Her Reluctant Viscount (Rakes and Rogues) (40 page)

“Not delusional, Jo.”

“Do not attempt to placate me, Trystan Wilkes,” she snapped, barely noticing that Clara slipped from the room.

“Jo, be reasonable.”

“Reasonable. Why is it so hard to believe I know what I am talking about?” She threw her hands up in frustration.

“It is not that I do not believe you, it is that Anthony says The Alchemist is a man.”

“So is Anthony and because of that you are more inclined to trust him.” She shook her head in disappointment.

“Do not be this way.”

“Why not? This is foolishness and you know it. I have known you for six years now, Trystan, and ask yourself this, have I ever lied to you? You are taking the word of a man who, sure, you worked with longer but has
betrayed
you. Something is wrong if you trust a man whose lies have cost you the life of those you have worked with, almost my life and your own, over my word, merely because I am a woman.”

Tears burned her eyes. “You can believe whomever you want but just as I am standing here and as confident as I am we shared a bed last night, The Alchemist is a woman.”

She walked out, closing the door behind her.

Trystan stared at the floor as he ran her words over in his mind. Jo had been really rattled when he got here. And her words had hit him. She was right, why did they believe Anthony? It did not make sense.

Penning a note, he called a footman and had him take it to deliver immediately. Then he went to find Jo. He heard the piano and almost went to the music room. Instead, he made his way to the kitchen where they fixed him a quick bite to eat. He had finished when the butler came to inform him he had a guest.

With a final request to the man, Tryst went to the study to meet the man he had sent for. Leaving the door open behind him, he nodded as he went to the large chair behind the desk.

“Hello, Jack.”

“What did you want to see me about, Trystan?”

“There is something you need to hear.”

A knock at the door brought his head up. Jo stood there with a maid who carried refreshments.

“You wished to see me,” Jo said.

“Yes.” To the maid he added, “We can serve ourselves, thank you.”

She dipped and left, drawing the door behind her.

“What about?” She turned her head and stared at Jack. “Your Grace.” She curtsied then returned her gaze to him.

“I think you need to tell Jack what you told me.” She blinked uncertainly. “About seeing The Alchemist in the park today.”

“What?” Jack thundered.

Jo never looked away from Trystan. “Thought I was delusional and you were taking Anthony’s word on things.”

“I was wrong. Please, Jo, tell him what you told me.”

Honestly, he thought she would make him apologize more or suffer for not believing him. Again, Jo had proved him wrong. She was nothing like a lot of the women he associated with in the past. There was no desire to make him experience her in a bad mood just until he bought her something.

Now, he did not assume everything was okay between them, he was not that stupid. He knew his actions hurt Jo and he had to make it up to her, but it was because her feelings truly had been hurt. It had nothing to do with wanting bobbles or clothing. She wanted respect.

“What did you see?”

Jo served them and sat in a chair where she could see them both. “I saw The Alchemist. She is here, in London.”

“She?” Jack shook his head. “The Alchemist is not a woman.”

“Listen to her, Jack.”

The expression on Jo’s face told him she had not expected his support. Jack crossed his arms and settled back, waiting.

“When I was first taken to that house in Dover and put in the cell, a woman came down to check on those of us in the cells. There was no mistaking who she was.”

“Did you ever think it was a ploy to through you off and make you believe The Alchemist was a woman?”

“Why would they use a ploy, Your Grace, when they were very clear on wanting to kill me? Perhaps you should ask yourself this, why would Anthony try to convince you so much you will never find
him
and have your revenge?”

Jack looked at him and Tryst held his gaze without blinking. “I support Jo on this, Jack. This person is blending and one step ahead of us. Anthony has always had problems with authority, from men. Perhaps he is more comfortable taking orders from a woman.”

“Can you give a likeness of her?”

Jo nodded. “It would not take me too long to give a rough one, if you wished it more detailed, a day would be better.”

“Take your day.”

Jo rose and walked out. She did not curtsey nor did she say goodbye and Tryst knew she was still rattled. The sad thing was, he also knew why she was shaken up. It was not because she saw that woman looking at her, it was because she had Clara and two maids with her who could have gotten hurt.

“I do not know how this happened.” Jack rubbed his face, suddenly looking his age. No longer a spry man who seemed to defeat aging, he appeared old and drawn.

“Women have been spies, it is not such a surprise they could be doing this as well.”

“You need to come back.”

Tryst shook his head. “No, I told you, Jack. I am out.”

“You cannot quit. It is in your blood, this life pumps through your veins.”

The words were true, he had done this for so long he was not sure he would know what to do without it. “So you never once wished for something else? A family? Duchess Haversham?”

Nostrils flared as he shifted in his chair. “What are you going on about?”

“The past you have with the duchess. I do not want this job to take so much from me, I cannot be in the same room with the woman I love and not be able to show it for her. I do not want to be alone. How do you do it? Watch her and know she is so close and yet, you will never have her.” He poured himself another drink. “I have seen the way you look at her and she, you. What is it that keeps you from being with her? She is the only person who I have seen get emotion out of you and yet…” He shook his head. “Never mind, ‘tis not my concern. I will not live my life like that.”

Jack’s jaw clenched along with his fists. “You think you and Jo can have a life? You cannot. This follows you wherever you go, there is always someone from your past who may show up and seek revenge. There is no freedom from it.”

“I do not believe that, Jack. I will not. I have no intentions of being like my own father who drinks, whores, and gambles away everything only to die alone. I want more. I deserve more.”

“So you will be on missions worried about your wife and things back at home.”

“No. Precisely why I am out. I know I need to be focused completely on missions and I probably would not be with a wife. I am making a decision. I want a wife.”

“You think this chit will marry you? After all your lies and deceit to her and her friends. Do you think she will? There is a lot you did in the service of your job, Trystan Wilkes. Are you so sure this woman will understand and still want to marry you?”

“I did my job, I make no apologies for that.”

“Will she understand? Understand you had men following her parents because you were not sure her father was not part of The Alchemist’s scheme? Understand even after you sent me the message you figured she was in more danger and yet still used her as bait to draw out the traitor in our midst?” Jack leaned forward, arms on thighs. “That your need to find this person is what got her taken? There are many dirty secrets which are revealed and one must take care.”

“Are you threatening to tell her this?”

“There is no need.” A feminine voice stated. “You just accomplished that.”

Shite. Trystan turned to find Jo standing there with a piece of paper in her hand. Her face was devoid of expression yet he could see the betrayal in her blue eyes.

“Jo,” he began, rising from his seat.

“As you said, you were doing your job and make no apologies for it.” She walked to Jack and handed him the paper. “A brief sketch. I will have a detailed one sent to you when I finish.” She turned and walked out.

“You bastard!” Trystan seethed stalking toward his own boss.

Jack leaned back in his chair, nonplussed. “No wife, no need to leave the Crown’s service.”

He wanted to ram his fist into Jack’s smug face. “Get out.” Whirling on his heel, he went back to the door and left, needing to find Jo.

First stop, the library. Not a sign of her. He checked everywhere except her room and headed there. Knocking he swore when no answer came.

“Jo. Jo, open up, we need to talk.”

Still nothing in response.

Where the hell could she have gone in seconds? He headed back down the stairs and paused at the sound of feminine laughter. Okay, so he had not checked the dining room.

Entering, he drew up at the sight of Jo and Clara sitting there eating some pastries. The smile on her face made his heart melt. So did the way it slipped away when the women knew he was there.

“We need to talk, Jo.”

She popped the last bit of the éclair into her mouth. “No need. I will have the sketch for you later today.”

He turned to leave but stopped. “It is not what you think.”

Her smile was sad. “You have no idea what I think, Trystan Wilkes.”

“Let me explain. Clara, please give us a moment.”

“No. Clara stay. You leave, Trystan. I am having a good time with my friend and she is not leaving just because you feel guilty over something I overheard.”

“This needs to be explained.” He began to grow angry with her distance.

“So explain it to someone who cares. I do not.” She turned from him and he knew he had been dismissed.

Still so in control of her emotions. No sign of his hellcat and the woman he knew would fight. He had to push some more. So he did.

“Damn it, Jo. I asked you to marry me and I believe this needs to be talked about before that happens.”

Her entire body stiffened. Clara’s eyes widened but she did not move from her chair. Would it be enough?

“I recall declining that proposal for someone who was a ‘good match’ to you. I am sure the mistress you took me to see would also be a ‘good match’ so why not offer marriage to her. You already know all you need to do is buy her pretty and shiny things to keep her happy.”

Nope. Not enough. There was no bite to her words, no, if anything she was resigned. And he did not like it.

“I guess we will talk later.”

She muttered something under her breath he did not catch, however, Clara’s eyes grew wide, and her face turned a delightful shade of pink. Frustrated, Trystan walked out of the dining room and leaned against the wall. Sure enough, within moments laughter came again.

A strange pain filled his chest and he rubbed it. Had he lost her? All his attempts to keep her at a distance, all the refusal to see how she looked at him. Now that he wanted her, she…was the one distant. He hated it. Was this what she felt all those years? If so, how the hell did she manage to remain upbeat and smile? He wanted to growl and snap at people. Then drink. A lot.

Chapter Sixteen

Duchess Haversham has sent an invitation for me to join her for tea tomorrow. I have only met her one time before and am a bit scared. What could a duchess want with a viscount’s daughter? I will do my best not to embarrass Father.

~From the private journal of Josephine Adrys

Jo sat by her window and brushed out her hair. Tonight was the party at the museum. The house was mostly quiet as she pulled on her dress, forgoing the stays. Right now she just wanted to get outside. The day was warmer than it had been and she wanted to be among the changing leaves.