Mistress - Amanda Quick [32]
“Wonderful, wonderful. I am giving a small house party next week. I shall send you an invitation. Our estate is only a day’s journey from London.”
“That is very kind of you. I should love to come.”
It was a perfect opportunity, Iphiginia thought jubilantly. The house party would give her a chance to search through Lord Pettigrew’s country house library to see if he had black sealing wax and a phoenix seal concealed there. At the same time she would be able to view the Temple of Vesta. Two birds with one stone.
The shop chimes banged suddenly and with such force that one tiny bell shuddered, bounced, and fell to the floor. It emitted a tiny, stricken clang and then fell silent.
Everyone turned toward the door as it opened.
Marcus strode into the showroom. He was dressed for riding in a black coat, breeches, and gleaming ebony Hessians. He was bareheaded and his dark hair was windblown.
His amber eyes fixed instantly on Iphiginia with an expression of chilling intent. He started toward her, moving like a raw, dangerous force of nature through the samples of dainty drawing room furniture and the displays of fashionable drapery.
A deep sense of unease snaked through Iphiginia. Something was decidedly wrong, she realized. This was not the indulgent, casually amused man who had kissed her last night.
It was Lady Pettigrew who broke the taut, tense silence that had settled on the shop the moment Marcus appeared. She fluttered cheerfully.
“Masters,” she exclaimed. “How good to see you. I was just chatting with your close friend, Mrs. Bright.”
“Were you, indeed?” Marcus did not take his eyes off Iphiginia. “I am about to have a chat with her myself.”
Iphiginia blinked at the tone of his voice. She saw Amelia’s eyes narrow.
Heedless of the undercurrents, Lady Pettigrew smiled brightly at Marcus and gave him a shrewd, knowing look. “I have invited her to attend a small gathering at my country house next week. Perhaps you would also care to visit? I know you are not overly fond of house parties—”
“No, I am not.”
“But you may be quite interested in this one, my lord.” Lady Pettigrew arched one brow. “I’m certain you and Mrs. Bright would thoroughly enjoy a stay in the country. So much privacy available, you know.”
It took Iphiginia a few seconds to comprehend Lady Pettigrew’s subtle emphasis on the word privacy. When she did, she felt herself turn pink. Lady Pettigrew was making it clear to Marcus that he and his mistress would have ample opportunity for dalliance at her country house party.
Marcus’s eyes moved reluctantly from Iphiginia to Lady Pettigrew’s bouncy little snowball figure. “Very kind of you, Lady Pettigrew. I shall consider your invitation carefully.”
Lady Pettigrew glowed with triumph. “I am delighted to hear that, my lord. I am most anxious to have Mrs. Bright examine my Temple of Vesta, you see. I wish to obtain her opinion on the archaeological exactness of my ruin.”
Marcus gazed at Lady Pettigrew as though he had suddenly discovered that she were a rather curious archaeological object herself. “Temple of Vesta?”
“Surely you are acquainted with the style, my lord” Iphiginia murmured helpfully. “There is a very fine example in Tivoli. It is a lovely circular structure. The Vestal Virgins are said to have tended the sacred flame there.”
“Virgins,” Marcus said, “have never been a subject that was of much interest to me.”
FIVE
I WILL SEE MRS. BRIGHT HOME,” MARCUS SAID AS HE escorted Iphiginia, Zoe, and Amelia outside the premises of Hornby and Smith. “She and I have one or two matters to discuss in private.”
Zoe and Amelia glanced at each other and then looked at Iphiginia.
“Do not concern yourselves,” Iphiginia said quickly. “Take my carriage. I shall see you both later.”
“You’re quite certain?” Amelia gave Marcus a stony stare.
“Yes, Amelia.” Iphiginia did not care