Debra Mullins (14 page)

D
ays later, Anna stood with her mother at the Severley ball, searching the crowd for a familiar tall figure. She had expected to hear from Rome before now. Surely he had been able to uncover some sort of clue about the Robert Chambers murder. Rome’s conduct confirmed her fear that his promise to include her was merely a way to keep her from exposing his involvement

“Anna,” her mother murmured, “I know you are excited to see the earl, but do not make a cake of yourself by appearing too eager.”

Anna flushed and came down from her tiptoes. “I’m sorry, Mama.”

“I appreciate your enthusiasm, dear, but we must not give the impression you are fast.”

“Of course not.” She fluttered her fan near her heated cheeks. If her mother only knew!

Henrietta took her by the arm and guided her behind a potted palm for a moment of privacy. “Listen to me,” she whispered. “You must charm an offer from his lordship very soon. The Season is nearly finished, and we cannot afford another. This is your only chance, Anna.”

“Yes, Mama.”

Henrietta smiled and adjusted the lace on Anna’s sleeve. “You are a good daughter, Anna. You do the family proud.”

Anna’s stomach clenched with a healthy dose of guilt. What would her mother’s reaction be if she knew about Rome?

Henrietta stepped out from behind the palm tree. Anna followed, then halted as she caught sight of Rome entering the ballroom with his sister and her husband. His tall, lean figure looked absolutely dashing in black evening clothes, and his dangerous attractiveness drew the gaze of every female in the room. The air of scandal about him only added to his appeal.

He glanced her way. Her breath caught in her lungs; her heart skipped wildly, then steadied into a strong, rapid beat. She held his gaze, heat curling low in her belly as they communicated in hot, hungry silence.

Then he broke contact and walked in the opposite direction, as if he hadn’t seen her at all.

What in the world…? For a long moment, she stared at his back, willing him to turn back to her. They were supposed to be partners, weren’t they? Why hadn’t he so much as said hello?

“Anna,” her mother whispered. “Lord Haverford has just emerged from the card room.”

Haverford. Yes. Anna forced her gaze away from Rome’s retreating back and focused on Haverford wending his way through the crowd. This was the man who should have her attention. This was the man who held her future in his hands.

But Rome held the key to the truth.

“Good evening, my lord,” Henrietta said.

“Good evening, Mrs. Rosewood. Miss Rosewood.” Haverford bowed, then turned a polite smile on Anna. “Miss Rosewood, I would be honored if you would save me the waltz.”

Anna colored. “I cannot, my lord.”

“Anna has not yet been given license to dance the waltz by the patronesses of Almack’s,” her mother hurried to say. “Perhaps the minuet?”

“Of course.” Haverford took Anna’s dance card and scribbled his name for the first minuet. “Until then, Miss Rosewood.”

“Until then, my lord.”

As Haverford took his leave, Henrietta snapped open her fan. “We must obtain permission for you to waltz,” she hissed. “I do not understand why you have not been granted it. Many other ladies are allowed to waltz.”

“Calm yourself, Mama. Lord Haverford has secured a minuet. It would have been much worse if he had not asked at all.”

“Bite your tongue, daughter!” Henrietta fanned even faster. “Of course he asked. You have an understanding.”

“Then we must be content.”

“Do not be content, Anna, until the Devereaux sapphire is on your finger.” She snapped the fan closed and pointed it at her daughter. “You must charm the earl into declaring himself. We are running out of time.”

With this pronouncement, she turned away to engage a crony in conversation.

Anna let out a deep sigh. She was indeed running out of time. Haverford aside, it seemed nearly impossible that she could discover the secret behind her brother’s murder in the few weeks she had left. Her only chance lay with the man who moments ago had acted as if she were invisible.

It looked as if she would be tasked with charming
two
Devereaux men tonight.

“Rome, do try to enjoy yourself,” Lavinia pleaded.

Rome continued to scowl at the crowd. “I am enjoying myself,” he lied.

“Yes, I have always been partial to the way your eyebrows come together when you smile,” Vin said, with sweet sarcasm. “I understand you are
upset that your second appointment with Mr. Vaughn was rescheduled, but I am certain it is not personal.”

“I’m not so certain.”

“Rome, really.” Vin rolled her eyes. “If Mr. Vaughn held the scandal against you, he would not have been willing to consider you for the position to begin with. He is a busy man. I’m certain this is all a matter of bad timing.”

“Perhaps.” Rome tried to smile for his sister, but inside he had his doubts. Had Vaughn noticed his interest in the ring? Rome had tried to hide it, but Edgar Vaughn had not ascended to his current status by accident. The diplomat had always been known for canny intellect and keen observation.

“Would you like me to have Henry make inquiries?” Vin glanced around for her errant husband. “He can be very discreet.”

“Absolutely not.” He caught his sister’s stubborn gaze. “Let it go, Vin.”

“I worry about you,” she said. “I’m certain Henry wouldn’t mind.”

“
I
would mind. I’m a grown man, Vin. Save your mothering for your babe.”

Hurt flickered across her face, and her lower lip slowly protruded in a familiar pout. “I was just trying to help.”

“I know.” He ignored the twinge of guilt and turned gratefully as Dennis Fellhopper called his name.

“Devereaux,” Fellhopper greeted him. “Good to see you again.”

“Fellhopper.” Rome nodded to Charlotte. “Miss Fellhopper, charming to see you again. I believe you both know my sister, Mrs. Henry Emberly.”

“Mrs. Emberly,” Fellhopper said with a nod. “A pleasure.”

“Goodness, Lavinia!” Charlotte exclaimed. “It’s been an age!” Then she flushed. “I’m sorry, it’s Mrs. Emberly now, isn’t it?”

“Vin is fine,” Lavinia said with a smile. “I understand my cousin recently visited your country home.”

“Yes, Lord Haverford traveled to Leicestershire to assist my brother with a business matter.”

“No doubt sheep were involved,” Rome said with a chuckle. “Marc does love the wool market.”

“Exactly so,” Fellhopper confirmed, with a grin.

“Oh, yes,” Charlotte chimed in with a little giggle. “Everything revolves around sheep in Leicestershire!”

They were still laughing when Marc joined them.

“Good evening,” He said, sending a smile around to all of them. “Miss Fellhopper, Lavinia, you are both visions this evening.”

“Thank you,” Lavinia said with a pleased smile.

“Thank you, my lord,” Charlotte murmured, glancing away in maidenly modesty.

“We were just discussing your recent visit to my estate,” Fellhopper said.

“Ah yes, I do hope all is well,” Marc said.

“Quite,” Fellhopper assured him, a wide grin spreading across his handsome face. “Your cousin was also commenting on the wool market.”

Marc glanced at Rome. “I didn’t know you followed the market.”

“Actually, we were discussing sheep,” Charlotte said, with another giggle. “Mr. Devereaux is quite a wit.”

“Yes, Rome is quite entertaining,” Marc said, his expression utterly polite. “Miss Fellhopper, would you do me the honor of saving me a dance?”

She beamed. “Why certainly, Lord Haverford.” She extended her dance card.

“I would request one as well, Miss Fellhopper,” Rome said.

Marc flicked a glance at Rome, then smiled at Charlotte. “Do you waltz?”

“Why yes, I have been granted permission to do so.”

“Then the waltz it must be.” He scribbled his name on her card, then handed the small pencil to Rome.

Vin raised her eyebrows but said nothing. Rome stepped forward and scrawled his name beside the minuet.

“Until the waltz,” Marc said, bowing to Charlotte. He nodded at the rest of the group. “Fellhopper, Rome, Lavinia.”

“And we must greet some acquaintances who
have just arrived,” Dennis said, as the earl strode away. “Good evening to you both.”

“Fellhopper,” Rome said with a nod. He bowed over Charlotte’s hand. “Miss Fellhopper, I look forward to our dance.”

She gave him a sweet smile, her blue eyes shining with pleasure. “I will see you then, Mr. Devereaux.”

The Fellhoppers moved away, and Rome turned back to see Lavinia staring after them with a contemplative expression on her face.

“I know that look,” Rome said. “What is it?”

“Nothing.” She smiled at him, but he wasn’t fooled.

“Lavinia.” He drew out her name and fixed her with his most intimidating stare.

She rolled her eyes. “Do not attempt to freeze me with your impressive glare, Roman Devereaux. As your sister, I am immune.”

“You are up to something. I want to know what it is.”

She gave an impatient huff. “Fine. I was just thinking that Marc was acting odd around the Fellhoppers. Did you notice anything?”

“Not at all. He seems quite friendly with them, actually.”

“Exactly. If he weren’t courting Miss Rosewood, I would think he had an interest in Miss Fellhopper.”

“But he
is
courting Miss Rosewood.” The words
felt like sawdust in his mouth. “They are practically engaged.”

“I know,” Vin said with a dismissive wave. “I just thought he acted odd just now.”

“You are imagining things.”

“Perhaps.” Vin stared after the earl, her lips pursed in thought. “We will see.”

“I see Mrs. Emberly,” Anna said to her mother. “I am going to go speak to her.”

Deep in conversation with an acquaintance, Henrietta nodded and waved a dismissive hand.

Anna made her way across the room, her gaze fixed on Rome’s broad shoulders as he stood talking to his sister. With every step closer, her heart beat faster.

Business, she reminded herself. She was approaching him for business reasons, not personal ones.

He looked up as she reached them, and his animated expression faded to a practiced air of polite inquiry.

“Good evening, Lavinia, Ro—ah, Mr. Devereaux.”

“Anna!” Lavinia exclaimed, her face lighting with pleasure. “We were just speaking of you.”

“Were you?” She darted a glance at Rome. His impassive expression did not reassure.

“We were speaking of Haverford,” he said, “and therefore your name was mentioned.”

Vin sent her brother a look of annoyance. “Pay
no attention to him, Anna. His appointment with Mr. Vaughn has been rescheduled, and he is out of sorts about it.”

“Vin,” Rome warned with a glower.

“Don’t bother fixing your famous glare on me, Roman. I already told you it doesn’t work.”

He stiffened. “I dislike you advertising my personal business to all and sundry.”

“Anna is practically family,” Vin protested, clearly becoming irritated with her brother.

“She’s not family yet.”

Anna jerked as if from a physical blow.

“Rome!” Lavinia gasped, clearly appalled at her brother’s conduct.

Anna lifted her gaze to his. The indifference in his eyes transformed him from the ardent lover she had met at Vauxhall to a man she did not know.

She sucked in a much-needed breath, fighting for composure. Perhaps it was best to be rid of him. Their history together had proven that they were a dangerous combination.

But how could she accomplish her goal without him?

Lavinia’s husband joined them at that moment. “Good evening, all,” he said, his joviality breaking the chilly silence.

“Henry, there you are.” Lavinia’s relief came through in her voice. “Have you met Miss Rosewood?”

“Not formally.” Emberly smiled at her, his dark
brown eyes full of warmth and good nature. “How do you do, Miss Rosewood?”

“Very well, thank you, Mr. Emberly,” Anna lied.

“If you will all excuse me,” Rome said suddenly. He gave them a bow and stalked away.

Emberly cast his departing brother-in-law a puzzled look. “Gad, Lavinia, what’s the matter with your brother?”

“I have no idea,” she replied. “He was unconscionably rude to Miss Rosewood.”

“How odd.” Emberly smiled at Anna. “I hope you will forgive Roman, Miss Rosewood. He does have something of a temper, I’m afraid.”

“And I would like to apologize for him as well,” Lavinia said. “Pray do not hold his bad manners against the rest of us!”

“Of course not,” Anna said.

“Roman spent quite a bit of time in the battlefield,” Emberly said. “That sort of thing tends to change a man. I am certain the next time you see him, he will apologize for his behavior.”

Anna forced a smile. “I’m sure you are right.”

Lavinia reached out and touched her hand. “Do call on me tomorrow, Anna. Even though my brother is clearly a clodpole, I quite enjoy your company.”

“Thank you, Lavinia. I will do just that.”

“In the meantime,” Emberly said, “I have come to claim my wife for the next dance.”

“How lovely!” Lavinia squealed.

“I know how you love to dance, my dear,” Emberly said, gently touching his wife’s cheek.

“Yes, and I intend to take full advantage before my confinement. Anna, will you excuse us?”

“Of course.” Anna watched the couple head for the dance floor and wondered if she would ever find such happiness.

One thing was certain; she would never find contentment until she discovered the truth behind Anthony’s death. If Rome had decided not to help her, then she would take matters into her own hands.

Mama might have confined her to the house, but there were other ways she could help. The ring, perhaps. She would bring Anthony’s note with her and make discreet inquiries of all the jewelers to see if someone knew where the rings came from. Even Mama could not object to a shopping trip!

Once the Black Rose Society was exposed for what it truly was, only then would her brother’s soul find peace.

Only then would the nightmares stop.