Mistress - Amanda Quick [123]
Bennet was incensed. “She has not questioned your right to the tide, has she?”
“No.”
“I should hope not.” Bennet scowled. “Are you telling me that she might actually refuse your offer?”
“I am telling you that I shall have to put forth considerable effort in order to convince her that I would make her a suitable husband.”
“Hellfire,” Bennet breathed. “This is amazing. I do not know whether to be cheered by the news or insulted by her nerve.”
Marcus turned the glass in his hand and watched the lamplight dance in the crystal. “It was Mrs. Bright who convinced me to withdraw my objections to your plans to become engaged to Juliana Dorchester.”
Bennet glowered at him. “I don’t believe that. Why would Mrs. Bright get involved in my affairs? Why should she give a damn whom I marry?”
“She cares about a great many odd things. And a number of people.”
“Marcus, do you actually mean to say that you changed your mind about my marriage plans because of something your good friend Mrs. Bright had to say on the subject?”
Marcus smiled ruefully. “Does that surprise you?”
“It astounds me.”
“I confess, you aren’t the only one. I was somewhat taken aback myself.”
“I cannot imagine you allowing anyone, least of all one of your paramours—” Bennet broke off abruptly when Marcus narrowed his eyes in warning. “I mean, one of your female acquaintances to influence you. Devil take it, I’ve never known you to alter your views on a subject once you’ve made up your mind.”
“That’s not entirely true. I’ve been known to change my mind when new facts are introduced which warrant a new conclusion.”
“Bah. That almost never happens because you almost never make up your mind before you have investigated all aspects of a matter quite thoroughly.”
“Suffice it to say that Mrs. Bright succeeded in causing me to alter my decision regarding your plans.” Marcus took a swallow of his brandy.
“Damnation.”
“It concerns you that I have allowed her to influence me?”
“Yes.” Bennet’s mouth tightened ominously. “Yes, it does, even though in this instance I have been the beneficiary of her interference. This is not like you, Marcus.”
“No, it’s not.” Marcus studied the clockwork man in the corner. “I have always made it a point to order my life along a few simple, straightforward principles.”
“You certainly have done so since I was a boy,” Ben-net agreed sourly.
“Mrs. Bright has caused me to bend, and in some cases break, several of my own rules. Barring the possibility that I have, myself, gone mad, what do you suppose it all signifies?”
“No offense, brother, but it strikes me that you have allowed your passions to rule your head.”
“I once accused you of the same thing.”
“Yes, you did.” Bennet looked bleak. “You really do intend to marry her, do you not?”
“Yes.”
Bennet sighed. “Would you mind telling me why you feel you must marry this particular female, Marcus?”
Marcus gazed broodingly at the clockwork man. “When I am with her I do not feel as though I am made of gears and springs.”
Barclay examined the notes he had just finished making. He pushed his spectacles more firmly onto his nose and considered Marcus through them. “What, precisely, do you hope to discover, sir?”
“I am looking for some sort of link between the Hardstaff museum operation and the person who is constructing the sepulchral monument.”
“I don’t understand. What possible connection could there be?”
Marcus smiled thinly. “That is what I am paying you to learn, Barclay.”
“Yes, my lord.” Barclay groaned as he heaved himself out of the chair. “I shall get to work on it at once.”
NINETEEN
WE TOLD MARYANNE DIRECTLY AFTER BREAKFAST. SHE WAS very quiet for the longest time.” Zoe sniffed into a hankie. “I was terrified that she would hate us forever. She started to cry.”
Iphiginia, seated behind her desk, exchanged a glance with Amelia. Amelia raised her brows but said nothing. Neither of them interrupted the tale.
“And then