The Baron's Marriage Gamble (Holiday Pleasures Book 3) by Theresa Romain

Author:Theresa Romain [Romain, Theresa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Theresa Romain
Published: 2022-10-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Concerning Secret Identities

Edmund tightened his grip on Jane’s hand and waist. The mere thought of doubts and lies must have summoned Turner.

The man spoke in his natural brogue; surely Jane wouldn’t recognize his voice. But no matter the voice, Edmund would know who stood behind his wife. The shape of this particular threat was unmistakable.

“No, you may not have this dance,” Edmund bit off. “The lady is already dancing with me.”

“But you hide your face behind a mask.” Turner’s voice flowed low and liquid beneath the squeaks of the reedy woodwinds. “How is this delightful lass to know if she’s found the man she wants?”

He ought to have appeared ludicrous in his turban of red silk. But somehow it looked a little mad, adding menace to his black demi-mask and sweeping cloak.

“The lady has found the man she wants.” Edmund wished he didn’t feel the old twinge of guilt as he said this. “There is no need for your presence.”

Jane piped up. “Oh, I’m sure this fellow is decent enough for a—”

“The lady is taken.” Edmund glared at Turner, but the eyeholes of his mask were still misaligned, and the black cloth probably received more of his fury than Turner’s own gaze.

As Edmund turned Jane away, she trod on his feet. “I beg your pardon,” she said sweetly. “I lost count of the steps while you were talking to that gentleman.”

“I sincerely doubt he’s a gentleman.”

“Edm—” Jane pressed her lips together, cutting off his name just in time. “What do you mean? We’ve met this person only a minute ago.”

He raised his index finger to indicate that his reply must wait, then led her from the dancing area to a quieter alcove.

When he looked over his shoulder, Turner, turbaned and smiling, was right behind them.

So. He wanted a confrontation in Jane’s hearing. He wanted to break their peace, then flit away with no consequences. Never would Jane suspect that this was her favored Bellamy, or that he was really an Irish traitor.

Never must Jane suspect that Edmund’s father would have been a traitor, too, but for a whisker of fate.

“Perhaps I have reason to mistrust this person,” he told his wife before turning to face the man at his heels.

“Aye, that’s so.” Turner’s teeth flashed bright in the candle glow. “And perhaps I’ve reason to resent this one. Perhaps we’ve known each other for decades.”

“Perhaps we have, and we’re none too glad to meet again.”

“But perhaps,” said Turner behind his mask, “we must, because we’ve an old score to settle.”

Jane folded her arms, but Edmund hardly noticed. He had Turner in his sights now; a Turner that no one knew by another name, that no one loved and admired. Finally, he could speak the truth.

“Perhaps the score would have been settled twenty years ago, if someone hadn’t been far too lenient.” Edmund’s words slipped out quickly, as though they’d been straining against their bonds for some time. “Perhaps I am not so lenient, and my patience is running out.”

Turner grinned, as though he found this statement delightful.

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