Annabella said that he is no longer
circulating much in the higher levels of
the ton."
Perhaps
he
has
suffered
some
more
losses at the gaming tables," Lucas offered
mildly.
Lucas, you suggested once or twice that
he might have been involved in either the
carriage incident or the footpad attack.
Have you given any more thought as to
whether he might have been the one who
sent the pamphlet and note to me?"
I have thought about it." Lucas studied
the street outside the carriage window.
I
do not doubt for a moment that he would
not be at all concerned if I suffered an
unfortunate accident. But I cannot see
that it makes much sense to bother you.
Not unless he was paving the way for a
blackmail attempt."
But there has been no demand for
payment," Victoria said.
I know. As I said, it makes no sense.
Not yet, at any rate. Nevertheless, I intend
to start my inquiries with Edgeworth.
Tis
as good a place as any."
Shall we hire ourselves a runner?"
Victoria asked, growing excited by the
prospect.
The one I employed to track
down information on Lord Barton was
excellent."
Lucas met her eyes.
I would rather not
get involved in hiring a runner if I can
avoid it."
Why not?"
Because in doing so, I would run the
risk of bringing up awkward questions
about your stepfather's death, and those,
in turn, might lead to awkward questions
about you."
Oh." Victoria sat back in her seat.
Yes,
I see the problem. You are very clever,
Lucas. Always thinking ahead."
One tries."
How will you go about tracking down
Edgeworth?" Victoria asked.
I shall start by making a few inquiries
at my clubs. Someone is certain to know
something about a man who gambles as
much as Edgeworth does."
An excellent notion."
I am glad you approve. Because it
means that you will be obliged to go
straight home to bed after we have put
in a few appearances this evening."
What?" Her eyes darkened.
You cannot
mean that."
I fear so, madam. I cannot possibly
sneak you into my clubs. We both know
that. And since I do not want you running
about at night without me, that leaves us
with no option except to see you safely
tucked up in bed at home."
While you are out gathering information?"
Victoria was incensed.
That is not
fair, Lucas."
It is not a question of fairness. It is
a question of your safety. I will not risk
any more runaway carriages, footpads, or
ghosts who leave behind items marked with
a
W."
But, Lucas, I will stay in Aunt Cleo's
company or Annabella's. I will not be
alone," Victoria insisted.
Not good enough, Vicky. One cannot
expect your aunt or Annabella to be on
guard for a runaway carriage or a footpad,
especially since they do not know they
should be on guard for such things in the
first place. No, I want to know you are
safe at home while I am at my clubs."
Victoria's temper sparked as she sensed
his implacability.
You cannot shut me out
of this investigation. I will not allow you
to do so. We agreed that the chief reason
we would come back to London was to
pursue this matter. This is my affair."
I am not shutting you out. I'm simply
ensuring that I know exactly where you
are at a time when I cannot be with you.
The danger lies here in London, Vicky.
All the incidents occurred here. So while
we are in Town, I want you under either
my direct observation or lock and key,"
Lucas declared, his tone as definite as his
words.
Victoria bristled.
Lucas, I must tell
you that while you have made a tolerable
husband in some respects, I do not like
it at all when you assume the attitude of
a superior officer and start giving orders
to me. I am not under your command.
I am your partner, remember? We are in
business together."
Above all, you are my wife, and as
your husband I have certain responsibilities
toward you. I am sorry if I offend you with
the occasional command. I fear old habits
are sometimes hard to break."
Victoria gave him a withering look.
Do
not blame your old military habits. That is
nothing but an excuse, my lord, and you
are well aware of it."
Well, then, to be perfectly truthful,
Vicky, I must admit there are times when
nothing else except a direct order will
suffice in dealing with you. Tonight is
one of those times. Now stop looking at
me as though you would like to strangle
me and try to look like a loving bride. I
believe we have arrived at the FoxtonsV
Lucas, I warn you I will not tolerate
being treated like a witless child."
I would not dream of doing so." He
glanced out the window as the carriage
drew to a halt.
It looks as if we have
helped Lady Foxton draw a sizable crowd
tonight. She will undoubtedly be feeling
suitably grateful. Ready, my dear?"
Damn it, Lucas, you are not going
to get away with acting like this." She
glared at him as he stepped out of the
carriage and reached back to take her
hand.
Just because you can seduce me
virtually anytime you please does not mean
I have become a weak-willed, fluff-brained
female whom you can order about as it
suits you."
His hand tightened roughly around her
fingers and sudden laughter filled his eyes.
I do not believe I heard that properly.
Would you care to repeat that, madam?"
You heard me. Oh, look, there's Anna
bella and Bertie, now." She summoned up
a brilliant smile.
I cannot wait to talk to
them." Victoria rushed off, dragging Lucas
along with her into the throng of people
clustered on the front steps of the Foxtons'
town house.
His wife's sense of timing was, as
always, devastating. Lucas grinned ruefully
to himself as he got out of the carriage in
front of one of his clubs. Her admission
that he had the power to seduce her at will
was enough to make him want to carry her
straight back home and take her to bed.
Instead he had been obliged to escort her
into the Foxtons" ballroom, where he had
been forced to spend his time fending off
a lot of Victoria's old admirers. Every last
one of them had felt it necessary to profess
heartfelt anguish at the news that she
had accepted another's hand in marriage.
Victoria had enjoyed herself immensely
and had flirted so outrageously that Lucas
was determined to exact retribution when
he returned home.
Just what form his retribution would
take was a matter to which he intended
to give considerable attention. But in the
meantime there were other matters that
needed his full concentration.
The first person Lucas saw when he
walked into the club was Ferdie Merivale.
The young man smiled in welcome.
Congratulations on your marriage. stone vale.
Cannot say I was terribly surprised.
Wish you the best and all that. You
are a lucky man. Lovely lady, your new
countess."
Thank you, Merivale." Lucas poured
himself a glass of claret.
Come to play a few hands of cards?"
Merivale inquired.
Unfortunately, I fear my gaming days
are behind me. I'm a married man now.
Cannot spend all night playing cards
anymore."
Merivale chuckled.
I expect Lady Stone
vale would have a few words to say about
that, wouldn't she?"
My wife is rarely at a loss for words,"
Lucas agreed.
Any news of interest?"
That's right, you have been spending the
last few weeks rusticating in the country,
haven't you? Since you had that bit of a
scene with Edgeworth shortly before you
left Town, you might be interested to
know that he is rarely seen in the clubs
these days. He was obliged to resign from
this one, in fact."
I cannot imagine Edgeworth giving up
his gaming."
Oh, don't think he has. But word has it
he's carrying on his business in somewhat
less respectable surroundings. Heard he
was seen in that same gaming hell you
rescued me from a while back. The Green
Pig. Nasty place. Rather suits him, though,
don't you think?"
I am sure he will feel very much at
home there," Lucas agreed.
It was another two hours before Lucas
walked into the Green Pig. Nothing had
changed since the night he had brought
Victoria here. It was still the same
oppressive, noisy place it had been when
he'd deliberately chosen it with a view to
shocking Victoria into realizing she did not
really want to frequent gaming hells. Not
that it had achieved its purpose, Lucas
thought with an inner grin. Victoria had
had a great time that night.
Edgeworth was sitting at a card table
with a group of well-dressed young dandies
who were clearly deeply into their cups.
They had apparently set out to spend an
evening savoring the dregs of town life.
Lucas got a pint of beer from a passing