seduce you?"
It will be a pretence, of course," she assured him. All of Society will notice that you are pursuing me. Vanneck will conclude that there is only one reason you would do so."
He will think that I am after the Queen's Seal," Matthias said.
Precisely."
Horatia heaved another heartfelt sigh. We are doomed."
Matthias tapped one finger very gently against the rim of his teacup. Why should Vanneck or anyone else conclude that I am intent only on seduction? Everyone knows that I have recently returned to England in order to assume my responsibilities to the title. Society will expect me to be hunting a wife this Season, not a mistress."
Imogen sputtered on a swallow of tea. Do not concern yourself, my lord. You run no risk of finding yourself inadvertently engaged to me. No one will expect you to make me an offer."
Matthias searched her face. What of your reputation?"
Imogen set her cup down with great precision. I see you do not know who I am. Not surprising, I suppose. You have been out of the country a good deal of the time during the past few years."
Perhaps you will enlighten me as to your true identity?"
Matthias growled.
Three years ago when I visited my friend Lucy in London, I acquired the nickname Immodest Imogen." She hesitated. My reputation was compromised beyond repair."
Matthias's brows came together in a dark line. He glanced at Horatia.
It's quite true, my lord," Horatia said quietly.
Matthias looked at Imogen. Who was the man?"
Lord Vanneck," Imogen said.
Bloody hell," he said softly. No wonder you want revenge."
Imogen straightened. That incident has nothing to do with this.
I do not give a fig for my own reputation. It is Lucy's murder that must be avenged. I told you the story because I want you to under stand that Society does not consider me a suitable candidate for marriage. No one would expect a man of your position to pursue me for anything other than a brief affair or the opportunity to acquire something valuable."
Such as the Queen's Seal." Matthias shook his head. Bloody hell."
Imogen stood up briskly and gave him an encouraging smile. I believe you have the gist of the thing now, my lord. We can go over the details of my plan this evening at supper. In the meantime, we have an inventory to complete. As you are here, and there is really nothing else for you to do, perhaps you would care to assist us?"
Chapter 2
Horatia sidled closer to Matthias as soon as they were alone in the library. My lord, you have got to do something."
Do I?"
Horatia's anxious expression congealed into one of stern disap proval. Sir, I am well aware of just who you are and what you are.
As it happens, ten years ago I lived in London."
Indeed?"
I did not move in your circles, my lord. But then, few respectable people did. However, I know how and why you earned the name Cold-blooded Colchester. My niece knows you only as Colchester of Zamar. She has admired you for years. She is not acquainted with your more notorious activities."
Why don't you inform her of them, misses Elibank?" Matthias asked very softly.
Horatia took a quick step back, as though she expected him to spring at her with bared fangs. It would do no good. She would dismiss the tales as malicious gossip. I know her. She would assume that your reputation was unjustly shredded, just as hers was. She would no doubt become your strongest ally and staunchest supporter."
Do you really think so?" Matthias gazed thoughtfully at the doorway. I have never had very many of those."
Horatia glared at him. Very many of what?"
Strong allies and staunch supporters."
I think we both know that there are some very good reasons for that, my lord," Horatia snapped.
As you say."
Colchester, I realize that I have no claim on your consideration, but I am quite desperate. My niece is determined upon this rash plan. You are my only hope."
What the devil do you expect me to do?" Matthias glanced over his shoulder to make certain Imogen had not
It will be a pretence, of course," she assured him. All of Society will notice that you are pursuing me. Vanneck will conclude that there is only one reason you would do so."
He will think that I am after the Queen's Seal," Matthias said.
Precisely."
Horatia heaved another heartfelt sigh. We are doomed."
Matthias tapped one finger very gently against the rim of his teacup. Why should Vanneck or anyone else conclude that I am intent only on seduction? Everyone knows that I have recently returned to England in order to assume my responsibilities to the title. Society will expect me to be hunting a wife this Season, not a mistress."
Imogen sputtered on a swallow of tea. Do not concern yourself, my lord. You run no risk of finding yourself inadvertently engaged to me. No one will expect you to make me an offer."
Matthias searched her face. What of your reputation?"
Imogen set her cup down with great precision. I see you do not know who I am. Not surprising, I suppose. You have been out of the country a good deal of the time during the past few years."
Perhaps you will enlighten me as to your true identity?"
Matthias growled.
Three years ago when I visited my friend Lucy in London, I acquired the nickname Immodest Imogen." She hesitated. My reputation was compromised beyond repair."
Matthias's brows came together in a dark line. He glanced at Horatia.
It's quite true, my lord," Horatia said quietly.
Matthias looked at Imogen. Who was the man?"
Lord Vanneck," Imogen said.
Bloody hell," he said softly. No wonder you want revenge."
Imogen straightened. That incident has nothing to do with this.
I do not give a fig for my own reputation. It is Lucy's murder that must be avenged. I told you the story because I want you to under stand that Society does not consider me a suitable candidate for marriage. No one would expect a man of your position to pursue me for anything other than a brief affair or the opportunity to acquire something valuable."
Such as the Queen's Seal." Matthias shook his head. Bloody hell."
Imogen stood up briskly and gave him an encouraging smile. I believe you have the gist of the thing now, my lord. We can go over the details of my plan this evening at supper. In the meantime, we have an inventory to complete. As you are here, and there is really nothing else for you to do, perhaps you would care to assist us?"
Chapter 2
Horatia sidled closer to Matthias as soon as they were alone in the library. My lord, you have got to do something."
Do I?"
Horatia's anxious expression congealed into one of stern disap proval. Sir, I am well aware of just who you are and what you are.
As it happens, ten years ago I lived in London."
Indeed?"
I did not move in your circles, my lord. But then, few respectable people did. However, I know how and why you earned the name Cold-blooded Colchester. My niece knows you only as Colchester of Zamar. She has admired you for years. She is not acquainted with your more notorious activities."
Why don't you inform her of them, misses Elibank?" Matthias asked very softly.
Horatia took a quick step back, as though she expected him to spring at her with bared fangs. It would do no good. She would dismiss the tales as malicious gossip. I know her. She would assume that your reputation was unjustly shredded, just as hers was. She would no doubt become your strongest ally and staunchest supporter."
Do you really think so?" Matthias gazed thoughtfully at the doorway. I have never had very many of those."
Horatia glared at him. Very many of what?"
Strong allies and staunch supporters."
I think we both know that there are some very good reasons for that, my lord," Horatia snapped.
As you say."
Colchester, I realize that I have no claim on your consideration, but I am quite desperate. My niece is determined upon this rash plan. You are my only hope."
What the devil do you expect me to do?" Matthias glanced over his shoulder to make certain Imogen had not
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