Mistress - Amanda Quick [15]
“Do you know,” Marcus observed as his footman opened the carriage door, “I do not believe that anyone has ever before set out to study my nature. Did you find the task interesting?”
“Oh, yes, my lord.” Her eyes glowed as she allowed herself to be assisted down onto the pavement. “It was every bit as fascinating as the ruins of Pompeii.”
“Nice to know I can hold my own with a classical ruin.” Marcus got out of the carriage and took her arm. He glanced up at Dinks. “I shall be a while.”
Dinks, who had been with him for years, nodded with an air of cheerful complacency. “Aye, m’lord. We’ll be waitin’ for ye.”
Iphiginia glanced sharply at Marcus as he walked her up the steps of Number Five, Morning Rose Square. “What did you mean by that? You won’t be but a moment.”
“Come, now, my dear. Surely you intend to invite me inside for a brandy?” Marcus glanced with approval at the new gas lamps that had been installed in front of each town house on the street.
“Inside?” Iphiginia’s voice rose in astonishment. “Do not be ridiculous, sir. I have no intention of allowing you into the house at this hour.”
“We have much to discuss, Mrs. Bright, and I can think of no more convenient time or place for our conversation.” Marcus raised his hand to give the brass knocker a sharp rap.
“No, wait, do not knock,” Iphiginia said hurriedly. “I have instructed my housekeeper not to wait up for me. I have my key in my reticule.”
Marcus held out his hand for the key. She hesitated and then handed it to him. He took it without a word and opened the door.
Iphiginia stepped quickly ahead of him into the dark hall. She grabbed a candle that had been left on a nearby table, lit it quickly, and swung around to confront him. “Sir, I really do not think that you should come inside.”
He deliberately put one booted foot over the threshold and smiled. “If you wish your illusion to continue to withstand Society’s scrutiny,” he said very softly, “then I fear you must allow me to stay here for a time tonight. It is expected, you see.”
“Expected?” She stared at him with dawning hope. “Do you mean that you’re willing to allow me to continue posing as your mistress?”
“Why not?” Marcus moved through the door and closed it with a solid thud. “You can hardly carry out your inquiries if your identity is revealed at this point. If you are unmasked, you will be cast out of Society and there will be no way to reenter it.”
“Very true. Sir, I cannot tell you how grateful I am. I realize that you do not yet believe my explanations. I want you to know that I find your open-minded consideration of the situation extremely admirable. It confirms everything I have learned about you.”
“It’s quite all right, Mrs. Bright. I am willing to go along with the masquerade for a while, at least until I have satisfied all of my questions. Is this your library?” Marcus walked through the doorway on the left side of the hall.
“Yes, it is.” Iphiginia picked up her skirts and hastened after him. “My lord, this is really most generous of you.”
“I know” Marcus could see nothing but dark, looming shapes. He aimed for what he assumed was the fireplace.
“As you are apparently not one of the blackmailer’s victims after all, you really do not have any obligation to assist me in my inquiries.”
“I ceased doing anything out of a sense of obligation years ago. I found it rather pointless. However, occasionally I do things because I am cursed with a deep sense of curiosity about the oddest … Damnation.” Marcus winced as his booted toe rammed a large, unyielding object.
“Do be careful, my lord.” Iphiginia held her candle aloft. “This room is a bit crowded at the moment.”
“So I see.”
The taper threw dancing shadows across a chamber full of broken statuary, sepulchral masks, strangely designed urns, and huge vases.
The furniture was even more bizarre. Chairs with clawed feet and griffin-headed arms were arranged near the windows. A massive Grecian-style sofa finished in green velvet and gold fringe sat grandly in front of the fireplace. It looked sensual and pagan