Even now, partnered with one of her elder brothers, she moved tentatively through the steps of the dance, though it was part of every genteel girls education to have a dancing master and learn to make pretty figures at assemblies. Her familys reduced circumstances were no secret, however, so perhaps she never had a dancing master.
Ill own, he said lowly, that when I decided it was time to wed, there had been other girls that first attracted my notice. But I came to see that Anne was perfect.
Bram looked skeptical. Some of your Exchange logic?
Im never without it. It was simply a matter of the best return for my investment.
An aristocratic brideI see the reasoning behind that decision.
As one of Leos closest friends, Bram could read his heart well. Nor did Leo make much secret of his demands. He burned for entry into a world long denied him. That could only be achieved by marrying a peers daughter rather than a daughter of one of the wealthy ironmongers or heads of a trade corporation. Such a marriage might net him wealth, and valuable business connections. But he already had wealth. He had connections. What he wanted, demanded, could only be gained through blood ties.
He would not gain a title, but by the Devils fire, he would have what his father had been denied: a place in Society.
And he refused
to let Whit endanger that.
Yet why not pick a bride with a fortune? Bram asked. Why the daughter of a baron treading the waters of genteel poverty?
For that very reason. When Bram continued to look unconvinced, Leo continued. Had she come with a fortune of her own, one that matched or was greater than the one I possess, it would serve only to divide us. She would hold it over my head as proof of her superiority.
I had no idea you were so mercenary, young Leopold.
Leo looked askance at Bram. A lecture? From the man who has debauched most of the female populace of London?
His friend chuckled, though the sound was more a shadowed representation of laughter rather than the thing itself. No lecture. All of us Hellraisers live in glass houses.
Damned drafty, those houses. Leo shrugged. Yet theyre better than dull, dense piles of stone.
Bram patted an ornate plaster embellishment on the wall behind him. Everything in Leos home was new, this portion of Bloomsbury having been developed within the past few years. He had considered purchasing a townhome in Mayfair or Saint Jamess. He had the money. Yet he wanted his own place, something entirely his.
Now you have your house and your aristocratic bride. What more could you want?
Now it was Leos turn to laugh. There is always more. You, of all people, should know that.
Understanding darkened Brams face. Perhaps that is why Mr. Holliday picked us to be recipients of his gifts.
The mention of the Hellraisers benefactor reminded Leo that the threat could no longer be ignored. Find John. Ill collect Edmund, then we shall all meet in my study.
Leave your wedding celebration?
For a few moments only. We must discuss Whit.
Brams expression tightened. Of all of the Hellraisers, Bram had been closest to Whit. The betrayal had cut Bram deeply. Even months later, Leo saw the pain was still fresh.
Bram strode away in search of John, while Leo went to find Edmund. As he strolled through the chamber, guests continued to come up and wish him joy of his marriage. He accepted their felicitations, and felt a hard, sharp thrill to see his noble guests silken finery strewn with crumbs and stained with wine from his table.
Eat and drink, you bastards. Stuff yourselves stupid, drink yourselves senseless. Youll be too fat and drunk to notice me tearing you to pieces.
He found Edmund watching the dancers and clapping along with the music.
You arent dancing, Leo noted. You always dance.
Now my dances are reserved for Rosalind.
Dancing only with your wife? How provincial.
Edmund merely smiled. With her, I am content to be the most unfashionable of men.
You should have brought her.
At this, Edmunds usually cheerful expression dimmed. Having her attend a social function such as this so soon ...
Leo nodded in understanding. Rosalinds first husband had died in a carriage accident not two months earlier. A month after that, she and Edmund had wed. There had been scandalized murmurs about how quickly the marriage had taken place. A few had even suspected that Edmund had somehow engineered the accident in order to finally gain the hand of the woman denied him years ago. The rumors never took seednobody could believe such an amiable man as Edmund could possibly do something so brutal and calculating.
But Leo knew the truth. As did Bram and John. And they would tell no one. For it was their truth, too. One far beyond the understanding of ordinary folk.
Whit also knew the truth. Yet he could do much worse than damage their reputations.
Join me and Bram and John in the study, Leo said now. We need to discuss the traitor.
Edmund nodded tightly, determination writ plain on his face. As Leo and Edmund skirted the edge of the chamber, the dance ended. Anne glided toward him with an anxious frown.