Chapter 10
Chapter ten
Edward
Early morning filled the distant gardens with a heavy mist, making it impossible to see anything within. I leaned back against a tree and stretched my legs out in front of me. Waiting could drive a man to madness, but I had little choice but to sit and observe. To hope.
As the hours passed, that hope began to wane.
I would obtain no evidence today, and the weight of that failure rested heavily on my shoulders.
This endless game drained the life from me, and even a bruising ride back to Kenwick did not lift my spirits.
How could I find joy in anything when Adda was suffering under the hands of Hollinsby—or worse?
But no. I would not allow my mind to wander such dark paths.
I would find her and bring her safely home.
Or give her a safe home, rather. Returning her to Africa presented its own problems, and doing so would only put her in peril until the world embraced abolition.
I could not find her simply to lose her again.
The wooded path gave way to an open meadow, and I raced across it to the elaborate stables that lay west of the castle. A stablehand took the reins, and I dismounted, instructing him to see to Lightning’s needs. He nodded and guided the stallion toward his stall.
“You’ve been gone for some time.”
I whirled around at the sound of the familiar voice, my sorrows already fading. Annette stood before me in a dark green day dress, her red hair styled into a tight coiffure with a few strands framing her flushed cheeks. She was beautiful, the ideal lady of perfection and grace.
But I was beginning to believe this was not Annette Apsley.
Not the real her. The lady I had come to know in London was a disguise put on for Society’s benefit, and while I could admire that woman, it was the one with the messy plait taking strolls at midnight and riding bareback that captured my partiality.
Partiality was a dangerous thing for me to have.
I bowed, my eyes never leaving her. “Good morning, Miss Apsley.”
She tilted her head. “Are we not alone, Edward? I thought you wished us to be friends?”
My heart jolted at the sound of my name on her lips, but I shoved the reaction away. “Forgive me. I thought to exercise caution, given there are servants about.”
She rolled her eyes, muttering. “You have never cared to exercise it before.”
The statement heightened my defenses. “Whether you believe so or not, I have always striven toward caution when using your name. I have no desire to ruin you.”
“Or marry me, I presume?”
I swallowed and forced a smile. She would not like a truthful answer from me—at least not yet—and I refused to lie to her more than I already was.
Not that I was lying to her. Not exactly.
I was simply keeping her father’s offer of money in exchange for marrying her a secret.
The scheme still did not sit well with me, but a confession would not help my cause.
I needed the money. Too many people were counting on me to risk Annette’s ire and lose the funds.
Regardless, I had made a promise to Lord Paxton, and I would not break it.
I clasped my hands behind my back. “So, have you managed to hide our midnight spoils in the intended target’s room?”
A mischievous grin tugged at her lips, and her blue eyes lit with satisfaction.
“I have. All seven flowers are positioned for prime retaliation. Russell left early this morning for his ride, and I took advantage of the opportunity.” Her brows furrowed.
“Although, I was under the impression that the two of you generally rode together. Is that not so?”
“We did my first mornings here, but I’ve since had business to see to and could not join him.”
“Business?”
I nodded but offered nothing more. Annette’s eyes narrowed, which nearly drew my laughter, but she would not bully the information out of me. The less she knew about Hollinsby and my plans to bring him to justice, the better.
“Well, if your business has concluded, I assume you shall want to break your fast before our tour?” she asked, seeming to give up on the matter. For now.
“Breakfast and a tour sounds like a rather diverting morning. I’m looking forward to it.”
Her expression revealed nothing of her thoughts on the matter. She smiled amicably and gestured for me to follow her back to the house. It seemed today I would have the company of the proper Miss Apsley.
Disappointment coiled its way through me, and I reminded myself that this was a good thing.
It was far easier to keep my thoughts from wandering in her presence than when in the company of the wild lady I had picked flowers with last night.
I had yet to put the moment I held her hand from my mind, nor the sensation of her touch. The distance would do me good.
After breakfast, Annette took me on a tour of the castle.
She offered details about the castle’s history, and the information seemed to draw out an enthusiasm I rarely saw from her.
I had witnessed a glimpse of that spark when she spoke of The Towers last night, which reminded me that Annette had a passion for historic architecture.
Or an appreciation for it, at the very least. She had mentioned as much during our trip to the museum in Town.
Today, our time together was, in a word, easy.
I was uncertain we had ever gone so long without teasing and taunting, and while I missed having that sort of exchange with her, I enjoyed the carefree conversation.
Perhaps it was because my mind was desperate for anything to alleviate the guilt of not seeing progress in regards to finding Hollinsby and Adda.
“Would you like a tour of The Towers?” she asked as we exited the well-furnished music room.
“I would if it is agreeable to you. I do not wish to consume all of your time if you had other plans for today.”
She shook her head. “My only plans were executed this morning while my brother was out. Besides, I shouldn’t mind visiting The Towers. I’ve not done so in some time, and the view of the gardens is lovely this time of year.”
I smiled. The fact that she was willing to extend our time together was an improvement. “Then please, lead the way.”
I followed her down the long corridor, passing the servants’ stairs and library.
Once we had reached the grand vestibule, she requested that I wait for her while she gathered her pelisse and gloves.
Obliging, I watched her take the stairs.
The distance allowed me to admire her from afar in a way I hadn’t previously, and with no one to chide me for staring, my eyes followed her.
She could soon be my wife.
The stray thought set my heart to pounding, and I pulled my gaze away from her.
It was not so wrong of me to appreciate how handsome Annette was, considering my intentions, but doing so hinted at an ulterior reason for marrying her.
Much as I disliked it, money had prompted me into this courtship, but this growing attraction?
It was a distraction. I could not become distracted by my wife.
Er—possible wife.
I winced. Things had progressed with Annette, but I was nowhere near being on well enough terms with her to propose. I had not gotten to the bottom of her reason for dismissing marriage. Until I did, friendship was the best I could hope for.
Still, friendship was a start.
Footsteps sounded above me, and I glanced up, expecting to see Annette descending the stairs. Instead, Russell Apsley flew down them, his face mottled with red. His expression softened when, about halfway down, he noticed me standing in the center of the entry hall.
He reached the bottom of the stairs and crossed the room to me. “Paget. Have you perchance seen my menace of a sister?”
I could only assume he meant Annette.
I opened my mouth but hesitated to answer. Having Apsley as a friend was important to me, but I also needed to woo his sister. Betraying her would not lead to wooing.
My indecision told him enough. “You have seen her. Where is she?”
“I…”
He took a step forward, bringing with him a familiar smell of rot that made me rear back. It was overwhelming, enough so to make my eyes water.
“Terrible, isn’t it?” Apsley spat. “She’s gone and put cuckoo-pint in my wardrobe. Every piece of clothing I own smells of excrement.”
It was a testament to the strength of my self-control that I did not laugh. “That is quite the revenge.”
A reluctant smile curled Apsley’s lips. “I will admit, her retaliation methods have developed very well. She learned from the best, after all.” His lips flattened.
“But the knacky little thing has gone far enough. My valet removed the flower, but I can still smell it. I suspect she has hidden more in my chamber.”
I fought a grin. The poor man had my sympathies. I would not be able to stand that smell in my room either. Fortunately, I was saved from having to lie to him as Annette hurried down the stairs, her sparkling eyes settled on her brother.
“Good afternoon, Rus.”
“Good? I should think not, and do not look at me all innocent-like. You know very well why I am cranned.”
“I haven’t the slightest idea what you mean, nor what has you in such a sour mood.” She batted her eyelashes, and I nearly choked on a laugh.
Apsley glared at me before returning his focus to Annette. “I’ve rid myself of one, Netty. How many more are there?”
Her brows puckered. “More of what? Honestly, Russell, what are you on about? You sound mad.”
“If I am, it is because I was given you for a sister,” he muttered.
“Well, I wish you a speedy recovery from the ailment. The lieutenant and I are for the gardens. I am giving him a tour.” She leaned toward Apsley and sucked in a deep breath.
Her exaggerated grimace drew out another bout of my laughter.
Annette patted her brother’s shoulder, her lips pursed with faux sympathy.
“I would suggest you take a bath, Russell. And switch colognes.”