Page 48 of Revealing a Rogue
Bronwyn hugged Theo in front of all and sundry on the front stoop of her dad’s shop, not caring that it was a breach of etiquette. “I’ve always wanted an older sister.” Grinning from ear to ear, Bronwyn led Theo around the back to the family entrance. They were immediately greeted and engulfed by multiple arms. Her mum, brothers, and sisters all took a turn embracing Bronwyn and then their newest member to the family, Theo.
Bronwyn obediently followed her dad into the backroom of the store where his tools were hidden. She sat in the same chair Landon had when he received the mark and carefully arranged her skirts. The silence ate away at her courage.
Instruments and ink at the ready, her dad asked, “Where would you like for me to place the mark?”
Emma’s taunting words echoed through her mind. Bronwyn smirked and pointed to the spot where the button had hit her shoulder—it would be a test for Emma to design dresses and gowns that would hide her mark, but her best friend would rise to the challenge.
Her dad didn’t challenge her decision, merely looked at her with wide eyes and shook his head. “Ye’re a stubborn one.” He poured a dark amber liquid into a glass. “But I love ye.” Her dad handed her the tumbler and said, “Here, drink this before I start.”
An hour later, a slightly tipsy Bronwyn descended the stairs. She was officially a PORF. Oddly, she didn’t feel any different. She slumped to the kitchen bench and rested her head on her arms.
Her dad said, “Tell her husband we’ll watch over her tonight and tend to her bandages.”
It was good to know she was still welcome under her parents’ roof. She’d go home on the morrow, as soon as the world stopped spinning.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The sound of footmen dragging trunk after trunk down the main staircase echoed down the hallway. The drawing room occupants, Waterford, Mary, and Christopher, all of whom had accompanied Landon back to London, remained silent.
For three days, from sunup to sundown, Landon remained rooted next to the window looking out onto the street. Waiting patiently for his wife to return. If it hadn’t been for his silent companions in the room, he’d not have eaten or managed to keep a hold on his sanity. When Bronwyn had failed to return to their townhouse or appear at her parents’ lodgings, Landon panicked. But Waterford eased his worries by reminding him that the Network would not fail to protect his wife. As a council member, Waterford was apprised of all activity, and only an hour after their return to London, a messenger had confirmed Bronwyn was safely tucked into a cot above Emma’s store. The uncertainty over how long it might be before Landon saw his wife again gnawed at his patience.
Tearing himself from the window for a moment, Landon asked his younger brother, “Why the sudden decision to relocate today?”
Christopher's eyes darted to Mary, who was sitting in one of the leather chairs by the fire, and then retorted, “What makes you believe I hadn’t planned the move for this day?”
Mary sat unnaturally still. Since midmorning, the woman had exuded an edginess that worried Landon. It wasn’t that Landon hadn’t expected Christopher to move into lodgings of his own. He was fully aware his brother wanted to spread his wings. After all, it was he who had located and facilitated Christopher’s purchase of the townhouse within walking distance of their law offices. Of course, no one knew of his involvement except for the owner from whom Christopher purchased the property.
Landon turned back to stare out the window. Christopher’s trunks were being systematically loaded into a lorry that was already half full.
Landon asked, “I’m fully aware you had made preparations to acquire and relocate to your own bachelor lodgings. However…” He left his vantage point by the window and walked to the sideboard. As he passed by Mary, the woman’s lips curled into a pleasant smile. Whatever Mary was about, a drink would help fortify his shot nerves. Splashing a healthy portion of brandy into a tumbler, he continued, “With Bronwyn away—why the rush to move today?”
Christopher moved to the spot Landon had vacated moments before. “Looks to be a rather fine day. No clouds. A perfect day to transport my things.” His brother spun and rushed to the door. Christopher strolled, never rushed. He’d have to interrogate Christopher later, but right now Landon’s priority was to wait for his errant wife to return.
As Christopher opened the door to leave, he paused. Halfway out, his brother smiled and said, “I’d love to stay and keep you company, but there is a stack of files awaiting me at the office. Your jaunt to Scotland has set me back. In addition, it’s been challenging to find another assistant as competent as my last. Alas, I shall be buried in casework.”
Christopher’s speech sounded like one of his well-rehearsed closing statements. His complaint regarding it being a challenge to find a new assistant was highly peculiar. Landon himself had reviewed the list of interviewees prior to this departure for Gretna Green. He ensured every candidate was more than qualified for the position. He continued to ponder his brother’s monologue when Mary mumbled the wordalone.
Landon glanced at Mary. “I apologize, were you speaking to me?”
The couple had appeared on the steps of his townhouse at the crack of dawn. Waterford’s lame excuse of an accident involving a broken stove in their kitchens and of his need for a good hearty breakfast didn’t hold water, but he hadn’t pressed for details.
Mary raised her voice a tad louder and replied, “I said—it’ll be quiet here, with you all alone.”
The woman was up to no good. Her gaze skirted his. Mary was a terrible liar.
Landon stalked back to the window. But his attention wasn’t on Christopher coordinating the last-minute details of his move outside, it was concentrated on the shadowed reflection of Mary and Waterford. The couple was making the most amusing gestures behind his back as they tried to communicate in silence. It was apparent they were not in agreement whatever it was they were discussing.
He cleared his throat and turned to face them. “I forgot to inform Christopher that I wish for him to accompany me to Harrington’s dinner party tomorrow eve.” Landon briskly headed for the door. “I shall return in a moment.”
Closing the door behind him, Landon stepped in place and then lightened his footfalls to mimic his leaving. With his eyes closed and an ear pressed to the wood, Landon tried to decipher the couple’s conversation.
The scent of daisies set his heart pounding. “Eavesdropping is a terrible habit.” He stood frozen at Bronwyn’s sweet, teasing whisper. He’d wished for three long days Bronwyn would magically appear. What if he opened his eyes, and it was his imagination playing tricks on him?
Slowly opening his eyes, he suppressed the bubble of laughter as he took in the sight of his wife bent at the waist facing him with her ear pressed against the door.
With her blue eyes sparkling up at him, Bronwyn said, “Mary sounds rather anxious today, wouldn’t you say?”
He cupped her flushed cheek. “You’re here.”
