Page 31 of Revealing a Rogue
He considered whether or not to press her for more information. Had Mary’s sources insinuated that Bronwyn was unhappy? Did Bronwyn regret marrying him? Afraid of the answers, Landon turned and strode to the door. He stood to the side and waited for Mary to join him, but she remained unmoving.
“Shall we join our spouses? I assume they are waiting for us in the drawing room.”
“Aren’t you going to subject me to one of your cross-examinations?”
“Did you not suggest I seek the answers directly from Bronwyn?”
Mary sighed and proceeded to walk toward him. “I did.” Stopping inches from him, she turned and said, “She has yet to realize how important she is to you and the Network.”
As usual, Mary spoke the truth. He shouldn’t have assumed Bronwyn understood the value she could provide, having an intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the Network, but most importantly, he had failed to tell her he loved her.
Mary entered the hallway and was approached by Duncan, who bent to whisper in his mistress’s ear.
“Thank you for the update.” Mary faced Landon and said, “Bronwyn has twisted her ankle. Duncan assures me no broken bones, but a few days of rest will be required.”
His wife was hurt. Blood drained from his face.
Running to the drawing-room, he rushed to Bronwyn’s side. He crouched down to take a look at her injury. “Love, how did this happen?”
Mary slapped his hand away from his wife’s ankle. “Stop fawning over her in front of company.” Landon didn’t miss the mischievous grin Mary gave her husband as she added, “You are behaving like a besotted fool.”
Ignoring his host, he carefully touched Bronwyn’s bandaged foot. “Does it hurt?”
“Not at all. Lord Waterford did a splendid job of wrapping it.” Bronwyn removed her foot from his grasp and laid it back upon a tall pile of pillows.
He peered over at Waterford. Something was amiss. If Mary had only learned of the mishap, how had Waterford attended to her injury so swiftly?
“Lady Mary advised me that you have somehow inadvertently summoned her home. What is the matter in which you need Mary’s aid and not mine?”
Bronwyn sat up straighter. “You, husband, are not a lady. I require etiquette lessons before I return to London. I do not wish to embarrass you in front of your friends and peers.”
As her words sank in, his heart soared with hope. His wife had not only asked for assistance, but she had also finally voiced one of the fears he had suspected lurked behind her original refusal to marry him. He’d not deny her request and set their progress back. He loved the bold, wonderful woman who was glowering at him. Landon smiled.
“Oh, don’t try to distract me with that dimple of yours. I’m serious.” Bronwyn raised her chin.
Her eyes never left his.Thiswas the woman he had fantasized about for two years. Brazen, matter of fact, and logical—absolutely magnificent—proving his belief Bronwyn was the ideal woman for him.
Mary came to stand next to him. “Countess Hadfield, it would be my honor to assist you in any manner you request.”
“Please, call me Bronwyn.”
“Absolutely not.” Mary shook her head and grinned at his bewildered wife.
Mary was a wily one.
Landon’s gaze darted between the two women, who continued to glare at one another. Bronwyn’s initial shock was gone, and Mary’s smile had a devilish quality he’d not seen before. He had anticipated the two women would get along like kindred spirits, but there they were, engaged in what appeared to be a battle of wills much like his own with Bronwyn. Who would break the silence first? While he was curious to find out, a distinct chill had descended upon the room. Landon coughed to clear his throat. He turned to Waterford and said, “Let’s adjourn to the study.”
Waterford exited the room without a word; the man needed no further encouragement to leave. As Landon crossed the threshold, he glanced over his shoulder. He trusted Mary's judgment, but without knowledge of her plan, he worried his wife might not survive the cutting wit Mary could employ if she desired.
He caught up to Waterford in the hall. “Did you not find our wives' behavior odd?”
“Mary? Odd? Never.” Waterford scoffed.
“Who do you think will win the war?”
Duncan appeared with a silver coin balanced on the tip of his thumb. The butler flipped the shilling into the air. “Heads it will be my mistress, tails Countess Hadfield.”
Landon caught the coin midair.“Do you truly believe it a coin toss?”
