Free The Demon's Mistress by Jo Beverley Page A

suffered—mother, two sisters, then father—so why was he doing nothing to help? If only one of these friends was here to help hold Vandeimen together. . . .
    The curtain fell, signaling an intermission, and she must leave her thoughts to smile and talk as her footman served refreshments. Everyone was enchanted by the play and delighted with the Titania.
    â€œMrs. Hardcastle’s hair is naturally white, they say,” said Cissy Embleborough, “though she’s still under thirty. And she always dresses in white.” Cissy leaned closer and whispered, “They say she was mistress to the Marquess of Arden until he married last year. So not quite as pure as the white suggests.”
    Maria had never imagined it.
    Her guests were the Embleboroughs, including Cissy’s son and daughter. Natalie was here, too, and Harriette, of course. Maria was mostly able to let talk flow around her. She noted Vandeimen doing the same thing. Did he generally do so, or was this part of his dark mood? She suspected she had been very unperceptive these past weeks.
    There was a knock on the door. Her footman opened it and turned to announce, “Major Hawkinville, ma’am.”
    Maria stared at the tall man in uniform, feeling as if she’d performed a conjuring trick. Then she thought to look at Vandeimen. He was already on his feet. “Hawk!”
    There was joy there, but a great many other things too.

Chapter Six
    He was smiling, and it was a heartaching flash of boyishness she’d never seen before.
    Now he was grasping his friend’s hand, and she had the feeling that he’d like to embrace him. They weren’t estranged, and whatever magic had brought the major here, it was good magic.
    Everyone was watching them, doubtless sensing an important moment, then Vandeimen turned to her. “Maria, I’ve spoken of Major Hawkinville, an old friend and neighbor. Hawk, my lovely bride to be, Mrs. Celestin.”
    She held out her hand. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Major.”
    He was hawkish, though a second later she wasn’t sure why. No hooked nose, no yellow eyes. His face was lean, his hair a soft brown, and worn a little long with a wave in it. He was, above all, elegant, making even Van look a little rough around the edges.
    He took her hand and actually raised it to his lips. She felt their pressure through her glove. “How unfair of Van to steal you before I had a chance, Mrs. Celestin.”
    She started to smile, amused by his flirtation, but then she caught a hard glint in his deeply blue eyes. Hawkish indeed. But why was he turning a predatory eye on her?
    â€œYou are still in the army, Major?” she asked, to fill the silence, though it was inane, given his scarlet and braid.
    â€œEasing my way out, Mrs. Celestin.”
    â€œThey’ll be reluctant to let him go.” Vandeimen’s smile said that if there’d been any ambivalence, it had gone. “We chargers and marchers are two-a-penny, but organizers like Hawk are treasured more than gold. Quartermaster Division,” he added in explanation to everyone. “Got the armies to the field, with weapons and supplies intact. To the right field at the right time, even, if they were really good.”
    The teasing look between the two men suggested it was an old joke.
    â€œAnd tidied up afterward,” said the major, “which is why I get home a year late and find all the loveliest ladies taken.”
    He flashed Maria another look, but then turned to Natalie and to Cissy’s blushing, seventeen-year-old daughter to express relief that some lovely ladies were still available.
    Maria picked up conversation, but she was puzzling over the man’s animosity. Was it Maurice? He’d made a great deal of money supplying the army with clothes and equipment. Perhaps he’d clashed with Major Hawkinville at some point.
    Was it the age difference? She wouldn’t have