Page 14 of Her Magnificent Mistake
So her expression cleared to a fond smile. “You really do have the most remarkable set of friends, do you not?”
Her brother, on the other hand, merely scowled. “Clearly I’m shite when it comes to judging men’s natures, and I cannae allow ye to gallivant off to?—”
“Oh, come off it, Bull,” she sighed, throwing up her hands and turning away. “I will not go alone, is that what you want to hear?”
“Who will ye take?” he asked suspiciously. “Ye’ll need a maid and a guardian, in order to do things properly. Who can ye trust?”
Properly? If Marcia’s plan worked, things wouldn’t beproperat all. She needed someone who wouldn’t mind that impropriety.
“Gabby,” she blurted, struck by inspiration when she glimpsed the painting once more. “I will bring Gabby as my maid.” Their cousin—technically Bull’s niece—had often accepted work from the agency, since she had such a unique skill set. “She’s bright, resourceful, and there is no reason Hawk will recognize her.”
To her surprise, her brother didn’t object, which should have been her first warning sign. “If she kens what to look for, she can investigate among the servants,” he agreed thoughtfully. “And I can go as yer guardian?—”
“No.” Marcia swallowed, trying not to sound too eager. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to her brother and clasped her hands before her modest blue day gown. “You said yourself you cannot be around him because you cannot keep your anger—your true feelings—hidden. But I can.”
Also, the thought of Bull being actually at Tostinham when she seduced Hawk…
Ten years ago, Hawk’s sudden abandonment had been painful. Now she wondered if it was the first sign of him setting himself on this murderous path. Bull, who had been friends with him all this time, had missed any signs. But she wouldn’t.
She had to find out.
And she couldn’t hurt Bull any more than he already was.
Discovering what she had planned—discovering what she’d done in the past—would definitely hurt him, and she wouldn’t be held liable for his subsequent actions.
“Rupert,” Bull suddenly announced, swinging his legs off the sofa to land on the floor. “Rupert can go with ye. He’ll lend the whole thing a respectable air, he’s no’ associated with the agency at all, and ye ken he’d welcome the chance to examine the horticulture in Cowal—that could be yer excuse for bringing him!”
The mountain rhododendrons.
Her younger brother Rupert, at twenty-seven, rarely left Peasgoode. Hell, he rarely left thelibraryat Peasgoode! Since Uncle Ian’s illness, Uncle Duncan had devoted most of his time to coaching Rupert how to be the next Duke, though most of that appeared to be forks and fripperies.
Getting away would be good for him. Marcia slowly nodded. “Yes…that could work.” If nothing else, his ardent and enthusiastic questions about the flora of Cowal should waylay Hawk’s suspicions. “I could have him meet me there as early as next week.”
“Oooh…” Bull leaned forward, planting his elbows on his knees and lacing his long fingers together. “Hecould have it!”
Marcia blinked. “It?”
“Amnesia!” crowed her brother.
Saints preserve her…“Why in the world wouldRupertneed to have amnesia?”
Her brother sent her a hopeful glance. “Gabby? Could Gabby have amnesia? That way, if she’s recognized?—”
Marcia planted her hands on her hips. “No oneis faking amnesia, Bull!”
He opened his mouth to argue right back, but at that moment the door swung open and the butler intoned, “The Lady Mistree.”
As the elderly woman hobbled into the room, Bull’s face lit up with genuine affection and he jumped up to assist her. “Good afternoon, Eliza. Ye’re looking as beautiful as ever.”
The woman snorted, but Marcia noted her cheeksdidpinken slightly. Her skin was unusually pale, so the effect was obvious.Charmer.
“Sit down, sit down, boy” she commanded, waving imperiously. “Jones, you have the package?”
“Here, my lady,” the butler announced, waiting for her to settle herself on one of the straight-backed chairs before handing her a small box. “I shall fetch the tea forthwith.”
“Please stall a bit,” the countess commanded. “Fifth-with, perhaps? Seventh-with?”
“Very good, my lady,” he intoned with a bow. “I shall return not quite imminently, after waiting in the corridor, covering my ears, and counting to a thousand.”
