Dangerous (6 page)

The door of the drawing room opened before Prudence could think of a suitable reply.

“Good afternoon, ladies.”

Prudence looked up as Trevor made his entrance into the room with the swaggering, elaborately casual style he had painstakingly learned from his newfound friends.

Everything Trevor did lately was done with that peculiar style. It was getting a bit wearing, Prudence decided.

Her younger brother had turned overnight into a young blood of the
ton
. From the top of his intricately tied cravat to his padded coat, striped waistcoat, and snug pantaloons,
Trevor was the very glass of fashion. He had taken to carrying a cane and had an enormous number of decorative seals dangling from the fob of his watch.

As irritating as some of his new mannerisms could be on occasion, Prudence was nevertheless very fond of Trevor. She told herself he was merely a high-spirited young man who would do very well once he had settled down a bit and matured.

Her younger brother was also a fine-looking young man, she thought proudly. He had no real need of the padding in his jacket. His hair was the same honey-colored shade as hers was. Trevor had inherited their mother’s excellent blue eyes, rather than their father’s green ones. He had no need of spectacles, although he had experimented briefly with a monocle last week. He had dropped the affectation when he discovered it was too difficult to keep the glass in place.

Prudence worried sometimes that Trevor would not want to return to the quiet life of a country squire after having been introduced to the pleasures of Town.

And, if she were honest with herself. Prudence thought, she had to admit that Trevor was not the only one who might be a bit bored in the country now. She had found life in London far more exciting and more intriguing than she had expected.

It was not the endless round of balls and soirees that fascinated her, but the endless array of bookshops, museums, and the like. Here in Town she could research spectral phenomena far more thoroughly than she could at home. She also stood a much greater chance of encountering people who would need her special investigation skills.

“Hello, Trevor,” Prudence said.

“Good afternoon.” Hester picked up the pot. “Will you have tea?”

“With pleasure.” Trevor came forward eagerly. “Wait until I tell you my news.”

“We are all ears, dear,” Hester murmured.

“You are not going to believe this.” Trevor preened as he accepted the cup and saucer. “But I, Trevor Merryweather, wrung an apology out of the devil himself, by God.”

Hester blinked. “Did you really?”

“I certainly did.” Trevor turned proudly to Prudence. “Angelstone won’t bother you again, Prue. You may depend upon it. Made the bastard apologize for insulting you. Whole world knows it, too. He had one of his seconds convey his apologies to me right there in my club where all my friends could hear him.”

Prudence glared at Trevor as he sprawled in one of Hester’s delicate satinwood chairs. “For the last time, Trevor, I was not insulted by Angelstone. He behaved himself quite properly. There was absolutely nothing about his manner on the dance floor that gave offense.”

“Man’s got a reputation.” Trevor helped himself to a small cake off the tea tray. “You wouldn’t know about it, of course. Not the sort of thing a lady should know about. Point is, he certainly ain’t the type you want hanging about. Everybody agrees he don’t have anything respectable in mind when he starts paying attention to a female.”

“For goodness’ sake,” Prue said. “Name me one female Angelstone is said to have ruined. Just one.”

Trevor scowled. “Good lord. Surely you don’t expect me to discuss that sort of gossip with you.”

“Yes, I do. If I’m being warned off, I want to know precisely why. Who was his last innocent victim?”

“If he ain’t had a victim this Season it’s only because respectable families are keeping their daughters out of his reach.”

“I want a name,” Prue said evenly.

Trevor glowered at her and then appealed to Hester for support. “I’ve a hunch you’re more conversant with that sort of tale than I am. Give Prue a name. Perhaps it will convince her she’s playing with fire when she accepts a dance with Angelstone.”

“A name?” Hester tapped her chin with her forefinger and studied the ceiling for a moment. “Well, his name was linked with that of Lady Charlesworthy at one time, I understand, but that was last Season and the lady is a rather notorious widow in her own right. I’m not sure she counts as an innocent victim, if you see what I mean. In any event, I’m told that affair ended some time ago.”

“What happened?” Prudence asked, deeply curious in spite of herself.

“The
on dit
is that Lady Charlesworthy made the mistake of trying to incite the Fallen Angel’s jealousy,” Hester said. “She gave her favors to another. There are rumors that a duel was fought.”

Trevor frowned. “A duel?”

Hester nodded. “Apparently Angelstone wounded his opponent, but did not kill him. They say the Fallen Angel left the dueling field and went straight to the lady’s house. The story has it he went upstairs to her bedchamber and awakened her personally just to tell her that their affair was over.”

Prudence shivered. She could well imagine that Angelstone would have been made coldly furious by Lady Charlesworthy’s tactics. “You’re quite right, Hester, Lady Charlesworthy does not count as an innocent victim. It was very unkind of her to try to make Angelstone jealous.”

“Unkind?” Hester gave Prudence an amused glance. “I expect the poor lady was desperate for some indications of warmth from Angelstone. They say he is made of ice.”

“Nonsense. Back to the matter of a name. We’re looking for genuine, innocent victims here,” Prudence said. “Can you think of even one young woman who was ruined by Angelstone?”

Hester raised a brow. “Actually, no. I can’t. Now that I think of it, from what I hear, Angelstone tends to pass over the fledglings in favor of the more worldly sort of female.”

Trevor was irate. “The man’s got a reputation, I tell you. Everyone knows it.”

“Not for ruining innocent young women, apparently,” Prudence said. “So you will in future kindly refrain from interfering in my social affairs, do you comprehend me, Trevor?”

“Now, see here,” Trevor shot back, “I’m your brother. Got a responsibility toward you.”

“I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

“Don’t be so certain of that. Truth is, you don’t know that much about men, Prue. You ain’t a good judge of ’em. Keep in mind what happened three years ago.”

Hester clapped loudly for attention. “Enough, my dears. If you wish to wrangle, you may do so someplace other than my drawing room. We have other business to attend to.”

“What other business?” Prudence asked, more than willing to change the topic.

Hester chuckled. “Why, the little matter of deciding which invitations we shall be accepting this week. Prudence, my dear, you are very much in demand. We shall have a busy time of it, I fear.” Hester reached for a silver tray littered with cards. “Now, then, let’s go through this little lot. Can you believe that all of these arrived just today? I don’t think we can possibly manage to squeeze in everything.”

“You make the selections,” Prudence said. “I don’t really care which parties we attend. They all seem the same, somehow. The rooms are too crowded and too hot and there is so much noise it is difficult to converse.”

“One must make sacrifices when one is moving in Society.” Hester picked up a card. “Ah, yes, we shall most definitely put in an appearance at the Thornbridges’ ball. The new Lady Thornbridge is causing talk.”

Trevor swallowed his cake, looking interested. “How’s that?”

Hester gave him a knowing smile. “She’s quite a bit younger than her lord. And very beautiful. Word has it Thornbridge is mad with jealousy these days. Should be interesting to see if there will be a scene or two at their ball.”

“It sounds rather unpleasant to me,” Prudence observed. “Who wants to see a jealous husband make a fool of himself over a young wife?”

“Most of the
ton
, my dear,” Prudence assured her cheerfully.

The door of the drawing room opened again at that juncture. Hester’s butler, chosen for his imposing air, appeared in the opening.

“A Mrs. Leacock to see you, madam.”

“How lovely,” Hester said. “Show her in, Crandall.”

A birdlike woman with silvery white hair, dressed in an expensive mourning gown of black crepe, was ushered into the drawing room.

“How kind of you to call, Lydia,” Hester said. “Do sit down. You know my dear friends Trevor and Prudence Merryweather?”

“Yes, of course.” Mrs. Leacock’s bright little eyes darted nervously from Hester to Prudence. “Actually, this is not precisely a social call, Hester. I have come to consult with Miss Merryweather.”

“Have you, indeed?” Hester picked up the teapot. “Don’t tell us you have a ghost you want investigated?”

Mrs. Leacock alighted on a silk-cushioned chair. “I am not certain. But something rather odd has been happening of late in the west wing of my house. The incidents have begun to affect my nerves and I fear for the consequences. My doctor has warned me that I have a weak heart.”

Prudence was immediately intrigued. “This sounds far more interesting than choosing which parties we shall attend. Do tell me everything about these incidents, Mrs. Leacock. I would be happy to investigate.”

“I should be forever grateful, Miss Merryweather.” Mrs. Leacock’s cup rattled in its saucer. “I fear I really am getting rather desperate. I have never before believed in ghosts, but lately I have begun to wonder.”

“Let me get my notebook,” Prudence said eagerly.

•    •    •

Mrs. Leacock left an hour later, looking vastly relieved at having engaged a professional investigator. Prudence was delighted with the prospect of a puzzle to solve.

“If you will excuse me, Hester, I am going straight upstairs to read a new book I purchased this morning. It is all about the usefulness of electricity machines in detecting vaporous substances in the atmosphere. Perhaps I shall learn a technique I can apply to my new case.”

Trevor looked briefly interested. “My friend Matthew Hornsby has an electricity machine. Made it himself.”

“Does he?” Prudence asked with great interest.

“Yes, but I doubt that you’ll need it.” Trevor made a face. “Your new case is composed of nothing more than the imaginings of a nervous old woman.”

“I’m not at all certain of that.” Prudence went to the door. “It sounds to me as though there have indeed been some disturbances that require an explanation.”

Hester looked up. “Are you saying you believe Lydia might actually have a ghost in her house?”

“I shall let you know my thoughts on the matter after I have had an opportunity to study my notes. In the meantime I want both of you to give me your word that you will say nothing of this to anyone.”

“I shall not say a thing, my dear,” Hester assured her.

Trevor grimaced as he got to his feet. “You needn’t worry about me spreading the news of your case. Damned embarrassing having a sister who investigates spectral phenomena. Wish you’d give it up, Prue.”

“I have no intention of giving up my hobby.” Prudence went out into the hall.

“Prue, wait, I would like a word with you.” Trevor hurried after her.

Prudence waited for him on the bottom step of the staircase. “Don’t try to talk me out of this, Trevor. I am very bored with parties and soirees. If we are to stay in London
until the end of the Season, as you wish to do, I must find something interesting to occupy my time.”

“No, no, it’s not about your silly investigation.” Trevor glanced around to make certain none of the servants were within hearing distance. Then he leaned forward.

“Since you somehow learned of the duel I had scheduled with Angelstone, I don’t mind telling you a rather interesting fact I have learned about the infamous Fallen Angel.”

“What’s that?” Prudence asked warily.

“He may have a ferocious reputation, but the man’s a bloody damn coward.”

Prudence was shocked. “Trevor, how can you say that?”

“Perfectly true.” Trevor nodded once in satisfaction. “Man’s an out-and-out coward.”

“That’s not true.”

“He’s the one who called off the duel, you know. Apologized rather than meet me on the field of honor this morning.”

Prudence was infuriated by Trevor’s interpretation of events. “If you want my opinion, Angelstone showed the sort of mature, responsible behavior one would expect in a well-bred gentleman. If you truly believe he’s a coward, then you are a fool, Trevor.”

“Now, Prue, calm yourself. Truth is, the man’s a coward and that’s a fact. By this evening, the entire social world will know it.”

“Rubbish. Utter rubbish.” Prudence picked up her skirts and dashed up the carpeted stairs.

Angelstone had kept his word. He had spared Trevor’s life. Prudence prayed that the Fallen Angel would not put too high a price on the damage she had apparently done to his formidable reputation.

our days later on the night of the Thornbridge ball, Prudence decided she had had enough. She was thoroughly annoyed with Sebastian and she let him know it the moment he sought her out in the crowd.