“On the contrary. I do not betray my friends. Which is why you would rather have me on your side than against it.”
In the wake of his threat, the crackle of the fire seemed to grow louder. Ben kept his expression neutral.Take the bait, you bastards…
“In that case.” Edgecombe raised his glass, his tone sardonic. “Allow me to be the first to welcome you back, oldfriend.”
28
Since parting from Ben a week ago, Livy had been consumed by thoughts of him. She worried about his welfare and the progress he was making with his villainous former cronies. He had succeeded in getting back into their fold; stories were emerging in drawing rooms across London about Hadleigh’s reunion with the Horsemen.
While attending a luncheon with Fiona and Glory, Livy had overheard two ladies gossiping loudly about a certain duke who’d fallen back into his old ways. Tittering, they’d sipped tea and savored the tidbits about tavern brawls, drunken wagers, and visits to houses of ill repute. Livy’s hands had fisted around her silverware, her stomach too knotted for her to eat.
Although Ben had warned her about the possibility of gossip, she hadn’t realized how painful it would be to hear such dreadful tales told about him. To witness Society’s glee at the Duke of Hadleigh’s apparent relapse into degeneracy. Knowing his true reasons yet being unable to defend him frustrated her to no end. She’d wanted to tell the clucking hens to shut their beaks and mind their own business.
How she yearned to see Ben. Yet she could not: he had made it abundantly clear that contacting him during his covert undertaking could compromise her safety and his own. In the case of an emergency, she could relay a message through Mr. Chen, who had ways of getting in touch with Ben.
Even if Livy couldn’t be with Ben, she was determined to help him. She and the other Angels had spent the week conducting their own investigation into Longmere’s killer. They’d spoken with the earl’s housekeeper, Mrs. Ingerson. The good lady had provided a list of models who had posed for her employer in recent weeks. When Fiona had delicately inquired if the deceased had seemed friendly with any of the women, Mrs. Ingerson had denied it.
“The master, God rest his soul, had eyes only for his wife,”she’d said.
For what it was worth, Livy was relieved at Longmere’s apparent fidelity. Since the funeral, Pippa had spiraled deeper into grief, and the last thing Livy wanted was to add to her friend’s burdens. She, Fiona, and Glory had interviewed various models, who’d all confirmed that Longmere’s behavior had grown increasingly agitated leading up to his demise but had little new information to share.
At present, the Angels were en route to visit Miss Alicia Hoskins, one of Longmere’s favorite muses who’d just returned from the countryside where she’d been tending to a sick relative. The carriage ride gave the trio a chance to chat. Glory and Fi shared the opposite bench, their pastel skirts overlapping like petals.
“Any news from Hadleigh?” Fiona asked.
“No.” Livy sighed. “I do miss him so.”
“You will be reunited soon.” Framed by the pleated green silk lining of her bonnet, Glory’s face was sympathetic. “He has managed to infiltrate his former group. Once he finds Fong, there will be nothing stopping you from your happily ever after.”
In front of her closest friends, Livy couldn’t hide her worries any longer.
“Hadleigh and I still have a rather large barrier to surmount,” she said in a rush.
Fi’s blue eyes were keen. “The fact that you haven’t told him about the Society of Angels, you mean?”
Livy nodded, recalling her last night with Ben. After their second round of lovemaking, he’d cuddled her in bed. With her cheek pressed against his hard chest, her body warm and relaxed, she’d never felt more content. She’d almost drifted off when his deep voice lured her back.
“I cannot wait until the day I make you mine,”he’d said.
Giddy with joy, she’d looked into his intent sapphire eyes.“I love you so much, Ben. Marriage will be the grandest adventure for us.”
He’d rolled atop her, his weight braced on his arms. His grave expression had caused an uncertain flutter in her belly.
“Marriage isn’t just about love. As an adventure, it comes with perils,”he’d said. “I have been married so I know the pitfalls. A relationship can go astray if two people are not on the same page.”
Guilt had tensed every filament of her being, the truth burning in her throat.
“I will not repeat my mistakes,”he’d continued.“As I’ve said, I mean to be the master of my own house, and I need to know that you will follow my guidance and not just in bed. I expect your loyalty, honesty, and obedience, even during my absence.”
Recalling his solemn gaze and the inflexible set of his jaw, Livy swallowed.
“The longer I put off telling him the truth, the harder it gets,” she blurted. “But Charlie still hasn’t budged on the secrecy oath. And even if she gave me permission, I am afraid of telling Hadleigh since he would force me to quit the Society.”
“Are you certain he would do that?” Glory knitted her brows. “What if you explained to him how much you love being an investigator?”
“Youhaveseen Hadleigh with Livy, haven’t you, dear?” Fiona’s tone was wry. “Even when he wasn’t courting her, he was like an overprotective older brother. I can only imagine what he is like now that he intends to make her his duchess. He will forbid her from taking risks, ergo she can bid adieu to our group.”
Frowning, Glory said, “That sounds dreadfully high-handed.”
