The Robber Bride Read Free

turned abruptly and walked briskly back to the carriage. Gil was already sitting back on his box, and John was sufficiently tied up on the side of the road. Even after five minutes, Culver wouldn’t be able to follow them for a good while. Gil’s knots were masterful and took the average man a half hour to figure out. Such was the benefit of having a sailor’s son for a driver.
    The unmarked conveyance lurched and set into motion at a more modest pace this time. Racing along at top speed would draw unwanted attention now.   They went back in the direction from which they had come, towards Victoria’s home in the Marylebone district. Her parents would surely be asleep by now, which suited her just fine. That way she wouldn’t have to change back into her gown—it was a bit trickier than getting out of it. Besides, she needed to head to bed herself. She had a very important appointment in the morning.

Two
     
    Phineas Dartwell couldn’t believe he’d been duped. Again. Damn Victoria! He was only trying to look out for her, so why did she constantly run from him? If he didn’t know better, he would think she was hiding something.
    As it was, he’d known Vickie since she was in nappies. It would be awfully difficult for her to keep anything from him. He might even say he knew her better than he knew himself. These little stunts Vickie pulled were simply her way of rebelling against a horrifically strict upbringing. But one day she would find herself in real trouble. She might have thought it harmless enough to go home alone from a ball late at night, but one never knew what dangers lurked around the corners between Mayfair and Marylebone. It was the rich people that were preyed upon, and one could never be too careful.
    Therefore, despite understanding Victoria’s need to rebel every once in a while, he was incredibly irked by her behavior. Foolish girl. There was nothing he could do about it now, though. She’d gone off on her own and was probably tucked soundly in her bed by now. Fin wouldn’t mind being tucked in his own bed, either. He only came to these blasted things for her, anyhow. If she wasn’t around, there was no reason for him to stay. Now that he’d ascertained that she was no longer here, he could get the hell out.
    “Leaving already?”
    Damn. He’d been so close.
    “Lady Beecham,” he said as he turned and offered a bow. “I trust you’re well.”
    “I want you to finish the painting, Leyburn .” Clearly, they were going to skip over pleasantries.
    “Lady Beecham,” he whispered in an effort to remain discreet, “with all due respect, I cannot finish the painting.”
    “I paid you to do a job, and I want it done.”
    “I refunded your money, if you remember correctly, and I have told you I don’t do those kinds of paintings. You’ll have to look elsewhere.”
    “But I want you to do it.”
    Blast, this woman was persistent, but Fin would not be bested by her . The last thing he wanted to do was portray this woman—this married woman—without any clothes on. The problem was that she’d convinced him to start with her head, and once he’d finished, she insisted he paint the rest of her nude. He’d never fall for that one again. “Good night, my lady. Best of luck in your search.”
    Fin left the brazen woman standing dumbfounded in the foyer. He was sure there weren’t many who had the gall to speak to her in such a way. Her husband held a fair amount of power, after all. However, Fin was sure Lord Beecham wouldn’t be hearing about this particular offense against his wife.
    A painting that was calling to him this evening, though — one inspired by his dear friend’s attempt at freedom. Victoria had asked him to paint her ages ago, but he’d been putting it off for some time. But that defiant look in her eyes from earlier tonight was burned into his brain. He couldn’t think of a better subject at the moment.
    He left the party and headed for home, where his easel and