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Additional Dragonblade books by Author Alyxandra Harvey
As a duke’s sister,she was accustomedtoa certaindegree ofluxury.She knew goldcandlesticks anddiamondhairpins, silkgloves andvelvetreticules Sheknew dancingunder honey-scentedcandles drippingfromelaboratechandeliers andthe bestchampagnebubblinginflutedcrystalglasses.
Thiswassomuchbetter.
Evenwiththeitchybeardcurrentlygluedtoherface
Atthirty-threeyearsold,witheveryprivilege,shehonestlycouldnotthinkofwhenshehadlastbeenhappier.Shewasn’t dancingonthearmofahandsomegentleman,orlaughingwithfriends,showingoffanewdress,winningahandofcards She wassneakingintoaprivateartsocietywithless-than-honorableintentions.Andshecouldhavegiggledwithpurejoy.
A collection of art and sculptures from gentlemen on their Grand Tours and from the tours of their grandfathers, all displayedlikesomanywartrophies
She’dbringthemawar,ifthat’swhattheywanted.
AuntGeorgiewouldbeavenged.
Tonight, theydranktheir smuggled Frenchbrandyand smoked their cheroots and bemoaned thatthe Grand Tours oftheir sonscouldnotincludethebrothelsandgalleriesofFrance.OnlythebraveortheverystupidwouldtraipseabouttheContinent withNapoleonontheir heels And the Collectors were notbrave She would like to have said theywere indeed stupid, but theyweren’tthateither.Whattheywerewasarrogant,andentitled,andoverdueforacomeuppance.
ButtheMayfairArtCollectorsSocietydidnotadmitwomentotheirsociety.Northeirhouse.Atleastnottonight.Oncea year theyheld anevent meant to dazzle the ton, a sort of art exhibitionand ball rolled into one. Members displayed their belovedartinoneplaceforonenightonly Participationwasmandatory WhichmeantLordGlasswouldbeinattendance,and hewashighonthelistofmembersshevery,verymuchwantedtopunchintheface. Justicewastakingfartoolong
She would happily be a spinster until the day she died, and not just to spite her mother. She missed her twin brother Callum,buthehadmarriedandhadaduchesstorunhishousenow SummeradoredCat,evenifSummer’smotherrefusedto acknowledgeher.Dukes didnotoftenmarrygirls fromfishingvillages.Callumhadevenfinallymanagedtodrownouttheir mother’svoiceinhisheadinsistingthathehadtobeperfect,amarblestatueofaduke Summerlefthimingoodhands.
But, she had to admit, it left her feeling rather aimless. Floating through Mayfair as the Diamond was growing rather tedious Shewasexpectedtocareabouteverychangeinfashion,aboutotherpeople’sguestlists,andfurniture Shedidnot.
Until AuntGeorgie andthe needfor retribution Summer finallyhadwhatshe needed: adventure,purpose Three women withquestionabletalentsandprinciplesatherback.
So there, Mother.
Right Arguingwithhermother,howevernaturalandreasonable,wasnotparticularlyhelpfulatthemoment Andanyway,this was notthefull collection,nor theexhibition.This was justatest.Atestofspiritglueandbeards and whateveritwasBeatrixdidwhenshegatheredinformation Shewasamasterofdisguise,ofdisappearing Thiswouldhave beenherjob,butSummerknewthe ton,knewtheirquirks,andknewart.Shewouldremembereverythingshesawandbeable tosketchitoutlater,rightdowntothesmallestdetail.
Agentlemanglancedatherashestumbledpast Sheremindedherselfnottofreezeup Shewaspretendingtobeanearl’s son,andshebelongedhere.Heonlysnortedattheslightyoungmanwiththepatchybeardbeforeclappinghimroughlyonthe shoulder Summer teetered dangerously “Drink up!” he barked, shoving his half-empty glass at her She took it before it collidedwithherchest.
Shestudiedtheskylightsforanothermoment,memorizingtheshapeofthem.Themoonhadwanderedsomewhereelse,but the oil lamps were lit. There was a picture rail, hooks, and a veritable forestofpedestals waitingfor sculptures and vases. Therewereitemsondisplay,butnothingtrulyuniqueyet
This is just the first step, sheremindedherself.Abitofreconnaissance.Preparation. Andshewasprepared
She would rather not sacrifice her reputation it came infar too useful. LadySummer had alreadybeeninvited to the Collectors’masqueradegala,afterall Herloveofartwasalreadywellknown Shecouldnotaffordtobeturnedawayatthe door.Acuriosity,astorytotell,wasperfectlyfine.Atruescandal,lessso. Fornow.
All to say: she was prepared for almost anything. Beingrecognized, beingcaught red-handed, forced to joina drinking game with port, which she despised. Play at cards, ogle a courtesan. She’d even memorized a limerick for the occasion.
Shewouldnothaveit.Hewasentirelytooaccustomedtoadorationasitwas.Betweentheconfidencelenttohimfromhis father’stitleandthedarkeyesanddarkhairfromhisColonialFrench-Micmacmother,hewasamenacetofemalesociety All society.Womenwerecertainlynottheonlyonestonoticehim.
“It’sabeard,”shesaidprimly Hergovernesswouldhavebeenproud,twentyyearslater Itwasherexacttone,trottedout whenSummer asked too manyquestions or stole the raspberryscones fromthe kitchenbefore theyhad properlycooled. Or mockedhermother “Obviously”
This was Blackpool Irritatingto the extreme Butalso unfairlyand ridiculouslyhandsome, withthose strangelydelicate features,butalsoastrongjaw,aslashofdarkeyebrows.Shecouldrecognizethatandstillwanttopokehimwithasharpstick. Shecontainedmultitudes
“What’sthatsupposedtomean?”She’dbeenraisedinMayfair.Sheknewhowtoflirtherwayoutofathousanddangers.A weaponwas a weapon And until she figured outa wayto hide more thana sharp hairpininher chignon, itwould have to suffice.Althoughaswordwouldhavebeennice.
“Ican’tbegintoimagine.”Hesworeunderhisbreath.“Damnitall,didAuntGeorgieputyouuptothis?” She tossed hima careless smile, changingtactics Perhaps itwould be bestto throw himoffguard, to make light To be Lady Summer. The Diamond.
Hewasnotconvinced
“Idon’tthinkso.” This againsther mostcharming, flirtatious smile. The one she was fairlycertainhad saved her from prisonthatonetime.AndbeingtossedintotheThamesthatothertime.
Sheglancedoverhershoulderattheopendoorway,theflickeringshadowsofthesconces.“Do not draw attentiontome, youlummox”
“As if youneed myhelp withthat,” he muttered. He prowled the room, eyebrows lowered. “What are youevendoing here?”heasked “Hercollectionisnothereyet” “Weknowthat.”
Hetookanotherstep,butitwastoolate.Everymovehemadehadthefloorsinginglikeachorusofbirdsatdawn.Loudly. ShehadheardoffloorslikethisinJapan,setaroundbedroomstowarnofintruders Anentireballroomsetupthiswaywould have been deafening when empty but useless when filled with footmen rushing to and fro with trays of refreshments, with dancersandthemusicofanorchestra.
There had to be wires under those floorboards connected to bells downstairs, like the bells she rang at home for tea. They’dhavetodisablethoseattheveryleast AjobforBeatrix Maggiewouldhandletheskylight Asshedidhandstandsona horse’sbackatAstley’sAmphitheatreonaregularbasis,itwouldprovelittlechallengeforher.
Blackpool’s eyebrow rose. He knew hired muscle when he saw it. She saw the shift in him, fromvigilant to relaxed, charming.Withoutacaretohisname.Arake,throughandthrough.“Something’swrongwithyourfloor,”hesaidcheerfully.
Summer prayed she could drop her voice believably. Another test. No time like the present, withtwo menwatchingher distrustfully.“Don’tknowyou,either,”shereturned,justthissideofbelligerently.Herbrother,theveryproperduke,hadnever beenbelligerentadayinhislife Blackpool,however,couldtakecreditforherexperienceofit Hehadbeenmostunbearable thesummerhewasfifteen.Toher,ifnooneelse.
Shetuckedthetinyargumentawayforlater Blackpoolwasveryclosetoher shecouldfeelhimloomingatherback The butler turned to themboth. He seemed too tense, too aware, to be convinced byher beard. And ifhe was anythinglike the butlers manning her brother’s various houses, she knew just how to distract him. Disorder, unpleasantness. Astain on the damaskcushions
Itwas a verynice ceiling, painted withleaves enoughto fill a jungle There were filigree moldings, rococo accent, and pineapples.Somanypineapples,all gold.The drapes were gold.The tables were gold.The mantelpiece was alsogoldand madetheeyeswaterwhenafirewaslit Itwasalottotakein Evenatthebestoftimes AuntGeorgiewasnotsubtle.
“Hello, Maggie,” Summer said to the woman attached to the elaborate ceiling, before settling herself into a chair She groaned.“Thisbearditches.”
Maggie acrobat, tightrope walker, and performance horsewoman did not appear particularly sympathetic. She was upsidedown,soitwashardtotell.Shestillworehercostumefromherrecentperformance,allspanglesandbeads.Hercurly, darkhairwaspinnedruthlessly,andhercalveslookedstrongenoughtokickahorse.ShesnortedatSummer’sdiscomfort.
“I’ve worn three-foot ostrich feathers and paniers to meet the queen” Court fashions were ridiculous “In a roomthat burnedliketheinsideofhellandstankofahundreddifferentperfumes.AndIdidnotgag.”
“Never mindthat,” Beatrixsaid,joiningthem She wore a simple browndress,nojewelry,nofripperyofanykind She couldhavebeenanyone:aladyfallenupongenteelpoverty,amaid,avicar’sdaughter.Pale,freckled,andonlypretendingto beplain.“You’llgiveyourselfawayifyourunaboutwithabeard-shapedrashonyourface.”
Summerdroppedherhand Shewasusefulbecauseshewasaduke’ssister,andnooneexpectedanythingelsefromher A beard-shaped rash, this weekofall weeks, would draw unwanted attention. The attentionshe meant to draw was carefully curated AscarefullycuratedastheSutherlandartcollection Former Sutherlandartcollection Notformerforverymuchlonger.
“I’vebeenhiredasakitchenmaidfortheevent,”Beatrixsaid,abitsmugly “Theydon’thaveahousekeeper,andthebutler isafraidofFrenchdelicacies.Asisthecook,whoonlypretendstobefromParis.Imentioned cerveau de veau and cassoulet andtheyhiredmeonthespot”
“I’msurprised they didn’t accuse you of being a French spy,” Summer said. The war touched London differently, she supposed InCornwall,everybeachwaswatchedwithsuspicion,everyshipsightedapossiblecauseforalarm TheThames wasn’tlikelytobeovertakenbyFrenchwarships.
“AFrenchie spy?” Beatrixblinked innocently. She did somethingto her posture thatmade her practicallyinvisible. She added a thickCovent Gardenaccent. “How’s that likely, lovey? Agirl like me, never out ofthe Garden. Don’t evenknow whereFranceis.ButI’vewatercress,justpickedtoday.”
Summer grinned She mightbe a lady, butevenshe knew notto eatthe watercress The water and soil inwhichitwas grownwasdecidedlynot clean.“OnedayanactualGardengirlisgoingtoplantyouafacerandshe’llbreakyournose.”
Asusual,Beatrixdidnotreply “Whatdidyoudiscover?”sheaskedSummerinstead,pencilandnotebookattheready If shedidnotwriteitdown,ithadnothappened.
“Threedrawingroomswithpocketdoors,whichwillbeopenedtocreateamainspace Theconservatorywillhousethe gala proper, the artworkand dancing, ifthere is to be any,” Summer replied. “That’s twoskylights, two Frenchdoors to the gardens,threedoorsfromthehallway,andsixwindows”Shepulledthesketchesoutofherreticule She’dthrownherselfinto thewaitinghackneyoutsidetheclubandimmediatelybeguntodraw.
WhenAuntGeorgie’shusbandhaddied,helefthisarttotheCollectors,fearingthatthisnephewwouldsellhispiecesand scatter them. Buthe did so onthe understandingthatthe Mayfair ArtCollectors Societywould allow his wife to become a member Thatshe could visitthe treasures theyhad boughtontheir travels together ather leisure, could see all the special pieces reserved for private viewings. It was not a common collection nothing about Aunt Georgie was ordinary, so why wouldhertastesbeanydifferent?Butshelovedart.Andsecretsocieties.Itwashislastgifttoher.
THE NEXT AFTERNOON,Summerwenttothemodiste ShetookaturnaboutHydePark ShestoppedatGunter’sforanice She wentshoppingforneweveningglovesshedidnotneednorparticularlywant
Honestly,theheistwastheeasierproposition Heseemedtohavesomepreternaturalsenseastowhereshewouldbenext Hewaswaitingforheroutsidethemodiste,charmingacircleofwomenagednineteentoninety,andtwofootmenwhohad thatfascinatedlookintheireyes Itwasalooksheknewtoowell ItwasconstantlyaimedatBlackpool’sbeautifulhead No wonderitwassobig.
“Ladies,alas,ImustnotkeepLadySummerwaiting”
There was a humof disappointment. Summer hid a smile because it would onlyencourage him. “LadySummer has no interestinyourcompanyrightnow,”shesaidtartly.“I’mfartoobusy.”
Someonegasped Someonewhodidnotknowher,norherfriendshipwithBlackpool Ifyoucouldcallitsuch Didmildly fond antagonism and competition make for any kind of friendship? “You wound me, my lady,” Blackpool returned, eyes gleaming
“Imightyet.”
Itwasagametheyknew all toowell.Andoneshecouldnotaffordtoplayrightnow.Notwiththegalaloomingandthe questionssheknewhewasdyingtoaskher.Shedidnotlikelyingtohim.Shehadnoproblematallwithcallinghimoutonhis ridiculousflirting,hisprettyface,everywayinwhichhewaswronginhisopinionsonartandthewayheplayedpall-mall,but lyingfeltdifferent Itwassomethingeveryoneelsedid,notthem Nottoeachother Itwasbothersome,buttrue.
Since she could notanswer his questions and he would notchange her mind nor she his, itwas bestto avoid him They couldrecommencetheirskirmishesnextweek.
She was halfway down the block when Blackpool finally managed to pull away fromhis admirers. There was a lace handkerchiefstuffedbetweenthebuttonsofhiscoat.Heblinkedatit,lookingyounger,moregenuine,thanhisusualsmoldering. Lord,butthemancouldsmolder.
Before she could evenbeginto reply, anolder womanthrew herself infront of them, towingher veryyoungand very embarrassedyoungladybehindher “LordBlackpool,”shesaid,atouchtooloudly Passersbyglancedintheirdirection “LadySusan.”Blackpoolbowed.Hewastheverypictureofcivility,butSummercouldreadthetensioninhisshoulders. Shealmostfeltsorryforhim
“Of course.” Summer smiled at her gently. Her own mother had been an absolute nightmare the year she became a debutante,proposalsnotwithstanding Actually,theyfueledthenightmarewhenSummerhadrefusedeachandeveryone “Have youmadeyourcurtsytothequeen,yet?”
“Onefromaprince”LadySusansighed “It’snotasimpressiveasitsounds,”Summersaid.“Foronething,thatprincesentaproposalthroughthepost.Ihavenever evenmethim.” More thanhalfofthose proposals had come fromfortune hunters, and another good portionfromthose who wantedadukeforabrother-in-law Allofthemconsideredherbeautiful Butthatwasthegame ThatwasMayfair
DeathbyLadySummer Byher mischievous grin, her unexpected comments, the curve ofher waist The smell ofsweet orangesthatclungtoher.
He’dbeendyingatherhandsincehewaseighteenyearsold Tosayhewasaccustomedtoitwasanunderstatement This was different. There had never beenactual danger involved before now. The danger thatshe mightdismember him withalambchopatdinnerwasalwayspresent,butdangertohimselfhecouldaccountfor Itmeantnothing Dangertothisinfuriatingwomanmeanteverything.
He’d burnthe Mayfair ArtCollectors’precious house oftreasures to the ground before lettingthemnear her. The entire street AllofLondon
He’dtriedtotalkAuntGeorgieintopatience,intowaitingjustalittlelonger for thereturnofher collection.Butwithout beingabletoofferheranyconcretedetails,anyreasonatall beyondasanctimoniouspleaforpatience,he’dknownitwasa losingbattle.Hehadn’tevenattemptedtoaskSummerforpatience.Shehaditinspades.Butnotforthis.
Dealing with the French, the English War Office, spies, and traitors was child’s play compared to Summer She was smarterthanallofthemcombined,forone.Shealways,alwayssawmorethansheleton.Thefactthatshehadsecretsofher ownwastheonlyreasonshehadnotimmediatelyhomedinonhis Heplannedtokeepitthatwayforaslongaspossible
She was always smugwhenladies descended onhim a verydifferentkind ofhornet’s nest. He’d kicked thatone over whenhewasstillalad,andtherewasnothingforitnow.ButSummerneverswarmed,neverhovered.
Lady Susan was still murmuring at him, her grip like winter ice Carriages trundled past, ladies walked with footmen hurryingafterthem,mentippedtheirhats,streetsweeperswieldedtheirbroomsforpennies.Someonelaughed. ThiswasSummer’sworld
Hewouldn’tletanyonetakeitawayfromher.
HEFOUND HERinHydePark.
Ofcoursehedid
Summer might have beendisappointed if he hadn’t. Theyhad a pattern, after all. Anunspokenagreement. Quiet battles waged over canapes and champagne, pearls and parasols. Sometimes, very late at night, over the billiards table. Nothing scandalous Thedoorwasalwaysleftopen Buttheycompetedfiercely,quipsandjestsflyingbetweenthem Thosewereherfavoritenights.
The ton wanderedonfootandpassedbyinelaboratecarriagescleanedandpolishedtoashine.Itsmelledofsunshineand horsesandperfume.Birdshidinthetrees,affronted,nodoubt,bythesheervolumeoffeatherspinnedtobonnetsandcuffs.The new trendwasabitdisconcerting,untilyougotusedtoit Giantostrichfeathersbalancedontheheadtomakeyourcurtsyto thequeenwasbadenough,andnowitwaspigeonfeathersdyedpink,greenduckfeathers,glossycrowfeathersbristlingfrom necklinesanddresshemsandcuffs Eventheveryelegant,crownedgentlemen’shatswerenotimmune
She had to tamp down a ridiculous trickle of disappointment when she found herself back at her waiting carriage. Blackpoolhadnotfollowedher.Hehadnotfoundher.
Truly, why would he? The games they played were in the moment They did not require sustained effort Despite the urgencyinhisreactiontofindingherintheCollectors’house,tohispleaswithhisgreat-aunt.
Enough now Back to work Focus “LadySummer.”Hisvoicewaslikemeltedchocolate,damntheman.Andheabsolutelyknewit.Sheheardthesmirkand thesmugnesslacingeveryword.Itoughttohaveputheroff.
Itmadeherthighsclenchinstead Inconvenient,that.
And secretly delightful She would never let him know he affected her, of course She wouldn’t be one of his many honeybees,hoveringatthehive.
Shepaused,glancingupslowly,asifbored “Tookyoulongenough,Blackpool” He grinned.He was perchedonthe drivingbenchnexttoher coachman.Veryproper,eveninits impropriety.Ahundred pairs ofeyes watchedthemevennow.The charmingrakehell andthe Diamond.Itwouldbe inthe gossippaper bymorning. Therewouldbesketches
She was embarrassed to admit she had to swallow before answering. She’d been called many things Venus, Rose, Diamond but “plum” made her feel like blushingfor no particular reason “How best to drownyouinthe Serpentine, of course.”
Thestreetoutsidewascloggedwithcarriagesasmembersofthe ton floodedtowardtheentranceintheirsilkdressesand starched cravats, jewels gleaming, hair curled just so Summer had dressed very carefully in silk and emeralds, but more importantly, under her gownher embroidered stockings had leather garters strongenoughto hold a dagger, a lockpick, and loopsonwhichtoattachpilferedgoods
Summer eavesdroppedonseveral more conversations as she made her waythroughtowardthe gallery,stoppingtogreet people,tocommentontheGreekvasewiththecarvedminotaur,whichshecoveted.OnaRembrandtandaCaravaggio.She would take a turnaboutthe ballroomjustto be remembered there, inthe thickofthe public space, no interestor thoughtto anythingbutdancingandadmiringrareartwork.
Ha
Her behavior wouldnotbeobviouslylinkedtothis house,or this party,or that paintingwhichwas abouttogomissing. Notthattheywouldnoticeforquitesometime,ifallwenttoplan.
The Dowager Duchess Tremaine was dressed insilverygray, drippingwithpearls, as was her custom. The tiara tucked intoherhairhaddiamondssetroundagraypearlthesizeofaquail’segg Summerwondered,onceagain,ifhermotherwasso peevishbecauseherneckachedfromcarryingaroundsomanyjewels.She’daskedheronceandbeensmackedwithherfanfor hertrouble Summerhadtakenitasayes
“It’sperfectlyfashionable”Andonlyatiny,teenybitindecent Asuggestionofinappropriateness Andasusual,spending more thana few minutes inher mother’s presence made a headache pulse behind her right eye. She’d spent so manyyears cravingthatattention Nowsheonlywantedtoberidofit
“Justtheonce.Andyourmotherdoesn’tknowthat.”Opheliahuggedher,lookinglikesomeoneoutofafairystorywithher pale hair and pinkdiaphanous gownsewnwithspangles Her eyes were moonlight pale and uncanny Summer adored her “Anyway,wherehaveyoubeen?It’sbeendullasdishwaterwithoutyou.”
Beatrix moved through the crowd beside them, murmuring to the butler, the footmen She did not glance in Summer’s directionevenonce, whichwas how Summer knew her presence had beennoted. She did nod, barely, whichwas also how Summerknewthepaintingshewasafterwasrightwhereitwassupposedtobe AuntGeorgiehadstayedathome,muchasshe longed to rub the collective noses of the Collectors in her imminent and ever-so-slightly-criminal triumph. Maggie was probablyperchedontherooftopevennow,waiting.
Threemoregentlemenandtwoladiesturnedtobringherintotheconversation,togarnerheropinionontheportraitofLord FernsbybySir Joshua Reynolds. Two more viscountesses joined, their lady’s maids havingsewnlate into the night to add starchedlacetotheircollars,duplicatingherwalkingdressfromthedaybefore.
Lord Fernsby inclined his head in Summer’s direction “We ought to keep the conversation pleasant for the ladies A DiamondlikeLadySummerisnotinterestedinsuchtalk.”
LadySummerknewperfectlywellthattheRaidonBoulognehadnotbeenmateriallysuccessful,mostlyduetothefailure ofnewequipmentdesignedbytheinventorRobertFulton.AlthoughonlyoneFrenchshiphadendedinflames,andithadstill reminded Bonaparte thatthe Britishwere kings ofthe sea. Whichwas a timelyreminder, as Spainhad recentlydeclared its intentonjoiningFrance
THEGUESTS HAD beengatheredlongenoughthattheinebriationwasstartingtoshow.
Perfect
Thiswashermoment.
Herwindowoftimewasbrief.Thereweretoomanyfootmendashingbackandforthwithtraysandcloaksandhousemaids sewing up fallen hems, couples seeking privacy, wallflowers seeking an escape And too many of those footmen seemed unnaturallylargeandwithoutanyexperiencecarryingtraysbalancedwithcrystalglasses.Curious.
Summer darted up the mainstaircase, duckinginto the third parlor onthe left Itstankofcherootsmoke The landscape paintingwasbanishedfromthemaingalleryonthegroundsthatitwastoosmallanddarktobeproperlyseen.
TosayAuntGeorgiewasinfuriatedwasanunderstatement ShehadboughtitforherhusbandontheirhoneymooninItaly It wasnotSummer’sfavorite,butshewasfartoosmarttosayso.Shecertainlywouldnothavebotheredtostealitbecauseshe liked it.Butitwasveryold,verycherished,and,bestofall,waitingforherrightwhereitwassupposedtobe.
With a last glance toward the door, she took down the painting and crouched behind a tall settee overrun with plump cushions Sheliberatedthecanvasfromtheframewithafewstrokesofherknife,andthenuntuckedtheforgeryfromoneofher garters.Sheunrolledit,sliditintotheframe,andsecureditwithatwistofputtyandafewtaps.Shewouldhavelikedmore timetoadjustitwithpropernailsorevenabitofglue.Butthatwasn’ttheobjective.Perfectionwouldnotservehertonight. Onlyhaste
Never mind thatnow. Time enoughfor anexistential crisis over a cup oftea inthe morning. Tonightwas abouttriumph. Revenge Justice
She rolled the original artworktightlyand tucked itinto her garter. Her dress billowed down, hidingall evidence. The framewentbackuponitshookoverthemantelpiece Whohungexpensiveantiqueartworkoverasmokyfireplace?Honestly, itdeserved tobestolen.
“Areyoulurkingagain,Blackpool?”sheasked,coveringaninstinctiveneedtoglancebehindher,tofiddle,togiveherself away. To fix her hair. There was no way in hell she would give herself away as one more person who wondered if he’d noticedher.Ifhethoughtaboutheratallwhentheyweren’tbusybotheringeachothertodistraction.
“Areyoumeetingsomeone?”heaskedsharply,tracesoftheirusualteasingandneedlingsuddenlyvanishing Shedidnotpretendtomisunderstand.Abandoneddrawingroomsanddarkhallwaysweremadeforlovers.Andasshewas farfromadebutantewithneedofachaperone,heroptionswerefarmoreplentiful.Still,somecarewasrequired.Areputation wasonlyhelpfulwhenitservedyou Hermothermaintainedthatacertaindutywasrequiredtotheducalfamilyname Summer had always thoughtifshe was afforded suchprivilege, whywaste it? Was she meant to wither awayfor lackofwantinga husband?Pretendshedidnotinhabitabodythathadneeds? Probably.
Shedidnotdowell withbeingtoldwhattodo.Consequences didnotoftenfindher.She was a womanofa certainage witha certainunderstandingof the world; she knew how to comport herself. How to handle her business. How to keep a secret.
Notthatshehadhadanysecretstokeeplately.Certainlynothingjuicy. More’s the pity. AndneverwithBlackpool.
Notsincethatkisswhenshewasseventeen Notherfirst,butcertainlytheonlyonesherememberedsowell Toowell Not thatitmattered.Ithadn’tmatteredtohimthen,anditdidn’tnow.Shewasoneofathousandkisses.Theypreferredaggravating eachother
She enjoyed their skirmishes Evenwhenshe wanted to throw things athis head Heavythings And since his reputation wasfarworsethanhers,shecertainlydidnotowehimanyexplanations.Ordinarily,shewouldhavetoldhimexactlythat.With muchstrongerwording.Possiblyalsowiththatheavyobjecttossedathisfathead.
But tonight, she needed to throw himoffthe scent He alreadyknew what theywere about Findingher here wearinga beard, his fruitless conversationwithhis Aunt Georgie muchas she liked to call himanidiot, he was not. And theyhad alreadydismissedhimfromhisjobofretrievingthecollection Heknewitall
Oh,this was afungame.Itwassoverytemptingtoseewhowouldbreakfirst. Butalas
“WhatifIam?”sheaskedarchly,refusingtowonderwhyshebothwantedtopokeatanypossiblejealousy,andalsoassure himshewasnotattached. Head in the game, my girl “WhatifIam meetingsomeone?” “Areyou?”Hesteppedcloser.
She shrugged one shoulder idly, just this side of disdainfully. She liked to see how far she could pushhim. She never understoodwhy,butthereitwas “That’snotyourconcern,isit?”
“I’mtellingyou,oneofthebellswascut Thealarmscan’tbetrustednow Checkeverything” She stared at Blackpool. He stared back. There was no pretending they hadn’t wandered away from the party, into forbiddenareas,thattherewasn’tmoregoingonthattheywerewillingtoadmitto.Thattheyweren’tcirclingeachother.
Even though the men couldn’t know about the canvas rolled under her skirts, they’d know her The invitation list was vetted, and longsought after. As a duke’s twinsister, she did not oftenblend in, evenwhenshe thought she might want to. Which,admittedly,wasnotveryoften
Blackpool cursed, and then he was backing her into a shadowy corner. The framed forgery hung innocently over the fireplace She tried notto glance atit Beatrixreminded her dailythatitwas a dead giveawaywhensomeone was tryingto hidesomething.Notthatitmattered thiscornerwouldnothidethemeither.Therewasn’tevenapottedplanttoshieldthem. “Blackp ”
Wasthisevenkissing?Surely,therehadtobeanotherwordforthis.Itwasaclaiming,adesperateneed.Hesuckedonher lower lip before teasingher tongue withhis, before takingher mouthlike he had beendreamingaboutitfor years. Like he mightdiewithoutanothertaste.
Herquimwentinstantlyhot,feelingfull,swollen Hernipplespebbledunderherdress Shegaspedwhenhislipsclosed onherthroatandsucked,hard.Shefeltiteverywhere.Hishandgrippedherknee,liftingherleg,openinghermorefullytothe onslaughtofhisbody Hewashard,muscled,hungry For her Andconfused.
Hepaused.
Right He wasn’tjustpressingagainsther he was also pressingagainsta painting, a dagger, several tools ofcriminal activity.“Goddamnit,Summer.”
Blackpool was tryingto protecther reputation Itwas sweet And necessary, butnotfor the reasonhe was thinking Ifa guardnoticedhernow,hewouldnoticeherallnight.She’dnevergettherestofhertaskscompleted.She’dbeuseless. Shemusthavestiffenedatthethought,becauseBlackpool’sgazefoundhers Shetriedforanonchalantsmile Hescowled For somereason,thatmadeher smilemore,despitetheir predicament.“Happytoleave,”Blackpool toldtheguard,his eyes neverleavinghers “Butnotuntilyousodoff Thelady’snotforgawkingat”
“I’mthrilled to hear it,” Blackpool replied, tone somehow bothmild and cutting “You’ll turnyour back I’ma member here,butifthat’snotenough,you’lltellanyonewhoasksthatitwastheEarlofBlackpoolyoufoundintheparlor.Iftheyhave questions,theycanfindme”
Was thata fish? Adolphin, perhaps? She’d never seena dolphin, but, she hazarded, nor had the artist All she knew for certainwasthatitfitquitenicelyintoherpocket.She’dsewnitherself,threetimesthesizeofaregularpocket,andnevermind thatballgownscoveredinlaceandembroiderydidnotgenerallyofferpockets.Thevasesliddownandbumpedlightlyagainst herknee Itpulledslightlyatthelinesofherdress,butnotenoughtodrawanyseriousattention Especiallybycandlelightand severalgallonsofwine.
Therewasnoreasonforhertostealit
Exceptthatshewantedto.
Somethingaboutthiswholenightwasprickingather,remindingherthatshecouldbesomuchmore,withjustalittleeffort. Her friend Tessa took in women on the run from violent men, heiresses in grave danger, ladies who found themselves friendless.
Summertookinherhemwhenthefashionschanged
Thatwasn’tpreciselytrue. She loved her life and her place inSociety. She was notso naïve as to be ungrateful for her privileges Notatherage,notknowinghowdifferentherlifewouldbewithoutabrother’scoronettoshieldher Butknowing whatTessadidandhelpingherasbestshecouldthispastautumnhadawakenedsomethinginsideher.WatchingMaggiedefy gravityand Beatrixdefyeveryexpectationina waythatsomehow also lefther invisible had made Summer evenkeener to proveherself.Ifonlytoherownselfwithnonethewiser.Shecouldneverbeinvisible.Shecoulddanceanexquisitecotillion, paintlikeaFrenchmaster,speakItalian,planadinnerforthirtycouples.
But then they would have to deal with retaliation, possibly a Bow Street Runner. Most definitely a small parade of affrontedgentlemenwithwoundedegos,sniffingandscoldingandlecturing Honestly,itsoundedexhausting.
Shepreferredamanridingafish
BLACKPOOLFOUND HER,aspromised
Shewasnotsurprisedthistime.
Shewasalreadyacceptinghercloakfromafootmanwhohadnoideawherethecloakswerekeptandhaddisappearedfor a quarter of an hour. Blackpool grabbed it from him and assisted her himself. “You’re going home.” He was rarely so demanding.Usually,everyworddrippedwithsoftcharm,withpromise.Nottonight. Heproceededtoescortherdownthefrontwalktowardthecarriagesandthewaitinghorses Escort wasperhapsnotthe rightword. Propel wasmoreaccurate.“Imostcertainlyamnotgoinghome.”Andonlypartlybecausehe’dtoldhertodojust that “Well,you’renotstayinghere.”
“I’msure I don’t know what you mean.” She flashed hima smile over her shoulder, couldn’t help it. She tried not to waddle Betweentherolled-upcanvasandthevase,shefeltabitlikeamarketbasketwithlegs “Butyou have beenpaying attention.IsupposeIshouldbeflattered.”
Summer yelped Only a little But still, it wasn’t very stealthy of her She rubbed the spot over her heart, which had somersaultedinherchest.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
AuntGeorgiesniffed.“It’smycollection whyshouldn’tIbehere?” “Becauseit’shardlysubtle,”Summersuggesteddrily,droppingontotheseatoppositeher “Nonsense. I’ll stayrighthere inthe carriage.” AuntGeorgie wore a blackdress, no doubtleftover fromher mourning period Ajauntyveilofblacklacesproutedfromherbonnet “I’mveryinconspicuous Likeashadow” Ifshadowsalsoworegoldpineappleearringsandbrightyellowlacesthroughtheirslippers. AuntGeorgiefollowedSummer’sgaze “Onemusthavesomejoy” “Icompletelyagree.” AuntGeorgie had beensayingthose verywords to her since she was a child fallinginand outof scrapes.Especiallywhenshewascaughtbyhermother.
Aunt Georgie was not fond of the Dowager Duchess of Tremaine And not just because Summer’s mother abhorred pineapples.
Summer hiked her gownup to knees, somethingelse her mother would have abhorred AuntGeorgie did notevenblink Summer untucked the painting fromher garter. Her thigh was red and scratched. She unrolled the canvas with a flourish. “Voila!”
Aunt Georgie’s eyes sheened with tears almost immediately. “Oh, there she is,” she murmured. “Harold bought that in Florencefromanestatesale.Alocalcountwithfailingvineyardsandacard-countinghabit.”
“Wouldn’tthatimplyhewasgoodatgambling?”
“Perhaps he would have been if he’d been better at card counting.” She ran a knobby finger over the brushstrokes. “Practice, Summer” Another declaration she had made since Summer was very young Pianoforte? Practice Horseback riding?Practice?Throwingpeasatherbrotherwhenhewasbeingpompous?Practice.Onemustn’twastepeas.
SUMMER COULD ADMIT to a twinge ofjealousyas she watched Maggie flattenherselfto the roofofthe conservatory. To know exactlywhatyourbodywascapableof,totrustyourselfenoughtoflyinthefaceofgravity.Itmusthavefeltalittlelikeflying. Theproblemwithflying,asidefromtheinevitableplummet,wasthattheskywasalreadyfull:ofstars,orsmoke,orbirds Allthingspeoplehadatendencytocranetheirnecksbacktowatch,topointouttoothers.Evenatthreeo’clockinthemorning, as the gallerydoors were beinglocked to guests, and theytrickled home The street slowlycleared, the sounds of horses’ hoovesringingallaround.Itwassmogandshadowsanddampandspanglescomeloosefromsilkgowns. Theywerenearlydone
Summerpushedthehoodofhercloakbackandremovedoneofherearrings,arubydropsurroundedbytinyseedpearls. Shehadboughtthemwhenshewasnineteen,theverydayhermotherhadscoldedherforwearingred,acolortooracyfora debutante. She’d bought a basket of red ribbons the same day, as well as red silk roses for her bonnets and crimson silk slippersthathadmadehermothersputterwithoutrage HerentirefocuswasusuallyonherbrotherCallum,thepoorsod,but backthenSummerhadstillwantedhermother’sattention.Needlingherforscoldingsandshockedgaspshadseemedworthit. Shetuckedtheearbobintothetopofher eveninggloveandhurriedalongtheflagstonepathtothepatchofgardenatthe sidewherethetwowomenandtheonegentlemanweremurmuringexcitedlyoverthelightning.Herskinprickledinthesudden dropintemperature,fromunseasonablywarmtothemoreusualLondondamp.
“I’msogladyou’rehere,”shesaid “IthinkIlostmyearringearlierwhenIwasadmiringthehyacinths”Shemotionedto her naked lobe and thento the rubydrop inthe other ear. “Could Itrouble youto help me find it? The footmenseemrather fearsome”
And then they all lowered their heads and helped her scour the ground, helpfully turning their attention away fromthe lightningandtherooftopandMaggie Theyinspectedpottedhyacinths,siftedthroughthegrassgrowingbetweentheflagstones, pickedthroughtherootsofalilac.ShegaveMaggieaslongasshecould,butwhenthefirstraindrophitherbackside,Summer dropped her earringfromher gloves into a bit ofmoss growingbetweentwo stones. She jostled Sir Lucas until he finally noticedit,blinkingblurrily Anotherraindrophitherhip
