When a Rogue Meets His Match - Elizabeth Hoyt Page 0,92

as if she was imagining the juicy meat in front of her. Then she sighed and smiled at Messalina. “I do love a good leg of lamb. I hope Hicks doesn’t burn it.”

The door opened as she was speaking, and Crusher entered. He waited respectfully to be noticed and then cleared his throat. “A Mr. Blackwell to see you, ma’am. Shall I show him in, or are you not receiving?”

He must’ve come to see Gideon. Messalina had no idea where Gideon was at the moment—or when he might return—but she quite liked Mr. Blackwell.

“Please show him in,” Messalina replied, and then turned back to Lucretia. “Perhaps you should sit up to meet visitors.”

Lucretia sighed heavily but obeyed.

A moment later Will Blackwell came in, and Messalina was startled anew by how handsome the man was. He was wearing a robin’s egg–blue suit today—the same blue as his eyes.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Hawthorne,” he said, crossing the room to take her hand and bow over it. He smiled charmingly. “I do apologize for interrupting your afternoon tea.”

Messalina indicated the tea table in disarray and the one remaining piece of seedcake, which Lucretia was eyeing forlornly. “As you can see, we’ve nearly finished. I do hope you’ll join us, though.”

“Thank you.” Mr. Blackwell turned to bow over Lucretia’s hand with a roguish twinkle. “I trust I find you well, Miss Greycourt.”

“Mr. Blackwell.” Lucretia nodded.

Messalina looked for signs of Lucretia’s interest in the man but couldn’t discern any. Messalina sighed. It would be very convenient if Lucretia found a man to love—marriage would help to shield her from their uncle.

Messalina rang for the maids to clear the dishes and bring fresh tea.

That done, she indicated a chair across the low table from her and Lucretia. “Please be seated, Mr. Blackwell. I’m afraid that Gideon is not at home.”

“So your butler informs me,” Mr. Blackwell said. “Do you know when he’ll return?”

“I’m afraid not.” Messalina tried to make her reply as casual as she could, but the fact was that she and Gideon had hardly spoken in the last few days. His schedule and work, which had always been obscure, were now entirely closed to her.

The thought was depressing. She had a marriage in name only, a union of two people yoked together for the rest of their lives. She could imagine becoming old and bitter. Such marriages were not uncommon in society. This was why she’d always been wary of marriage. Had always wanted her autonomy.

She’d thought she’d had both with Gideon.

She was a fool. She wished she could turn back time and never have married Gideon.

But then she’d never have seen the laughter in his black eyes. Never discussed boys in St Giles and the importance of a good tailor.

She would not have felt his hard hands on her body. Would never have seen his face softened in sleep.

Her heart was sore.

Mr. Blackwell tutted, interrupting her thoughts. “Odd. Gideon sent round a note to meet him here today to discuss some matters. Perhaps I have the date or time wrong. Hawthorne is usually punctual.”

“I’m sorry to be of no help,” Messalina replied as the maids arrived with the tea.

“Please,” Mr. Blackwell said. “It is I who should apologize for thrusting my company upon you and your sister.”

Messalina smiled as she leaned forward to pour the tea. Hicks had included more seedcake as well as Lucretia’s favorite lemon tarts, which he must’ve sent out for.

Hicks’s attempt at piecrust yesterday had been an unfortunate failure.

Lucretia seemed to perk up at the sight of the lemon curd tarts. “What sort of business do you and my brother-in-law deal in, Mr. Blackwell? Surely not the same business Mr. Hawthorne does for the Duke of Windemere?”

“Indeed, no.” Mr. Black laughed, accepted a dish of tea from Messalina. “The business I engage in is much more civilized. Mining, mainly. I’ve a plan to—”

He was interrupted by a commotion from outside the sitting room.

One of the maids ran in. “Oh, come quickly, ma’am!”

Messalina jumped to her feet, dread in her stomach. She hurried to the stairs, vaguely aware that Lucretia and Mr. Blackwell were behind her.

Halfway down the steps the entry hall came into sight and she stopped, suddenly light-headed.

Reggie and the new footmen were bringing Gideon in on an improvised litter.

His face was entirely covered in blood, and he was still.

For a second she feared the very worst.

Then Keys glanced up and saw her. “I’ve sent for the doctor, ma’am.”

Messalina sagged against the banister, nodding faintly. Lucretia put an arm