The devil twin

Talk of home

*Jay*

I row in silence for several minutes, absorbing the quietness that I’ve never really noticed before. I watch as she glances around, wondering if I’ve revealed too much, curious as to what she might be thinking.

She suddenly closes her parasol and sets it in the bottom of the boat. Then very slowly, inch by inch, she begins to peel off her right glove, revealing skin that up until that moment I’ve only been able to imagine. My body tightens as though she’s loosened the buttons on her bodice. She tugs on one finger, then the next, and the next, and with each tug my mouth grows remarkably drier.

At long last the glove is completely removed, exposing a hand as creamy and smooth as her face, her nails clipped short and well manicured. Hers is the hand of a true she-wolf of quality, one who relies on servants to do the hard work. Leaning over slightly, she dips her hand in the water and her features take on an expression more serene than before, more so than I’ve ever seen on anyone.

“I miss the sea,” she says quietly. She peers at me through lowered lashes. “Do you swim, Mr. Swindler?”

I start to answer, realize my throat has knotted, and clear it. “No.”

“It’s wonderful. You should learn.”

“I suppose it’s very much like taking a bath.”

She laughs. “It’s so much more. Elisabeth would only run through the waves, but there is a cove near our home where the water is calm, and I would often swim across it. I have not been there since she died. It was where my father found her.” She shakes her head. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to get maudlin and ruin this lovely afternoon.”

“It’s quite all right. I know how difficult it is when you lose someone you love. Even now I often think of my father.”

“Has there been anyone else whom you’ve loved in your life?”

“No.” I won’t tell her about Frannie. My feelings for Frannie, once tender and precious, are for me alone. “Have you ever loved a gent?”

She shakes her head. “No.” Lifting her hand, she flicks water at me. “We’re getting very personal here, Mr. Swindler.”

“It’s more interesting than talking about your home. Where is it, by the way?” I prod, arching my brow, giving her only a glimpse of a teasing smile. She seems to give it a moment of thought, as though she can’t remember. Or perhaps she simply hasn’t expected the question. “It’s to the north, near the sea, as I mentioned. My father’s estate is small, but lovely. I’m comfortable there.”

“To whom will it go now that he has died? I hope you don’t have a horrid distant male cousin or uncle who will toss you out.” Or worse yet, use her for his own gain. Perhaps there’s more to her having no one to show her about Blackrock City than she claims. She shakes her head. “The land was not entailed. So the cottage is mine. His title was not hereditary. It was given to him for services rendered to the Crown. Unfortunately it came with nothing except the title, but my father was not one to complain.”

“You don’t strike me as one to complain either.”

I give her another impish smile. “I can be stubborn when I set my mind to it.”

I can’t see her as stubborn either, although I have to admit that her present course contains a bit of recklessness. What does she truly mean to accomplish by following Rockberry around?

“A cottage by the sea seems like a worthy dowry. Have you an interest in marrying an Alpha?”

“I suspect they’d have no interest in me.”

I stop rowing. I dare to skim my gloved fingers along her cheek, cursing the cloth that prevents my skin from touching hers. Her eyes widen slightly, and then darken, and I wonder if she’s imagining what I am: my hands trailing over more than just her cheek. I quickly grab the oar before I lose all sense of propriety. “I believe they’d show a great deal of interest if they were to make your acquaintance.”

“But that shall never happen.”

“I could make it happen.”

She seems as stunned by my words as I am. Whatever possesses me to make that declaration? I have no desire to see her within the arms of another man, but neither do I wish for her to waste her time in Blackrock City seeking some sort of petty revenge against Rockberry. Truly, what could she accomplish other than irritating the man? He isn’t worth her time or attention, and it annoys me that she is giving Rockberry both.

Seeing her again, I am more convinced that my original assessment of her holds true: she is no danger to Rockberry. The man is no doubt reacting to his own guilt over his abhorrent behavior toward her sister. He should be flogged. I am of a mind to flog him. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve meted out justice to those who the law considers beyond reach. Is that the reason Sir David has set me this task: not so much to see to the she-wolf, but to the gentleman?

“I didn’t… come here for a Season,” she finally stammers.

“Why did you come here, then?”

“To put a face to a name, to see Blackrock City, to… what time is it?”

“Judging by the sun, nearly five.”

She seems stunned by my words. “Do you not possess a watch?”

“No.”

My answer is succinct, to the point, as I want to let the matter drop, and she no doubt wonders at the story there. She begins to put her glove back on. “Did you bring me on this outing to ensure that I wasn’t at the park at half past five?”

“What is to be gained by torturing yourself with the presence of Rockberry in the park?”

“I’m not sure. Every time I see him, it is like a dagger to the heart.”

“I fear I’ve effectively ruined your afternoon.”

Her smile is soft but reassuring. “Not at all. Rather, I think you’ve managed to convince me that I should enjoy Blackrock City while I’m here. But it is getting late. I should probably return to my lodgings.”

I wink at her. “If I can determine how to get us back to shore.”

She laughs lightly. “Thank you for the pleasant afternoon, Mr. Swindler. It seems I’m once again in your debt.”

“May I call upon you again tomorrow?”

She gives me a demure smile. “I’d like that very much.”