Best of Both Rogues (11 page)

She didn’t look forward to the task of crying off, but her decision had been made the moment she knew Ben was back. Unfortunately, it had taken her mind a bit longer to catch up with her heart, and for that, she was very sorry. She never would have accepted Jonathan’s proposal if she had known their association would end in a broken betrothal.

“Lady Hackberry,” she murmured to her reflection in the looking glass as Alice tied off the last of the tiny braids around her face. “Eve Hackberry.”

Her maid swept the braids back on one side, pinned them, and coiled them to create a crown around her head. “It has a ring to it,” Alice mumbled around the pins sticking from her mouth.

It sounded ill fitting and strange to Eve, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

Alice secured the last pin, then stood back to inspect her work. “Lovely,” she said, as always. Eve never knew if her maid meant it as a compliment to Eve or herself, but she thanked her anyway.

With her toilette complete, Eve made her way to the drawing room to await their guests with Helena and Sebastian. The newlyweds were sitting together on the settee when she entered unnoticed. Sebastian brushed a stray strand of Helena’s hair behind her ear and murmured something Eve couldn’t hear. Helena’s ivory skin glowed, and her pleased smile lit the room. Eve loved them both dearly, but in that moment, she was overcome with envy.

She longed for evenings snuggled together with her husband on the settee while he whispered loving words in her ear. And she longed for that man to be Ben.

Milo cleared his throat behind her, startling her. Sebastian and Helena turned in time to catch her spying on them but pretended they hadn’t noticed.

“Have our guests arrived?” Sebastian asked as he stood and offered a hand up to his wife.

“Yes, milord. Lady Eldridge and Sir Jonathan arrived at the same time.”

Oh
dear
. She wouldn’t have a moment alone with Jonathan before they dined as she’d hoped.

“Very good,” Sebastian said. “We will come offer our greetings, then retire to the dining room. Have you notified Mother?”

“I sent a footman, my lord.”

Eve allowed her brother and sister-in-law to lead the way, perhaps dragging her feet a little. She didn’t want to sit through a meal pretending all was well when she knew her relationship with her betrothed wouldn’t last much beyond dessert.

Jonathan greeted her with a kiss on her glove and complimented her gown before offering his arm. Mama met them in the dining room and exchanged a warm greeting with the countess and welcomed Jonathan.

Once everyone was seated and the first course was served, Lady Eldridge brought up the topic Eve had been dreading. “Helena tells me you’ve chosen a lovely gown and flowers for the church. We really must settle on a menu for the breakfast. Perhaps you, your mother, and Helena should come for tea tomorrow.”

Eve looked helplessly toward Helena. Even if she were to marry Jonathan, she didn’t want the attention a lavish wedding breakfast would bring. She wished to marry quietly and settle into married life without much ado.

Her sister-in-law set her spoon aside and delicately touched her napkin to the corners of her mouth. “Olive, you know we wish for a cozy family affair. A breakfast is not necessary.”

The countess sniffed. “Even
family
must eat, Helena. Isn’t that correct, Lady Thorne?”

Eve’s mother smiled politely but didn’t offer an opinion. The strategy discussed earlier in the week allowed for Helena to handle the countess, although Eve wasn’t certain Lady Eldridge could be handled.

“Besides,” the countess said, “the Dowager Duchess of Foxhaven plans to attend. What kind of impression would it leave if I were to host a wedding breakfast without serving breakfast?”

Helena wasn’t prepared to surrender, much to Eve’s admiration. “I believe we have a slight misunderstanding. Although Eve and Sir Jonathan are grateful for your kind offer, they don’t wish to have a wedding breakfast.”

Jonathan nodded his agreement.

“Oh, pish posh.” Lady Eldridge leaned toward Eve, addressing her. “Dearest, the wedding breakfast is not for the bride. It is for her guests. There is no help for it. All you must do is smile prettily and accept everyone’s best wishes. Do you like pastries?”

“Uh…” Eve glanced toward Helena for guidance, but her sister-in-law seemed as lost as Eve when it came to taking control of the conversation. “Pastries are nice, my lady, but—”

“Of course the gentlemen will want something heartier, so I was thinking an egg dish and ham.” Lady Eldridge retrieved her spoon to finish her soup and pointed it toward Jonathan, who had been uncommonly silent during dinner, although talk of wedding breakfasts likely didn’t interest him. “Do you like ham and eggs, Sir Jonathan?”

“I do, however—”

“Excellent!” The countess took a dainty sip of soup, but before Eve could gather her thoughts, Lady Eldridge barreled on. “I’m certain Lord and Lady Norwick will expect an invitation. And I suppose that means Lord Norwick’s sister should be included as well. Lord and Lady Ellis are on the list, and if we invite Lady Ellis, we shouldn’t exclude her siblings. You wouldn’t want to offend the Duke of Foxhaven or his new bride.”

“True,” Eve murmured. She didn’t wish to offend anyone, but there seemed no way to avoid it. As the guest list grew, her palms began to grow damp. There wouldn’t be much time to cry off before Lady Eldridge had the invitations in the post. In fact, Eve wouldn’t be surprised if the countess already had them written.

Eve caught Jonathan’s eye across the table, but he didn’t offer a smile as usual. Instead, he watched her with a gaze so intense, she worried he might be able to decipher her thoughts. She blinked and looked away.

By the end of the evening, Helena still hadn’t convinced the countess a breakfast wasn’t needed, despite her valiant efforts. “I will come by Eldridge House tomorrow,” Helena said as they walked their guests to the front door. “We can discuss the matter further then.”

“Splendid.” The countess flashed a brilliant smile, apparently believing she had won the argument.

The cousins exchanged hugs, and Sebastian escorted the countess to her carriage. Once Lady Eldridge was seen to, Sebastian, Helena, and Mama allowed Eve and Jonathan a moment alone to say good-bye.

Jonathan checked his watch. “It is late. I should be going. Thank you for a lovely evening, Miss Thorne.” His grim expression said the evening had been anything but lovely. However, she couldn’t very well call him out for being polite.

“We are pleased you came.”

“As am I. Farewell for now.” He took her hands in his and placed a dutiful kiss on her cheek. She would have asked him to stay except he was practically dashing for the door.

Milo opened the front door, and as Jonathan reached the threshold, Eve called out, “Sir Jonathan?”

He turned with an expectant smile, making her feel like the worst person on earth. She truly didn’t want to hurt him.

“Would you have time to call on me tomorrow? There are things we should discuss.” When he simply stared, heat rushed into her face. “A-about the wedding.”

A small twitch of his eyebrow was the only sign he had heard her. “As you wish, Miss Thorne.”

As soon as the door to Thorne Place closed behind Jonathan, he cursed under his breath. Miss Thorne wasn’t going to cry off. There was but a week left before their nuptials, and she was planning a wedding breakfast—not entertaining ways to be rid of him.

The small surge of satisfaction at knowing she still wanted him ebbed as quickly as it came. She was better off without him. The kindest thing he could do for her would be to send her running into Ben Hillary’s arms, but Jonathan had promised to allow her to make the choice.

He circled his palm over the dull ache in his chest. Even though letting Miss Thorne go would be in her best interest, it hurt to realize he was destined to be alone. There would be no one to mourn him when he was no more.

Forgoing a hack, Jonathan set off on foot for his town house. The gas lamps along Mayfair’s streets illuminated the fog, creating a ghostly quality. He had nothing to fear from footpads or the like. The Regent’s Consul had seen to that. Jonathan was a man to be feared, but few people ever realized it when he played the role of a crackpot anthropology enthusiast.

Perhaps that was what had drawn him to Eve. She didn’t dismiss him as simply a bumbling fool beneath her notice. She accepted him as he was with an open, loving heart. Eve
saw
him.

She
doesn’t see the real you
.

“Sod off,” he mumbled.

“You’ll not get rid of me that easily,” a voice replied from his right. An intruder entered the dim circle of light from a streetlamp.

In one fluid movement, Jonathan unsheathed the blade hidden in his walking stick and pressed the sharp tip beneath the man’s chin before Jonathan recognized him. “Margrave.”

A trickle of blood oozed down the viscount’s neck, but he didn’t so much as flinch.

Jonathan stepped back, dropping his blade. “What the hell are you doing sneaking up on me? I could have slit your throat.”

Margrave’s brow lifted. A flash of light caught on the knife in his hand as he sheathed it. “You were distracted. I shouldn’t have gotten this close without you noticing. Mooning over a lady will only get you killed.”

Jonathan didn’t bother responding. His colleague was right. He couldn’t walk around with his head in the clouds unless he was courting an early death. Perhaps he should take a cue from Margrave and abandon any hope of a normal existence.

Margrave fell into step with Jonathan as he continued toward his home. The streets of Mayfair were deserted at this time of night with partygoers attending balls that would last until the early morning hours.

“Farrin had you followed. Just as you suspected. A German seaman looking for coin. It was no wonder he was easy to spot.”

Margrave’s revelation came as no surprise. Jonathan knew Farrin had been trying to send a message.

“According to my source, Farrin has grown impatient,” Margrave said. “You have a ship at your disposal, but you’re still dallying with the chit.”

Jonathan glared at him and Margrave held up his hands in submission. It was a trick. Farrin’s men didn’t submit to anyone.

“I am only repeating what I heard.”

“God’s blood. I am courting a
lady
, not dallying with a chit. Furthermore, what concern is it of his? I will leave London when I am damned ready.”

Margrave regarded him with what appeared to be a measure of respect. “No one defies Farrin’s orders.”

“Well, it is about time someone stood his ground with the blighter.”

“Hackberry.” The viscount grabbed his arm, drawing him to a stop. “No one challenges the commander, because he tolerates no rebellion. Think carefully about what you are doing.”

Farrin had a reputation for swift and merciless retribution, but what more could he do to Jonathan? He already had no family, no friends, and his chance for a happy life with Miss Thorne was being snatched away. “I don’t fear Farrin.”

“Then fear for your betrothed,” Margrave said through gritted teeth. “You cannot guard her every moment. Our brothers are loyal to him, and she is vulnerable.”

Jonathan rocked back on his heels, not believing what he’d heard. “He threatened her life?”

“If you do not take care of the problem delaying you, Farrin will. I know nothing about your assignment, but I would advise you to make haste.”

Jonathan narrowed his eyes on his fellow spy. Did Margrave’s loyalties lie with the organization? He gripped the handle of his walking stick. “And what are
your
orders?”

“Farrin can go to hell,” Margrave spat. “A young lady is not an enemy of the Crown.”

Jonathan’s head spun, and he leaned on the cane for support. If Margrave had been ordered to eliminate Miss Thorne, how long did Jonathan have before another spy was sent for her? A string of curses flew from him, rising on the night air. “I will kill the bloody blackguard.”

“You could, but another fat rat would happily scurry into his position. Fulfill your duties. Miss Thorne will be in no danger once you are gone. Nevertheless, if it brings you peace of mind, I will help Ben keep watch over her.”

Jonathan growled low in his throat. He hated that he couldn’t be the one to protect his betrothed—that he was the reason she was endangered.

“If you care about her,” Margrave said, “take Ben’s money and ship and leave.”

“It is not that simple.” And yet what choice did he have? There wasn’t time to convince Miss Thorne to cry off. Tomorrow he must tell her their relationship was over.

* * *

Eve hadn’t slept a wink all night. Instead, she had rehearsed in her mind what she would say to Jonathan when he called on her today. She had altered the wording slightly each time until she thought she had prepared a sensitive and respectful parting speech. The problem lay with her, not him, but she fervently hoped they could remain on friendly terms. She found him amiable and enjoyed his company.

To show her sincerity, she had asked Cook to make Jonathan’s favorite finger sandwiches—tarragon chicken salad with dried cherries—and those lovely little vanilla tea cakes he ate as if he might not see his next meal. Bohea tea filled her mother’s precious Worcester teapot, and the best porcelain plates had been brought from the pantry. Eve had been as prepared as any lady could be to gently tell her betrothed she just couldn’t marry him.

She never got the chance.

“What do you mean,
you
cannot marry
me
?” Shrillness broke through her words, shattering the illusion she could remain reasonable and calm under these circumstances.
This
cannot
be
happening
.

She dug her fingers into the padded armrests to fight against dumping the sandwiches and cakes in his lap and crowning him with her mother’s best silver tray. “Do you have any idea what this will do to me?” It was a miracle her reputation had been salvaged after Ben jilted her. She would never recover from a similar incident.

Jonathan sipped his tea, cool and collected, which only made her more crazed. “I think we both realize this is for the best. It is clear you still hold a
tendre
for Mr. Hillary. I am simply clearing the way for you to reunite.”

She bolted from the settee and marched several paces away to place distance between them. “You cannot cry off and go around saying I hold a
tendre
for Mr. Hillary. I will be ruined. People will think we have engaged in an impropriety.”

His smile was serene as he set his cup aside. The exquisite china piece clicked against the saucer. “Darling.” If his placating tone was meant to calm her, it had the opposite effect.

She jutted her chin, her temper rising. “I am
not
your darling.”

“You never were,” he shot back, a ruddy shadow covering his suddenly hardened face.

Wonder of wonders. It seemed he was human after all. This was the first show of emotion he’d exhibited since their betrothal ball.

The
ball
. Her heart dropped to her stomach. Had he seen her dancing with Ben that night? Her indignation gave way to horror that he might believe she had been untrue to him.

“You cannot think I was unfaithful.” Her voice cracked on the last word and tears welled in her eyes.

He sighed and pushed from the chair as if almost too weary to stand. “I could never believe anything unbecoming about you, Miss Thorne. You are a kind and decent young woman.” He came to stand in front of her and raised his hand as if he might touch her before letting it drop to his side. “I will not repeat a word to anyone about what has occurred between us today. We will tell everyone it was your decision to end our betrothal. You may say I am too absorbed with my work and bad tempered when my attention is needed elsewhere. I believe this is the best solution to our dilemma. We are clearly not meant to be.”

He saw their relationship as a dilemma? She couldn’t say why, but it made her feel like crying. She didn’t strive to be anyone’s problem. She longed to be a helpmate, to stand beside her man in times of trouble.

With a sigh, she realized he was right. They did have a dilemma that could only be solved by parting ways. Jonathan was honorable and kind. He was the type of gentleman to allow himself to be maligned to protect her pride. But he
wasn’t
her man. That didn’t make him deserving of attacks on his character, however.

She frowned. “I will not spread tales about you.”

“Then we will say nothing except it was your choice to cry off. The
ton
can make whatever assumptions about me they like.”

While she appreciated his sacrifice, she could make no sense of it. “Why are you willing to fall on your sword for me?”

“I only want to see you safe and happy.” His smile tugged at her heart. He appeared so sad and lonely in that moment. “Will you do that for me, Miss Thorne? Marry, have a family, and be happy?”

It sounded as if he was saying good-bye forever. “Only if…if you promise you will do the same.”

“I would like that very much.” He leaned to kiss her cheek one last time. “Take care of yourself, Eve.”

She stood rooted to the middle of the drawing room floor as Jonathan walked away.