She said rather wearily, “I think he is not the first man to take a mistress, Papa.”
“I collect you refer to my own reputation,” he snapped, bristling.
Naomi looked at him steadily, for his numerous successes with London’s ladies were no secret.
“The situation is entirely different,” he said, taking a turn about the room and waving his wineglass to emphasize his statements. “I am a widower, my children grown.” He avoided her eyes here, since his amorous adventures had distressed his wife long before her demise. “A gentleman may take one mistress, or a dozen—can he afford the pretty creatures. But he is required to exercise discretion. Young Rossiter pays small heed to the conventions, and evidently ain’t learned yet that the man who is so callous as to leave his mistress and her brat to starve, has put himself beyond the pale! For that alone, he’d be blackballed.”
“So you knew there was a child,” she said quietly.
“Of course I knew! All England knows, I shouldn’t wonder. Men enjoy a juicy piece of gossip just as much as you ladies, m’dear. If I heard it once, I heard it a score of times, to say nothing of his frequent assignations with a lightskirt in some garden or other. But”—he gave a gesture of impatience—“you knew all this, and were no less disgusted than I, as I recall.”
“I had not known about the—the child.”
“Humph. And Master Newby was pleased to put you in possession of that detail, was he? Famous! And typical that he should repeat such tales to a lady. Well, if nothing else, it should convince you that explanations from me are neither required nor necessary. Captain Rossiter would have to be a proper fool not to know damned well where he stands with us. When he had the gall to demand that Pawson carry up his card, I could scarce believe it. I was so sure ’twas a ruse in fact, I stole a look at him from the landing. Blessed if I’d have recognized him, for he’s thin as any rail and bears little resemblance to the arrogant young Buck who went riding off to—”
“My God!” Her father’s words had struck a chord, and Naomi paled, the wine splashing onto her dressing gown as she cried out a shocked, “Then—’twas him!”
“Eh? What the deuce are you flying into a pucker about now?”
“The men who rid up to help us during the hold-up were both officers. I had never met the one who shot August, but I kept thinking there was something familiar about his friend. I realize now that it must—Oh, Lud! ’Tis incredible! But—it must have been—”
“Gideon… Rossiter?”he interrupted, almost equally astonished. “The deuce!” They stared at each other for a stunned instant. Then the earl said with a slow grin, “In that event, I’d not be surprised to discover ’twas all a hoax! The young devil likely arranged the hold-up only to try and restore himself to your good graces.”
Shocked, she said, “No, how can you think so awful a thing? Two men were killed, and—”
“Yokels! Pah! England has an over-abundance of such!”
“—and Gideon—if ’twas Gideon—did not even recognize me.”
Her caveat was disregarded. Vastly amused, he said, “I’ve come at the heart of it, stap me if I ain’t! Why, that slippery rascal! No, never look so starched up. Give him credit for a good try, at least!”
She shook her head stubbornly. “I know he has behaved very badly, but I’ll not believe this of him. Besides, an his motives are as you say, he played his cards poorly. His manner towards me was far from conciliating, to say the least of it. I feelsurethat he did not recognize me. ’Twas almost dark, and I had fallen and was soaking wet, with my hair all down and over my face. I doubtyouwould have known me at that moment.” More shaken than she wished to reveal, she set her unfinished wine aside and came to her feet. “Now, sir, with your permission, I shall bid you good night.”
My lord stood as his daughter swept him a curtsy. “Very well, get to your bed, child, and we shall be charitable and accept your version of the affair. In which case, I should offer up thanks for your—er, knights in shining armour.” He chuckled to himself. “Falcon and Rossiter! A half-breed, and a rascally and disgraced opportunist! The devil anoint me if ever a lady won herself two more dubious champions!”
Naomi paused and observed coldly, “You were the one chose him for my husband, Papa.”
“True enough. But that was long ago, and now you are the one refuses all others. You’ve rejected some damned fine offers. ’Tis past time you allied yourself with a worthy gentleman.”
“Is there such a creature, sir?” Her lip curled. “’Pon rep, but I begin to doubt it.”
He chuckled. “Not such a green girl, are you, my pet? Then settle for a rich one, worthy or not. You’re two and twenty, and I am being hinted that you’re on the shelf—though damn ’em, that’s nine parts jealousy on the part of the women, at least. Still, it does not suit me to have a spinster daughter, so make up your mind, or I’ll make it up for you! There’s a fine gentleman fairly slavering to lay his riches at your feet, and—Well, I shall say no more tonight. You look hagged. Get to your bed, and pleasant dreams.”
Pleasant dreams! If she had any dreams tonight he had ensured that they would be nightmares…
Lord Simon strolled to the door with her, then said casually, “Oh, by the bye, send down the package before you retire.”
Naomi tried to gather her badly scattered wits. “Package…?”
“The package you collected from the jeweller in Canterbury.” His smile a little tight, he added, “Your head is really full of windmills tonight.”
“Oh, my goodness! What with all the excitement, I had quite forgot.”
The earl’s fingers tightened about the door handle. “Youdidget it?”
“Yes, sir. ’Tis—in my reticule, I think.”
He said very softly, “One trusts it is! We’ll have your woman down here with it. Now.” He crossed to the bell pull.
