Sweet Treason (Entangled Ignite) (20 page)

…

By the time Emily was able to drag herself from bed after a sleepless night, bathe in nearly-scalding water, dress, and make her way downstairs, she found Lucy at her embroidery. Audrey was bustling about between the kitchens and the ballroom, supervising the preparations for the “at home” she and Brock were hosting tonight. Many of Brock’s political allies were to be in attendance, and Audrey took every detail to be a harbinger of success for her husband’s future ambitions.

“I tried to help, but Audrey swore she only kept tripping over me and vowed she’d rather attend the details herself. She’s in quite a dither.”

Emily laughed. “I shall stay out of her way.”

“You certainly slept late.”

“I was restless. I kept waking.”

“Hmm.” Lucy gave her a sideways look. “You did not take one of your midnight walks?”

Heavens. Lucy could only be guessing. “A short one, but even that did not help. Too much on my mind. I think I shall have to go back to Oak Hill to truly clear my head.”

“You only just returned. But I agree that you need to clear your head.”

Emily sighed. Something was on Lucy’s mind. “Why do you say so?”

“Last night when you favored Sir Edmund so blatantly, Devaux wondered why. And I confess, I wonder as well.”

“Sir Edmund is quite charming. Very clever. And he is congenial company. Why should I
not
favor him?”

Lucy shrugged and took another stitch. “Well, I am not quite certain. Only that Devaux thinks he is not good enough for you. Apparently there has already been gossip. And as I am your sister, I want any match to be worthy of you.”

“Match? Heavens, Lulu, I only danced with him twice.”

“And walked with him in the gardens.”

Ah, they’d noticed that. Pray they hadn’t seen her conversation with Joseph Barker, too. “If you took note of that, then you must also have realized that we were not gone long enough for any…impropriety.”

Color rose in Lucy’s cheeks. “No one thought that. But Devaux has stated his intent to discuss this with you.”

Fighting her irritation, Emily took a deep breath. She could never explain to Lucy that she’d already lost her heart to a man she would never have. But if there was comfort to be had from a man who treated her well and enjoyed her company, why should she not indulge it? “There’s more to this than you know, Lucy. And I really think you and Devaux— yes, and Brock and Audrey, too—are needlessly worried. I will not hear another word against Sir Edmund.”

Her sister’s needle followed the intricate design on the fine linen. “You will never convince me you love him, Emmy. Admit your mistake and cut him. London loves a juicy whisper. It will not signify beyond a week.”

A week. In which time Ryan would be gone, and her life would become a hollow thing for all that she’d have her inheritance. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, it is just an innocent flirtation. Do you think I am going to shame you?”

“You are my sister,” Lucy continued as she worked her design. “And everyone thinks highly of you, too. There is nothing you could do that would change our minds.”

Nothing? Not even treason?
Emily went to a long window to gaze outside. Flowering spring trees lined the street, and a late afternoon rain had freshened the air. Would Reynard be coming tonight? How she missed Oak Hill. “I will have to return to the farm soon—as soon as I sign the papers making the inheritance final.”

“No, Emmy. Stay, please.”

“I cannot, Lucy. There are things I must do at Oak Hill.” She would have to meet Reynard one last time, to terminate their agreement. She suspected it would be a relief to the Frenchman as well.

“What, for heaven’s sake? Does Simon not tend it all?”

“Never mind, Lulu. We will discuss it later.”

She laughed. “You are humoring me, Emmy. You always give yourself away when you call me Lulu. Now go on and make ready for tonight. Oh, and I’ve heard Ryan Sutton is back in town.” Lucy closed her eyes. “Ryan Sutton…,” she repeated dreamily. “Now there is a man who could have consoled me quite nicely if I’d never met Devaux.”

“Lucy!”

Her sister laughed and put her embroidery aside. “He is the most handsome man, Emmy. Surely that fact has not escaped you? If he had looked at me the way he looks at you, I might never have noticed Devaux.”

“Lucy Nevins! How can you say such things?”

Lucy smiled. “Wear pink tonight, Emmy. It makes you look so innocent.”

Innocent? Emily laughed for the first time in days.

…

The moment Jennings disappeared in the direction of the punch bowl, Ryan advanced on Emily. He’d been waiting for this interview from the moment he’d arrived hours ago. He’d heard the unbelievable news from Devaux. Attached to Jennings, by God! What was she thinking?

She bit her lip and nodded to his exaggerated bow. “I see you have returned to society, Mr. Dutton.”

He took her arm and led her toward a shadowed alcove. “You’re looking especially lovely this evening. Pink becomes you. But then you are always the loveliest woman in any room. Is it the bloom of love in your cheeks?” His soft tones coupled with his biting words elicited a little shiver. He was pleased to have gotten any reaction at all.

“Must be, sir. I can think of no other reason for it.”

“Do not play with me, Emily. Jennings! Faugh! I can scarcely credit this. Do you have any inkling the true nature of this man—?”

“There is nothing wanting in Sir Edmund. And I won’t have you lecturing me on morals.”

“You don’t love him,” he accused.

“What I feel or don’t feel is none of your concern, sir.”

He took her hand and held it to his lips. “Cut him, Emmy. He cannot make you happy. He will destroy you.”

“I suspect it is you who will destroy me, but that, too, is not your concern.”

“It is. By virtue of my love.” He dragged her into his arms and pressed an ardent kiss on her lips. He held her against him, one arm circling her waist and the other cupping the back of her head, leaving her no room for escape. He was unprepared for the fierce sweetness in that kiss, so totally at odds with their words. His every thought, every nerve, leaped toward her.

“Give me a chance to talk you out of this.”

She pushed him away. “I cannot. You know I cannot. Oak Hill—”

“Emily—”

Tears filled her eyes and she looked dangerously close to hysteria. “I cannot do this anymore, Ryan. You are tearing me apart.” She pulled away from him. “Leave me alone.”

“After everything…”

“If I’ve ever meant more to you than someone to use in your cause, leave me alone. I deserve that much.”

Her words cut like a knife. Finding Archer had been devastating for her, but surely she understood that he hadn’t known her when the decision to use Oak Hill was made, and that he had called an end to it despite the inconvenience to the cause. “If that is what you really want, Emmy.”

“It is. You cannot keep dragging me into your intrigue.”

She turned away from him and bowed her head as if she could not bear to look at him. “What about Bridey? Will she leave now that Oak Hill is not useful to you?”

“Bridey will make her own decision. She knew we were putting our lives on the line, and she is free to walk away.”

“
I
was never asked! I never knew. I stand to lose my freedom, my property, and my life, Ryan. Am I to lose everything because of…?”

He was sickened to hear the catch in her voice. “Because of a traitor?” How could he make her understand? “Do not confuse loyalty and treason. We have a right—nay, a duty—to fight for what we believe in. I know you’d do the same. You’re a fighter, Emmy. You always have been.”

He looked down at their clasped hands and felt his hope dying. He’d thought he could make amends to her, but it had gone too far for that now. His own voice was quiet, a bit hopeless, when he said, “No matter what you think of me, Emmy, do not turn to Jennings. I won’t be here to catch you when you fall.”

He thought he heard a strangled cry as she stepped out of the alcove and hurried back toward the ballroom. Deprived of the heat of her flesh, a chill invaded him. He watched as Jennings intercepted her and took her arm.

If only Edmund was stupid enough to force a confrontation.

…

Ryan had been wrong. She hadn’t thought of him as a traitor since the night they’d held hands as they walked and first made love. Since then she’d seen him as a principled man fighting for a future and a family he yet hoped to have.

“Ah, Miss Nevins, I am sorely disappointed in you.”

Startled, Emily jumped when she found Sir Edmund blocking her way. “Pardon me, Sir Edmund, I don’t take your meaning.”

“Do you not, my sweet? I overheard enough in the Robert’s library last night and here tonight to have you and Sutton at the end of a rope. Various assorted servants as well. And, by association, your sweet little sister.”

She shivered at his change in manner. There was something different about him tonight, and she did not like his tone. “You misunderstand, Sir Edmund. Perhaps you misheard.”

“Hmm. I believe my hearing has always been excellent. But do not waste your time demurring. I know what I heard. How many others are involved?”

“No—”

“Devaux? Would that not be ironic? Still, I will admit I did not hear Devaux’s name, but the accusation alone would taint him.”

She stepped back into the alcove and sighed heavily. How would she ever get out of this mess? “I think that man in the Robert’s library was quite mad.”

“How deeply are you involved?”

“I’d never seen that man before the musicale, Sir Edmund. I don’t know his name. I…I am certain he mistook me for someone else.”

Sir Edmund chuckled softly. “And Oak Hill? Did he mistake that, too? Is that not your own home, my dear? Well, well, how very interesting.”

She felt sick to her stomach. “What do you want?”

“What I’ve always wanted.”

She looked at him, unsettled by the unwavering stare of his pale eyes. This was a different man than the one who had entreated her so politely just last night. “Sir Edmund, I don’t know what you think you overheard, but you are mistaken if you think I would ever—”

“Mistaken, my dear? Do you really think me so besotted that I’d believe you over my own ears? You’ve made a fool of me. I want the names of your associates. Who are they, m’dear?”

Her heart sank. Devaux and Lucy were entirely innocent. Denial of her own complicity was useless, however, since she’d been overheard. But she could not denounce Ryan. “I cannot tell you. I do not know of any…associates.”

“I will find out sooner or later, as I did tonight.” He shrugged. “Or the king’s men will pry it from you.”

Ice formed in the pit of her stomach. “What do you want?” Surely he had something in mind or he’d have denounced her immediately.

“Tell Mrs. Davis you have a headache and are going to your room. Then meet me at the back of the garden, and we shall have privacy for a little chat.”

She nodded, praying there would be some way to keep Devaux and Lucy out of this.

Sir Edmund straightened his back. “I will meet you inside. I must tender my regrets to our host and leave word with some of my friends.”

A chill spread to every part of her and penetrated even her bones. She quickly sought out Audrey and gave the excuse Sir Edmund had instructed. On her way to the library to sneak out to the garden, she stopped a footman, took a glass of wine from his tray, and finished it in quick order. She suspected she was going to need it.

Alas, she should have had two glasses. Miss Turner, dressed in a pale green gown of modest cut—penance, no doubt—was coming directly toward her. A wide smile curved her lips, and when Emily would have brushed by, Miss Turner quickly linked arms with her.

“And how are you, Miss Nevins? Did you find the countryside invigorating?”

Emily, conscious of the guests passing by, took a deep breath. She could not cause a scene and ruin Audrey’s party. “Sussex is lovely this time of year.” How had the woman gained admittance? Surely Audrey would not have sent her an invitation.

“I shall have to visit one day. And I do mean
one
day.” She laughed and opened her fan to wave it listlessly. “There is little to interest me in pastoral scenery. Give me the excitement of London any day.”

“Then you should not trouble yourself with the coach ride.” What was the woman hoping to accomplish by forcing this interview?

“Anything is bearable when in the company of friends.” She leaned closer and hid her words behind her fan. “And I believe you and I are destined to become quite good friends.”

The memory of Lord Peele with his pistol to his head hardened Emily’s heart. “I believe you are mistaken, Miss Turner.”

The woman laughed as if Emily had amused her. “Well, if not precisely friends, we shall at least come to know each other rather well.”

She couldn’t imagine the circumstance that would throw her together with Miss Turner. She stepped away. “Excuse me, Miss Turner. Someone is waiting for me.”

“Oh! Mustn’t keep him waiting, my dear. He does not like that.”

How would Miss Turner know who she was meeting? She shrugged off the woman’s hand and continued down the corridor without a backward glance.

The back gardens were quiet and dark. Audrey had not placed lanterns there, wanting to discourage illicit trysts. She found Sir Edmund pacing in the folly. He stopped and watched her as she hurried through the shadows and up the steps. He waved at the sofa and chairs and waited while she perched herself on the edge of the sofa. She was relieved when he didn’t take a seat beside her but took a chair across from her.

His steady gaze had her fidgeting with the folds of her pink gown. Innocent pink. What irony.

Something unpleasant lay ahead, and she became anxious to have it done. The more he simply stared at her, the more uneasy she grew. When she could bear his silent scrutiny no longer, she broached the subject herself.

“Sir Edmund, we must resolve this matter. You see—”

“We must indeed,” Edmund’s voice was matter of fact. “I see no advantage to a long betrothal. We shall marry soon. Yes, I’ll acquire a special license. No need to wait. A day. Perhaps two.”