Page 25 of A Night of Forever
“Not that I am aware of.” That didn’t mean Isobel had not invited him, but when? The only time she’d been alone in the house was this afternoon, and Victoria knew exactly where Arend had been: visiting Lady Evangeline, probably to read her dead husband’s bloody journals.
Lord Stuart had been a mistake. She should not have killed him until she’d learned more of his investigations. She’d had no idea he’d kept journals. Not until she’d overheard Isobel telling Baxter.
“Perhaps it was Isobel?” Dufort offered.
Victoria sat back in her chair and tried to think. Isobel was a clever girl, but not worldly wise. Would she have known the significance of the feather or even noticed it?
“Is anything missing?”
He shrugged. “The drawers have been gone through but I keep nothing of importance in them. The trunks have not moved from their positions under the bed.”
“Is that a no, then?” she asked with impatience edging her voice.
“I checked the trunks, but I’m sure none of the weapons have been touched, as that trunk was locked. Unfortunately, I must have forgotten to lock the other trunk, but no papers appear to be missing. However, I’m not sure what papers are supposed to be there. You should take a look.”
She nodded. “Of course, but it can wait.” She glanced toward the clock on the mantelpiece in her study. “I have Lord Beaumont’s ball tonight, and before I depart I want to ensure that everything is in place for tomorrow.”
“It is. The men know the drill perfectly. I’ve taken them over the plan all week. The boy will be snatched from Richmond Park tomorrow. I’ve told them not to kill Isobel, but you know that if the Runners return fire, there is no guarantee she won’t be injured or killed in the crossfire.”
“That’s a risk we will have to take. I need her alive just in case. She’s my escape plan should I be caught, and the way to destroy Arend.”
Dufort rarely showed any emotion, but a pained look crossed his face. “I wish you’d change your mind about this plan. Stop toying with Labourd. A bullet between his eyes is all that is needed.”
She fought back a snarl. “It’s not all he needs. He needs to suffer as I suffered.”
“And your plan will achieve that?”
“Yes. Isobel is the key. So I shall hold you responsible for keeping her safe. It must look as if she aided us in the capture of the boy. As for Lord Labourd, we take him tonight. He cannot go to Richmond Park with Isobel.”
Dufort nodded, and turned to leave the room. “We have our best man on him. We will know his every move, and before dawn I will personally oversee his capture.”
“I don’t want him to wake up until he’s deep in that mine.” She eyed him warily. “But I do want him to wake up. Is that clear? If he dies, the man responsible dies.”
“Have I ever let you down?”
She rose and made her way to his side, cupping his face in her hand. “No, Patrice, you are the only one who has never betrayed me.” Then she hardened her eyes. “Don’t disappoint me. You know what happens to those who disappoint me.”
With that, she swept out of the room and headed upstairs to get ready for the night’s ball. She needed a dose of laudanum before she faced Arend across the ballroom, or else she just might ruin everything by slipping a knife between his ribs.
—
Arend knew he was being followed. He’d lived in the gutter long enough to recognize the feeling of being a target. Perhaps Victoria was tired of attacking Hadley and he could expect someone to try to slit his throat instead.
Let them try.
This cat-and-mouse game was driving him insane. Why couldn’t she face him like a man?Because she’s not a man, she’s a madwoman.
He almost laughed out loud, but society already thought him odd. Laughing aloud while standing alone at the edge of a ballroom would do more than set gossips a-twittering.
He’d arrived late to the ball, but he’d had to visit Evangeline before she left for Lathero in the morning. He wanted access to the journals. She was still adamant that the women alone read them. Obviously they contained something of a personal nature she did not wish Hadley to learn about. His own guess was that they told how badly her late husband had treated her.
He sighed inwardly and wished Hadley luck with his plan to try to rekindle the relationship they once had. Arend knew it would be harder than either of them imagined. Experiences defined the man, shaped who he became. One could never go back. He was a different man now compared to the man he’d been at twenty. And not for the better.
Perhaps Evangeline and Hadley would be wiser to forget trying to rebuild their old relationship, and focus on creating something new.
He glanced toward the swirling dancers on the floor, and when his eyes found Isobel in the arms of Lord Bertram, his heart began that annoying stutter, his body awaking as if from a deep sleep and now eager to play.
A low curse growled in his throat. He’d been dreaming far too much about young, virginal Isobel. Vivid, erotic images that left him burning with a fierce ache.
