That Infamous Pearl (28 page)

Rowena frowned at the
roll of silk that was spread out before her. She fingered it gently, absently
admiring the gossamer texture of the rich lapis blue fabric, but was unable to
concentrate on the design of a new dress.

"It would make a
lovely ball gown, my lady," the modiste urged her. "I have
seamstresses who could make it up for you immediately."

"I am not at all
sure that the color would become me," murmured Rowena.

"You look
wonderful in blue, my lady."

"Perhaps."
Rowena touched the material again, tracing the finely woven pattern of tiny,
silvery hummingbirds that sprinkled it, but could not make a decision. Her
thoughts were centered on the coming days at Sir Peter Brandfon's house party
and her fervent hope that soon Malcolm and Alaric would both be free of
suspicion. It seemed ridiculous to be pondering the fabric for a new dress when
the futures of the two men she loved the most were hanging in the balance.

"I will think
about it," she said vaguely.

The modiste, too
familiar with the vagaries of titled ladies to argue, began to roll up the
cloth. She would put the material away until Lady Brayleigh came in again; she
was certain that my lady would soon realize just how perfectly the blue silk
became her fair complexion.

Rowena turned away
and gazed next at a richly embroidered silk shawl without truly seeing it. She
was aware of Lawson standing nearby, her impatience palpable. Rowena sighed.
She had best get back to the house and see if Alaric was about. At least she
could share her anxiety with him.

The door to the shop
opened and another woman entered. Rowena stepped aside to allow her to pass
without looking up, but was brought up short when a musical voice addressed
her.

"Lady Brayleigh.
How delightful to see you. It has been some time since we last encountered each
other."

Rowena looked up and
saw to her dismay that Marguerite was standing in front of her, a mocking smile
on her lips. Fighting the urge to brush past her enemy, she paused and pondered
the possibilities. Now would be an excellent time to bait the trap she hoped to
spring this weekend.

"Indeed it is,
Lady Bingham," she said with what she hoped was a pleasant smile. "I
must confess that I have been wishing we might encounter one another."

Marguerite's eyes
widened. She had hoped to drop a few unkind comments in Rowena's ear, but had
not expected to be greeted enthusiastically.

"And why is
that?" she asked. "I thought your husband had forbidden you to have
dealings with me."

Rowena hung her head.
"He would be very angry if he were to know of it," she said, dropping
her voice. "But I need to speak to you urgently. I am so confused. Alaric
is...well, so different than he once was. I thought that perhaps you...well,
that you could help me to understand some things."

Marguerite gave a
little laugh. "I am considerably more experienced than you, particularly
when it comes to your husband. What is it that you wanted to know?"

"We cannot talk
here," murmured Rowena. "I am told that you will be at the Brandfon's
house party. Brayleigh and I will be there also. Perhaps we can meet and
discuss this privately."

Marguerite allowed a
triumphant smile to spread across her face. "Certainly, my dear. It is a
shame that you did not heed my warnings before you were married, but I will be
only too glad to help you in any way possible. I am sorry if you are in
distress."

Rowena willed her
eyes to water, and she fished a handkerchief out of her reticule. She dabbed
the corner of her eyes. "Please, do not speak of it now," she begged.

Marguerite patted her
arm consolingly. "I will do my very best to help you. I look forward to
our talk."

Rowena seized
Marguerite's hand and squeezed it. "Thank you," she whispered. "You
cannot imagine how grateful I am." Pretending to be quite overcome with
emotion, she dashed out of the shop, her bewildered maid in attendance.

Out on the street
Rowena allowed herself to savor the moment, pleased with her performance.
Marguerite was malicious enough to seize the opportunity to attempt to meddle
in Alaric's marriage without questioning what Rowena's motivations might be.
Surely someone that self-involved could easily be tricked into over-playing her
hand. Rowena felt a glow of satisfaction. Soon everything would be settled.
Malcolm could return home as the Earl of Wroxton and she could try once again
to make Alaric love her. That, it seemed, might be the most difficult task she
had set herself.

Her thoughts were
interrupted by the sudden clatter of hooves and an anxious stirring in the
crowd that surrounded her. She heard a man shout and the frightening sound of
galloping horses echoed in her ears. She looked around as Lawson gave a squeal
of alarm and saw a carriage, the horses completely out of control, heading in
her direction through the throng. People shouted and fled as the horses
thundered towards Rowena as though they were seeking her out. She froze for a
moment, watching in terror as the huge animals bore down on her, and then with
a cry of dismay she flung herself out of their path, seizing the petrified
Lawson and pushing her with her as she fell to the ground. She could hear the
ominous creaking of the wheels and the snorting of the horses as the carriage
passed within inches of her, throwing up dust and dirt everywhere. Then there
was silence, broken only by the sound of an hysterical woman screaming.

Rowena looked up
cautiously and found herself at the center of a circle of people, all regarding
her with concern. The screams came from Lawson, who lay half-underneath Rowena,
her eyes shut and her hands clenched into tight fists.

"Hush, Lawson.
We are unhurt." Rowena spoke sharply, trying to quiet her maid's shrieks.
She could tell by looking at Lawson that sympathy would only make her cry
harder.

Rowena looked about
for help, and saw that although her dress was ruined where the wheels had
brushed against it, she was otherwise undamaged. The circle of people about her
parted suddenly, and Rowena perceived with relief that Charles Monfort was
pushing his way toward her.

"Rowena, are you
hurt?" Charles kneeled down next to her, his concern evident. "I noticed
you in the crowd just before the accident, and tried to grab you before the
carriage passed, but I was unable to reach you in time."

"I am fine,"
said Rowena firmly. "Please help me up. I feel a fool, lying here in the
middle of the street."

She took Charles'
proffered hand and rose, trying unsuccessfully to shake the dust from her
skirts.

"Whoever was in
that carriage should not be allowed to drive in public," she said angrily.
"Any number of people might have been hurt."

"Unfortunately,
there were no identifying marks on the carriage," said Charles. "I
fear we shall never know who it was."

"It's just as
well. Alaric would surely wish to wreak revenge on him. It is probably better
that the matter is allowed to rest."

Charles looked at her
admiringly. "You don't seem shaken at all," he said. "What
spirit you have."

Rowena shook her
head. "My knees feel like jelly," she admitted. "But I wouldn't
want to have hysterics in front of so many people, especially when Lawson is
doing it for me."

Charles laughed. "May
I take you home? I think it would be best if you had an escort."

Rowena smiled
gratefully. "If it would not be too much of a bother, I would appreciate
it. Lawson will clearly not be of any help. My carriage is waiting for me at
the end of the street."

"Alaric would
never forgive me if I didn't."

The pair turned their
attention to calming Lawson as the crowd dispersed, the people wandering away
when it became evident that no one was injured. Charles clasped Rowena's arm
and led her slowly to her carriage, helping her settle herself, and making sure
her numerous packages were properly stowed as well. He then assisted the shaken
Lawson into the carriage and eased himself down next to Rowena, ordering the
coachman to return home.

"It's shocking
the way some of these fellows drive," he observed. "It shouldn't be
allowed. It's a lucky thing you weren't injured; Alaric would have my head for
not protecting you."

"Don't concern
yourself with it," said Rowena. "I am unhurt and there is no harm
done."

"You were very
lucky. You could have been killed."

"But I was not.
Really, Charles, you seem to be more alarmed than I am."

"I am concerned.
If you don't mind my saying so, your marriage to Alaric has made him so much
more human. If something were to happen to you I fear he would once again
become the forbidding fellow he was before you wed him."

Rowena colored
slightly. "Alaric is an excellent husband," she murmured. "But I
think you are over-estimating my influence on him."

"Not at all,"
answered Charles. "You cannot imagine the change you have wrought in him.
We all despaired of him ever marrying, much less as contentedly as he seems to
have done. I imagine Brayleigh now looks forward to the day when he will have a
son. Only a few months ago I would never have believed it possible."

"That is, of
course, one of the reasons he married," said Rowena, her heart sinking
slightly as Charles' words called to her mind Alaric's determination to father
a son.

Charles gave her a
searching glance. "I look forward to hearing the good news."

"You will be the
first to know," answered Rowena lightly. She looked up as they approached
her house. "I hope Alaric is not too furious when he hears of this."

"It is hardly
your fault, so if he is angry, it cannot be with you."

Charles climbed down
from the carriage and assisted Rowena out of it. He escorted her carefully up
the stairs and into the house, where he ordered Ferguson to fetch the earl.

"No, please
allow me to go upstairs and change my clothing," said Rowena. "I
would really rather tell him later."

"Nonsense. We
will await him in the library, Ferguson." Charles took Rowena into the
library, and seated her in a high-backed chair.

"Really,
Charles, this is not necessary," protested Rowena. "I am quite
capable of taking care of myself. I am not an invalid."

"I know that if
I do not make certain Alaric knows of this, he will probably not be told. You
are far too eager to shield him, Rowena."

"Shield me from
what?" Brayleigh stood in the door, his elegant presence filling the room.
His eyes flicked briefly over Charles' face and then turned to Rowena, taking
in her disheveled appearance immediately.

"What happened?"
he demanded, and hastened to Rowena's side. He took her hand in his and
squeezed it gently.

"Your bride was
almost killed by a run-away carriage," said Charles. "Luckily, she
had the presence of mind to save herself and her maid."

Rowena blushed. "It
was nothing so dramatic. Why, any number of people were almost injured and my
experience was not at all remarkable. I am completely unharmed, and so there is
nothing to be concerned about."

"Who was driving
the carriage?" Alaric looked up at Charles.

"It was
unmarked, and moving far too fast to make any identification. It seems as
though the horses were maddened by something."

Alaric raised an
eyebrow. "How unusual that something of this sort should happen in the
middle of Bond Street."

Charles shrugged. "It
was probably one of those young men who fancy themselves whips when they can
barely handle a gig, and bought some horses he couldn't handle."

"Possibly."
Alaric turned back to Rowena. "Are you sure you are unharmed?"

"Quite sure.
Really, Alaric, you will make me begin to think that I am injured. Please stop
fretting over me."

"Was there
anyone else about?" asked Alaric.

"What do you
mean?" Charles looked confused.

"Who else was
there that you recognized?"

"Any number of
people. It was Bond Street in the middle of the afternoon, after all. I don't
know what you mean."

"I saw Lady
Bingham just before it happened," said Rowena slowly. "Alaric, you
don't think--" She broke off at the warning glance he gave her.

"What are you
talking about? Surely you don't suggest that this was not an accident?"
Charles looked from one to the other, bewildered.

"Not at all.
That would be impossible." Alaric released Rowena's hand and walked over
to his cousin. "I appreciate your escorting Rowena home, and for being
there when she needed assistance. It should have been me."

"Not at all,"
answered Charles. "I am sure Rowena will wish to rest now. I'll be on my
way."

"Thank you,
Charles," said Rowena. "It was kind of you to be concerned for me."

"I'm only glad I
could assist. It was the least I could do for my cousin's wife." Charles
bowed politely and left the room.