“I’m not so old as that. In fact,” she said with a naughty grin, “if you don’t want him, perhaps I’ll set my cap at him. I don’t mind a bit of control in the right places.”
She walked out of the room leaving Maria gaping. She sank into a chair and leaned her head against the back.
Twelve days. Only twelve days. That could be endured.
And twelve nights, every one of them temptation.
Maria retreated to her room that first night, but she could hardly hide forever. She emerged after breakfast the next day braced for persuasion, even seduction.
He had gone out.
Feeling deflated instead of relieved she set out to have a normal day, the sort of day she’d enjoyed before meeting Demon Vandeimen, the sort of day that would fill the rest of her life.
His absence crept with her like a gray ghost.
When she visited Crown and Mitchell to consider one of the new kitchen stoves, she turned to him for an opinion. When she found that a book she’d been waiting for was available, she anticipated sharing it with him. When she flipped through her pile of invitations, she thought of which would most please him.
She didn’t want to attend social events. People would notice the absent ring. After a moment she pulled it out of her pocket and slid it on her finger again. It was still small and pale, but precious. She was entitled to keep it, and she would.
She would never wear it again, but she slid it off and put it back in her pocket. A guilty weakness, but it would be something to remember him by through the rest of her life.
Van went to Beadle’s Hotel, and was taken up to Hawk’s rooms.
Hawk closed the door on the nosy maid. “Trouble?”
Trust Hawk to see that instantly. This was his private parlor, comfortably if plainly decorated. Van had the irrelevant thought that it would have been luxury during their campaigning years. And that, despite danger and death, life had been simpler then.
He’d come here to get Hawk’s help, but putting the situation into words felt like sealing it in reality. “Maria’s decided she doesn’t want to marry me.”
“Ah. I’ll be honest and say that I’m not sorry.”
“Why?” Van could have said other, more bitter words, could have thrown a blow even, but restrained himself. “You met her once, and spoke a few words. What the devil reason do you have to try to come between us?”
So much for restraint.
Hawk stayed calm, but Van saw him shift slightly, balancing to be ready for attack. He couldn’t believe this. Was everything in his life going to fall apart?
“I haven’t tried to come between you,” Hawk said calmly. “Though I could. I wasn’t going to speak of this, but perhaps it will help you accept your lucky escape. I said that her husband engaged in shady dealings. I had other suspicions, which I confirmed by making some inquiries yesterday.”
“You’ve been making inquiries about Maria?” Van could feel the words in his mouth like ice, like fire. “How dare you?”
“Of course I dare. I couldn’t let you marry a woman like that without—”
“A woman like that?”
Hawk stepped back, raising a hand, his eyes fixed on Van as on a predatory animal. “Hear me out before you hit me.”
Van sucked in a deep breath. “Speak.”
“Celestin had his fingers in many rotten pies, including highly speculative investments. He was leading partner in the investment that ruined your father. He got out intact—he generally did—leaving your father to bear the loss. He as good as put the pistol to your father’s head, Van. I don’t know what game his widow is playing, but—”
“Is that it?”
“What?”
“Is that your evidence?”
For once, Hawk looked unsettled. “Yes.”
