A Persistant Attraction (14 page)

“So you’ve decided to come slinking around again. Does this mean you’ve changed your mind about treating me like a child?”

Rhys gave her a scathing look. “I explained my behavior last night. If you had any sense at all you would see that I’m right. I came here because whether you attach any value to your life or not, others do. I have no intention of allowing you to continue your investigation on your own.”

“I see. In that case, you would be wise to leave. I told you last night that I do not require your protection.” She tried not to let disappointment creep into her face. Foolish as it might have been, a part of her had hoped he’d come to apologize.

He stepped forward and grabbed her arm. “Amanda—”

“Unhand me, or I will have you thrown out.”

He dropped her arm as if it burned him. She thought she saw anguish in his eyes before he looked away. Damn it. She was being a shrew. He certainly knew how to bring out the worst in her.

She took a deep breath. This was no way to get the information she needed. “Why don’t you sit down and tell me exactly what happened at the tavern last night.”

“You know what happened. In case you’ve forgotten, you insisted on accompanying me so you could witness all of it.”

“I know what I saw, but I don’t understand it. Those men were after you, not me. I want to know why.”

“Obviously, they thought I was the true obstacle. Had they been able to defeat me and my men, they would have turned on you.”

His answer came too quickly, almost as if he’d rehearsed it. “If that were the case, the first man would have made a move for me when he thought you were unconscious.”

“Perhaps he wanted to wait for the others to join him.” Amanda scowled. “I want the truth.”

Rhys took a deep breath and closed his eyes. What horrible thing was he keeping from her? “Rhys, if you’re hiding something that could help me find the man who attacked me, that is unfair and cruel. I know you don’t want me investigating on my own, but I deserve to know why this is happening to me.”

“What I’m hiding has nothing to do with your assailant, at least not directly.” She stared at him. She could have sworn fear flashed in his eyes. What was going on?

“You will remember I said we had to leave—because I recognized someone. A man I did not want to recognize me.”

Amanda nodded.

“I knew that man from time I spent in France a few years ago. I was asked to see if he or someone he is associated with were conducing business at the Black Eagle.”

“Asked? By whom?”

“During the war, I joined an organization that assists the government in locating groups or individuals who wish to undermine the regent’s authority.” Amanda sucked in her breath. “You’re a spy?” Rhys’s face reddened. “That’s not a term I prefer to use. I gathered information to help prevent a plot against the crown. I thought I was done with that work, but the head of the agency requested my assistance with one further assignment.”

“So you were working on two investigations last night, and the men who attacked you weren’t after me at all.”

“Apparently not.”

“Could there be a connection between these men and my attacker?”

“I think that is highly unlikely,” Rhys said, but his voice sounded strained. Amanda didn’t believe him.

“I want to help you.”

He shook his head. “No.”

“I’ll allow you to continue protecting me if I can help you in return.”

“Have you lost your mind?” Rhys knelt beside her and gripped both her arms tightly.

“My work is dangerous. People die and I—” He made a strangled noise and looked away.

Suddenly Amanda understood. “The woman. The one you wanted to protect. She was part of this agency.”

The color drained from Rhys’ face, and his grip tightened even more. “She was. And now she’s dead. Is that what you want? To end up like her?” His voice cracked and he looked as scared as a cornered animal. Amanda tried to swallow, but her mouth was too dry. “No, I—”

“Then think about what you are doing. Act like you have some sense.” He released her arms and sat back on his heels. Amanda wanted to make the pain in his eyes diminish. Instead she simply sat, silent and still.

He cleared his throat and started to speak. “I…”

“What?” She leaned forward and took hold of Rhys’s hands.

He looked up. His gaze was so intense it immobilized her. “I couldn’t survive another death like that.”

“Could you believe that I would be less reckless? That I would listen to your suggestions? That I would only accompany you only when you deemed it safe?”

“No, Amanda. I don’t want you involved in this.” She swallowed hard. “I’m sorry I ran away last night. I was—” Rhys held up a hand. “You don’t need to explain.”

She smiled, grateful he wasn’t going to push her. “I do need your help. Will you at least agree to continue working on my investigation too?” Maybe if the two investigations overlapped she would be able to learn more about his secret life as a government agent.

“Will you agree to follow the rules you just stated?” Reluctantly, Amanda nodded.

“Will you be attending the Winstons’ ball tomorrow evening?”

“Yes.”

“I will find you when you arrive. Under no circumstances are you to leave your aunt’s side until I do.”

Amanda wondered whom he hoped to find at the ball, but before she could ask, he rose and headed for the door. “My men are still guarding the house, but I would feel better if you stayed in as much as possible.” He was gone before she could protest.

Rhys sat in the bar at his club the following evening, wishing he could do anything but attend a ball where he had to both mix with society and seek out Faron d’Eglantine.

Not to mention he would spend every minute in terror that Amanda would be harmed.

You’re in love with her.
Farrington’s words from the day before flashed through his mind.

For the sake of his sanity, he needed to finish this investigation as quickly as he could and put some distance between himself and Amanda. Unfortunately he was no closer to figuring out who was after her than he’d been when she first came to him for help. The inquiries his colleagues had made into her father’s financial state hadn’t revealed any dealing that might prompt one of his creditors to attack Amanda.

He ordered another drink, hoping he could chase such thoughts away. Downing it quickly, he checked his watch. If he wanted to get to the ball before Amanda, he needed to leave.

He sat his glass on his table and headed toward the entrance, but before he could call for his gloves and hat, he overheard a conversation taking place by the betting book.

Anger boiled in his chest.

“Many of you have encountered Miss Amanda Halverston as you’ve made your obligatory rounds in society, have you not?” Rhys turned and entered the room where the book was kept. Ten or twelve men, most of them young pups in their first or second Season were gathered around Andreas Mouton. It was Mouton’s voice he’d heard from the vestibule.

Heads nodded and several of the men murmured.

“Then I’m sure at least some of you have felt her icy sting.” Rhys stood at the back of the crowd listening, unable to stop the man without drawing attention to himself. He resisted the urge to call Mouton out then and there.

A voice behind Rhys said “Indeed we have!”

Rhys turned around and encountered Ross MacFarlane, another man who attended Langley’s gatherings, a man he used to consider a friend. Ross clapped Rhys on the shoulder. “Where have you been hiding?”

Rhys forced himself to smile. “Here and there. Trying to find new diversions.” Ross smiled. “London has grown so tedious, has it not?” Mouton continued. “Miss Halverston is one of the coldest women I’ve ever met.

Tonight, I’m issuing a challenge. I need volunteers to enter a competition with me. The winner is the first man to break through her icy shell and show her what a man is for. The rest of you can place your wagers on who you think most likely to succeed.” Several of the young men whistled and cheered. Rhys felt ill. The drinks he’d just finished threatened to come back up. Worst of all, he knew he’d willingly participated in bets like this in his younger years.

Before he could decide how to proceed, Mouton looked up and noticed Rhys. “Good evening, Stanton. From what I’ve heard of your reputation, you would be an excellent contender in my little game. What do you say? Would you care to pit your seductive powers against mine and see if you can bring down our little ice queen?” Rhys wanted to see the man die a slow, painful death. In fact, he could think of few tortures gruesome enough to satisfy him at the moment.

“Come on, Stanton.” Ross took his arm and tugged him toward the front of the crowd. “I for one would put my money on you.”

“Yes, come on, Stanton, let’s put your name down.” This from a man he’d gone to Oxford with.

The last thing Rhys wanted to do was get his name mixed up with something so sordid. Yet, if he protested, everyone would want to know why. The man he’d pretended to be when he moved in society would certainly go along with such a scheme.

He wanted to challenge every man in room and knock them all senseless for their insult to Amanda. But if, as he strongly suspected, Mouton was connected to d’Eglantine

and to the men who were after Amanda, he couldn’t risk letting his feelings for Amanda be known.

He plastered a smile on his face and ignored the knot constricting his throat. “Sounds like damn good fun. Sign me up.”

Mouton smiled. “Nothing like a good challenge to make me work all the harder.”

*

Amanda searched the crowd for Rhys. She had gotten her aunt settled quite some time ago and was feeling agitated. She searched each group of dancers, let her eyes roam over everyone who stood along the walls, and maneuvered herself to see the men and women coming through the receiving line. Still no sign of him.

She had hoped to find him as soon as they arrived, but she hadn’t warned him that Aunt Claire liked to be as early as fashion allowed so she could get in plenty of gossiping before she grew too tired and had to seek her bed.

As she examined the dancers once again, Amanda spotted a man she was certain she’d seen in the Black Eagle the night before. Could he be the man Rhys had recognized? He was in the same set as Elise. If Rhys had not arrived by the time the dance ended, she would to seek out her sister and find out if she knew the man.

“What’s got you so impatient?”

Aunt Claire’s question startled her, making her jump.

“I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to scare you, but you must admit you are awfully agitated tonight.”

“I suppose I am. Mr. Stanton reserved a dance, but he hasn’t arrived yet. I’m hoping he will fail to attend so I will not have to hold to the promise.” Aunt Claire gave her a penetrating stare, and Amanda feared for a moment that her aunt could read her thoughts. “I see,” was her aunt’s only reply.

Moments later, the music ceased, and the dancers began to walk from the floor to seek their next partners. “Excuse me, Aunt Claire. I wish to speak with Elise.”

“Good luck finding her in this crush. I feel lucky to keep up with myself.”

Amanda couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll be back in a few moments.”

“Don’t feel like you have to hover over me all night. I’m in far better health than you believe me to be.”

“I simply want to be here if you should need anything.”

“Suit yourself. If Mr. Stanton arrives should you like me to scold him for you?” Amanda forced herself to smile. “No, thanks. Just tell him I’ve gone in search of my sister, and I will return shortly.”

“All right, dear.” Aunt Claire smiled a bit too knowingly, and Amanda rushed off before her aunt could question her further.

Rhys would give her no end of hell if he arrived and found her disobeying his instructions. Of course it was his fault for being so late, not that he would see it that way.

Amanda pushed her way through the crowd, wishing she was taller. She was looking to the side and thus did not see the man who stepped in front of her. She ran straight into him, and he grabbed her arm to steady her.

“I am sorry, sir,” she said, trying to pull away from him. He kept a firm grip on her arm.

“Not at all. I consider it fortuitous when beautiful women fall into my arms.” Amanda repressed a shudder. Not only did his attempt at flattery annoy her, something about him made her skin crawl. His eye patch only added his sinister appearance. She tugged on her arm and succeeding in freeing it. “I appreciate your assistance, but I can stand on my own now.

He gave a slight bow. “Would you do me the honor of dancing with me later this evening?” The arrogance in his tone made her grit her teeth. Who did this man think he was? They hadn’t been properly introduced, and he was asking for a dance.

Did he think her so naïve she didn’t even know the basic rules of society? “I’m sorry, sir. I will not be dancing this evening. I must look to the needs of my aunt. Besides, it would be most improper as we have not been introduced.”

She allowed herself to look at him more closely. There was something familiar about him, especially his protruding eye. She was almost certain she’d seen him somewhere else as well.

“I would gladly remedy that oversight,” he said, but she had already begun to walk away. She pretended she did not hear him.

Amanda tried to put the odious man from her mind as she continued to make her way across the ballroom. When she finally had Elise in sight, she sensed someone following her. She turned around and stumbled over Rhys’s feet.

“Your aunt informed me that you had gone in search of your sister.” His voice was low and controlled, but she could tell he was furious.

“You were late.”

“I was regrettably detained. We will discuss your breech of our rules later. Let’s find the younger Miss Halverston while we have the chance.” Without saying anything further, Amanda turned and continued in the direction she’d been going. Rhys smiled as he watched her stiff walk. What perverseness of character was it that made him enjoy irritating her so much?

He spotted Amanda’s sister standing near one of the doors leading to the gardens.