Page 79 of An Honorable Deception
“You have been far too preoccupied with work.” Marigold took her arm and tugged her over to the dresses. “Grab a needle and some beads. I’ll bring you up to date.”
Yates checked the stacks of boxes against the list Lavinia had left with him one more time, smiling a bit at the oddity of seeing the Caesars’ dusty old crates positioned inside the plush interior of the Hemmings’ private train car. “Let’s hope his lordship doesn’t happen by to peek in here before we have a chance to clean it up again, hm?”
Hector laughed and dusted his hands off on his trousers, stepping back to the zebra-drawn vardo. “I like it. Caesars’ Royal Menagerie and Circus is coming out of retirement with style.”
“I appreciate your loaning us the old props.”
That Hector waved off. “You know it makes us happy to see it being used. I almost wish I was coming with you.”
They’d considered it, but in the end, only Zelda had made the trip yesterday with Marigold, so she could help with costuming. The men of the family had decided it would be wisest for them to stay at Fairfax Tower to take care of theanimals—and their guests. “I trust if any nefarious villains show up, you’ll set Leonidas loose on them again.”
“I can sadly take no credit for that setting-loose—it was your sister. Besides.” He climbed onto the wagon’s seat and picked up the reins. “I think it would be Pardulfo’s turn. That leopard is getting lazy. He needs some excitement.”
Yates chuckled and climbed up beside him. “Let’s pray he doesn’t find it like that, shall we?”
They drove the short distance back to the Tower, alternating between comfortable banter and equally comfortable silence. The afternoon train wouldn’t leave for another two hours, so rather than twiddle his thumbs in Alnwick, he’d do one more sweep of the Tower to make certain nothing was overlooked, say his farewells to the Barremores and Xavier, andthentwiddle his thumbs with any time that was left over.
Which turned out to be plenty. There wasn’t much to check, given that it was all where it should be on the train, so that portion of his plans was done far too quickly. He changed from his dusty clothes into his proper ones and otherwise tidied up, then went in search of his guests.
Somehow he wasn’t surprised to find Lady Barremore flipping through a copy of theLondon Ladies Journalwhile the younger two strolled out of sight around the corner of the house. The smug little smile she wore said she knew very well she was letting her chaperoning duties slip a bit, and she was unrepentant.
Yates didn’t blame her for it. It wasn’t as though they were about anything shocking. Given the total adoration in Xavier’s eyes every time he’d looked Alethia’s way since dinner the other night, and the way he held her hand as though she were the finest china, he wouldn’t step a toe out of line before they were safely wed. Not that he’d proposed yet, it seemed. If he hadn’t managed it by the time theywrapped this business up, Yates would have to deliver a few well-placed prods.
They painted a pretty picture, strolling arm in arm through his garden, smiling at each other. They looked so happy, despite everything that would be happening in London tomorrow, that he couldn’t help the twinge in his chest.
It wasn’t because they were happytogether. That truth had settled rather easily into his heart the moment Xavier confessed she was more than a passing fancy. It was that Yates wasn’t. Not like that.
And the irritating fact that he knew he only had himself to blame for it.
He jogged to catch up with them. “Pardon me, my lord, my lady, but you seem to have strayed out of view of your chaperone. Thought I’d better point it out.”
“Always such a conscientious host.” Xavier drew them to a halt on the path, but he certainly didn’t aim his feet back toward the balcony where her mother sat. “All loaded up?”
He nodded. “We’ll send an update the moment we can.”
Alethia’s fingers looked tense on Xavier’s arm. “I still wish I could be there.”
Yates smiled. “Lavinia will represent you well.”
She nodded, then studied his face for a long moment. “My lord, if I may be so bold ... there is always the chance that things will go wrong.”
He knew that, much as he denied it. Much as they did what they could to prevent it. The mere mention of the possibility made his stomach go tight.
Itcouldgo wrong. One of those men could pull out a weapon that their gatekeepers didn’t spot. They could charge the stage and overwhelm her. Babcock could demonstrate a new kind of violence, enraged by the deception.
Lavinia had volunteered for this deception—and, honorable though it might be, she could pay the price.
What was it Xavier had said of Alethia? That the thought of someone trying to kill her, to snuff out the light she was in his life ... it wasn’t to be borne.
Yates had imagined a world without Lavinia many times before. He’d had to. She’d been on the brink of death for years. He’d prepared himself for that world, readied his eyes for the dimness. Told himself his only hope of going on was to mourn her then, say good-bye, reclaim the heart she hadn’t wanted anyway.
But now?ThisLavinia? The one who had offeredherheart but then stepped aside, despite the obvious pain, because she thought he’d find his happiness somewhere else?
Alethia gave him a soft smile. “Don’t go into that theater tomorrow with this still hanging between you, my lord. Go in armed with as much love as you can grasp. I promise you, it is the only thing that will see you through.”
He smiled back, reached out to touch her elbow in thanks, and then clapped Xavier on the shoulder. “Whenever she misses Penelope and Zelda, just drop in. Your perpetual invitation has been reinstated.”
Xavier’s chuckle followed him back to the waiting carriage.
