Page 56 of Temptress in Disguise
Naomi found her sister sitting on the bed, rummaging through a pink reticule. “Have you lost something? Perhaps you’re looking for our mother’s ruby ring. I’m told Mrs Boyle pays a handsome price for family heirlooms.”
Lydia’s head shot up. Her eyes widened as she clasped her heaving bosom in her usual dramatic fashion. “Merciful Lord! What have I told you about creeping up on people? I might have died of apoplexy.”
“I’m hardly to blame for being light-footed.”
With a huff of frustration, Lydia stood and threw the reticule on the bed. “How I do despair. I told you not to return to our lodgings. Do you not understand the meaning of unsafe? All you had to do was follow one simple order.”
Ordinarily, Naomi would ignore her sister’s mindless rant. Yet, since spending time with Aramis, she had developed a spine of steel. “I’m not a child. You left the theatre without saying a word. How?—”
“I left a note.”
“A note Mr Budworth stole because he wanted me to fill your shoes and play Hero. I’ve spent sleepless nights worrying about you. Is there to be no apology for the grief you’ve caused?”
Lydia stared at her like she had two heads. “Have you been drinking? Since when were you prone to sudden outbursts?”
Naomi firmed her jaw. “Since you left me at the Belldrake. I was taken to Bow Street and interrogated about Mr Budworth’s murder.”
Lydia had the decency to look a little ashamed. She closed the gap between them and drew Naomi into an embrace. “Oh, my poor darling. Who would think you capable of murder? You’re like a sweet little butterfly flitting about in the background. One wrong move, and you would snap a delicate wing.”
Naomi inwardly groaned. This sort of veiled condescension would not warm Aramis to his sister-in-law. “I’ve developed the devil’s tenacity and temper in your absence. Did you know of Mr Budworth’s fate?”
Lydia moved to sit on the bed, the fight leaving her temporarily. “Yes. I read about it in the broadsheets. I presumed one of the cast had plucked up the courage to air their grievance. George was such an odious man. So morally superior when in truth he was a brainless toad.”
“Were you lovers?” she dared ask. How else had Lydia secured a position, having never taken to the stage? That said, most men came to the theatre to look at her breasts and ankles. The praise received was not for her heartfelt depiction of a kind and gentle heroine.
“Lovers!” Lydia put her hand to her mouth and retched. “Oh, please. Even desperate women have limits. And before you accuse me of murder, remember why we’re here. I could be dining amid the splendour of Hartford Hall, not scrambling about thetonlooking for a powerful man to marry.”
Guilt raised its head. She would always be thankful for Lydia’s intervention on the night of Mr Ingram’s attack. It’s why she tolerated her sister’s foul moods.
“Mr Tuttle said you’re betrothed. Is it true?” Lord Bedlow coveted power and wealth. He might bed an actress, but he would marry an heiress, a daughter of theton. Was that why Lydia had spent months discussing ways they might reclaim their estate?
“Not quite. Chivers has rented an apartment in Mayfair. A little love nest that will do for the time being. Sadly, he lacks the strength and fortitude required to tackle our uncle.”
“Perhaps I can help with that. Finding a capable man, I mean.”
Lydia’s face softened as pity clouded her blue eyes. “My poor darling, I only wish you could. We’ve discussed this many times. We need the devil on our side. Someone who can stop a man’s heart with a stern look. Any of those wicked Chance brothers would do, but such men wouldn’t give a naive country girl a second glance. Not without good cause.”
Naomi’s throat constricted as tears welled. The gathering of emotions had nothing to do with her plight. It had to do with the way the world saw her husband. Not loyal, honest and considerate, not so beautiful on the inside she could cry, but a scarred beast, a monster.
“I went to Hart Street to visit the enquiry agents whose card I found in your dressing room.” Lydia had considered hiring Mr Daventry to prove a case of fraud but couldn’t find time to visit the office. “Mr Sloane has been trying to find you but to no avail. Mr Chivers told him he’d not seen you.”
It seemed odd that a skilled agent who had solved the most complex cases couldn’t find a famed actress in town. Perhaps Aramis was right. Lydia had secrets, like the one mentioned in Mr Budworth’s journal—the mysterious man with many faces. That said, Mr Budworth had a vivid imagination.
Lydia stuck her nose in the air. “Dearest, it sounds like you’re accusing me of lying. I stayed two nights at The Three Feathers in Kingsbury before moving to The Crown in Cricklewood. Not knowing who to trust, I told Chivers not to reveal my whereabouts to anyone. He’s waiting in a carriage outside if you’d care to ask him.”
This time, guilt mingled with suspicion. She wanted to trust Lydia, but how could she when her sister had sold their mother’s jewels?
“I visited Mrs Boyle and bought Mother’s brooch and earrings. I understand why you stole them from Hartford Hall, but nothing would have persuaded me to part with something so precious.”
Lydia gave a mocking snort. “Under the circumstances, I’m certain Mother would have approved. Let’s not forget why we’re suffering in this godforsaken pit.” She tutted and shook her head. “I suppose you spent your savings on sentiment. That’s why you disobeyed my orders and returned here.”
“I came for clean clothes.” Sensing Aramis was but a few feet away in the corridor and catching a faint whiff of his cologne, she said, “My husband bought Mother’s jewels as my wedding gift.”
Aramis had held the rubies against her ear and said the red stones would always remind him of her lips.
“Your husband?” Lydia’s eyes widened in horror. “Who in God’s name did you marry? Evidently, someone with money. I’d have thought George Budworth were he not dead. He loves controlling the meek.”
“I married Aramis Chance by special licence,” she said, aware the man who made her heart flutter was about to fill the doorway. “He agreed to help me deal with Uncle and Melissa.”
