An Affair So Right (Rebel Hearts #4)(64)

“Exactly. If Small is alive, if he learns about the recovery of the gems, he might increase his interest in the Dalton women. He may already know about the stones, and may be watching for a way to reach them.”

“I’ll redirect my investigation immediately,” Banks promised. “Have your servants remain on guard.”

“I will.” Quinn asked to be returned to Mr. Banks’ place of business, and then handed over a handful of coins. “For the extra runners you might want to hire.”

“Thank you,” Banks said. “I’ll send daily reports from now on.”

“Directly to my hand, and to no one else. Not even to my secretaries. I do not wish to alarm the women of the household.”

“Of course.” Mr. Banks departed quickly, a pleasing haste in his steps.

Quinn had the carriage return him home, and was surprised to see an acquaintance of his mother’s on the verge of departing. Lady Berkley was a woman best avoided, so he made to pass her by with just the barest nod of greeting, but the viscountess’ next words stopped him in his tracks.

“I understand congratulations are in order.”

His elevation to earl was not a subject he wished to crow about. “Hardly,” he replied coldly. He hurried inside to prevent further conversation with the woman.

Once safely there, he was confronted by his mother pacing the entrance hall. Given she was worrying her lips, something she rarely did, he immediately tensed. “Mama, why are you looking like you have bad news to share with me?”

“Oh, dear. Well.” Mama stared at him imploringly. “I’m afraid I’ve gone and put my foot in it rather badly.”

He ushered his mother into the study and shut the door. Only Theodora was at her desk at this hour, nearly hidden behind piles of paperwork. “How?”

“Well, Lady Berkley came to call, as you likely saw. You know how much I detest her. We came out the same year, married the same month, and had the same number of offspring more or less. Every year, our friends are forced to choose between attending my ball or hers, because she somehow always holds hers on the very same night as mine.”

Quinn nodded, well aware of the rivalry between the women. It was a nasty little competition between women who could have been friends and allies, if not for their stubbornness. “Go on.”

“We were talking about how my event would not happen this year, because of your father, and she was looking very smug, and one thing led to another and…I don’t quite know how she got the better of me.”

“What did you say to her?”

Mother lifted her gaze to the ceiling as if seeking divine intervention. “I told her you were engaged to be married.”

“Mother!” He took a pace back, stunned. Behind him, Theodora gasped, too. He heard her stand and start shuffling papers as if she meant to flee the room. Quinn would, too, if the situation were not so dire and involved him. “How could you do this to me?”

“I am angry about this, too,” Mother complained, beseeching him with bright, tear-filled eyes. “I am so sorry! She was so obviously pleased about the timing of your father’s death. And then she told me her son had won the hand of Lord Corby’s daughter, who you know I’ve always adored, and I just blurted it out.”

He clenched his jaw to hold back a sailor’s curse his mother had never approved of. He took a moment to rein in his temper. “Who did you say I am engaged to?”

“Now, Quinn, darling—”

“Mother. The name,” he snapped. “And it better not be that squeaking mouse Father wanted me to marry last month. I’ve finally gotten rid of her father.”

Theodora fled toward the door.

“Well, I did not say a name exactly, but…” Mother’s attention followed Theodora.

He stared at her in shock. “How could you allow Lady Berkley to leave believing that I am engaged to Miss Dalton?”

Theodora gasped as her hand fell away from the doorknob. “Why me?”

Mother shook her head quickly, and then stretched imploringly for Theodora to come take her hand. “I am so sorry, my dear!”

Quinn’s heart began to beat very fast at the idea of being married to Theodora. It wasn’t panic that stirred his emotions, though. It was longing and excitement. “Mother, I am very cross with you. You will have to call on Lady Berkley immediately and renounce your statement.”

“You will make a liar out of me?”

“Mother, you are a liar,” he said crossly, keeping an eye on Theodora’s face. He was rather relieved that she did not seem offended by the idea of marriage to him. At least not yet.

“But Quinn, if I deny it, all everyone will talk about is my state of mind. They will say your father’s death drove me to delusions.” Mother turned away, walked a few steps and sagged into the nearest chair. “I’ve been trying so hard to look everyone in the eye after what he did. I’m always worried someone knows where he fell ill and who he was with. What she was to you,” she whispered. “I’m afraid I’ve made things ten times worse now.”

She sniffed and then dropped her head into her hands.

Quinn moved to her side, squatted down next to her chair. “Mother, if I do not correct Lady Berkley now, she will gossip, and what then happens to Theodora’s reputation when the lie is revealed, as it must surely be? Her presence will be questioned, rather too coarsely for my taste.”