The devil twin

To deceive him

*Jay*

An untimely end, indeed. Recalling Rockberry’s words, I wonder what role the man had played in the girl’s demise. I am tempted to confess everything to Miss Newmoon and simply ask her what her true business is, and why she is following Rockberry. Instead, I continue on with the ruse, concerned that she might shy away from me if she suspects I am here because of duty. “Again, my condolences on your loss.”

She lifts a delicate shoulder. “My father took ill shortly afterward and passed as well. It’s been a very trying few months.”

“So you came to Blackrock city.”

She smiles softly. “My sister spoke of all the wonders. She kept a journal. I read it after she died, and became quite envious of all she’d seen, and so here I am.”

“A she-wolf traveling alone? You’re quite bold.”

“You flatter me, sir, but on this matter I have little choice. I have no aunts to accompany me, and no coins with which to hire a companion. And my mother is long gone. Elisabeth came first and I came last. Unfortunately, I believe I was too much for my mother.”

“Were you and your sister close in age, then?”

She gives me a warm smile. “Only minutes separated us.”

They were twins. No wonder Rockberry had been unsettled by the she-wolf following him and feared she was a ghost. “I hope you won’t consider me too inquisitive, but I wonder why you didn’t come to Blackrock city with your sister last year.”

“My father could afford to send only one of us. Elisabeth was the older, if only by a few minutes. She had her coming out. A distant cousin provided her with an introduction to pack society. It was Father’s hope that she’d secure a fine match and then I’d have my turn.” She explains.

“So you’re here for your mating Season.”

“No, I… no. I can’t afford a mating Season. I simply came to Blackrock city in order to see it.”

“This cousin won’t help you?” I ask.

“My family troubled her once…” she shakes her head, “…things didn’t go well for my sister. I’ll not take advantage of my cousin again. May we speak of something else?”

The sudden impatience in her voice alerts me that I am dangerously close to interrogating her. Usually, I am more subtle, but suddenly with her, I want to know everything and know it quickly, and not only because of duty. She is courageous, and perhaps a bit reckless, to travel alone. Yet I admire her determination not to require companionship in order to do as she wishes. “My apologies for bringing up a sore subject.”

The tenseness in her face eases. “You had no way of knowing.”

And just as quickly, the tension returns, her body stiffening, her steps faltering. I follow the direction of her gaze and watch as Rockberry lopes along on his black mount. When I look back at her, she has grown pale and all the sparkle has left her eyes, leaving behind deep pain and sorrow.

“Miss Newmoon? Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m sorry…I…I’m sorry.”

I glance back in the direction Rockberry has gone. “Are you familiar with Alpha Rockberry?”

Suspicion quickly lurks in Miss Newmoon’s eyes. “How do you know him? Do you consider him a friend?” she asks.

I know I need to play the next bit very carefully. “I know him because I have friends who move about in his circles, and on occasion I’m unfortunate enough to be invited to their gatherings. As for his being a friend, no. Quite honestly, between you and me, I don’t much like the fellow.”

“I don’t fancy him either.” She mumbles.

“Then perhaps we should walk on, before he notices us and prances over. You’re a lovely she-wolf, and from what I understand he can’t resist lovely she-wolves.” And while I know Rockberry has danced with her sister, and I know Miss Newmoon is spending her time observing Rockberry, I can’t let on that I know any of those specifics. I have to keep my focus on my plan to entice her into revealing all to me, without letting on that I know even the slightest bit regarding what she is about.

Another tantalizing blush creeps up her cheeks before she nods. I’m not certain I know any she-wolf who blushes as easily or as becomingly, but then most of the she-wolves I know are hardened by life and have learned long ago not to give away the slightest hint of their feelings.

I think Miss Newmoon might be the first truly genuine person to cross my path. Completely guileless. Whatever mischief possesses her to follow Rockberry could lead to no harm other than annoyance. It isn’t in her nature to be ruthless or calculating. She is following an Alpha around, irritating him. Why can’t Sir David realize that Miss Newmoon is harmless? She will soon tire of plaguing Rockberry. No one is in danger here, and I have more important matters to which I should attend. This assignment is petty foolishness.

Still, I turn in a direction that will take me and Miss Newmoon away from Rockberry and provide the Alpha with only a view of our backs. I don’t trust Rockberry to have the good sense not to approach us and reveal my purpose. While Rockberry’s doing so would bring the assignment to a swift end, I want its end to come on my terms.

“So how did you come to know Rockberry?” I ask after several moments of silence, when I am certain we are past being noticed by the odious man. She shakes her head. “I don’t know him personally. I’ve never met him.”

“But you know of him?”

She nods, and I can see she is distressed.

“Miss Newmoon, if he’s harmed you in any way, I shall…”

“No, not me. My sister. He trifled with Elisabeth, so I was curious about him. Shortly after I arrived in Blackrock city, I asked someone to point him out to me.” She pauses for a moment, as though wanting to take care with her words, with what she reveals, and it occurs to me that perhaps we are both playacting. Unfortunately for her, I am the master and will eventually discern whatever it is she wishes to hide, while she’ll learn very little about me.

I am fairly certain I know the answer already. Rockberry has undoubtedly ruined her sister, and Elisabeth has flung herself from the cliff rather than live with the shame of it. She who was to marry well and help her sister have her own mating Season felt she had failed miserably. As for Eden, perhaps she is striving to discover if Rockberry was worth her sister’s affection. Whatever her reasons, I find myself intrigued by the challenge she presents. I quickly grow bored with she-wolves who give too much, too easily, and while it is her motives, her plans, that I seek, I see no reason that the quest can’t be enjoyable for us both.

“I…I’m sorry, Mr. Swindler,” she finally says. “I’ve had quite enough of the park. I must return to my lodgings. Thank you ever so much for the map. I shall put it to good use, I assure you.”

“Will you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you home? I can see you’re upset. I’d like to ensure you arrive safely.”

She blinks as though my words are not what she’d expected, or perhaps not what she wants. At last she nods.

*Eden*

As we walk on in silence, I am very much aware of Mr. Swindler’s gaze riveted on me. I wonder what he is thinking, if he is as unexpectedly drawn to me as I am to him. I had been surprised by that, by how his presence in the park has affected me. His features are strong, almost craggy, like my beloved jagged coastline, which can appear beautiful one moment and deadly dangerous the next.

I can imagine him standing on the deck of a ship, legs akimbo. His muscles strain the fabric of his jacket. In spite of his largeness, there is a gentleness about him, almost a playfulness. Yet he also possesses a darker side. Now and then I catch a glimpse of it in his eyes. I think it should frighten me. Instead, I am intrigued.

If anyone had asked me, even a year ago, what I would do if I ever were granted the opportunity to visit Blackrock city, I would have innocently… and perhaps all too naively… answered that I intended to attend glorious balls, fabulous dinners, and an occasional opera. I might have even mentioned that I hoped to fall in love.

Twelve months ago… no, as little as nine months ago… I had believed that Blackrock city was the place where the daughter of an inconsequential beta could find happiness, could achieve the realization of her dreams for a loving husband, a good marriage, and contentment. I had thought the high packs was to be admired, had not considered that some among them were hideously dangerous. That some, like the Alpha of Rockberry, would find enjoyment luring young she-wolves into the fires of hell. With the reading of my sister’s journal, my life and my reason for coming to Blackrock city had taken a drastic turn.

The lodging house comes into view. It is modest, my two rooms small, but comfortable.

“Thank you for escorting me home,” I say.

“It was my pleasure.” He gives me a grin that could be teasing, could be warning. “I do hope you won’t wander the streets alone tonight. I would be sorely aggrieved if anything untoward were to happen to you.”

“I plan to retire early,” I assure him.

“I’m glad to hear it. I shall look forward to seeing you at the park tomorrow, perhaps a bit earlier. Say around two?”

His startling green eyes wander slowly over me as though they provide him with the means to see inside my soul. Their shade reminds me of the verdant grass in the middle of summer, and how often I’d run barefoot across it as a child. But I see no softness in his gaze, nothing to tickle the souls of my feet. It is imperative that I not become lost in those eyes. I wonder how many she-wolves have. They are his most striking feature. Through them, I can almost see the cleverness of his mind. He gives the impression that he is relaxed, at ease, and yet I can fairly see the wheels turning.

With my cheeks growing warm, I wish my purpose in coming to Blackrock city were different. I try not to think that if I’d been the first to come to the city, I would not have made Elisabeth’s mistakes. I had even tossed Elisabeth’s failings in her face… before discovering the journal and coming to understand all that my sister had endured. I shouldn’t enjoy a man’s attentions now, but I seem unable to help myself. “An earlier outing would be most welcome. I shall probably be there, yes.”

“Until tomorrow, then.” He tips his hat and begins to walk away. I hurry up the steps and open the door using the key that Mrs. Potter, my landlady, has given me. I walk into the entryway and am immediately greeted by the fragrance of furniture wax and fresh flowers.

Mrs. Potter bustles out of the parlor, wiping her hands on the hem of her apron. Her black hair has begun to turn into silver, her face has lost the firmness of youth. She has a penchant for gazing out windows, an even greater one for inciting gossip. “That’s him, Miss Newmoon, the man I told you about, the one who’s been making inquiries about you.”

“Is he?” I’d suspected as much when Mrs. Potter described him.

“He gave me a crown not to tell you, but my loyalty is to my tenants, especially as you’re alone. Is he a suitor?”

“If I’m fortunate, yes. You will let me know if you see him about again, won’t you?”

“Oh, most assuredly.”

“Thank you.” I go up the stairs. Inside my corner room, I walk to the window and peer between the draperies. I don’t see Mr. Swindler. I wonder if he’s walked on or circled back to watch my room from some vantage point. I am fairly convinced now that he is Rockberry’s man, sent to keep an eye on me. If he means more harm than that, surely he’d have already seen to it.

I remove from my reticule the map Mr. Swindler has given me. Clever man to devise so sweet an excuse for approaching me. But still, I have no plans to underestimate him. In the light of day, I’ve been surprised by his height and the breadth of his shoulders. But it is more than his size that is so dangerous. It is what I’ve seen in his face.

He looks to be a man who could kill someone simply by wishing him dead. He is not one to be deceived, and yet I plan to do exactly that… deceive him. Deceive him into befriending me, into wanting me, until he will do anything to protect me… even fall on his own sword.