Gabriel had found his mother’s body on the day that she had finally made good on her threats and committed suicide. In a final horrific act, his father had been so overwrought that he’d also killed himself, that very same day - in front of his ten-year-old son.
No wonder the poor bastard was twisted; what chance did he have after all? But such empathetic feelings tended to be curtailed when the devil tried to kill you. Twice.
“My dear Edward,” Gabriel continued, smiling, though it was the kind of smile that Lucifer himself must give the new arrivals to his fiery abode. “I have merely discovered that I am late in congratulating your sister on her ... err ... advantageous marriage.”
Edward scowled. He had opposed Violette’s marriage fiercely because it was anything but advantageous. But he had to be fair, Aubrey Russell would be Baron Russell one day, which was perfectly respectable, and he seemed to be making Violette happy. Extremely happy, if he was being fair (which was rare it had to be said), and Violette deserved to be happy. Add the fact that the man was making his fortune with quite startling rapidity… Yes, perhaps his interest in this locomotive deal smacked rather of trade, but Edward had never had much time for the kind of men who sat about twiddling their thumbs while their estates crumbled to dust, in any case. He had begun to find he rather admired Mr Russell, though he’d never admit it to his sister.
“I’ll be sure to pass on your felicitations, cousin,” Edward replied, his tone dry. Violette was terrified of Demorte, and would run a mile from him, or even all the way to London, alone and unchaperoned.
He felt a swell of rage at the man who had so frightened his sister. Gabriel’s mouth curled a little further as he must well know what Edward was thinking. Edward bit back any further angry remarks, knowing that his cousin would relish an outburst on his part. He thrived on their animosity.
“You’re looking well, Edward, if I might observe it.”
“Not dead, you mean?” Edward replied, his tone mild.
Gabriel grinned, showing a row of even, white teeth. “Ah, how well we understand each other.”
Edward said nothing.
This was typical of the man and his mind games. He had come for no other reason than to unsettle Edward and remind him that he still had an enemy at large.
As if he could forget it.
“Well, then, dear cousin,” Gabriel said, sweeping a theatrical bow. “I will bid you good day.”
***
Belle stared out at the barren, snow covered landscape with quiet rage as she watched her sister walking in the grounds, alone, with Lord Benjamin Lancaster. The youngest son of a marquess, he would have been quite a catch for Crecy. If Crecy favoured him, Belle would happily have promoted the union, if not for the fact that Ben Lancaster was a notorious rake!
“Do stop being so stuffy, Belinda,” her aunt was saying. “The man is a lord, and even if he is only the youngest son, he’s rumoured to have a rather splendid fortune. You must give the man time to fall in love with her. If only she would put some effort into catching him. But still, if he gets her on her own, he should be able to persuade her, he’s dreadfully handsome.” Her aunt gave a dejected sigh. “I admit, of course, that I had hopes that Winterbourne himself might show an interest ...”
Belle felt her temper flare at this appalling woman and her dreadful lack of care. “Yes, and I suppose it matters little if she ruins herself; after all, you’ll merely offer him a carte blanche on her behalf, I suppose?”
Aunt Grimble levelled her with a cool look of dislike. “The world is a hard place for a woman with no fortune, you foolish girl. She’d be fortunate indeed to be offered such. You don’t know how lucky you’ve been in me. You’ve never appreciated my generosity in taking you in, and letting you both eat me out of house and home ...”
“Using us as unpaid slaves, dangling Crecy in front of every man with a fortune no matter his age or character, like a worm on a hook ...” Belle interjected in fury, pulling on her pelisse as fast as she could, having had quite enough of any pretence of politeness to the odious creature.
“Well, I tell you this, you ungrateful cat,” Aunt Grimble sneered. “This is your last chance. You’ll have this season to snare yourselves a wealthy husband, and if you don’t manage it, you’re out. I’ll not house you any longer, for a pair of more grasping, insensible creatures, I’ve never come across!” Belle gasped at the sheer audacity of the woman, calling them grasping! “Not to mention that unnatural sister of yours and her love of dead and broken things.” Her aunt gave a visible shudder, and on this point, Belle felt a little less certain. The room they shared was littered with all manner of skulls and bones and odd things that her sister had found. If she’d been a more sensitive creature, Belle would likely have suffered nightmares.
But the threat of being thrown on the streets was too real to be merely a nightmare. Belle had known it was inevitable, though, whatever the wretched woman might say. She’d always planned to kick Belle out after this season if neither of them had found a husband, and as for Crecy ... Belle shuddered.
“Well, you’ll just have to start paying for some staff, then,” Belle replied with dignity as she tied her bonnet. “If you can find someone to work for such a vulgar, miserly muck worm.” And with that she sailed out of the door with the gratifying image of Aunt Grimble, mouth agape with shock, etched upon her mind.
Her satisfaction was short-lived, however, and terror began to churn in her stomach. Good God, whatever was to become of them?
For the moment, however, she had to rescue Crecy.
The gardens were lovely in their seasonal dusting of snow, and despite the cold, it was a beautiful day. A sky so pure and blue that the day was almost too bright to bear, glinting upon the pristine white covering that had been thrown over the countryside like a cloak. Thankfully, the snow wasn’t deep, merely an inch or so, and as no one else had dared venture out into the freezing atmosphere, Crecy and Lord Lancaster’s footsteps were easy to track.
It appeared that she had arrived not a moment too soon, as she crested a small hill and looked down upon the shallow valley that led towards a thick patch of woodland, to discover Lord Lancaster making his move. Crecy had been examining something on the ground, brushing the snow away as Lord Lancaster crouched beside her. As she looked around, smiling with delight at whatever (no doubt revolting) thing she had discovered, Lancaster moved in ... and kissed her.
Predictably, to Belle, at least, Crecy exclaimed in outrage and then gave Lancaster a hard shove, sending him sprawling backwards into the snow in an ungainly heap.
Belle hurried up to them, sending Crecy a look of pure fury before turning her attention to Lancaster. Crecy had the decency to look sheepish, at least, while to her surprise and relief, Lord Lancaster seemed to have seen the funny side of it.