He smiled at her. Yes, he must have been handsome as a young man. He was handsome now. Of these beauties? Of course not. You see Miss
Bennet, Finley supplied, remembering the name Phoebe told her to use, and her manners. She offered her hand. Finley Bennet. Im here with Lady Morton and Lady Phoebe
Blue eyes brightened. Are you? How lovely. A pleasure to meet you, Miss Bennet. I am Lord Vincent, creator of all the automatons you see around you.
Finley flushed. Of course he wouldnt be nervous of them. Forgive me, my lord. I am new to town. How easily the lie rolled off her tongue. Am I to understand then, that this is also your home?
Lord Vincent nodded as he continued to smile at her. No need to be embarrassed, dear girl. I am surprised that neither Lady Morton or Lady Phoebe mentioned you to me when last we spoke, and that they seem equally remiss in mentioning me to you.
There was nothing dark in his voice when he spoke, but the base of Finleys spine tingled at his words. Why would Lady Morton neglect to inform their host that she would be bringing an extra guest? And why would either she or her daughter feel the need to tell Finley about his lordship?
Suddenly Lady Morton and Phoebe were there, inserting themselves so Finley was forced to step back from the man.
Forgive me, Lord Vincent, Lady Morton said, a flush in her cheeks. I was caught up in conversation with Lady Marsden, else I would have made introductions. I see youve already met our cousin, Miss Finley Bennet.
Indeed I have, Lord Vincent replied as he bowed over each of their hands. You are lovely as always, Lady Morton. Lady Phoebe, allow me to say that you are more beautiful each time I see you.
Phoebe blushed at his praise. Finley didnt blame herit was a pretty racy thing for him to say to someone who was engaged.
Then Phoebe raised her gaze, and Finley saw something in her bright eyes that she could not identify. Was it fear? Panic?
Forgive me, cousin, Phoebe said to her, her voice low and a little shaky. She slipped her arm around Lord Vincents, her face now strangely pale. I should have been the one to make the introductions. May I present Harris Spencer-White, Earl Vincent, our host for the evening and my fiancé.
Chapter Four
Chapter Four
An hour later, Finley was still reeling. Lord Vincent was Phoebes fiancé? She knew large age differences werent uncommon amongst the upper crustor the lower for that matterbut the man was more than twice Phoebes age!
She watched them on the dance floor. Lord Vincent had a limp, but that didnt stop him from whirling Phoebe through a waltz. If he were only younger, or she older, they would make a handsome couple.
It was warm in the ballroomtoo many bodies in one space. The smell of cologne and perfume mixed with heat and sweat gave Finley a headache. She hadnt been asked to dance the waltz, and her card was blank for the next few selectionsthankfully, as she wasnt the best dancerso she took this time to slip from the loud, stifling room.
She was nosy by nature, but her hurting head and pinched toesPhoebes shoes were a titch too smallkept her impulse to look about under control. Rather than remain in the corridor, where she might have to socialize with other guests coming and going, she opened the door of the first room she found and stepped inside.
Finley waited a moment before closing the door behind her. She was in a parlor or a gentlemans studydecorated in rich mahogany and dark blue. Shed read that such rooms were perfect places for a lovers tryst at these sort of parties, and wanted to make certain she hadnt interrupted one.
If theres anyone in here, just clear your throat and Ill go back where I came from, she said. Better to feel foolish for talking to an empty room than accidentally spy a gentlemans naked backside. Some things could not be un-seen.
The lighting in the room was mellow, easing the pressure inside her skull. She went to one of the windows and found it controlled by a strange apparatus. Instead of simply flipping the latch and opening the casement, she had to wind the key set into the window frame. Then, she watched as thin brass arms attached to the latch pulled it to the open position, and then slowly drew the glass toward her. When the breeze was exactly how she wanted, she merely turned the key back to its starting position and the mechanism came to a halt.
Lord Vincent certainly seemed to like his clockwork and automata. The house was positively crawling with scuttling metal creatures designed to do all manner of tasks. There were human servants, as well, but Finley had never seen such an abundance of brass and steel.
She turned her back to the window so the refreshing spring breeze could cool her nape. She rolled her neck, sighing as it popped and snapped, further easing the tension in her head and shoulders. When she opened her eyes she found herself staring at a portrait of Phoebe and Lord Vincent.
No, wait. That wasnt Phoebe. Finley didnt have to move closer to view the portrait in detail, but she did anyway. At this moment she didnt trust her own eyeswhich had become uncannily keen over the past few months. The improvement to her sight had been so gradual that she often forgot she could see much better than the average person. She walked toward the large, gilt-framed canvas, her eyes widening with each step.
It was a portrait of a much younger Lord Vincentshed been correct, he had been quite handsome in his youthand the woman with him must have been his first wife, or at least a betrothed. The woman wore a large sapphire ring on her left handthe same hand that covered one of Lord Vincents.
She looked so much like Phoebe it was eerie.
Of course, on closer examination it was easy to pick out the differencesPhoebes eyes were not quite as dark, her hair a bit more red, but the shape of her face was a perfect match, and her features so close they could have been twins, or at least sisters.
It was unsettling. Disturbing. And Finley wondered if Phoebe knew. She was also overwhelmed by the need to find out just what had happened to this woman.
Robert, I said no!
The cry came from outside, carried to her keen ears by the breeze through the open window. It was Phoebes voice.
Portrait forgotten, Finley quickly crossed to the window. From there she could see into the garden below. Flickering torches cast soft golden light over Phoebe and her companiona young gentleman. Neither of them looked very pleased.
I have to go, Phoebe said. Mama and Finley will be looking for me.
The young man grabbed her by the arm. You cant leave. Not yet.
Perhaps it was guilt that she hadnt been doing her duty that flicked the switch inside Finley, or perhaps it was the way he grabbed Phoebe like he had a right to. Maybe it was a little of both. Regardless, one moment she was watching them from the window and the next she vaulted over the sill and dropped two floors to the grass below.
The two gaped at her as though she had just fallen from the skywhich she supposed she had.
Let her go, she told the young gentleman. He was tall and slim with thick dark hair and rosy cheeks.
He scowled, his amazement clearly faded. This is none of your business.
Wrong. Finley clapped her fingers around the wrist of his hand holding Phoebe. My friend wants to leave and you wont let her. Not very mannerly, Robert. As she spoke she tightened her grip, stopping when his handsome face began to contort in pain. She let go as soon as she felt his fingers release Phoebe.
Robert cradled his arm close to his chest. Phoebe immediately brushed past Finley to stop at his side. Her hands touched him as though he were precious or fragile. Robert, dearest. Are you all right?
Dearest? Finley scowled. Shed been this close to giving Robert the thrashing she thought he deserved when hed let go. She had seen Phoebe try to pull free of his grip, and now the girl was all over him wondering if he was all right?
What did you do to him? Phoebe demanded, glaring at her.
Finley raised her brows. I heard you tell him no and then I saw him grab you. I thought he was trying to do you harm.
I would never hurt Phoebe, Robert informed her indignantly. I love her.
Love her? Finley repeated dumbly, before pressing a hand to her headwhich had started to ache again. This job was beginning to take on more twists and turns than one of those sensation novels.
Lips tight, she looked from Robert to Phoebe. Someone had better explain to me just what exactly is going on here.
The explanation was truly the stuff worthy of Mr. Dickenssimple, but oddly convoluted. Phoebe loved Robert, and Robert loved Phoebe, but Robert had yet to reach the age of majority so they couldnt marry without their parents consent. Roberts parents might have been persuaded to allow it, but Lord Vincent had gone to Phoebes father and asked Lord Morton for her hand. Her father said yes.
Finleys gaze slid back and forth between the two as she struggled to regain her composure. Did this young buck know just how close hed come to having her fist down his throat? The thought of it made her stomach twist and roll. Shed thought he was hurting Phoebe, and in return that dark part of her had wanted to hurt him. It still wanted to hurt him, even if just a very little.
So why dont you break the engagement? she asked Phoebe. Seems a simple enough solution.
Phoebe glanced away, and even in the murky darkness Finley could tell that her cheeks were red. I cannot do that.
All right. She could accept that weak-arsed explanation for now, but the other girl would have to explain in detail the next time they were alone.
Phoebe glanced away, and even in the murky darkness Finley could tell that her cheeks were red. I cannot do that.
All right. She could accept that weak-arsed explanation for now, but the other girl would have to explain in detail the next time they were alone.
You could elope, she suggested.
This time Robert shook his head. That would bring shame down on both our houses, dishonor me and ruin Phoebes reputation. The look he directed at the girl embarrassed Finleyit was so warm. I couldnt do that to her.
Finley grimaced. So if Im to understand you, the two of you are desperate to be together, but are unwilling to make the necessary sacrifices?
Robert frowned at her. You mock us with your ignorance.
She probably should have pleaded the contrary, but Finley didnt like being called ignorant, especially when she would do whatever necessary to be with the boy she lovedif there was such a creature. Yes, she replied honestly. I do. I would mock anyone who whines about their situation yet cant summon the bollocks to fight for who and what they want.