Chapter Two #2
Each delicate bite was set to her mouth with precision, then she closed her eyes slightly as she appreciated the taste.
She ate efficiently without stuffing her mouth.
And if she were alone, he would bet she’d be ummming and ahhing at the delightful taste.
He couldn’t blame her. Her aunt set a divine table.
Still, it was unfashionable for a lady to eat so enthusiastically and yet, he found the sight charming.
Every once in a while, she’d nod to her companion and say something mundane. “That is most fascinating, sir,” was her most common phrase. “Do explain more. I vow I have never heard anything more interesting” came as a close second.
She was lying. Even he knew that Mr. Pena’s fascination with carriage construction was tedious. A moment’s more casual observation showed him that she’d used Mr. Pena’s conversation as a cover while she consumed her food.
Gabe waited while she finished her plate, using the time to greet a few gentlemen known to him through Lord Benedict’s work.
Then when he judged she was done, he ended his conversation and introduced himself to her.
It wasn’t the correct protocol. He should have asked someone else to introduce him, but he didn’t want to lose this opportunity.
It was his intention to curb Miss Caddick’s wayward ways now.
No diplomat’s wife could be seen near a whorehouse.
“Good evening, Miss Caddick. Might I have the pleasure of a word with you?”
She looked up with surprise and a grateful expression. No doubt, she was looking to escape a discussion of carriage springs. “Major Vance, what a great pleasure to finally meet you.”
He blinked, startled. “You know of me?”
She smiled. “Of course, I do. You’re my fiancé’s right-hand man. Those were his very words.”
“He flatters me.”
“I doubt it,” she said dryly. “I don’t think he’s the type to flatter anyone.”
How little she knew her fiancé. Lord Benedict was a deft hand at flattering those who were susceptible.
Meanwhile, she stood as she addressed him. “My lord pointed you out before he went to the card room. He said if I ever needed anything and could not find him, I was to contact you immediately.”
“I stand ready to serve,” he said in his most formal voice. Then he held out his hand. “Would you do me the honor of a promenade? At least until the dancing begins again?”
She smiled as she turned back to Mr. Pena, who had stood up rather awkwardly when the lady found her feet.
“You don’t mind, do you?” she asked. “I vow I have heard so much about carriage construction that I must think about it for a time. Any more information and I swear I shall burst from too much knowledge.”
What could Mr. Pena do but acquiesce? Gabe extended his arm, and she touched her fingers to his forearm.
There was a back garden, and several groups were walking around its very small space. It wouldn’t provide very much privacy, but at least they would get out of the overheated ballroom. They stepped outside and as the ashy London air hit her face, the lady exhaled a sigh.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
“No, of course not,” she said, but he could hear disappointment in her tone.
“I must insist that you be honest with me. We cannot work together otherwise.”
She turned to him, her brow arched in surprise. “Are we to work together, Major?”
“Most certainly,” he said. “Indeed, I believe it is both our jobs to see that Lord Benedict remains in the greatest state of mind. The responsibilities he shoulders affect not only England, but the entire world.” Lord Benedict was the secret weapon of the Foreign Office.
He was Lord Castlereigh’s right hand man, using every advantage to not only defeat Napoleon but to ensure that no such monster appeared again to threaten world peace.
“Goodness,” she said, her tone slightly amused. “That’s quite an elevated depiction of my fiancé.”
“It’s a truthful one. Do you doubt it?”
She twisted her hands upward in a gesture of confusion. “Up until a few hours ago, I was not aware of Lord Benedict at all. Our engagement was arranged by my father, with no word to me whatsoever.” Understandably, her tone was a bit peevish.
“And yet you agreed.”
She said nothing for a moment, then she spoke in a tone so glib that he was sure she covered pain. “That is the truth of these things, is it not? Courtship is merely a pretense to the arrangement of property. I am honored that someone so exalted deemed me worthy of a place by his side.”
“And yet you sigh, Miss Caddick. Are you upset by your coming nuptials?”
“Of course not,” she said as she walked toward the edge of the property. He kept up with her easily. “I sighed because I had hoped for clearer air when we stepped outside. I cannot believe all the coal ash is good for the lungs.”
“You prefer the country air, then.”
“Doesn’t everyone? But there are advantages in London. The society is much improved here, and Lord Benedict’s work is here.”
“So you intend to stay with your husband in London?”
“I intend to do as my husband wills. Naturally.” Her tone was level, but he detected a note of annoyance in it. Interestingly, she didn’t seem annoyed with him. It was as though she grew tired of rote responses to typical questions.
That was good, because they were finally out of anyone else’s earshot. Assuming they both kept their voices low, he could say the words he’d been storing up.
“I doubt he wills you to visit the Rose Garden, Miss Caddick,” he said.
“We haven’t much time, so let me be perfectly clear.
Such activities are finished. If I find that you continue with them in any way, I will see that you never marry Lord Benedict.
You will never be a countess. Fight me on this and you will be drummed from society as a slut.
” He took a deep breath, forcing himself to continue when he’d rather end the engagement now.
“Find a way to become a model of propriety, Miss Caddick, because I am watching you. And I will not hesitate to destroy you.” He lifted his chin.
“That is my job as Lord Benedict’s man, and I take it very seriously. ”
She gaped at him. Of course, she did. He’d just dumped a great deal of information on her—as well as a threat—and she was properly horrified to realize he’d discovered her perfidy.
Unsurprisingly, her expression changed from shock to fury. “Why you horrible—”
“Keep your voice low, Miss Caddick.”
“How dare you!” she cried in a louder tone than he expected. Indeed, it was loud enough that she caught the attention of several people nearby. “I do not know what fever dream has caused such idiocy—”
“Have a care, Miss Caddick. You are drawing attention.”
“And just what do you think you are doing?” she snapped. “Good God, how could you think such a thing of me?”
He kept his voice to a low growl. “I saw you, Miss Caddick. With my own eyes.”
There was a flicker in her eyes. An acknowledgement, perhaps?
Fear? It was gone too fast for him to tell.
Instead, she sniffed loudly. “It baffles me, Major Vance, why you would threaten me within moments of our meeting. I am a young woman, newly engaged to your superior, and yet suddenly, you seek to be private with me? And to say such things!” She shuddered. “Good evening, Major.”
She spun on her heels and stalked away. There was purpose in her step, a power to her retreat that he hadn’t observed earlier. Indeed, it was a little surprising, and he couldn’t stop himself from watching the way she stalked off.
Well done, he thought. There were several people staring at him, judging him to be the one at fault.
That made Miss Caddick the winner in their exchange.
In truth, it required little skill to turn the tide of opinion against a bastard, but she had managed it with the quick thinking of a veteran liar. That was impressive.
He could admire such skill, especially since she was set to become the wife of a diplomat. But first he had to make sure she set her talents to the benefit of Lord Benedict’s ambitions, not their destruction.
This was the first skirmish between them. A testing volley, so to speak, before he won the day. Because she had been at the Rose Garden. Which meant she was a danger to Lord Benedict’s political ambitions and, by extension, his own.
He crossed his arms and chuckled. That action was for the benefit of the people still staring at him. They needed to know he was not intimidated. But first he had to do the one thing he’d been trying to avoid.
He had to have a frank discussion with the owner of the Rose Garden.
His mother.