A Secret Surrender, page 15
Harry went back to the woman and took her name and where she lived. “I will file a report about the theft. I’ll speak to the management here and will conduct a full search of the area in the daylight tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you,” her husband responded. “I doubt you’ll find it, but I appreciate you trying.”
The woman began to cry again in earnest, and Harry left her husband to comfort her. He turned to Selina.
“What do you think happened?” Selina asked.
“I suspect she was the victim of a very accomplished pickpocket. Places like this are rife with them. Her husband is unfortunately correct in that she should not have worn such a thing here.” Harry glanced around. “I wonder where the thief got off to. I am not aware of other entrances besides the front gate, and a wall surrounds the entire garden.”
“Excuse me. I wonder if I may be of assistance?”
Harry pivoted to see a rather tall gentleman. He was impeccably dressed, a Society gentleman to be sure, but Harry didn’t know him.
The man offered his hand. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Raphael Bowles, the owner of these gardens.”
Taking his hand, Harry inclined his head. “Then, yes, you can help.”
The owner turned his head to look at Selina. Harry opened his mouth to introduce her, but she spoke before he could. “Mr. Sheffield, allow me to present my brother.”
Surprise sparked through Harry as he looked from her back to Bowles and then back again. He saw a slight resemblance, and it wasn’t just their height—both were unusually tall. There was something in the angle of their cheekbones and the shape of their eyes, though it was difficult to see Bowles’s very well given the brim of his hat.
A firework flashed overhead, and then Harry could see the man’s vivid blue eyes, which were very similar in color to Selina’s. He recalled her mentioning that her brother had taught her to shoot, but she’d never said another word about him, certainly not that he lived here in London. Harry was annoyed with himself for not asking. He realized there were many things he didn’t know about her.
He wanted to know her better, but perhaps she didn’t feel the same about him. Would she accept his proposal?
“Come, let us repair to my supper box to discuss the situation,” Bowles suggested. “Give me a moment to speak with the woman.” He moved to the victim and her husband.
“Your brother lives in London?” Harry worked to keep any hint of hurt from his tone.
Selina nodded serenely. “Yes.”
Harry found her one-word answer frustrating, but then he knew her to be enigmatic, particularly about her family and her past. “You didn’t mention that, or the fact that he owns these gardens.”
“I didn’t know about Spring Hollow. We aren’t particularly close.” Regret flashed across her features, and Harry felt contrite. She didn’t talk about her family or her past because there seemed to be pain.
“That’s too bad.”
She looked him in the eye. “It is indeed.”
Chapter 11
Selina’s mind swirled as she watched Rafe talk to the woman whose bracelet Beatrix had stolen. There was no question that was what had happened. Beatrix and Rachel approached her as Harry joined the conversation between Rafe and the couple.
The fireworks continued overhead as if the theft and ensuing drama hadn’t happened. Most people had transferred their attention to the sky.
“I’m glad I’m wearing nothing of value,” Rachel said.
Beatrix’s gaze met Selina’s and revealed nothing. It didn’t matter because Selina knew, and they’d discuss it later. This was a risk Beatrix never should have taken, not while she was in the presence of Harry’s sister—and when Harry himself was just a short distance away!
Selina kept her face impassive so as not to expose her inner frustration. Beatrix knew her well enough to probably realize Selina was furious. But there were more important things to address at present.
“I introduced our brother to Mr. Sheffield,” she said to Beatrix, who again was careful to guard her expression.
She simply nodded.
“Apparently, he owns these gardens,” Selina continued.
“Does he?” Rachel asked, glancing around. “You didn’t know?”
Selina shook her head. “We aren’t particularly close.”
“And why is that?” Rachel looked between Selina and Beatrix.
“We haven’t seen each other much since we were children. Beatrix and I were sent to a ladies’ seminary.” That was all Selina intended to say. Thankfully, Rachel’s husband arrived and distracted her.
Beatrix moved closer to Selina and murmured, “Sorry.”
Selina looked toward her in displeasure but said nothing. Harry and Rafe came toward them. Taking a deep breath, Selina prepared herself for what would come next. There was always a part to play. She glanced at Beatrix and silently communicated that it was time to focus.
“Good evening, Rafe,” Beatrix said. “Selina just told me you own these gardens. How extraordinary.”
“I purchased them only last year.”
“The renovations are excellent,” Harry noted.
“How is the lady whose bracelet was stolen?” Rachel asked.
“Much better, particularly since Mr. Bowles said he would ensure the area was thoroughly searched tomorrow, and if the bracelet isn’t found, he offered to replace the value.” Harry looked at Rafe with a contemplative expression that made Selina a bit unsettled. “I must tell you, Bowles, while noble, that’s a terrible idea. What if the woman is lying and there never was a bracelet?”
“What a cynical suggestion,” Rafe said, cocking his head to the side.
“It’s my line of work, I’m afraid.”
“That would be an awfully elaborate plan,” Rafe went on. “One that relies entirely on my offering to replace a nonexistent bracelet, which I have never done.”
“Is this the first theft to happen here?” Harry asked.
“To my knowledge,” Rafe replied. “Though I have to think it isn’t, despite the fact that I’ve gone to great lengths to ensure the gardens are very secure.”
Harry nodded. “The wall and the single entrance.”
“It seems to be working.”
“Until tonight.” Harry straightened his coat. “I would still recommend you not reimburse the woman. If that gets out, you will certainly be targeted as softhearted.”
“I somehow doubt that will become a problem,” Rafe said with the dazzling smile Selina remembered from their youth. She had to stop herself from laughing. Softhearted was not a description anyone would have used for him. Except for her. With her, his heart had actually existed. She had the sense, however, that it had long since broken and disintegrated.
Like hers.
She suddenly thought of Harry’s proposal. Not that her heart—or lack of one—had to have anything to do with it. He’d suggested an affair. There’d been no mention of love. It was the best Selina could hope for. She was incredibly tempted.
Rafe looked around the group with a bright expression. “Shall we adjourn to my box for refreshments?”
“Yes, please,” Selina said.
“Allow me to present my sister and her husband,” Harry said before conducting the introductions.
Rafe looked toward Selina as if he were going to offer to escort her to the box, but Harry beat him to it. Instead, Rafe offered his arm to Beatrix. Selina looked at them and could maybe believe they were related. They both had blond hair, anyway.
“How shocking to learn your brother owns these gardens,” Harry observed as they followed Rafe to his box.
“Yes. I’ve only seen him once since arriving in London a couple of months ago,” Selina said, sticking as close to the truth as possible, as she preferred to do.
“Aside from that, I take it you haven’t seen him in some while.”
“Eighteen years.” Again, she adhered to honesty.
Harry turned his head, his eyes widening briefly. “That’s quite a long time.”
“Beatrix and I were sent to a ladies’ seminary.”
“And after, you didn’t return to your family? Or had your brother left by then?”
Selina’s mind stalled. She’d left the school at seventeen to take a position as a governess. It had been such a wonderful opportunity for someone like her—the best she could have hoped for. How wrong she’d been. A familiar tremor shot through her, and she cursed inwardly.
“My apologies,” Harry said softly. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
He’d felt her quiver, dammit. “You didn’t. I did not return to my family.” Thankfully, she didn’t have to say anything more, because they’d arrived at the box, but she knew he’d ask. If not tonight, then some other time. She couldn’t continue to evade him. He worked too hard to unpeel the layers of her protection. He saw too much.
And she was too drawn to him. She wanted him to see. To understand. To comfort.
The urge to tell him everything was nearly overwhelming. She fought to take a breath as her heart began to race.
She couldn’t afford such vulnerability. Which meant she had to decline his proposal. Even though she wanted to accept more than anything.
They arrived at Rafe’s box, a larger one situated at one end of the ground floor. A rectangular table was surrounded on three sides by chairs, leaving the side closest to the main square open to provide an unimpeded view of the dancing and, perhaps more importantly, the people milling about for all at the table. Rafe went to speak with one of the footmen.
Rachel’s husband pulled out a chair for his wife, saying, “What an exciting evening so far!”
Smiling, Rachel glanced up at her husband as she sat. “Yes, and I’m so looking forward to hearing about how Mr. Bowles acquired the gardens.” She looked toward Selina and Beatrix, who were still standing. “As well as how it is we didn’t know you had a brother, Lady Gresham and Miss Whitford.”
Beatrix lifted her hand to her temple. “Actually, I think the fireworks have given me a headache.” She looked to Selina. “Would you mind if we went home?”
Thank goodness, Selina thought. “Not at all.” She looked to Harry. “I don’t want to disturb your evening. We can get a hack.”
“Nonsense.” Rafe had returned, drawing everyone’s attention. “I’ll see you both home.” He turned to a footman and spoke in low tones. The liveried man departed, and Rafe addressed everyone once more. “My coach is being brought round.”
“Thank you,” Beatrix said with a faint smile.
Rafe inclined his head toward Rachel, Nathaniel, and Harry. “Please enjoy the rest of your evening. You’ll be well taken care of.”
Selina let go of Harry’s arm. “I’ll see you soon,” she murmured.
He regarded her with a mix of disappointment and regret. “Yes, soon, I hope.”
After everyone said good night, Rafe gestured for Selina and Beatrix to precede him from the box. They walked in silence from the gardens.
When they were outside awaiting the coach, Selina finally relaxed. She turned to Beatrix. “Thank you.”
“It seemed as though we should organize our story before we had to share it. Sheffield’s sister is as curious as they come.” Beatrix rolled her eyes.
“You’re quite adept at diverting the conversation, however,” Selina said with a measure of pride. Beatrix was a master of changing topics and delighting people with witty observations instead of answering intrusive questions. It was both a skill and a defense employed to keep people from getting too close.
“Thank you,” Beatrix said as a coach stopped in front of them.
Large and obviously new, with cobalt lacquer and a pair of gorgeously matched bays, the vehicle had clearly cost a great sum. Rafe told the coachman where they were going.
“You own these gardens and this coach?” Beatrix asked without a hint of subtlety. “Selina, your brother’s bloody rich.”
“So it would seem,” Selina murmured.
Rafe helped them both up into the coach. “Take the forward-facing seat.” He then climbed in after them and situated himself on the rear-facing seat, taking his hat off and setting it down beside him.
The coach began to move, and Selina settled herself back against the soft leather of the squab. Rafe’s wealth enveloped her, but she felt no bitterness. She couldn’t imagine what he’d had to do to earn this much. Considering the path he’d been on when he’d sent her from London, it couldn’t have been good.
Rafe fixed on Beatrix. “Why did you steal the bracelet?”
“You saw that?” Beatrix asked, a smile teasing her lips. “I must be losing my touch.”
“You aren’t,” Selina said. “Rafe just never misses anything. And he’s probably the only person who can pick a pocket better than you.”
“Is that pride I hear?” Rafe asked with a chuckle. “Back when we were children, I recall your fingers being as adept as mine—and much smaller, so you were able to filch things I couldn’t.”
“Selina taught me everything I know.” Beatrix briefly patted Selina’s hand.
“Beatrix was not born into this life as we were,” Selina explained.
Rafe’s brow creased for a fleeting moment. “We weren’t born into it either.”
Selina didn’t remember anything else, but Rafe recalled snippets of their life before their “uncle” had brought them to London. He remembered their parents, their cheerful father, who had started teaching Rafe to ride, and their kind mother, with her bright blonde hair and love of reading, which Rafe had inherited. He’d made sure to teach Selina, which had set her apart from all the other children they’d grown up with.
“We may as well have been,” Selina murmured. “She stole the bracelet because she likes pretty things.”
Rafe transferred his gaze to Beatrix. “It’s only a matter of time before you’re caught.”
Beatrix shrugged, her shoulder brushing Selina’s. “That won’t happen.”
“Have you tried to pass yourself off as a Society miss before?” Rafe asked, arching a brow.
“On occasion, yes.”
“But not in London. People will watch you more closely here.”
“Not at a pleasure garden,” Beatrix said defensively.
“Ah, well, if that’s the only place you’re doing it…” His tone clearly said he didn’t believe that.
Selina sat up straighter. “Enough. You officially pass the sibling test.” She frowned at Rafe, then cast Beatrix a quelling look. “On that note, I said we haven’t seen you in eighteen years, Rafe, and just once before since we returned to London two months ago.”
“You kept to the truth. As I said earlier, you always were very smart.”
She didn’t want to feel pleased by his compliment, but she did nonetheless. Pleasing him had been her chief objective before he’d sent her away. “I also told them Beatrix and I were sent to boarding school. And in the past, I’ve told Harry—Sheffield—that I am an orphan and was raised by family. A poor one at that.” Rafe studied her closely. She added, “I didn’t specify what sort of family.”
“You seem quite close with Sheffield,” Rafe said slowly.
“I said that I planned to keep him close. He’s reinvestigating the fire on Saffron Hill. That’s progress, isn’t it?”
Rafe crossed his arms over his chest. “It is indeed. I’d hoped to make further progress with him tonight, but Beatrix ruined the plan with her pickpocketing.”
Beatrix scowled at him, and Selina gave her another sharp look before turning her gaze to Rafe. “What was your plan?”
“One of my men was going to share information I’ve learned with your Runner. The denizens of Saffron Hill were told to say the Vicar set that fire.”
“By whom?”
“That I don’t know yet, but someone who frightens them. If your Runner goes digging, I doubt he’ll strike treasure.”
Selina gave him a level stare. “He’s not my Runner.”
“If you say so.” Rafe unfolded his arms, and the movement made him seem larger than his already imposing presence. He commanded the interior of the coach. If he’d been anyone else, Selina might feel threatened. Perhaps. Long ago, she’d vowed not to let men intimidate her.
“How will you get the information to him now?” Selina asked.
“I spoke to one of my men before we left. He’ll ensure the message is delivered before Sheffield leaves the gardens.”
Selina thought of when Rafe had gone to talk to one of the footmen. “You—and the Vicar—have a loyal following.”
“You remember how important that is. Without it, life expectancy is cut at least in half.”
A shiver ran down Selina’s spine. Perhaps she’d been luckier to escape London than she ever realized. Developing relationships with people was not her strength. She shared loyalty with one person—Beatrix—and wasn’t sure she could handle more than that. Which made her sad. She’d expected her reunion with Rafe to come with the love and trust they’d once shared.
Rafe seemed to know what he’d provoked—the realization that he and Selina were practically strangers. “I’m incredibly sorry we lost touch.”
“I am too,” she said softly. Then she hastened to direct the conversation away from the past. Harry will undoubtedly search for the person who told everyone to lie.” She glanced out the window and saw they were close to Queen Anne Street. “You should continue to investigate. The sooner you clear the Vicar’s name, the better. Though I still think you should just kill him. The Vicar, I mean.”
“I will. Eventually.” Rafe glanced between Selina and Beatrix. “Which one of you will fence the bracelet?”
“I will.” Selina smoothed her hand over her skirt.
“Take it to The Golden Lion on Shoe Lane. They’ll give you a good price.”
Selina arched a brow at him. “Is that yours?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Does it matter?”
She didn’t want to take his money. But this wasn’t a direct transaction, and in this instance, she would accept his…assistance. Finding a fair receiver shop was often difficult, especially in London. “I’ve been going to a few places over in Whitechapel.”
