Then suddenly, a familiar face appeared in the crowd. Then a second. Then a third. All three of them whispering to anyone who would listen to them just a few scant feet away. The Coopers. They must have come in while he was distracted, and Algernon cursed silently at himself for being distracted.
Algernon’s lips drew back in a silent snarl as he straightened his shoulders, steepled his fingers together, and walked as casually as possible through the crowd, approaching Beatrice’s despicable family from their backs.
“Do I need to show how well I make good on my threats?” Algernon leaned down and whispered into Simeon Cooper’s ear.
Algernon watched in satisfaction as Simeon froze. His shoulders slowly rose to ears, his back bowed, and from where Algernon was standing, he could plainly see the little hairs at the back of the man’s neck rise in fear. Elspeth and Verity had heard him as well, for they too froze in their steps and slowly turned theirheads toward him with wide, terror-filled eyes. Algernon could not help but wrinkle his nose and pinch his brow as he looked down at the two three of them with open contempt. To think that Simeon had assumed Algernon would ever marry the man’s stepdaughter wasalmostcomical.
Slowly, Simeon turned to look at him.
So. These are the faces of Beatrice’s torturers,he mused silently, his disgust growing just by being so close to them. He had not truly taken the time to take in their features upon their last interaction. He was too busy trying to scare them away. Now, though, he could plainly see. They truly did look average. Their fine clothes were no better than the other members of the surroundington.No inexplicable beauty or grace to speak of. They were just… people.
“Your Grace.”
Simeon was barely able to breathe.
Algernon’s chiseled lips lifted up into a smirk.
“You must be the most poorly witted man I have encountered,” Algernon said, his tone low but menacing. “What on earth is it you think you are doing spreading these rumors? Did we not already discuss what the consequences such actions would bring upon you if you did not desist with intervention?”
Simeon visibly swallowed.
“I… I do not know what you speak of,” Simeon began to stutter, but Algernon put his hand on the man’s shoulder.
From an outsider’s point of view it would look as if they were two old friends catching up, but as Algernon applied pressure and heard the man let out a squeak of pain, he knew that Simeon understood that this was anything but.
“You will go back to the people you have been gossiping to and recant your filth immediately,” Algernon commanded, his low tone deadly as he continue with his soft smirking expression.
Simeon shook his head though he still appeared wide-eyed and on the verge of fainting.
“You must understand how quickly rumors spread,” Simeon whispered. “We cannot go and find every single person. It would do no good. They have already spread the word to at least five people each, surely.”
Algernon’s grip on Simeon’s shoulder tightened, his fingers finding that groove in a person’s frame that when pinched would render the limb useless and full of pain unless released. Simeon instantly began to sweat profusely.
“I suggest you act quickly then,” Algernon warned, leaning just a little closer to Simeon’s face. “You have until tomorrow to clean up this mess you have made, or I swear to you another rumor will be freed. The truth. The one about you selling your hidden daughter to an illegal flesh market.”
Simeon’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head at Algernon’s words.
“You would not,” Simeon panted, clearly in pain. “You would damn me, but you would also damn yourself!”
Algernon’s smile was positively wicked.
“I am already damned,” he whispered menacingly. “I would just be making you my company.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“Are you enjoying yourself, sweet Beatrice?” Henry asked as the dance came to an end.
Beatrice beamed at him.
“I am,” she readily confessed.
It was the truth. She had been most reticent to attend, especially after seeing herself in her new dress, but as the night continued to unfold, she found herself having a most wonderful time. The gardens, as Henry had promised, were positively breathtaking, and the people thus far had been kind and warm. In fact, most if not all had been quick to praise her dress and simply delighted by the mystery Henry created by not giving out her name, calling her instead ‘His Lady of the Blooms.”
Then there was the dancing. She had discovered that sheloveddancing. It made her feel giddy and free to twirl and step with the others.
“I am so very glad,” Henry replied, his tone sincere as he led her toward the refreshment table. “Come, let us get you a drink.”
Beatrice nodded, and as she stayed a few steps behind Henry, she took a moment to look around. It seemed everyone was gathered in tight groups, whispering something or other.