Gail Ranstrom – Lord Libertine (страница 8)

Gina opened her mouth as if she would argue, then closed it again and shook her head.

“Try to understand,” Bella pleaded. “The only other choice I have is to let our sister’s murderer go free.”

“Oh, I understand,” Gina said, determined lines settling around her narrowed eyes. “I feel the need for justice, too, and I know the getting of it can be dangerous. I am only trying to think how to help you.”

“I will not take you with me.”

“I did not expect that you would. But I can help ensure that Mama and Lilly will not find out. I can keep them occupied.”

“How? We are in mourning and will be for another six weeks. Social events are forbidden. They cannot call on neighbors or attend teas. We are trapped in this house until Mama is better and we can go home.”

“Lilly is becoming restless. She needs outings. I think short walks and a trip to Hatchard’s bookstore for reading materials might be in order. She has been asking for another of Miss Austen’s books. And a little shopping for mourning apparel would be appropriate. Yes, and a healthy glass of undiluted wine with supper will keep her soundly asleep at night. We needn’t worry much about Mama, yet. She is barely coherent from the laudanum she is taking in the evening. She is bound to make an effort soon, and when she does, I shall be ready.”

Amazed, Bella watched as Gina began pacing, tapping one finger against her right cheek in an attitude of thoughtfulness. “And we shall have to concoct some story about what keeps you out evenings, should they discover you gone. Companion to a dowager? Reading to a blind neighbor? Caring for an ill friend?”

“Gina, you are truly diabolical.”

“I know I cannot stop you, but I do not mean to lose another sister, Bella. You are about to enter a dragon’s den. And where you will be going, you will need all the help you can muster.”

A little shiver shot through her at the fierce expression on her sister’s face. Just how far would Gina go to help her?

Chapter Four

The soft click of his brother’s library door closing behind him was somehow comforting to Andrew. Being in the house he’d grown up in made him feel a part of the family again.

His brother looked up from his desk, gave him a slight smile and gestured to an overstuffed chair by a tea table.

“Pour a cup of tea, Drew. I’ll be with you in a moment.”

Tea? He glanced at the clock in one corner of the room, the swing of the heavy brass pendulum measuring the seconds. Two o’clock. He glanced at the decanters on the sideboard, then sighed, poured himself a stout cup of tea, laced it with sugar and sat to wait quietly.

Lockwood scribbled a few lines, then pushed the paper aside, stood and stretched. “Good to see you, Drew,” he said as he poured his own tea and sat across from him. “I do not run into you as much anymore.”

“You’d have to leave your house to do that, Lockwood. I gather this means you are still wallowing in wedded bliss?”

Lockwood grinned. “Have you come to mock me? Or is there another reason?”

“Wanted to know if you set Wycliffe on my heels.”

“Ah, Wycliffe.” His brother lifted his teacup and regarded him with a speculative gleam in his eyes. “No, actually. He came to me, Drew, after he’d already made up his mind. He said he was going to ask you for some help and a bit of expertise in the less-savory side of society activities. Is it any wonder your name came to his mind?”

The logic was inescapable. “I suppose not.”

“And Wycliffe said he needs discretion. Though your behavior is somewhat less than discreet, I have never known you to discuss your women or your affairs with others. I agreed that you were the ideal candidate. Do you have some objection to helping the Home Office?”

“I suppose not,” he said again, disliking his own churlish attitude. There was, in fact, not much he did like about himself these days.

“Then what is the problem?”

“I do not like having others depend upon me.”

“Drew…” Lockwood began, putting his teacup aside. “It has been a long time since the war. Do you not think it is time to talk about it? I am your brother. No matter what it is, you can trust me.”

Not with this. Never with this. “Who said it has anything to do with the war?”

“You were changed when you came home.”

“War is not an experience that leaves one untouched. If I recall, even you took a few years to put things in perspective.”

“But you were in—”

“I do not need you to remind me where and how I served. And I did not come here to talk about my service to the crown,” he interrupted. Blast! Why did Lockwood have to hound him on this? Did he think confession was good for the soul? Not in this case. Never in this case. Only Dash knew. And only because Dash had been there.

“So you just came to complain about doing something constructive?”

Andrew took his teacup to the sideboard and poured himself a glass of sherry. To hell with sobriety. “I came to ask if you set Wycliffe on me or if using me was his idea,” he reminded Lockwood. “And I need information. Do you recall a scandal that took place years ago? Before we were born? Something back in the 1760s?”

“The Hellfire Club?” Lockwood’s eyebrows rose. “The scandal that almost brought the government down?”

He nodded. “Were they Satanists?”

“They were reprobates of the worst sort, Drew. Scoundrels and wastrels to a man. They liked to think of themselves as dedicated Satanists, but they were more interested in sexual licentiousness and excess than any real worship. The pity of it was that they were men of influence, not ignorant superstitious bumpkins.”

“And what do you know of witchcraft, Lockwood?”

“I know it’s balderdash. Casting spells. Laying curses. Child’s play.”

“Some take it seriously.”

“What have you gotten into, Drew?”

He took a bracing swallow of his sherry. “Don’t know. Just that something nasty is going on right under our noses. Wycliffe suspects a cult of some sort and I am inclined to agree. But it’s not my business. I’m just to keep my eyes and ears open and report what I learn to Wycliffe.”

“Can you leave it at that?”

“Why not? You know how I dislike getting involved.”

“Because you’re here asking questions, not just keeping your eyes and ears open. The problem has engaged your interest, has it not?”

Andrew considered the question. Yes, he supposed it had. Between Wycliffe’s assignment and Lady Lace, this was turning out to be a banner season. He shrugged. “Aye,’ tis mildly interesting. More for the oddity than anything else. But do not get your hopes up, brother. One sparrow does not make a summer.”

“Ah, but I do hope that one day you will turn the corner and step back into your life.”

Andrew tossed off the last of his sherry and stood, giving Lockwood a cynical smile. “I wouldn’t take wagers on it.”

“Now you’ve engaged my interest, Drew. This is quite intriguing. Satanists, witchcraft and some sort of problem that involves the Home Office?’ Tis enough to draw me out of retirement.”

That was the last thing Andrew needed. If something should happen to Lockwood now that he had settled down and had an heir on the way… “Keep out of it, Lockwood. I can handle this without you.”

“I know you can, Drew. I’ve never known you to shy away from doing what had to be done.”

“Hate to dash your hopes, sir, but I am what I am.”

“What you are is a good man, Drew.”

He couldn’t contain his snort of laughter as he closed the library door behind him.

Martha O’Rourke waved her hand listlessly in front of her face. “Take them wherever you want, Bella, as long as you keep your eye on them.”

“Couldn’t you come, too, Mama? We will wait while you dress. The fresh air will do you good,” Bella said, without any real hope that her mother would agree.

“Fresh air? Is that what you think I need? As if that would change anything.” She dropped her hand into her lap and gathered her dressing gown tighter at the neck. She glanced at Gina and Lilly, hovering behind Bella. “You should be in proper mourning.’ Tis disrespectful of Cora to have you prancing all over London as if nothing were wrong.”

“No one is ‘prancing,’ Mama.” Well, except for her, and she was wearing proper mourning. She tried again. “Lilly and Gina have barely been out at all.”

“Nor should they be. Why, in my day, ladies did not leave the house for months. Months, Bella.”

But her mother had not allowed her that luxury. Someone had to deal with the details, and with Mama unable to cope with even the smallest matters, that task had fallen to Bella. “I…I will take Gina and Lilly to a dressmaker for mourning clothes, Mama. Will three each be enough? A walking gown, tea gown and dinner gown?”

“Yes. Yes, three each. And you too, Bella. You look absurd in my cut-downs.”

Bella glanced down at herself. Was it true? Had people been laughing behind her back? Mr. Hunter hadn’t seemed put off by her appearance, and she would imagine he’d be a severe critic. “Yes, Mama. We shall be home before tea.”

Martha collapsed against the chaise cushions again. “Mind you, do not let them out of your sight. Cora would be alive if only you’d paid attention.”

Bella winced. Guilt had become her bosom companion without Mama’s frequent reminders. She turned and followed her sisters from their mother’s private parlor.