Page 41 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
Macie banished the delicious, far-from-chaste image from her mind. Her thoughts of the man tasked with playing bodyguard were more heated—and more risky—than any scandal she’d ever concocted. She could no longer look upon him as a means to deter the heiress hunters.
No. Finn was more than that.
Could she play out the romantic charade she’d planned without getting carried away?
“Rumor has it you’re exceedingly proficient at well-timed moments of, shall we say, a deliberate lack of grace.” Amelia’s question offered a welcome distraction. Leaning closer, she dropped her voice to a conspiratorial tone. “Is there any truth to the stories?”
“Perhaps.” Macie reached for her glass of white wine. “Though I suspect some of the tales might be a bit tall, so to speak.”
“I suspected as much. Heaven knows I would never take what the gossips say at face value. Why, some of the bored biddies believed my husband to be an outlaw. In the American west, no less. Of course, he does look the part, doesn’t he?” Amelia’s coy half-smile revealed more than her words. “And he did spend time in America. I suppose he was a bit of a rogue in those days.”
“My brother spoke of Logan’s travels. I do believe Jon would have loved to have joined him, but he’s spread rather thin with his various enterprises.”
“I’ve made his acquaintance. He seems to be a most responsible man.”
“Responsible,” Macie repeated as more apt descriptions ran through her thoughts.Staid. Stodgy. Oh-so-dedicated to Papa’s businesses.“That is one way of putting it. He’s so very sensible. I do wish he would loosen up and enjoy life a bit.”
“Perhaps that time will come.” A reflective look fell over Amelia’s features. “Not long ago, I would have described myself in like terms. Sensible, but a bit too independent to be prim and proper. Above all, I wanted a quiet, serene life. Until the day when Logan marched into my library, clad in black from head to toe. The very thought of him still makes a bit warm all over.” Amelia’s mouth curved in a little grin. “Trust me when I tell you that marriage to a reformed rogue can be quite delicious.”
“I do hold out hope. Perhaps, someday, I’ll be swept off my feet.”
“As I said, I put little stock in the rumor mill. But the tales of your shenanigans putting bores in their place are delightful.”
“Putting bores in their place,” Macie repeated. “I do like the sound of that.”
“I simply must know what really happened at the Midsummer’s Night masquerade.” Amelia’s eyes brightened. “I’m told the incident involved a fairy wand, of all things.”
“Ah, the summer party. I cannot say precisely how I accomplished that feat, though I’m certain a bit of luck was involved.” Macie smiled at the memory. “My costume was quite a bit of fun, with lovely ruffles, sea-blue wings, and a large, pointy wand. The villainous viscount should consider himself fortunate he walked away unscathed.”
“The villainous viscount?” Amelia chuckled. “What a marvelous title for a penny dreadful.”
“Ah, the man was an utter cad. I had no intention of causing a scene that night. The ballroom was rather crowded, and I was enjoying the lovely evening. Until the viscount invited to me to dance. I saw no harm in it, but when we attempted to waltz—despite the dolt’s utter lack of rhythm—he dared an overly bold maneuver. As I slipped away from his reach, the tip of the wand struck him soundly across his face.”
Amelia looked to be fighting laughter. “Good heavens.”
“Oh, it gets worse. The fop’s monocle flew off his face and landed in the midst of a lady’s ample cleavage.” Macie grinned. “I can still picture her look of utter shock.”
“Oh, dear,” Amelia said. “I can well imagine the scene. You must tell me this... did the cad retrieve his eyepiece?”
“He did,” Macie said with a little giggle. Before she could elaborate, Finn and Logan returned to the table. Their expressions were somber. Perhaps even grim.
She set her wine glass to the side as a slight prickle of alarm trickled over her nape. A visitor had arrived at the café a fewminutes earlier, a wiry young man clearly known to both Finn and Logan. He had joined them at the bar for a few moments before making a hasty exit.
“Logan, why was your assistant here?” Amelia did not hide her concern. “Is something wrong?”
“One of the regulars at the Rogue’s Lair has a connection to the detective bureau. He tends to ramble, but the bloke usually knows what he’s talking about.” Logan kept his voice low. “Tim figured we’d want to know what the man revealed about the intruder. The old man has not regained consciousness. But the physicians believe they know why he collapsed.”
Macie leaned closer. “Did his heart give out?”
Finn shook his head. “Nothing of the sort. What happened... was not due to natural causes.”
An invisible weight sunk into the pit of Macie’s stomach. “Not natural?”
Finn plowed a hand through his hair. “The physicians observed certain signs of poison.”
“Poison?” Macie repeated dully.
Logan replied with a grim nod. “They suspect a toxin that accelerated his heart.”
