She could only stare at him.
His finger slid sensuously over her lips. “I adore you, Polly Peach, and if you would consent to be my wife, I will be the happiest man alive.”
“Do ... do you really mean this?” she whispered incredulously.
“I swear upon all I hold most dear. I came here to Bath to find a wife and expected to make a marriage of convenience. Instead, I’ve fallen in love. Say you’ll be my bride, Polly.”
Her heart had its way once and for all, and a foolish, rather wobbly smile lit her face. “Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife, Dominic,” she breathed.
“Oh, my darling ...” He caught her close, his lips finding hers with a hunger that played no games, extended no shadows, and hid no secrets.
As her arms slid around him, she knew he was truly hers. It was really happening; it was fact not fantasy, and she felt wonderful. Her doubts and fears soared away, rapture filled her entire being, and she became the very essence of joy.
It was a long, long moment before Dominic drew back from the kiss. His gray eyes were dark with love and desire, and he cupped her face in his hands. “I want to shout our love to everyone in the gardens,” he said softly.
She smiled mistily, her vision blurred with happy tears, but then plain facts impressed themselves upon her delight. “I’d like to shout it, too, but such news would soon be all over Bath, and we have yet to undo Lord Benjamin. If our plan is to work, he has to think I’m still unattached. Unless, of course ...”
“Unless, what?”
“Well, my uncle might find Nutmeg’s belt before then, although it’s a little late now, so I guess he hasn’t been successful.” She explained about Hordwell’s defection from Lord Benjamin’s camp.
“So the old miser has a heart after all?”
“I always knew he did really—it was just well hidden.”
“Will a mere baronet do for his niece instead of a duke’s son?”
“I’m sure so.” She smiled again.
Bodkin had heard everything, and his face was creased by a silly grin. He was more pleased about Polly and Dominic than they would ever know, for he considered them to be an absolutely perfect match, two halves of the same whole. As for the news about Hordwell, well, he was pleased about that, too. For Polly’s sake he was relieved that the old miser had a good side after all.
The brownie got up from his rather uncomfortable seat on the retaining wall and strolled back down through the gardens, where long dark shadows now stretched more thickly than before. But then his smile faded as he recalled what he’d learned about Georgiana. The more he heard about that lady, the viler she became. In fact, she was almost as wicked as her brother, and tonight they would both receive the same Halloween punishment!
Chapter 37
It was five o’clock. Darkness had fallen, and Halloween had begun. Groups of children and young people, known as guisers, thronged the streets of Bath. They were dressed in strange costumes, from ghosts and devils, to witches and animals, and knocked at doors, demanding gifts of sweets or fruit, and threatening mischief if none were forthcoming. Some fireworks glittered against the starlit sky, but the festivities in Sydney Garden were still an hour away.
Jack-o’-lanterns sat by most of the doors at Royal Crescent, and in many windows, too, their flickering faces quite eerie now daylight had gone. Guisers scurried from house to house, and Georgiana watched them from the drawing room window of the Beddem residence. She was dressed as Diana the huntress, in a flowing white muslin gown, with a leopard skin fixed around her waist. She carried a quiver of arrows and a little golden bow, and her green velvet mantle was keeping warm over a chair near the fire. She had resumed to her plan to marry Lord Algernon, and expected him to arrive for her at any moment in his carriage. Her decision to leave for the gardens from 1 Royal Crescent was her desire to watch Dominic’s front door. His little Peach would have none of him now. Georgiana smiled vindictively, and the jewels sprinkled in her dark hair flashed in the candlelight as she glanced down at the ring she had now returned to her right hand. It had been almost too easy to trick dear Polly. And, oh, how pleasant it had been.
Lord Benjamin spoke behind her. “You’ll never get Fortune back, Sis.”
She turned irritably. “And what makes you think I want him?”
“I know you, Georgiana, and I know Fortune. If he’s sent you on your way, that’s the end of it,” he said frankly, going to pour himself a glass of cognac. He, too, was dressed for Halloween, as a large red devil, complete with horns, tail, and pitchfork. The costume was stretched to the breaking point by his rather too plump figure, and whenever he bent over or sat down, the stitches looked as if they would burst.
Georgiana scowled at him. He was very good at giving out advice, but hopeless at taking it himself. If he imagined the Peach’s Bank heiress was going to fall into his arms after all, he was very much mistaken. “Brother mine, if home truths are the order of the evening, I think it is time to acquaint you with a few,” she said, going to him and taking his filled glass for herself.
He scowled, and then turned to pour himself another. “And what, pray, do you imagine I need to be told?”
“That your heiress prize is the object of Dominic’s affection, and he of hers.”
“Maybe, but she is still prepared to consider marriage to me.”
“You think so?”
“I have Hordwell’s word for it.”
“And you have
my
word that she’s only interested in Dominic. I’ve seen it in her eyes.” Georgiana swirled her glass and savored the bouquet. “You’re right about me, though, I do still want him. It’s rather quaint, is it not? You want the Peach’s Bank fortune, and I want Dominic.”
“The difference being that I will have the fortune, my dear,” he replied, returning to his chair and easing himself carefully into it. “Actually, I intend to enjoy two fortunes, although the second one will take a little longer. Dear Polly’s coffers will drive the duns away and make me very comfortable in the meantime.”
Georgiana’s attention was on his costume. “Are you sure your outfit is up to the strain? If a seam should go—”
“It fits perfectly well, although it’s damned hot.” He ran a finger around the costume’s high, tight throat.
“Then keep away from the bonfire,” his sister replied unsympathetically, before changing the subject. “What is this second fortune you mentioned a while ago?” she asked.
“Nothing I intend to speak of just yet.”
Her curiosity was kindled. “Oh, tell me, Benjie,” she pleaded.
“No. All I intend to say is that it involves something a little, er, supernatural.”
“Something nonexistent, more like,” she replied flatly.
“Oh, it’s very real, I promise you,” he replied. “You’ll see soon enough. In fact, the whole world will soon see.”
“What are you talking about?”
“All in good time.”
Losing interest, she looked outside again. The guisers had almost reached the far end of the crescent now and would soon move on. Someone had clearly refused to heed their demands, for a small group had removed a portion of railing and were carrying it down the common. They took it halfway down the slope, hid it among some bushes, and then ran laughing back to the road to make their way to Marlborough Buildings.
Lord Benjamin looked at her. “I said I will have the Peach’s Bank fortune, and I will. It’s all in hand.”
She turned. “What are you up to?”
“That old fool Horditall has assured me she’ll be all agreeability at the gardens tonight, and—”
“I cannot see that she’ll do any such thing. Benjie, believe me, she’s head over heels in love with Dominic.”
“Hordwell said—”
“But is he being truthful?”
“Why wouldn’t he be?”
“I don’t know, but I certainly wouldn’t trust him. Miserly and grasping he may be, but deep down he loves his niece. Don’t place too much faith in him, that’s my advice. Anyway, what were you saying about her agreeability?”
Benjamin was distracted by her warnings about Hordwell and had to collect himself. “Eh? Oh, yes. Well, I mean to make full use of the darkness to bundle her—tied and gagged—into one of those pleasure boats on the canal. I’ll row her to Bathampton, where a carriage will be waiting. Then I’ll carry her off to Gretna Green and force her into marriage.”
Georgiana’s lips parted in astonishment. “You’re not serious!”
“Oh, I am. Perfectly.” He smiled. “It cannot fail, especially if you help me.”
“Me? How?”
“By keeping Fortune occupied. If he is interested in her, he’s bound to stay close tonight, and that won’t suit me. I don’t care if he’s ended it with you. I want you to be at your most adorable, fetching, and bewitching. Just keep him busy, whether or not he wants it.”
“I don’t think Dominic will take any notice of me.” It galled Georgiana to admit it, but she saw no point in pretending otherwise to her brother.
“Listen, Sis, you want her out of Fortune’s way, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Then help me.”
After a moment, Georgiana nodded. “All right, but only provided you tell me about this second fortune.”
He pursed his lips reluctantly. “You probably won’t believe me even if I tell you.”
“Tell me, and we’ll see.”
He undid a few buttons on the breast of his costume and reached inside. When he drew his hand out, it seemed empty, and Georgiana raised an eyebrow. “Is this a game of imagination?”
“Come here and put your hand on mine,” he invited, and she obeyed. Her fingers touched something that wasn’t there, and with a gasp she snatched her hand away.
He chuckled. “Oh, it’s there, all right, Sis.”
“What... what is it?”
“A brownie’s belt.”
“A
what?”
She knew nothing of such things.
“A brownie’s belt.” He told her about Nutmeg and the page of Nostradamus.
Georgiana stared at him. “I had no idea you believe in such nonsense, Benjie. Do you also believe in Father Christmas?”
Benjamin scowled. “It’s not nonsense, Sis. I’ve always known about brownies, having heard them ever since I can remember. I’ve never seen one though. I mean to, however. Oh, yes, I mean to.”
Georgiana blinked. “Are you saying that you really think you can make this brownie visible?”
“I’m sure of it. Nostradamus is infallible. I expect the page any day now, because I borrowed the last payment from Hordwell. It was forwarded about two weeks ago.”
“If you make money out of this, I want a share,” she said suddenly.
He shook his head. “Oh, no, Sis, it’s going to be mine, and mine alone.”
“I won’t help you tonight,” she threatened.
He laughed. “Oh, I think you will. You want Polly Peach to be out of sight and out of mind.”
She colored angrily and turned away.
Lord Benjamin watched her as he pushed the belt back inside his costume. “Tell me something, Georgiana. Why in God’s name do you suddenly want Fortune so much? I thought you were admirably sensible when you tossed him aside in order to pursue Hightower. Now you want to undo all your careful work? Why? Hightower is in the palm of your hand, and he’ll make a duchess of you.”
“Algie is a fool, and I will never love him as I do Dominic.”
“Then have them both. Marry Hightower and take Fortune to your bed.”
“I know now that I want Dominic as my husband as well as my lover,” she said softly.
Lord Benjamin shrugged. “As you like.” He glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. “What’s keeping Hordwell? He should have been down here about ten minutes ago.”
“He’s probably gone to the library. That’s where he’s usually to be found, isn’t it?”
“Yes, he’s part of the damned furniture.”
At that moment a carriage drew up outside. It was the marquess, and a few moments later he was shown up to them. Georgiana thought the footman’s face looked a little odd, as if he was finding it hard not to laugh, and when Lord Algernon entered, she saw the reason why. The future Duke of Grandcastle was also garbed as a red devil—a very tall, skinny one, indeed the very opposite to bulging Lord Benjamin.
The devils stared at each other in dismay, then the marquess gave a scornful snort. “Dear me, Beddem, you look a very tight squeeze.”
Lord Benjamin was annoyed. “I suppose you think
you
look excellent?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but you put me in mind of a scarlet beanpole.”
Lord Algernon stiffened angrily, and Georgiana stepped hastily up to him. “Ignore him, Algie, and help me with my mantle,” she said.
He hastened to comply, and shortly afterward escorted her down to the waiting carriage. As they drove off, the other carriage arrived to convey Hordwell and Lord Benjamin to the gardens. On finding the library empty. Lord Benjamin became curious. Georgiana’s warnings about the old man rang loudly in his ears, and he decided to go upstairs to see what was going on. He found Hordwell’s room empty, and was just becoming truly suspicious when he heard soft sounds coming from his own room. His eyes became cold as he moved softly toward the door to press his ear to it. Sure enough, the sounds were coming from within. He flung the door open and caught Hordwell in the act of hastily closing a drawer.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Lord Benjamin demanded, stepping inside and closing the door.
Hordwell stared at him in dismay. “I... I...” There was nothing he could say, for it was clear that he’d been going through his host’s things. His dismay was on another account, too, for the devil costume ruined the plan.
Lord Benjamin’s foot tapped. “Well? I’m awaiting your explanation.”
“I have none,” Hordwell confessed, sitting resignedly on the edge of the bed.
“What are you looking for?” Lord Benjamin studied him carefully, and the truth suddenly dawned. “It’s the belt, isn’t it?” he breathed, remembering how Polly had accused him.
Hordwell said nothing, but Lord Benjamin knew he was right. Quickly, he went to a wardrobe and grabbed some scarves, and then wrenched open the drawer where he kept his handkerchiefs. Before Hordwell realized what was happening, a monogrammed cambric square had been forced into his mouth, and his hands were being tied behind his back. He struggled futilely, but Lord Benjamin tied his ankles together as well, before bundling him onto the bed, where he lay looking fearfully up at his former friend.