Page 109 of From Rakes to Riches

“Yes, I’m of the same mind,” Theodore agreed. “Playing cards with Huntington is a small sacrifice if Lord Mowbray can shed some light on what happened.”

“Lord Mowbray? Alan?” Margaret blurted, her voice high and sharp.

When Theodore looked at her, she’d gone pale. What the devil?

“Margaret, what’s the matter?” He asked, confused by her sudden, troubled reaction.

“I don’t know where to begin. This is so unexpected.” She’d calmed, though her pensive frown hadn’t changed in the least. “Shortly after you left for America, Lord Mowbray began courting me. I intended, as you suggested, to move on and seek a relationship that could lead to marriage and a family. Stephen was quite disconcerted you’d given me that advice. I think he always hoped you and I…well that matters little now.” She huffed a cleansing breath before she continued. “Anyway, Lord Mowbray continued to call and we became a popular couple. His feelings were engaged quickly, while I was unsure whether I truly cared for him or whether he was a convenient suitor. At times I found him lacking in character.”

“How so?” Theodore asked.

“He asked indelicate questions that made me uncomfortable, especially when he inquired about my dowry. He was quick to anger whenever I commented on his behavior. At first, I ignored it, but it continued to bother me, so I asked him to cease calling. It ended badly. Alan persisted and it became complicated. He called here at the house and messaged me frequently. He claimed he was heartbroken, but it didn’t ring true. I think he was insulted, his self-importance unaccustomed to rejection. Something like that.” She wrung her fingers in her lap as she fell quiet.

“Then what happened?” He prompted.

“One day, everything just stopped. He never came by again. I assumed he grew tired of my refusals.”

“Margaret, I’m sorry.” Theodore fell silent for a moment. “How was it that Stephen allowed this to continue?”

“That was the thing, unfortunately.”

“What was the thing?”

“I didn’t tell Stephen about the deteriorated relationship. I kept it all from him.” She stood up and walked to the fireplace, her back turned as she continued to explain. “I didn’t wantStephen to engage Alan in some foolish battle caused by his desire to protect my reputation. They were friendly enough otherwise. I thought I could end the relationship and no one would be the wiser regarding our private problems. Alan and I would part as friends within the public eye.”

“This does add another layer to the situation. Stephen would definitely have objected if he’d known Mowbray mistreated you. However, relationships end. If you’d confided in your brother, he might have been able to smooth things over with Mowbray and spared you distress.”

“It wasn’t that simple.”

Margaret turned to face him and Theodore waited for her to explain further, a sense of foreboding hanging in the air between them.

“Alan and I had become intimate.” Margaret looked away again. “I know my brother would have reacted poorly tothatnews.”

“Indeed.” The one word was all Theodore could manage. He certainly understood the fine line between decorum and desire. Had he less conscience earlier today, he would have laid Lola down on the soft grass of the pleasure gardens and lost himself. “Thank you for confiding in me, Margaret. I realize why hearing Mowbray’s name came as a shock, but let’s hope my card game tomorrow evening brings resolution to some of the unanswered questions concerning Stephen’s murder.”

“Yes, that is my wish as well.”

Vauxhall was morecrowded than Lola had seen the entire season and it could only be due to the Cascade presentation that evening. She walked toward the Picture Rooms and Rotunda, closer to the Centre Cross Walk, looking for Sofia so they couldenjoy the spectacle together, but the crowd of pleasure seekers milling about the area made it difficult.

When she went up on tiptoe, she could see above those around her and all the way to the display platform. The curtain that concealed the Cascade hung from a screen and was beautifully decorated by artists who changed the landscape painting each year. When show time neared, the curtain would be drawn back dramatically to increase the anticipation.

Lola wanted to move closer, but at the same time hoped to locate Sofia in the crowd. Her friend was similarly petite and that made it all the more difficult. Nevertheless, Lola eased her way through the joyful families and amorous couples to gain a better vantage point. The Cascade only operated once so if she didn’t find Sofia for the showing, she would still be able to rejoin her friends inside the pavilion before walking home.

Someone brushed against her from behind and she looked over her shoulder seeing only more spectators filling the area. Everyone was packed in tight now as show time neared. She heard the tinkling of a bell and the curtain slowly drew back evoking awestruck gasps and excited exclamations all around her.

The crowd shifted as eager guests tried to gain a better view, but Lola resisted, refusing to be caught in the momentum. She had a good position for watching the display and didn’t want to move before it was over. The show was only ten minutes in length.

Again the crowd surged, an undulation of activity and energy flowing toward the platform, but this time someone pressed against her back. Uncomfortable with the onlooker’s nearness, she attempted to pull away but the stranger,a man, caught her neck from behind. His fingers slid beneath her hair and held her head forward as he leaned in and spoke into her ear. At the same time, she felt the prick of a sharp weapon pressed into her side.

“Poke your nose where it doesn’t belong, Lola, and I’ll have to cut it off.”

The man shoved her forward and she hit hard against the people in front of her. By the time she spun and recovered, the swell of visitors behind her had absorbed the man as if he’d never existed. The Cascade began that very same moment. The spectators around her stood tightly pressed together, shoulder to shoulder, as they watched the fascinating display of roaring water and soothing music.

Everyone delighted in the enchanting performance.

Everyone except Lola.

Her entire body trembled. Her pulse pounded so loudly in her ears she could hear nothing else.

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