A Season for Scandal by Golden Angel
Chapter 8
Josie
Her new husband was standing with his father, youngest brother, and two other men she recognized. Captain Nathan Jones and Captain Anthony Browne had come along to rescue Mary when she had been kidnapped—though their services had ultimately been unnecessary. They were spies for Evie’s Uncle Oliver, though Elijah had told her they were friends of his when she inquired about their presence on the guest list.
“I do not want to put anyone in danger—” Elijah cut off what he was saying as Josie approached, his gaze meeting hers. The emotion bubbling in his dark eyes was more than protective, though she could not put her finger on what else was there. Elijah straightened. “Josie. I will join you as soon as I am done talking to my father.”
Sensing her two friends coming up alongside her, Josie put her hands on her hips. Behind her, she heard Rex’s quiet laugh.
“Or I will join you now. Where is this note?”
The look Elijah cast over her shoulder at Rex was half exasperation and half anger.
“You told them?” he asked Rex, right over her head, as if she did not exist. Josie scowled at him and barely managed to refrain from stomping her foot. Captain Browne watched her warily as if he thought she might throw a tantrum in the middle of her wedding brunch.
“Of course, I told them. I do not make a habit of lying to my wife.”
“Yes, Elijah. Rex does not make a habit of lying to his wife. Is that a habit you intend to embark on?” Josie held out her hand. “I want to see the note.”
“Absolutely not.” Elijah shoved it in his pocket, then turned back to his father. “We need to end the brunch… now.”
“What? No!” Josie, Lily, and Mary protested in unison. “Are you mad? What was in that note?”
“No, I am deadly serious. I need to leave and help Joseph hunt down the delivery boy, then the person who gave him the note.” There was a steeliness to Elijah’s expression she had never seen, but it did not matter. Josie was not about to be abandoned at her wedding brunch. As much as she wanted to know what was in the note that had caused his reaction, she had to prioritize keeping him from running off because of it.
“Absolutely not. What will people think? If you recall, the whole reason for this marriage was about what people would think!” Her voice was a little louder and getting shriller. Lily nudged her in the side and stepped forward, keeping her voice low but urgent.
“Josie is right. You will set off a torrent of gossip if you end the brunch early, especially if you leave Josie’s side immediately. You are already the focus of so much attention. The best thing you can do is behave like a newly married man and let others do this part for you. That is why Captain Jones and Captain Browne are here, is it not?” Even though Josie was standing slightly behind Lily and could not see her expression, she knew Lily had just arched a dismissive brow at Elijah, in the way only she could.
“Exactly. Not only that, but if you hie off, when you return, you will still have to live with me.” Though she said it mildly, Josie was pleased when the men flinched, including Elijah’s father. Yes, she could make Elijah’s life an absolute misery if she put her mind to it—and if he deserted her at their wedding brunch, she most certainly would.
Nodding, Evie’s uncle took charge, sending Browne and Jones after Joseph, who had apparently left to chase after the delivery boy. The rest of them were left to circulate among the guests and keep up appearances, which Josie could tell grated on Elijah. She took a fair amount of joy in his frustration, which made her own emotions easier to deal with.
He had received a threat on his life. A threat!
Every part of her was wound up with indignation. No, she had not wanted to marry him, but she did not want to be a widow, either. She could not imagine a world without Elijah in it, and she did not want to. Right now, he was far safer here at the brunch, though he clearly did not appreciate that.
“Stop grinding your teeth, Elijah,” she murmured as they walked away from the Spencers. “People will think you are unhappy to be married to me.”
Rolling his shoulders back, some of the tension in his body dissipated, and a blander social mask settled over his expression. Josie was fascinated to watch the transformation as though now that he had been reminded of his role, he could slip it on like a second skin.
“My apologies.” His voice was still tight with tension, though she doubted anyone who did not know him as well as she did would realize. “I am not used to being left behind while others take action for me.”
“Hmm.” She had absolutely no sympathy for him. “Perhaps you can compare feelings with Evie about what it’s like when you see her again.”
The dark look he shot down at her made her cackle inside.
Elijah
The wedding brunch was interminable, though he understood Father’s reasoning. He had known he would eventually need to take on a more similar role to his father, standing back while others did the dangerous work, but he had not expected it to happen now. Although he could not deny it was the wiser course of action.
Seeing him and Josie walking around, her hand on his arm, the guests seemed to think nothing was amiss. If anyone noticed Joseph’s absence, they said nothing—not to him and Josie nor in earshot of his father’s men. Ending the brunch early or him leaving would have caused a flurry of unwanted gossip.
Joseph, Anthony, and Nathan returned by the end of the brunch to the notice of absolutely no one. From across the room, Joseph met Elijah’s gaze and shook his head. They had been unable to find the delivery boy. Elijah cursed inwardly. Though he knew the result would have likely been the same if he had been the one to go, he still felt as if it was his fault they had missed another chance at the traitor.
Saying farewell to their guests, Elijah passed Josie over to the housekeeper, Mrs. Brandon’s, care. She would show Josie the house while he met with the others to find out what happened.
“I see you still have no sympathy for those left out,” Josie said, making a face at him. He almost expected her to stick out her tongue.
“You are the one who insisted we keep up appearances.” He smiled benignly.
“I already know this house like the back of my hand.”
Which was very likely true. She had been a regular visitor all Season, which had been both amusing and frustrating every time she had eavesdropped on him and Father. Knowing she was in contact with Evie, they had made a point to only talk about how worried they were about Evie in hopes Josie would pass the message on. However, her penchant for listening at keyholes had hindered some of the discussions they needed to have. Father had chosen to allow it to continue, though now that Josie was Elijah’s wife, he was determined to put a stop to it.
“But only as a guest, not as its mistress. You are now the lady of the house.” The words gave him a pang as he realized how true they were. With his mother gone and Evie having disappeared—again—Josie was the only lady of the house. Her expression softened to one of sympathy. As his neighbor, she would remember his mother’s death and funeral as well as he, though she had only been a young child when it happened.
“Well, as the lady of the house, I will expect to be kept informed. Eventually, you will have to tell me what was in that note.” The tartness in her voice did not have the edge it might have. She turned to follow Mrs. Brandon without further protest. The housekeeper would show her their wing of Stuart House. Odd to think of it as ‘their’ wing, no longer ‘his’ wing.
Elijah kept his face blank. They would have time enough later to talk about what her duties as lady of the house would entail. They would not include hunting traitors or putting herself in any danger. He rubbed his hand over his chest, imagining himself in Rex’s position a few weeks ago when Mary was kidnapped.
Of course, he was not in love with Josie, the way Rex was with Mary, but he cared about her greatly. He had grown up watching over her. It was nothing more than that.
“Elijah? Are you coming?” Jolted out of his reverie by Adam’s question and realizing he’d been watching Josie’s swishing skirts as she walked away, Elijah gave himself a little shake.
“Yes. I was… thinking.” Turning on his heel, Elijah made a face when he caught sight of Adam’s expression. He knew what his brother was thinking, but there was no way he would admit to Adam how attracted he now realized he was to Josie. He did not need to give his brother another reason to gloat.
Besides, his attraction to her had nothing to do with how she felt about him, which was a lowering thought.
“Come think with us. Though I am sure Josie’s skirts are very… thought-provoking,” Adam smirked. Ignoring him, Elijah strode into Father’s study.
Joseph was sitting in one of the chairs in front of Father’s desk, Nathan in the other, while Anthony paced by the window, occasionally glancing outside. Looking up when Elijah came in, Joseph grimaced in apology.
“The boy disappeared into the wind.” He sounded as weary and frustrated as Elijah felt. “We even asked some of the street boys if they knew who had delivered the letter, but none of them had any idea.”
Damn.
Coming up beside the chair, Elijah clapped Joseph on the shoulder.
“It was a slim chance you would find him. Thank you for trying.” Elijah turned his gaze to their father, who was watching them with fondness. “Now, what do we do?” Father’s countenance shifted to a more serious mien.
“We must take the threat seriously, although it is possible it is another distraction. I will set a man to watch you at all times.”
Elijah growled under his breath.
“I will not go about my business hemmed in by guards.” He hated to think his father thought he could not take care of himself.
“One guard. I would make such arrangements for anyone who had to go about in the public sphere. If you were on mission outside of Society, it would be different, but you will have social engagements ‘til the end of the Season.” Father’s expression did not change, and his tone brooked no argument. “It will be either Nathan or Anthony since they have the easiest time moving among the ton.”
Glancing at the two men, Elijah relaxed slightly. Not only did he consider them friends, but they knew his abilities. They would not stand in his way, and no one would think it odd to see them with him. There were only a few more weeks in the Season proper. In two weeks, London would begin to empty out as the ton decamped to their estates.
“I will ask Rex to help out as well.”
“Rex? Why Rex?” Elijah was affronted. Anthony and Nathan guarding him were bad enough, but Rex? Rex was a good fighter, a crack shot, and a talented whip, but he was not a trained operative and had no experience guarding anyone.
Father raised his eyebrow.
“As a newly married man and the Earl of Durham, there will be some social gatherings you must attend where Anthony and Nathan would stand out. Rex has the same social standing and is also newly married. No one will blink twice to see him there, especially as Josie and Mary are such good friends.”
“Josie… Josie will need a guard as well.” Though she had not been threatened, she was still his wife. Elijah did not want to take any chances.
“I rather thought you might act in that capacity.” Father’s lips twitched in amusement, but his answer soothed some of the nervous tension gripping Elijah, reassuring his father did not think he was inept. “Though I am not concerned she is in any danger, currently. Whoever is behind this understands the reasons behind your marriage far more than the rest of the ton. They threatened to make her a widow but do not threaten her directly. Still, we will not be lax with her safety, and any time you cannot accompany her, I will ensure she has a guard.”
“It is too bad Evie is not here,” Adam murmured. “Guarding Josie would be the perfect job for her.” Father grimaced but did not argue or acknowledge Adam’s statement, though there was a large amount of truth to it. Elijah knew Father would want to keep Evie out of it.
He could not help but think of Josie’s jab earlier, about understanding how Evie felt being left out of things. Something to think on.
