Mischief by Amanda Quick

Author:Amanda Quick
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, azw3
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780553571905
Publisher: Bantam
Published: 1996-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Imogen could not stop shivering. She huddled against Matthias, seeking his strength and warmth as he carried her down a flight of stairs and along a hallway. She kept her face pressed against his shoulder, her eyes squeezed shut in a vain attempt to stop the tears.

Voices, some laced with genuine concern, others with bored curiosity, floated past as Matthias strode swiftly toward the door of the mansion.

I say, Colchester, something wrong with Miss Waterstone?” a man asked.

She is not feeling well,” Matthias said without inflection.” Her nerves are overwrought. The excitement of the engagement, you know.”

The man chuckled.” Of course. Expect you’ll be able to come up with something to ease her fears.”

Imogen wanted to protest that her nerves were much too strong to be overset by something so mundane as an engagement, but she did not dare raise her face from Matthias’s shoulder. The man would see her tears.

Shall I summon a doctor, sir?” a footman inquired.

No, I shall escort her home. All she needs is rest.”

I’ll see to your carriage, my lord.”

Thank you.”

Imogen felt cool air against her skin. They were outside at last.

In another moment she would be safely enclosed in Matthias’s carriage.

Hooves and wheels clattered on the cobblestones. There was the sound of a coach door being opened. Matthias stepped into the cab with Imogen in his arms. He lowered himself onto the cushioned seat and cradled her against him.

Calm yourself.” He held her very tightly as the carriage set off into the night.” It’s all right, my dear. It’s over. You are safe.”

But you are not.” Safe from prying eyes at last, Imogen erupted from the circle of his arms. She seized his shoulders and tried to shake him.” What in God’s name have you done, Matthias?”

Matthias did not move. He did not even seem to notice her fingers crushing the fine fabric of his black greatcoat. He watched her with gleaming, unreadable eyes.” I was about to ask you the same question.”

She ignored that, her attention fixed on the dire situation at hand.” You challenged Vanneck to a duel. Dear heaven, Matthias, how could you do such a thing?”

Under the circumstances, it seemed the only appropriate response.”

But I am unhurt.”

Matthias took her chin in his hand.” For which I can only thank God and your own brave heart. You are really quite amazing, my dear. I do believe you came close to killing Vanneck with that picture frame.”

Then surely there was no need to challenge him,” she said desperately.

Matthias stroked the corner of her mouth with his thumb. His eyes gleamed in the shadows. The fact that you managed to save yourself does not mean that I can allow Vanneck to go unchallenged. Indeed, I have no choice.”

That is not true.” More tears welled up in Imogen’s eyes. She dashed the back of her hand against them.” He is not worth it, my lord. I cannot allow you to risk your life in a duel. I refuse to let you meet him.”

Matthias tipped her chin up slightly and searched her wet face with an oddly bemused expression.

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