Dangerous Masquerade (Regency Masquerade)

Geoffrey made no attempt to rise, nor did he say anything. He lay on the floor in a heap as Luc, hands on hips, stood over him.

“Your horse has cuts under its mane.” He reac

hed down and ripped the diamond pin from Danielson’ cravat. Holding it in front of his face, he said, “Cuts made by this.” Luc tossed it onto the floor. “Why did you do it?”

Cringing, Danielson said, “I don’t know what you mean.”

As he stared at him, Danielson gingerly moved along the floor so he was sitting with his back against the wall. He gave a small nervous laugh. “Oh… the cuts. The fault of a careless groom, I’m afraid. He scratched the horse when he was combing the mane.”

“The marks are fresh.”

“It happened today.”

“I want to talk to him. What’s his name?”

The door opened, and Aunt Charity stood in the doorway, a look of horror on her face. Placing her arms on her hips, she looked at the two of them and demanded, “What is happening here?”

Taking advantage of her presence, Danielson picked up his pin and gingerly got to his feet, keeping some distance from Luc. With a quick glance at Arden, he answered her, “Nothing, Aunt Charity. Just a slight disagreement.”

Looking in the mirror on the wall, he arranged his blond curls, setting them back into place. He then lifted his chin, adjusted his torn cravat, and reinserted the pin.

As he rearranged his clothing, Danielson answered Luc’s question. “I’ve dismissed him. Can’t have someone mistreating a horse so. He’s left already. Went home to his family somewhere in Wales.”

Brushing himself off, he looked at Luc. “I’ll take no offense at your behavior, Arden. Obviously you are concerned for Mrs. St. James, and it has overset you. Must say I’m surprised—didn’t realize you knew each other, let alone were so close.”

With a smirk, Danielson sidled around Luc, nodded at Aunt Charity who was watching him with narrowed eyes, and made his escape.

Hands clenched at his side, Luc let him go.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to face Aunt Charity. One look at her, and he could see she was brimming with questions. Indeed, as soon as he glanced at her, she started.

“Well? What was happening?”

Luc walked past her and shut the door. Then he took her by the arm and led her to a red velvet chair. He waited until she’d settled before answering her question.

Not wanting to add to her worry, he tried to prevaricate. “We were simply having a discussion.”

Her head tilted. “A simple discussion—with him on the floor?”

When he didn’t reply, Aunt Charity prompted him. “It was Geoffrey’s horse that kicked Ria?”

He nodded in confirmation. “He lost control of it.”

Her eyes narrowed. “And I assume what I interrupted had something to do with that?”

“I was merely asking him some questions.”

Abruptly she stood up. Standing ramrod stiff, she barked at him. “Young man, don’t play me for a fool! Who was he talking about when he said he dismissed him?”

Aunt Charity had obviously forgotten who she was talking to. Or perhaps she didn’t care. Luc was torn between respecting her age and giving her a set-down. Still deciding, he raised an eyebrow, but she gave him no chance to speak.

“Don’t raise your eyebrow and give me that look, young man. It won’t wash. I’m old enough and thick-skinned enough to be immune to set-downs, so don’t even begin.”

Luc couldn’t recall being so disconcerted by a woman—apart from Ria, that is. What was it about the ladies who lived at St. James Manor?

“And I’m very worried and scared right now, so…” Aunt Charity’s voice broke, and she bowed her head.

Concerned, he immediately took her arm and seated her back in the chair. Ringing the bell, he asked the maid who answered for a strong pot of tea. With another glance at Aunt Charity, he also asked for brandy.