The Apothecary's Poison (Glass and Steele #3)(34)

He smiled, and it was wonderfully mischievous. It made me happy to see him in a good mood, despite today's setback with Brockwell. "Just open it, India."

I unwrapped the paper then lifted the lid on the box. Nestled on a bed of royal blue velvet was a silver brooch in the shape of a winged dragon. Its bright green eyes sparkled. Were they paste or real emeralds? I wasn't experienced in gems to know the difference and I didn't want to seem greedy by asking.

"It's beautiful," I said on a breath. "It'll look lovely pinned to my sage and ivory gown. I don't wish to seem ungrateful, Matt, but why are you giving this to me?"

"Because I left without thanking you for standing up to Brockwell on my behalf. I want you to know it was appreciated." He nodded at the box. "Dragons are fierce, and so are you when you want to be."

"A simple thanks would have sufficed."

"Why make a simple gesture when a grand one is possible? Do you like it?"

"Very much so. Thank you."

He smiled and a slight blush crept over his cheeks. "It was a choice between that dragon, a beetle and a butterfly. I didn't think butterflies or beetles particularly fierce."

"Clearly you've never met a stink bug."



Lord and Lady Rycroft and their daughters were the first to arrive. We'd seen little of Lord Rycroft since the first meeting between Matt and his uncle. On that occasion, Matt had almost thrashed Lord Rycroft after he threw out some insults that Matt took offence to. His frosty greeting would indicate that he hadn't forgiven his nephew.

Matt, however, greeted his uncle politely, along with his aunt and cousins. We gathered in the drawing room for drinks and conversation but it was terribly stilted. Lord and Lady Rycroft could barely even look at Willie, Duke and Cyclops. It was as if they could pretend that Matt's friends and poor relation weren't present if they ignored them. I fared little better, receiving only a cool greeting from both.

Their daughters weren't quite so rude, and I made a point of asking Patience questions about her wedding. She warmed to me after a few minutes and shyly showed me her engagement ring.

"It's lovely," I said.

"As is your brooch." She nodded at the dragon pinned to my dress. "Is it a family heirloom?"

"Goodness, no. My family heirlooms consist entirely of timepieces. Your cousin gave me this just today."

Hope had been talking to Matt but suddenly swiveled to face me. Her gaze fell to the brooch. "How sweet," she declared. "Look at those emerald eyes."

Charity, sitting on my other side, leaned in to inspect the brooch. "Are they real emeralds?"

"Of course they damn well are," Willie snapped. "If you knew Matt better, you'd know he don't like fakes." She shot Hope a wicked smile. "Of any type."

Hope bristled, and Matt quickly engaged her in conversation again.

"Don't mind my sisters, Miss Steele," Patience whispered. "They're jealous that Matthew is giving you his attention."

I glanced at Matt. He seemed to be giving Hope all his attention at the moment. "Thank you, Patience. You're very kind. Your future husband is a very lucky man. I hope he knows it."

She broke into a grin, improving her otherwise plain features and brightening her eyes. She wasn't pretty, particularly compared to her sisters, but I was beginning to enjoy her company. I'd much rather be seated next to her than either Charity or Hope.

We talked some more about her wedding while Miss Glass tried to engage her brother and sister-in-law in conversation, only to receive scowls and curt answers from Lord Rycroft. Lady Rycroft was too distracted by Matt and Hope to speak to anyone. Willie and Duke had to fend for themselves while Cyclops found himself cornered, quite literally, by Charity Glass. She stood indecently close and blinked up at him with exuberant innocence. His one eye watched her warily, as if he expected her to attack him at any moment.

Brisk footsteps approaching the drawing room provided a welcome distraction from the tension in the air, and we all turned to greet Lady Abbington. But it was not Lady Abbington who entered.

It was Sheriff Payne.





Chapter 7





Matt sprang to his feet and marched up to Payne. "What do you want?" he said, a thread of steel running through his voice.

"India," his aunt whispered. "It's that awful man again."

"He barged right past me, Mr. Glass," Bristow said, looking agitated.

"What's the meaning of this?" Lord Rycroft demanded in a petulant manner unique to the ruling class. "Who is this upstart?"

Duke cracked his knuckles and Cyclops extricated himself from the corner. He stood beside Matt. Willie, who'd not changed out of men's clothes, muttered something about leaving her Colt in her room. I went to stand beside Miss Glass. Her trembling hand touched mine.

Payne licked his lips. "You cur."

"Get out before I thrash you," Matt barked.

"You'd dare to thrash a man of the law?"

"You're not the law here."

"Girls!" Lady Rycroft cried, flapping her arms about as if she were directing traffic. "Girls, to me!" But none of her daughters moved. They were riveted to the drama playing out before them.