Just take the damned glass, growled Bram, and join us in a toast. Dont have to drink a bloody drop.
Of course, my lord. The creature was all solicitousness. I am most eager to bestow my congratulations. It took the remaining glass.
To Leo, said John.
And Anne, added Edmund.
May you each receive precisely what you deserve. This, from Bram.
Good God, said Leo, what an ominous toast.
Edmund hastily amended. May you grow rich in wealth and happiness.
Leo grinned. I am rich. In money, at any rate. Happiness would come ... later.
Richer, then.
The geminus had its own offering. My masters favor upon you and your new bride.
To the bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey. With Johns words, everyone brought their glasses together. The sound chimed through the room like a brittle dream.
As the brandy was downed by everyone but the geminus, the creature asked, My master would like to know when you anticipate returning to the Exchange.
Bloody hell, sputtered Edmund. The man is but hours newly married. Mr. Holliday cannot expect him to work. Not so soon.
Leo raised his hand. Peace, Edmund.
But you havent even left for your bridal journey
There isnt going to be a bridal journey.
Why ever not?
Leo shrugged. Anne never asked for one, and I am disinclined to be away from business for so long.
Shocked, Edmund turned to Bram and John, looking for reinforcement.
I am happily wedded to politics, said John. The bachelor state is all I shall ever know.
Brams mordant look made plain his feelings about the nature of matrimony.
Lacking support, all Edmund could do was splutter his indignation. He shook his head and poured himself more brandy.
Why should the Devil care whether or not Leo is at the Exchange? John asked the geminus.
Again, Leo felt rather than saw the creatures cold smile. The further building of Mr. Baileys fortunes is always a concern of my master. And, it added, my master does enjoy it greatly when Mr. Bailey compromises the fortunes of others.
On that matter, said Leo, your master and I are in agreement. For the pleasure in amassing wealth paled beside the lurid glow of bringing down those who held themselves superior to him. He could buy their estates and have surplus in his coffers, yet all the aristocracy saw when they looked at him was tannery dye staining his fingers. No matter that hed scrubbed the discoloration away over a decade ago. No, he was nothing but a laborer, a saddlers son, and thus undeserving of the honor of their approval.
His body felt the familiar charge of energy when he contemplated whom he might destroy and by what means. Better to be the Demon of the Exchange than the Upstart Peasant.
He had money. He had an aristocratic wife. And he had magic bestowed upon him by the Devil.
And when the noblemen who sneered and spat came crawling to him on their bellies, pleading for loans, for mercy and compassion ... he would laugh and kick them away, his boot in their faces, and tell stories to his fathers headstone.
Weve beaten them, Da. It was beautiful to see. Beautiful.
He would not waste precious time on something as inconsequential as a bridal journey. What was a tour of the Lake District compared to the destruction of a thousand years of privilege?
Anne anxiously scanned the drawing room. Still no sign of Leo. He had been sequestered in his study with his friends, and the guests began to notice. Of greater concern to her was his expressiondark and preoccupied. Something weighed on him. But what, and why on this day? She asked no one for answers and none came.
Falling back on years of schooling, Anne made herself circulate through the wedding feast, smiling and murmuring nonsensical pleasantries. A great deal of wine had been drunk, and the guests grew boisterous as the night deepened.
Wheres that blasted husband of yours? Lord Runham stumbled into her path, red-faced and expansive. Sabout time to put you two to bed. Unless he dont fancy the job. He reached for her, this man old enough to be her fatherwho, in fact, was her fathers friend. Volunteer myself for the position.
Anne took a step back to evade Lord Runhams grasping hand. Then a lean, solid form stepped between her and the drunken baron. She had an impression of wide shoulders covered with golden velvet.
No need. This is a duty I happily reserve for myself. Leos words were affable but his tone was biting steel.
To be sure. Lord Runham chortled, more in fear than merriment. Anne could not blame him for his alarm. The tension in Leos posture and hardness in his voice left little doubt that he was but a hairbreadth away from violence. Almost as though he welcomed the opportunity.
Pray, enjoy your wifes company, said Lord Runham. I shall merely He didnt finish his sentence, but rather trundled away as quickly as his legs would allow.
Leo turned to face Anne, and she resisted the impulse to look down at her clasped hands. He was too imposing, too handsome, too ... everything. How could she find him so attractive and so intimidating at the same time? Yet, sainted heavens, she did.