakfastalone,sinceBenjamineschewedthemealinfavorofaride.Today,though,shemusthaveaskedher maidtowakeherearlyenoughtocatchLaurelatthetable
Sheaskedthebutlertoletherknowwhenherbrotherwasavailableandretreatedtothelittleparlorshehadmadeherown, makingher excuse into a truthbywritinga letter to eachofher two closestfriends, bothlongsince married withchildren, thoughLaurelhadbeenthefirstofthethreetoacceptaproposal Whentheknocksoundedonherdoor,shewasonthesecondletter,andfindingithardgoing,sinceshewantedtowriteall abouther impressions ofMrs Dove Lyons and the Lyons Den, butwasn’taboutto confess her plans inwriting, evento so trustedaconfidante.
Laurel had notrealized how tense she was until the tensionseeped away. Surely, he could notbe so insistentifhe was workingagainsther?
“Ihardlyknowyou,”shepointedout.
“Iknow,”Benjaminsaid “YouwerejustalittlegirlwhenIleftEngland Notallerthanmywaist Longplaitsandacute buttonnose.IthinkIsawyouonceinalltheyearssince.Maybetwice.ThenIcamehomeforgood,andyouwereabeautiful woman, all grownup.” He hesitated, his brows drawninto a frown. “IthoughtHastings was rightto postpone the wedding while we were all inmourningfor David, Reuben, and Father. But thenhe did it again, a year later, and bythenI’d read throughFather’srecordsandrealizedhowoftenithadhappened.”
“Whydidn’tyousayanything?”Laureldemanded
He grimaced and shifted uncomfortably in his chair, casting a glance upward. “I did suggest that the man should be dismissed,”hesaid
TherebymakingLaurelthescandalofthemoment,butBenjaminsoundedsopleasedwithhimself,thatshedidnothavethe heart to point that out to him. What he had said reminded her of another thingshe wanted to know “AmI still anheiress, Benjamin?IknowPapaneglectedtheestatesandReubenwasworse”
THE BEST TIME ofdaywasthemiddleoftheafternoon AngelplayedhisviolinuntiltheLyon’sDenclosedatsometimeinthe morning.Atthistimeofyear,theskywasalreadylitbythedawnwhenhetrudgedtotheboardinghousejustalongthestreet andhauledhimselfuptohisrentedroom.
Hedidn’tneedtoeatbeforeheslept.Mrs.DoveLyonswasagenerousemployer.Shefedheremployeesthesamecuisine that was served to her customers, thoughtheyate theirs withsilver off porcelainwhile the employees were satisfied with claywareandsteelorpewter.
He couldn’t follow her around in the evenings, standing in the crowd that gathered to see the high-born arrive at their entertainments.Notashehadwhenhewasfirstabletohobbleoutofthehospital.Nowhewasworkingfromnightfalltodawn, hisonlychanceofseeingLaurelwastocatchaglimpseofheronthoseafternoonssherodeinHydePark Tohisdelight,today wasoneofthosedays.
Angelwatchedthempassthensettledbackagainstatreetowaitforthemtoreturn.“Youareafool,AngelicoWarrington,” he told himself “She is an earl’s sister and an heiress, and you are a gambling den violinist who cannot walk without crutches.”
“Sowhatkeepsyoucomingback?”askedavoiceheknew Titan Hewasanotherpersonwhostraddledtwoworlds Since AngelknewpeoplewhohadknownTitaninSpain,hewasawareofhisrealname,andthathewasthesonandheirofanearl. Somethingkepthimfromreturningtohisfamily Physicalscarsoremotionalones Angelwasn’tgoingtoask Letthemankeep hissecrets.
Angel shookhis head Titanwas wrongonall counts Except, perhaps, the money He had wonsome exceptional prizes whileatwar,thoughtheywereallinvested,andhewouldn’tseeanyreturnfromthemuntilthefirstonepaidout thoughthe date for thatwas fastapproaching And he’d inherited his mother’s share ofthe Sicilianvineyards, whichthrived under the stewardshipofhiscousins,buthe’dwrittentoaskthemtokeepthemoneyinSicilywhilehedecidedwhattodowiththerest ofhislife.
Astofamily,hisSicilianfamilywasn’tgoodenoughfortheWarringtons,sowhywoulditbegoodenoughforSomerville? Angel certainly didn’t regard his father’s family as his own. They had cut their son off without regret when he’d married Angel’smother.
Whichlefthis feet. He could notbe as sanguine as TitanaboutLaurel’s opinionofthe poor mangled messes he carried aroundbeneathhisankles.Orthatofanyotherwoman,forthatmatter.
“Mrs.DoveLyonsdoesnotshareherclient’ssecrets,”Titantoldhim.“ButIhavebeentoldtomeetLadyLaurelineatthe ladies’door the eveningafter nextand take her to a roomwhere she canmeetthree possible husbands After that, Ihave a contesttoarrange,withtheprizeforwagerontheoutcomebeingthehandoftheladyinmarriage.”
“LetmeaskMrs DoveLyonstoincludeyouinthepossibles,”Titansaid “Ifshesaysno,youwillbenoworseoff” Angelcouldn’tanswer.Hehadtoomanythoughtsclamoringforroomonhistongue.Hefixedhiscrutchesunderhisarmpits and beganpropellinghimselftoward Whitehall and the Lyon’s Den Titankeptpace, butdidn’tspeak, for whichAngel was grateful.
Mrs. Dove Lyons has no reason to agree. Her reputation won’t be enhanced by such a match. I can’t pay her not at the moment, anyway Her guests will object if I am included among them But,asTitansaid,ifsherefusedhim,hewouldbeno worseoff.
Laurel will demand I am removed from the running Again,ifthathappened,hewouldhavelostnothing.
I cannot compete against able-bodied men in a game of strength or speed. Probablynotskill either. I’ll just make a laughingstock of myself. Buteveninthelastmonth,AngelhadseenthatmostofthewagersattheLyon’sDeninvolvedfoolish things Insectraces Conteststoeatordrinksomedisgustingsubstanceorfartoomuch Cardtricks Andifhedidlookafool, whatofit?WasLaurelnotworththerisk?
Better not to try than to try and fail Thatwasagloomythoughttoofar,eveninhiscurrentmood Hisfather’smottohad beennothingventured,nothinggained,andAngelohadtriedtoliveuptoitallhislife.
“This is myfault,” Benjaminmourned. “IfI’d spentmore time inLondon, I’d have a few names Icould offer you.” He brightened “Someofmyfriendsinthearmyareintown ”
“Lookingfor a wealthybride whomtheywill treatwithkindness and respect?” Laurel probed. “Be faithful to? Become friendswith?”
Laurel agreed, privatelythinkingthe conversationhad gone better thanshe expected Father or Reuben, under the same circumstances,wouldhaveroaredatherandlockedherinherroom.
As it was, onthe appointed eveningBenjaminhanded her downfromthe carriage and stood at her shoulder while the footmanknockedonthedoor.ThemanknownasTitanwaswaiting,andwasnonetookeenonallowingBenjamininside.They hadastaringmatch,rightthereinthedoorway,bothofthempuffingouttheirchestslikeroosterscontemplatingafightovera
Theydeflated to normal and straightened their jackets She suppressed a snigger atthe image ofroosters preeningtheir featherswhilekeepingoneeyeonanopponent.Shedidnotthinkeithermanwouldappreciatethecomparison.
Mrs. Dove Lyons joined thembefore theyevenhad time to sit down. “LadyLaureline,” she greeted Laurel. “And Lord Somerville Thisisasurprise,mylord Mylady,doyouwanthimhere?OrshallIhavehimremoved?”
Her brother shother a rueful glance “Iamhere to supportmysister and to keep her safe, Mrs Dove Lyon Fromthese contestantsforherhand,iftheyproveunworthy.Fromyouandyourstaff,ifnecessary.”
He raised his hand for silence when Mrs. Dove Lyons opened her mouth to speak. “But I have agreed to keep my interventiontoexpressingmyopinionunlessLaurelineisinimmediatedanger Sheisagrownwomanandcompetenttomake herowndecisions.”Hesighed.“WhetherIagreewiththemornotismyproblem.”
Laurel nodded. “Itis.” She resisted the urge to defend Benjamin’s prolonged neglect. The mess he discovered whenhe returnedtoEnglandwasareason,butitwasnotreallyanexcuse.AfewconversationswithherandwithHastingswouldnot havetakenlongandwouldhavesavedherfromthislast-minuterushtofindahusband
“ThenI shall also trust Lord Somerville,” replied Mrs. Dove Lyons, thoughher expressionsuggested that the trust was conditional.Fairenough.Benjaminwasregardingherwithmuchthesameexpression.
“LadyLaureline, shortly, your brother and Iwill move into the nextroom, where we will be able to see and hear what happensinthisroom,andcometoyourassistanceifneeded.WhichIdonotanticipate.Myservantswillbringrefreshments, andthechosengentlemenwillbeescortedtojoinyou Youwillhavethirtyminutestospeakwiththem Attheendofthattime, theywillbeaskedtoleave,andyouwillchoosewhichonestoremovefromthecontest.”
“Whichones?” Laurel questioned. Removingtwo fromthree would leave onlyone. Was there to be no contest? Or was impressingherinthirtyminutesthesubstanceofthecontest?
Amomentlater,whatLaurel hadbelievedtobeamirroronthewall litup,andshecouldseethroughintoanotherroom, where Mrs. Dove Lyons and Benjamin were taking a seat before the window. Someone off to the side must have then extinguished the lamp, because the room behind the glass suddenly plunged into darkness again, and the glass once more mirroredtheparlor.
Before she had time to become self-conscious about being alone in the room, watched by the two next door, the door
“Mrs Dove Lyons suggests that youhelp yourself to what youwould like, mylady,” said Titan, who was supervising “Then,whenyourguestsarrive,invitethemtoservethemselves.”
MRS DOVE LYONS hadagreedtoaddAngeltotheapplicantsforLaurel’scontest,warninghimthefirstobstaclewouldbethe ladyherself.Laurelwouldmeetthemall,andwouldrejecttwoofthefourcandidates.
Angel dressed with care for the meeting, forgoing his usual merman robes and mask for the dress uniformhe was not actuallyentitledtowear,sincehehadresignedhiscommission.Hehadnootherdressclothesofthequalitylikelytobeworn bytheothergentlemen,sohedecidedtoignorethedetail
Toignore,too,thathewouldberecognizedasthemusicianNereus.Itwastoomuchtohopetheotherthreemenwouldnot make the connectionbetweenthe manoncrutches who played the violinfor the gamblingdenand the manoncrutches who aspiredtothehandofthewell-bornheiress.Hecouldexpectscorn,aswellaspity.Hehadalreadydecidednottolethispride getinthewayofmakingabidforthelady.
Hedebatedwhethertoclaimtheirpreviousacquaintance.Ithadbeenalongtimeago,andafewencounters.Wouldithelp? He still wasn’tsure whenhe made his slow wayupstairs to the meeting, and found three other guests before him, all facing Titanwhostoodwatchoverthedoor Ah So,noprivatemomentswiththelady,then “Andhereisourlastgentleman,”Titansaid,andopenedthedoor.
The ladywas havingnone of it. “No need, Lord Hoskings. I believe I have met youall. Lord Hoskings, do youknow ColonelCarter,MajorLordAugustusSeward,anditisCaptainWarrington,isitnot?”
“Herenow,”Hoskingsprotested “Thismanworkshere Heshouldn’tbeoneofus” Seward was noddinghis agreement, butLaurel was havingnone ofit. “IfIdo notquestionthe decisions made byMrs. DoveLyons,LordHoskings,thenitiscertainlynotyourplacetodoso Ifyouarenothappywiththat,thedoorisbehindyou” Shewavedagracefulhandtowardasideboard.“Gentlemen,pleasehelpyourselftoyourpreferredfoodanddrink,andcome sitwithme.Wehavelittletime,andIdonotwishtowasteitwithdissension.”
Hoskings subsided, except for a resentful glance towards Angel. Laurel’s rebuke didn’t stop himfromkicking Angel’s crutchas Angel passed onhis wayto the table. Angel had expected somethingofthe sort, and was prepared, so the crutch skiddedawaybutAngeljustrighteditagainandkeptgoing Themanwasanidiot Didn’therealizeLaurelwaswatching?Or didheassumeshe,likehim,tooknoaccountofthefeelingsofthoseheconsideredbeneaththem?
Angel poured himself a wine and sat next to the sideboard, so he did not have to cross the roommanaging glass and crutches.Bythetimehehadtakenhisseat,theotherthreegentlemenwereexertingthemselvestocharmthelady.
Angelsatandlistened,waitinghisturn.UnlikeHoskingsandSeward,whokeptinterruptingCarterashetriedtoreplyto Laurel’s questions. Finally, Laurel asked themto be silent. “Iwishto speakwitheachofyou, gentlemen. Please be patient.
“TheyarethereasonIwishtomarry,”Carterexplained.“Whentheywereyounger,itdidnotseemsoimportant,butinonly five years, the oldestwill be readyfor her Season, and Ido notwishto face thatwithouta wife atmyside Ihave always admiredyou,LadyLaureline.Iwouldbehonoredifthechoicefelltome.”
Three daughters, ranginginage fromtwelve to six The youngest had never knownher mother Angel had to admit that Carter’s needwas great,butdidLaurel wanttobe aninstantmother? Didshe wanttobe marriedfor the sakeofthree little girls,ratherthanforherownsake?
Seward was next He was keento revisithis jointhistorywithLaurel, butshe was more interested inhow he currently livedhislife.TheconversationbetweenthemkeptfalteringuntilLaurelaskedabouthishorses,afterwhichSewardrequired nofurtherinputfromanyoneintheroom Hehadclearlynotchangedinthepasteightyears Hestillthoughthimselfanexpert onhorseflesh,andAngelwaspreparedtolayoddsthathestillhadastablefullofshowysticklebacksandbone-setters.
Laurel clasped her hands before her chest. “Iremember!The bridge came downonyou, and youwere captured bythe French,andthenlaterrescued.Itwasinthenewspapers.”
Angel grimaced. He hated beingsingled outas a hero. He’d knownso manymenmore heroic thanhe, and mostofthem weredead.“Ididmyduty,mylady,”hesaid.
“Youinjured your throat, too,” she observed “Youused to sing” She really did remember him, then And fondly, ifher slightlymistyexpressionwasanyindication.
“Idonotsingordanceanylonger,”Angeladmitted,hisheartheavywithregretthathecouldnolongercharmherwithhis voice or woo her withthe sanctioned touches and embraces ofa dance. She deserved a suitor, a husband who was whole. Hoskings,cursetheman,wasright,thoughforthewrongreasons.Angelshouldnotbehere.
SewardassuredLaurelthathewasanofficerandagentlemanandwouldbehaveaccordingly Angel,whenitwashisturn,simplyspokefromhisheart.“Iwantwhatmyparentshad,”hetoldLaurel.“Awarmregard,a mutual respect, a deep trust.” He swallowed a lump inhis throatand pressed on, his heartpoundingharder thanitever had beforebattle “Tobetraysuchamarriagewouldbetodestroyit Iwouldbefaithful tomyvows”HemetandheldLaurel’s eyes.Theywerewarm.Withinterest?
Sheheldhis gazefor amomentafter hefinishedspeaking,her eyes full ofdreams.Shehadnotdonethatwithanyofthe others.His hope tookwings.She thengave herselfa small shake before saying,“Andhow doyoueachsee the role ofyour
Hewassettinghiscrutchesreadyashespoke,andbowedhisfarewelltofollowtheothergentlemenoutbythetimethelast ofthemclearedthedoor Wasitjusthisimagination,orhadhestruckasparkwiththelady?Shehadcertainlysethimablaze Evenfromadistance,watchingherinthePark,hehadseenhowagehadchangedthelivelylovelygirlintoacalm,confident, even more lovely woman Up close, she was even more magnificent The years had given her wisdom to crown her intelligence,andastrengthofcharacterthatmightbedauntingtosomebutmadeherevenmoreattractivetoAngel.Heyearned toknowherbetter
LAUREL GENERALLY BROKE her fastinsolitarysplendor inthe breakfastroom,since her mother tooka trayinher chambers and seldomemergeduntil afternoon.Butinthepastfew weeks,sinceBenjaminhadbeeninresidence,shehadoftenjoinedhim, andthismorning,inparticular,shewaskeentoseeherbrother
After theyhad left the Lyon’s Denyesterdayafternoon, theyagreed that Lord Hoskings and Lord Augustus Seward had made a poor showing. Laurel would have beenhappyto tell Mrs. Dove Lyons thenand there she wanted the pair of them removed. But Benjaminargued for talkingto themfirst. He set off last night to find out what he could about all four men, promisingtoreportthismorning.
He wasn’tatthe table, butbythe time she had served herselfhe had arrived, callingfor coffee Frombreakfastingwith Reubenandherfather,Laurelknewbetterthantospeakwithamanbeforehehadfinishedhisfirstcup.Shesatandsippedher teabetweenbites oftoast Beforelong,hegotupagain,refilledhis cup,andloadedaplatewithwhatlookedlikesufficient foodforanarmy.
Benjamingesturedtohismouth,intowhichhehadjustconveyedaloadofsausage,bacon,andegg Laurelsuppressedahuffofimpatienceandpouredherselfanothertea.Shehadsippedhalfofitbeforeherbrothersethis knifeandforkonhisplate(askew,asaclearsignalhehadnotfinished),emptiedhissecondcupofcoffee,andsaid,“Ifound threeofthem,andfoundoutmoreaboutallfour.Hoskingsisasmuchofaboorashesoundedyesterdayafternoon.Heisindun territory,andneeds a wealthyfrigate tohaul himout,buthas no intentionoflettingloose the expensive game pulletthathas helpedtolandhiminthesuds”
“TranslatedintoEnglish,”Laurelsaid,“IcanguessthatIamthefrigate,so dun territory wouldbefinancialdifficulty? In the suds istrouble Whatisa game pullet,praytell?Somesortofhuntinganalogy?” “Oh,lord,”Benjamingroaned.“ThisiswhatcomesofspeakingwithaladybeforeI’mproperlyawake.Gamepullet.His particular His,um, wife in watercolors ”
Benjaminstopped partwaythroughusinga tornpiece ofbread roll to mop up eggfromhis plate “Laurel? He’s wrong, right?Imean,youdon’tevenliketheman.Doyou?”
“Ineverlikedtheman!”Laureldeclared,fervently “Fatherthoughthecouldbetrustedtoescortmearoundwhenwewere inPortugalbecausehewasthesonofaduke.Ihadthechoicebetweenacceptinghiscompanyorstayingathome.Somedays,it was a close-runthing, Icantell you He proposed, youknow Or, atleast, he approached Father to askfor me Fortunately, FatherthoughtIcoulddobetter.”
“Good, then,” Benjaminsaid, before eatinghis piece ofbread, his pace havingslowed as his hunger abated. There was somethinghearteningaboutseeinghimhoeintohisfoodwithsuchenthusiasm Incompany,hehadperfecttablemanners Here, withjust the two ofthem, he applied himselfto the business ofrefuelinghis body. Laurel wondered ifother menwere the same, and chased awaythe image of Angelico sittingacross fromher where Benjaminwas now Why Angelico? Why not Carter? Either one might win.Thethoughtdisturbedherforreasonsshewasonlyjustbeginningtorealize.
Theproblemthathadkepther awakehalfthenightwasthatColonel Carter wasnotwhatshewanted.Shehadsetoutin coldbloodtosecureherdowryandherreleasefromlivingwithherMamaandonthegoodwillofherbrother.Backthen,she wouldhavethoughtsomeonelikeColonel Carter tobeperfect.Notonlyadecentahonorableman,butonewhoalreadyhad threedaughters.Sheratherlikedtheideaofaready-madefamily.
Benjamin, thankfully, seemed unaware ofher preoccupation. “Warringtonwasn’tatworkyesterdayevening, and no one would tell me where he lived,” he said “Theyspeakwell of him, there And Carter tells me he was anexcellent officer Wellborn, too, apparently. His father was one ofthe Berkshire Warringtons. Ayounger scionof the familywho married an Italiannoblewomanand never came home fromhis Grand Tour Which, oddlyenough, makes himsome sort of a cousinto Seward.”
“Angelico Warringtonis a hero,” Laurel declared “He saved me thatday, Benjamin Father, too, and Idon’tknow how manyotherpeople.LordAugustuscamealongwithapatrolandstoodaroundstrikingattitudeswhileAngelicoswamouttothe shipagainandagain,andthesoldiersorganizedropelinesandblanketsandalltherest IfithadnotbeenforAngelico,Father andIbothwouldhavedied.”
Benjaminproved to be more perceptive thanshe had hoped “And is that whyyoufavor him? Because gratitude is not enoughtobuildamarriageon,sistermine.”
