Mischief by Amanda Quick Read Free Book Online

save Imogen. That is what Selwyn would have wanted.”
    Matthias raised his brows. “You have a rather concise way of summing up matters yourself, Mrs. Elibank.”
    “I am desperate, sir.”
    “You must be, if you think to manipulate me toward your own ends with that promise that I gave your brother.”
    Horatia gasped, but she held her ground. “My lord, I beg you will prevent my niece from pursuing this folly.”
    Matthias held her eyes with his own. “You claim to be acquainted with my reputation, Mrs. Elibank. If that is so, then you must know that I am more inclined to destroy others than to save them.”
    “I am well aware of that, sir.” Horatia spread her hands. “But there is no one else. She will not listen to me. And you did make that promise to my brother. The whole world knows that Cold-blooded Colchester always keeps his promises.”
    Matthias turned away without responding. He walked out the door and crossed the hall to the staircase. He took the steps two at a time.
    When he reached the landing he stopped to listen. A loud crash followed by several muffled thumps told himthat his quarry was working in the east wing. He went down the corridor with long, determined strides.
    Imogen Waterstone had already caused enough commotion in his life, he decided. It was time he took control of his own fate. He always fulfilled his promises, but, as he had warned Horatia, he did so on his own terms.
    A series of thuds guided him to the open door of a bedchamber on the left side of the passageway. Matthias halted in the opening and surveyed the interior.
    The chamber was a dark, shadowed room that had been decorated in the same funereal style as the rest of the house. Heavy black curtains had been tied back from the windows, but the light that entered had little impact on the overall gloom. The bed was shrouded in colors suitable to mourning. Black and maroon hangings cascaded from the ceiling.
    Far and away the most interesting sight in the chamber was Imogen’s nicely rounded backside. Matthias felt a sharp tug in the vicinity of his groin.
    The lush curve of Imogen’s derriere was displayed in a provocative manner due to her somewhat awkward position. She was bent over at the waist, attempting to haul a large iron-bound trunk out from under the black-draped bed. The skirts of her bombazine gown had risen several inches in back to reveal elegantly shaped calves clad in white stockings. Matthias had a sudden, nearly overwhelming desire to explore the territory above the tops of the stockings.
    The powerful wave of desire that rolled through him took him by surprise. He drew a long breath and forced himself to concentrate on the problem at hand.
    “Miss Waterstone?”
    “What in the world?” Imogen came upright with a quick, startled movement. She whirled around, her face flushed from her recent exertions. Her hand swept out and struck a small, ugly statue of a tomb deity standing on a nearby table. The little clay monstrosity crashed to the floor and shattered.
    “Oh, dear.” Imogen frowned at the broken statue.
    “Don’t waste any regrets on it,” Matthias advised after a single glance at the remains of the statue. “It’s not Zamarian.”
    “No, it isn’t, is it?” Imogen reached up to straighten her little white cap, which had listed to one side. “I did not hear you coming down the hall, my lord. You cannot possibly be finished with the library?”
    “No, madam, I have barely even begun. I have come up here to discuss something more important.”
    She brightened. “Our plans to trap Vanneck?”
    “Your plans, not mine, Miss Waterstone. Mrs. Elibank and I have discussed the matter in some detail, and we are both of the same opinion. Your scheme is ill-advised, rash, and possibly quite dangerous.”
    Imogen stared at him, dismay darkening her eyes. “Sir, you cannot stop me.”
    “I was almost certain you would say that.” He studied her for a moment. “What will you do if I refuse to assist