Page 99 of From Rakes to Riches

“Sì,non c è nessuno che possa saltare così in alta da sfuggire alla morte,”Francesco lamented.

Lola looked toward Sofia again, but Alessandro translated before his sister could respond.

“There is no one who can jump so high as to escape death.”

8

Theodore arrived at Fremont House early the next morning. His usual restlessness had plagued him through the night, but he couldn’t blame Stephen’s death this time. Too often he’d thought of Lola, the sensual promise in her eyes, her eager openmouthed kisses, and the delectable taste of her tongue. He wanted to feel that wicked tongue everywhere on his body. The tempting fantasy made his groin tighten.

Drawing a deep breath, he rapped the brass knocker with more force than necessary and followed the butler into the front drawing room. Just like yesterday, the tea service was in place, and Margaret waited, her attire in accord with proper mourning though she appeared more composed, her eyes no longer red-rimmed. He greeted her, happy to see she’d improved a bit.

“Stephen’s body will arrive tomorrow and Colin will stay with me during the house calls.” Her tone was calm and matter-of-fact. Speaking of the necessary arrangements couldn’t come easily. “I would like very much for you to meet him, Theo. I only wish it was under better circumstances.”

“Now that I’ve returned, I’m certain we will get to know each other.” He’d already decided to inquire about Viscount Sidmouth at the club. Perhaps he’d have Wyndham look into the matter as well. His man-of-all-things was quite astute at acquiring information in addition to a variety ofall-things.

“Thank you again for taking me to Vauxhall yesterday afternoon. It helped ease my mind. I wanted to ask you about the woman you invited into your carriage…” Margaret paused, apparently waiting for him to complete her thought.

“Lola?”

“Yes, Lola.” Margaret stirred her tea vigorously. “Do you not care about the scandal you’ll cause?”

He walked to the fireplace and leaned against the mantelpiece. “You and I have known each other long enough to forego pretense, Margaret. What is it you’d like to say?”

“I saw how you stared at her when she looked elsewhere and how she did the same to you. And when you both looked at each other, the tension was unmistakable.” Margaret glanced to the fire and back again. “I also noticed how long you remained in the drive after I went into the house. Were you having a quarrel?”

Theodore swallowed thoughtfully, unsure what he wanted to share. At the least, he could answer her question truthfully. “No. Not at all.”

“I had hoped it was a row.” A pinched frown made a fleeting appearance before she continued. “People will talk, Theo.”

“I haven’t given them anything to talk about.” He would not apologize, not to Margaret or to anyone. He wasn’t sorry. Nor had he done anything wrong.

“Stephen was involved in something secretive. He didn’t confide in me. He dismissed my questions. Now he’s gone and I’m left with never knowing what upset him, what drove him to act in a foolhardy manner or why he was at Vauxhall on an evening when we’d already planned to be together. I fear you’redoing the very same thing and making imprudent choices. It’s maddening.”

“Margaret.” He strode to where she sat. Her frantic stirring had caused a whirlwind in her tea cup and he gently took it away and placed it on the table. Then he sat beside her on the couch. “Thank you for your concern.”

After a long, silent moment, she turned to him. “That’s all you’re going to say?”

“On that subject, yes.” He could hardly explain something to Margaret he hadn’t figured out himself. “But I do understand why Stephen’s death doesn’t make sense. I want to discover his reason for being at Vauxhall as much as you do. That’s why I’m glad you’ve asked me here to go through his things. I hope there’s something in his rooms that proves helpful. We can look together.”

“You go ahead.” She sighed heavily. “I don’t have the constitution for it.”

“Yes, you do.” He stood up, offering her his hand. “I’ll be right there beside you. Let’s get started.”

“What if we find something that changes everything?” she asked, her words barely above a whisper.

“Isn’t that our goal?” He waited, relieved when she stood and they began walking toward the hall.

“No, I don’t mean in that way,” she said as they approached the stairs. “What if Stephen was involved in something that disparages his character or alters the way I remember him? I shouldn’t want to learn it then. It’s one of the reasons I haven’t entered his rooms. I can’t bear to discover he was involved in anything unseemly.”

“I can’t guarantee that won’t happen,” Theodore said with concern. “But we might discover an important clue revealing what Stephen was involved in. Something that could indicate who wanted to harm him. If there is anything in his rooms thatoffers Bow Street information to capture his killer, wouldn’t you want to find it?”

“Yes,” she answered immediately. “I suppose I’m being selfish.”

“No, I understand your hesitation. But that makes it no less important.”

Their conversation had led them upstairs and to the doorway of Stephen’s rooms. Theodore heard Margaret take a deep breath as they entered and moved through the sitting area into his main chambers.

Everything looked as it should at first glance. Margaret sat at the foot of the bed and waited. He supposed that was the best she could manage.

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