Devils Bride

there, don't you think, Arethusa? About the chin.'

Making a mental note to examine her chin when next she glanced in her mirror, Honoria plastered a smile on her lips and set herself to getting the two old dames chatting. Then she tuned her ears to the activity behind her.

'No luck with Farnsworth, nor Girton either.'

Devil sighed. 'There has to be something, somewhere.'

'Must be-we'll just have to keep looking until we find it.' After a pause, whichever cousin it was said: 'I'll try a touch on Caffrey.'

'Careful-I don't want this all over town by morning.'

'Trust me.'

Honoria could almost see the Cynster smile that went with the words.

Again Devil's attention was claimed by others; Honoria put her tuppence worth into the discussion over whether sprigged muslin would still be all the rage next Season.

It was some time before another of his cousins came to Devil's side. Guests were starting to depart when Vane reported; Honoria recognized his voice. 'Forget Hillsworth or, I suspect, any of that ilk. If the problem's in that line, we'll need to get Harry to dig deeper.'

'Speak of the Demon…'

'No go with any of my lot.'

'Here come the others,' Vane said.

'Not a whisper-not so much as a twitch.'

'No luck.'

'Not so much as a hint of a suspicion.'

'Which means,' Devil said, 'that we'll have to go hunting.'

'But in which direction?'

'In all directions.' Devil paused. 'Demon, you take the tracks and all connected enterprises. Vane, the guards and the taverns. Gabriel, the dens and finance in general. Scandal-you can do what you do best-chat up the ladies. Which leaves the catteries to Lucifer.'

'And you?' Vane asked.

'I'll take the local angle.'

'Right-I'm for London tonight.'

'So am I.'

'And me-I'll give you a lift if you like. I've got a prime 'un between the shafts.'

Their deep voices faded, blending with the murmurs of the crowd. Lady Smallworts and Lady Harrington had moved onto the mysteries of the latest poke bonnets. It was time for Honoria to retreat-she'd heard all she needed. 'If you'll excuse me, ladies?'

'Actually, my dear.' Lady Harrington grasped Honoria's wrist. 'I had meant to ask whether it's true.'

'True?'

On the word, Honoria heard from behind her: 'Dear me, coz-what trouble you do get into when you don't have me covering your back.'

It was Vane's drawl; Honoria knew the instant Devil turned and saw her-she felt his gaze on her neck, her shoulders. She stiffened. She longed to swing about, but her ladyship clung tight.

'Why, yes.' Lady Harrington smiled. 'About you and-' She broke off, gaze lifting to a point beyond Honoria's left shoulder, eyes widening with delight. 'Ah-good afternoon, St. Ives.'

'Lady Harrington.'

It wasn't his voice, and the subtle menace beneath it, that sent shock waves coursing through Honoria-it was the large hand that curved possessively about her waist.

Devil captured the hand Lady Harrington freed. Honoria watched her fingers, trapped in his, rise inexorably toward his long lips. She steeled herself to feel his lips on her fingers.

He reversed her hand and pressed his lips to her wrist.

If she'd been a weaker woman, she'd have fainted.

Smoothly, Devil turned to Lady Harrington. 'You were saying, ma'am?'

Lady Harrington beamed. 'Nothing of any importance-think you've given me all the answer I need.' She all but winked at Honoria, then jabbed Lady Smallworts in the arm. 'Come along, Dulcie-I saw Harriet on the lawn. If we hurry, we might catch her before she leaves. Your Grace.' Her ladyship nodded to Honoria. 'We'll see you in town, my dear. Give my regards to your grandfather.'

'Yes, of course,' Honoria half gasped. Her lungs had seized, courtesy of the long fingers spread over her ribs. If he kissed her wrist again, she would faint.

'Wave to their ladyships,' her tormentor instructed.

'With what,' she hissed back. 'The plate?'

'I really don't think you need the plate anymore-Thomas will take it.'

A footman appeared and relieved her of the plate. There were few people left on the terrace. Honoria waited, but the grip on her waist did not ease. Instead, Devil wrapped his other arm about her waist, too, her hand still held in his. She could feel him, his chest, his thighs, steely-hard behind her, his arms an unbreakable cage about her.

'Did you learn much, out here on the terrace?' The words, soft, deep and low, tickled her ear.

'Reams about sprigged muslin. And did you know that the latest poke bonnets have a niched rim?'

'Indeed? What next?'

'Precisely what Lady Smallworts wanted to know.'

'And what do you want to know, Honoria Prudence?'

He had a distinctly lethal way of saying her name-he rolled the 'r's, just slightly, so the perfectly prim English words transformed into something more sensuous. Honoria fought down a shiver. 'I want to know what you're about.'

She felt him sigh. 'What am I to do with you, you meddlesome woman?' He rocked her, slightly, to and fro.

The sensation of losing touch with the earth made Honoria gasp. He hadn't even shifted his grip. 'You can put me down for a start!'

She was saved by the Dowager. 'Sylvester! What on earth are you doing? Put Honoria down at once!'

He obeyed-reluctantly; the second Honoria's feet touched earth, the Dowager took her arm. 'Come, my dear-there's someone I want you to meet.'

Without a backward glance, Honoria escaped with the Dowager.

She took care to play least-in-sight for the rest of the day. While most guests left directly after the wake, many of the family lingered. Honoria had no intention of finding herself unexpectedly alone with Devil in his present mood. The summerhouse, a white-timber hexagon wreathed by a yellow rambler, became her refuge.

Her embroidery in her lap, she watched the carriages roll down the drive-watched Devil play the host and wave them on their way. Afternoon was fading to evening when Charles Cynster descended the front steps and started across the lawn, heading straight for the summerhouse.

Inclining his head gravely, he entered. 'Good evening, my dear. I wanted to speak with you before I left- Sylvester told me where to find you.'

So much for her refuge. Honoria studied Tolly's older brother critically. He was certainly older than Devil, which made him the oldest of the Cynster cousins. He cut an impressive figure, six feet tall and solidly built, but lacked the lean Cynster lines. His face was rounder, with heavy jowls. His eyes, resting on her, were plain brown; given his recent loss, Honoria was surprised by how intent his expression was.

The summerhouse boasted a long wickerwork settee with chintz cushions, and nothing else. With a wave, she invited Charles to sit; somewhat to her relief, he declined the settee to settle on a windowsill. Facing her. Honoria raised a polite brow. Presumably, Devil had sent Charles to persuade her to leave Tolly's death to the Cynsters.

'I wanted to thank you for aiding Tolly. Sylvester mentioned you'd helped.' Charles's lips twisted in a fleeting smile. 'To use his phrase, 'above and beyond what might reasonably be expected of a lady of your