Passion for the Game (Georgian 2)

“Oh? I converse with many people. I forget most of them.”

“She said the heat between you was palpable.”

Maria snorted.

Eddington took the seat opposite her. “The disappearance of the witness against St. John precipitated his release. The agency suspects St. John is to blame, but I think it was someone within. An agent either aligned with the pirate, or one who wished to use the informant as a leverage. The man was too well guarded. St. John is accomplished, but even he has his limits.”

“If the agency suspects St. John, may I assume that you are alone in your suspicions about another agent?”

“You should worry less about my interests and more about your own.”

“What are you saying?”

“You could use a…friend within the agency. And I could use a friend of St. John’s. That makes us uniquely suited.”

“You wish to use me to learn information from St. John?” she asked incredulously. “Are you jesting?”

“At the moment, you and St. John are the two most closely examined individuals on the agency’s list of most wanted criminals—you for the suspected killings of two well-respected agents, and the pirate for a variety of sins.”

Maria could not decide whether she wished to laugh or cry. How had her life come to this? What would her parents think if they could see how far she had fallen?

Eddington leaned forward, setting his forearms on his knees. “Welton arranged both of your marriages, and saw a marked increase in his fortunes after your husbands’ deaths. He was quick to introduce you to me after I settled his markers the other evening. Your stepfather has quite a mercenary interest in you. Winter said the same to me once.”

“I fail to see why that is of any interest to you.”

“You know what I believe?” he said softly. “I believe Welton has something he is holding against you, something he has used to gain your cooperation. I can free you from him. I do not expect you to help me without any benefit.”

“Why me?” she asked herself wearily, her gloved hands stroking absentmindedly along the edge of her domino. “What have I done to deserve this misery?”

“The question, I believe, is what haven’t you done?”

How true that was.

“Ascertain what happened to the witness,” he urged, “and I will secure your freedom from both the agency and Welton.”

“Perhaps my soul is black as sin, and I will sell word of your curiosity to the men you seek.” Sometimes, she wished she had no soul. She suspected her life would be much easier if she were as conscienceless as the men who used her.

“It is a risk I am willing to take.”

The earl waited a moment and then rose to his feet. He held out his hand to her. “Think on it. I will call on you tomorrow as an ardent swain and you may give me your answer then.”

Resigned, Maria placed her hand in his.

“My lord,” Christopher greeted tightly. “Lady Winter, may I present to you Lord Sedgewick. My lord, the incomparable Lady Winter.”

Angelica dipped into a lovely curtsy as Sedgewick bowed.

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance,” the viscount said. “I apologize again for my carelessness earlier.”

Christopher stilled a brief moment. What were the odds?

“Please forgive me,” Sedgewick continued when Angelica said nothing.

Maintaining his composure, Christopher lifted a finger to his lips in a gesture that conveyed silence. “Lady Winter is incognito this evening, my lord. You understand, perhaps, how that enlivens the festivities.”

“Ah, of course.” Sedgewick’s smile was broad and smug, his shoulders held back with cocky pride. “I applaud your decision to discard the domino, my lady. A gown as lovely as yours should not be hidden.”

Maria was here. “If you will excuse us, my lord.”

Sedgewick lifted Angelica’s hand to his lips, said some platitudes to which Christopher paid no mind, and then the viscount stepped out of the way.

Freed from his lone duty for the evening, Christopher pulled Angelica out of the ballroom and strode swiftly down a long hall. He had no notion if he was heading in the right direction to find the woman in the black domino or not, but it was the way to the rear garden. From there, Angelica could skirt the house to the front, where she would await him in the coach.

“Thank you, love,” he said, kissing her cheek before seeing her out a set of French doors. He whistled low, calling his men who surrounded the perimeter of the manse to watch her safely to his carriage. Then he turned about…

…in time to see Welton’s companion emerge from a room with Lord Eddington exiting directly behind her. That they’d had a liaison was obvious.

More secrets. Would there be more lies?

Christopher took a risk and called out. “Maria.”

The woman lifted her chin and untied her mask, revealing the features he craved to look upon. She met his gaze directly.

“Enjoying your evening?” she asked coldly, every inch the Wintry Widow.

Apparently, she had seen him with Angelica and did not like it. Good.

He removed his own mask, allowing her an unhindered view of his own displeasure. He waited for her explanation.

Instead, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Enraged, he gave chase.

Chapter 10

Maria heard Christopher exchange curt words with Eddington as she fled down the hallway. She stepped up her pace. It hurt to run and she quickly grew dizzy, but her carriage was waiting. With haste she could reach it and make her escape.

“Departing so early, my lady?”

Startled, she slowed and turned her head to see the man Lord Pearson had identified as “Sedgewick” approaching from an opposite hallway.

He frowned and looked over her shoulder. “Where is your companion?”

She blinked, her steps faltering.

“Ah, there he is,” Sedgewick murmured.

Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Christopher approaching with rapid strides. Lacking the luxury of time to puzzle out the cryptic comments, she resumed her flight.

Her footsteps padded softly along the runner and then grew louder as she crossed the marble-lined foyer. Brushing past a startled footman and several late arrivals, she descended the front steps to the crowded drive and weaved between the many carriages, her gaze darting amongst the liveried drivers and footmen in search of her own.

“Maria!”

The call came from before and behind her, the two male voices distinctive in accent and tone—one clipped and angry, the other lower and urgent. She turned quickly to the right, rushing headlong toward Simon, who caught the elbow of her uninjured arm and thrust her into the waiting carriage.

“Better luck next time, old chap!” he crowed to Christopher and then he vaulted up behind her as the equipage lurched into motion.

Christopher’s string of curses made her smile grimly. She hated that the sight of him with another woman had affected her so strongly, and she relished the tiny victory of thwarting his attempt at excuses. That he had hovered over the silver-clad figure so affectionately and kissed her so chastely spoke of much care and also reminded Maria of his recent visit to her home. He had displayed similar affection for her, though his kisses had been far from chaste.

“Care to explain?” Simon asked, studying her intently.

Maria relayed the events.

“Good God,” he muttered when she finished. “What are the odds that you would land in this predicament with Eddington?”

“Has my life not always been a series of unfortunate events?” Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back against the squabs.

“And Sedgewick’s behavior is a puzzle?”

“Delve into him. He approached me as if we had met at some point, yet I’m certain I have never made his acquaintance. Did he mistake St. John’s companion for me? Also he appeared unconcerned to find the pirate in attendance. Very odd.”

“I will investigate both peers.” There was a pause, and then Simon said softly, “Eddington’s offer—if it is sincere—would be a godsend, mhuirnín.”

“How can I trust him beyond a doubt? Eddington desires two things—the capture of St. John and the identity of the killer responsible for the deaths of Dayton and Winter. He is ambitious. What a coup it would be for him to capture me in the bargain, yes?”

Simon tapped one booted foot restlessly against the floorboards. “I agree. I feel as if a net is closing around you, yet I can do nothing.”