Dancing with a Rogue (35 page)

Pain drove through Monique. She had felt that way. Worthless. Helpless. Then she was introduced to the theater. That had given dignity back to her, a sense of worth. Still, if it were not for Dani, she would be very lonely indeed.

“Do you have friends?”

“Only Robert. My father did not want me ‘tainted,' but I met Robert one day in the town, and I was able to meet him occasionally. He bought me the sketching pad. I knew, though, that my father intended a prestigious marriage for me. I was … surprised when it was Lord Manchester.”

“Why?”

“He is not like the other men around my father,” she said simply.

He was not, Monique admitted.

Pamela was sketching again, her fingers moving quickly over the pad. Monique saw her eyes on a bird perched on a limb. Her face was creased in concentration.

Monique closed her eyes, pledging to herself that regardless of what happened she would make sure Pamela had some safety. Monique had funds she had saved these past few years. They were meant to be used to destroy Stanhope, but Pamela's salvation was more important.

Monique decided she would see a solicitor as soon as they returned. If anything happened to her, she wanted Pamela to have the resources necessary to move beyond Stanhope's reach.

Gabriel trailed along with the pack of hunters, purposely staying toward the rear. He planned to angle away later and ride to the ruins.

He knew he shouldn't.

Yet he was as drawn to them as surely as a magnet to a lodestone. He told himself he wanted to know why Monique had interjected a defense for him last night to the displeasure of men she was trying to attract.

Specter was rested after the morning ride, but he was unusually skittish. Gabriel concentrated on maintaining control. Stammel approached him once and raised an eyebrow. “Problems?”

“None I cannot handle.”

“I suppose Americans are not as accomplished as we in England.”

“I suppose it depends on what accomplishments you mean,” Gabriel said in a steady voice. “Gaming for instance. You still have not yet honored your debt.”

Stammel glared at him, then cantered away.

Specter started to follow, then bucked slightly. It was so unexpected, Gabriel almost lost his seat. He allowed the others to go ahead, then when they were out of sight, he dismounted and checked the blanket and saddle. Spots of blood stained the underneath of the blanket.

He ran his hand over the blanket and found a small burr there. He dislodged it. If he had been less accomplished, he could well be lying on the ground somewhere.

Stammel? Daven? Stanhope? Which one wanted him injured?

He doubted it was Stanhope. The earl still hoped to drain him of what funds he might have. Daven had no reason.

Stammel actively and publicly disliked him. Besides he owed him money.

He would have to be more careful than he'd thought. Until now, he'd considered Stanhope the main threat. He doubted now whether Stanhope had any idea of what Stammel—if it was Stammel—had intended.

Another little wedge between the partners. Perhaps tonight he could make a deeper one.

With those thoughts in mind, he took the reins and started the long walk back.

So much for temptation. He would not have time to find a new horse and ride to the ruins. He was no longer surprised that he felt a jolt of loss. He told himself it was for the best.

For both of them.

He only wished he did not regret it so.

The meeting with Stanhope was short.

Stanhope had arrived just prior to the arranged meeting.

“We lost you,” he said. “The groom said you came walking back.”

“Oddly enough, I found a burr under the blanket of my horse.”

Stanhope stared at him. “The groom didn't say anything.”

“I didn't tell him what had happened. Only that he had some kind of irritation.”

“Why?”

“I thought it should be your business,” Gabriel said.

“You obviously believe it was intentional.”

“I cannot understand how else a burr would get under a saddle,” Gabriel remarked dryly.

“And whom do you suspect?”

Gabriel shrugged. “Stammel owes me money,” he said simply.

He saw Stanhope's eyes glint. “I will approach him about it,” he said. “You can be sure that nothing like that will happen again.”

“I hope not. I should hate to go to the authorities,” Gabriel said.

A silence.

“Be assured that I will have a long discussion with Robert,” Stanhope said.

He leaned back in his chair. “Now do you plan to make an offer for my daughter?” he said.

“I do not wish to rush her, but I believe she favors my suit.”

“Several people saw you return together this morning,” Stanhope stated in an accusing voice. “That is not done in England, not with young people who are not engaged.”

So he did know more about Pamela's movements than she suspected. “It was an accidental meeting,” he said.

“Nonetheless …”

“Society would question such a quick engagement,” Gabriel said. “I would not wish to harm her reputation.”

“I did not think you concerned yourself about such things.”

“I hope to stay in England and take my rightful place as well as title,” Gabriel said pompously. “I cannot do that if more scandal haunts me or my intended bride.”

“Just do not wait too long,” Stanhope warned. “Or I shall look elsewhere.”

“I would hope for a little more security first,” Gabriel continued. “Our business arrangement …”

“Do you have your share?”

“I should have it next week. I would like to know the particulars.”

“I will show you the contracts on Tuesday upon my return.” He stood, as if dismissing Gabriel.

Gabriel also stood. “And now I believe I will explore your maze. I have been intrigued by it since I arrived.”

Stanhope looked pleased. “Yes. It is quite intricate. Guests have been lost there for hours.”

Only Stanhope would think that amusing.

“If we do not see you by supper's end, I will send a servant for you,” Stanhope said. “We plan to have games of chance again tonight. I am sure you will want to join us.”

It was a challenge again. The man seemed to love them. It didn't call for an answer.

Gabriel bowed slightly and left the room.

He stood outside for a moment, then went out the front door, telling the butler he was going to the maze.

“My lord, perhaps you would like to take a footman with you,” he said anxiously. “Supper is in an hour.”

Gabriel gave him every bit the haughty look that the gentleman earlier had bestowed upon him.

“No,” he said. “I wish to discover its secrets on my own.”

The man looked dubious but stepped back. “If you do not return …”

“You are not to bother yourself,” Gabriel said arrogantly.

The butler backed away.

Gabriel walked briskly to the maze. No one else appeared interested at the moment. Few guests were outside; those that were apparently were returning from calling on neighbors. The grooms were busy with incoming carriages, but he made sure they saw him.

He reached the entrance of the maze and entered, immediately enveloped by the tall manicured shrubs. Instead of exploring further, he very carefully sat down. He had no intention of becoming lost. He planned to wait until an hour passed and supper started. Most of the servants would be busy.

He would then visit Stanhope's rooms and perhaps a few others.

Perhaps he could find enough to pay his share of the partnership.

He closed his eyes.

And started counting minutes.

Monique went to the window. She looked below and saw Manchester walk toward the maze. She had heard servants talk about it, how difficult it was. People had been trapped for hours.

Yet Manchester walked into it alone.

He truly was a fool.

She still stung from the fact he had not appeared at the ruins as Pamela had expected him to do. She shook the thought from her head and turned to Dani. “Tonight,” she said. “We will strike tonight. Have you found someplace to hide whatever we find?”

“
Oui
,” Dani said. “The best place is in the earl's own coach. It will take us back, will it not?”

“But how?”

“I will find a way,” Dani said.

And Dani would. They had both assumed that there would be an intense search after items turned missing.

Items from Stanhope. From Stammel. Perhaps a few other guests. She wanted Stanhope's country party to end in disaster. The more she could throw him off balance the better. “You can tell Lord Stanhope's butler that I am ill. I would appreciate a bowl of soup.”

“Then tonight …”

“Tonight I will see how well you have taught me.”

Gabriel waited until he thought the guests would be sitting at the table. As he'd thought, no one came looking for him. Stanhope would find it a great joke to leave him here all night.

He went to the entrance of the maze and looked out. He saw no one, not even grooms.

He strode from the maze, not hurriedly or stealthily. He did not want anyone to think that he was hiding something. At the same time he hoped no one saw him. He went to the servants' entrance, not to the front one. If discovered, he would merely claim embarrassment at being late. But he saw no one; most, if not all, of the servants would be assisting with the elaborate supper.

He made it to his room without seeing anyone. Smythe was sitting there waiting for him.

Smythe rose quickly from a chair. “My lord, the Earl of Stanhope was looking for you.”

“I became lost in his maze,” Gabriel said. “And now I fear it is too late to join them for supper without looking the fool.” He met Smythe's gaze. “I do not want you to tell anyone what time I arrived,” he said.

Smythe nodded.

“You may go down and eat,” Gabriel said.

“But can I not …?”

“No,” Gabriel said sharper than he intended. “I would like some time alone.”

Smythe hesitated, then his face lit in a way Gabriel had never seen before. “Yes, sir.”

Gabriel looked at him with curiosity. There was something a shade different about Smythe. “Has something happened?”

“No, my lord. I mean … sir. I was just with Miss Dani. Miss Fremont's maid. She is a very … fetching. She is French but …”

He was prattling. Smythe was actually prattling. And about Dani, of all women. Dani who never wore color, who seldom lifted her eyes to anyone except in defense of her mistress.

Gabriel found himself smiling.

“She seems a very nice woman,” he said. He didn't add that she might be a thief as well. Well, so was he.

Smythe straightened. “I will probably not see her again.”

“Why do you not go down to the kitchen and see about a meal?” Gabriel said helpfully.

“But what about you, my lord?”

“I am not hungry,” Gabriel said. “I will get something later. Go. I order it.”

Smythe did not object this time. Instead, the touching eagerness in his face affected Gabriel in an odd way. Perhaps because he too was feeling some discomforting signs of the same affliction.

He waited until Smythe had been gone several moments, then sipped some brandy. He spilled a little on his waistcoat. If he were found in someone's room, well, he could say that he had wandered into the wrong one after taking a glass or two. He'd been distraught about missing supper.

Gabriel started at the end of the hall. He wondered again which room had been given to Monique and whether she was in the great hall, seated next to Stanhope.

He knocked on one door, just in the event a servant was awaiting the arrival of a mistress or master, then quietly opened it.

Swiftly he went through the drawers of the clothespress. He found a box of jewelry. He picked through it and found a pair of diamond earrings. He pocketed those.

Enough here. He did not want to be too greedy, and the earrings were easily concealed.

He opened the door and left the room. Four more quick visits. Several additional items, including a jeweled pin for a cravat, more earrings, and two bracelets. Then he made his way down the hall. He had earlier asked a servant for the location of Stanhope's room. He would try that next. He wanted to inspect Stanhope's safe.

Gabriel walked swiftly to the room and knocked. No sound. He turned the knob on the door and opened it.

He stepped inside. The skin on his neck prickled. The curtains moved ever so slightly.

Leave, he told himself. Someone did not want to be seen by him and he sure as hell did not want to be seen by him.

“Stanhope?” he asked, as if he was really seeking the man.

No answer.

He stepped outside, walked several steps down the hall, then leaned against a wall and waited.

No one exited immediately. Five, perhaps ten minutes went by, then the door of Stanhope's room opened.

Monique Fremont stepped out. She immediately saw him, and her face paled. Her hands were free but he saw a bulge in her dress. It should not be there.

Damn it. They could not linger here. Nor could they be found with valuables that did not belong to them.

“Come with me,” he said, taking her wrist and giving her no choice.

They walked down the hall, she walking beside him. No protests. No pulling away.

He reached his room and drew her inside, then closed the door.

“What in the hell are you doing?” he said, recognizing the hypocrisy in his outrage. He was a thief. Why should he care if she were one also?

Because it was so damned dangerous.
She had no idea of what Stanhope was capable. Now everything was clear. She had taunted all three men in order to be in a position where she could steal enough to make her very, very comfortable.

He reached out and put his fingers down into the front of her dress. It emerged with a large number of banknotes. And an exquisite diamond necklace.