By now half the masquerade had gathered in the hedge maze, watching Harrington get the life punched out of him.
Camilla ought to feel horrified or sickened, but the truth was she wished to land a punch of her own. That should have bothered her, given what she’d just done to Lord Garrey.
Synton’s head whipped in her direction, his bright emerald gaze clashing against hers.
She could have sworn his lips twitched before his expression was once again hard.
“Would anyone else care to comment on my fiancée?” he asked, his tone deceptively calm.
No one, not even Lady Katherine, uttered a single word.
“Wonderful. If any of you consider changing your mind, I’d recall this scene before spreading rumors. Should any reach my ears, leaving Waverly Green as quickly as possible would only delay the inevitable.”
He didn’t say, “I’ll hunt you down and tear you limb from limb,” but the message was unmistakable.
“And now, my darling,” he said, turning back to her, “shall we find something to toast?”
TWENTY-ONE
REMIND ME ONCE again, Lord Synton. How did you say you two met? I can’t seem to recall, with all the threats and punching and missing teeth,” Lady Katherine asked as their carriage rolled down the cobbled street.
After Envy had sent everyone home, he’d agreed to ride with Camilla and her friends. It seemed like the sort of thing a lovestruck fiancé would do, but now he found himself trapped in a slew of questions. Lady Katherine ought to moonlight as a detective inspector.
“After I contacted Camilla regarding a commission, we began to exchange letters quite frequently,” Envy lied smoothly.
“This was before you arrived in Waverly Green?” Lady Katherine didn’t believe him.
“Yes. I asked Camilla to keep things quiet. I wanted to wait for the right time to announce my intentions. In fact, the ball tonight was supposed to act as the stage for my proposal, but then I realized I wanted to ask Camilla privately.”
“That sounds plausible, darling.” Edwards nodded brusquely from the other seat. “It was a rather extravagant party.”
Lady Katherine kept her cool gaze locked on Envy.
“And when, exactly, did you give her a ring? Before you laid Harrington low?”
“Please, Kitty, leave it for now,” Camilla said. “It’s been a long evening and my fiancé is not the villain in this story. You saw the way Harrington acted. The man’s a knob. Synton has been in contact with me for weeks and tonight I finally accepted his suit.”
Envy looked his false fiancée over, impressed that’s she’d given most of the truth without actually lying to her friend.
Lady Katherine seemed only partly mollified.
“I apologize for any uncivilized behavior,” Envy said, trying to recall what might offend human sensibilities. “No ladies ought to bear witness to such violent acts, but Harrington never should have tried to ruin Camilla. He’s fortunate a few missing teeth and a broken rib are his only worries.”
At that, both women exchanged secretive looks before bursting into laughter.
Edwards rolled his eyes. “My lovely wife here was something of an underground pugilist before we married. They would hardly consider fighting a shock.”
Humans never ceased to amaze.
Envy glanced from Edwards to Katherine to Camilla. Edwards was outwardly as stuffy as they came, yet he had a certain impish sparkle in his eye when speaking of his wife.
“Did you fight as well?” Envy asked, staring at his artist.
“Goodness, no.” Katherine’s eyes glittered with mirth as she cut in. “Camilla’s always been more of a lover. She’d attend to illustrate the fights, though. Do you also box, Lord Synton?”
“Sometimes,” Envy admitted, thinking of Wrath’s legendary fighting pit. “My brother has his own private ring. Sometimes he invites our whole family to participate.”
The carriage rolled to a stop and Envy peered into the night. A large, towering house took up nearly an entire block.
“Welcome to Birchwood.” Edwards nodded to the estate. “Our city home.”
“I thought we were escorting Camilla to her residence?” Envy said, trying to keep any frustration from his tone.
He’d planned on circling back after they’d dropped Camilla off. Now that she’d come to her senses, she needed to start painting at once. Time was quickly ticking away.
Lady Katherine cut an amused look in his direction. “And not celebrate your joyful news? Don’t be silly. I cannot imagine sending you two off without toasting to your betrothal the way we ought to have done earlier. In fact”—she grabbed Camilla’s hands—“I insist you both spend the night. We’ll have a big celebratory breakfast in your honor too.”
Camilla squeezed her friend’s hands back and gave Envy a small, apologetic smile.
“That sounds lovely, Kitty, thank you. We’d be honored to have you host us for the night.”
We would be no such thing. As if overhearing his internal thoughts, Camilla sent him a withering glare.
“As my lovely fiancée has stated, we’d be honored,” Envy said tightly. “Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
At least they could retire to their bedchamber early and then work on the painting.
Envy was already hatching a plan to have Alexei bring the supplies they’d need when Katherine added, “Wonderful. We’ll have separate rooms made up for you at once.”
“Splendid,” Envy said, grateful once again that he was now able to lie.
He’d simply sneak into Camilla’s chamber later.
A feat that would be irksome but not impossible.
Or so he foolishly thought…
TWENTY-TWO
“WHAT IS THAT excessive ball of dander?”
Camilla glanced up from where she sat perched on her bed, following Synton’s gaze to the mammoth long-haired gray-and-white cat that stood between her and her pretend betrothed. Bunny’s initial purrs gave way to a grave look of disapproval.
Camilla’s cat was a wonderful judge of character.
Or perhaps the cat simply did not approve of a late-night visit to Camilla’s bedchamber.
Though Bunny probably sensed the inner war raging inside Camilla and was being overly fussy. Camilla was fairly certain Lord Garrey was dead. It was beyond difficult to grasp. She’d had no choice; he’d made it clear he was going to kill her. But still, she felt wrong for not regretting her actions.
Bunny nudged her hand, drawing her to the here and now.
“Lord Synton, please meet Bunny.”
Synton closed the door behind him softly, his attention traveling from Camilla to Bunny, then back. She couldn’t tell whether he was amused or concerned.
“Unless it’s casting some powerful glamour, Bunny is a feline. You do realize that, correct?”
Camilla gave him a bemused look.
“With the spirit and claws of a great lioness, I assure you. Don’t insult Bunny again, or you may live to regret it, my lord.”
His lips twitched. “I’ll take your warning under consideration.”
“Very wise. My cat does not appreciate anyone who does not worship the ground she walks upon.”
“Why is your cat at Lady Katherine’s?”