Mysterious Seduction

VI. Unguarded

Byron looked around the crowd of glittering jewels and he secretly smiled to himself.

The people aboveground were no different from those below. They cared about status and they gossiped about trivial things.

Of the many years he had been traveling back and forth above and belowground, Byron was convinced that society were all similar in nature. The only few things different here were the natural elements these people enjoyed. And the technology.

And perhaps better gowns, he noted to himself as his gaze fell upon one woman—the star of the night. The owner of the mansion he was currently standing in.

The famous actress Ellie McPhee.

"Beautiful, isn't she?" asked the stranger standing beside him. Byron did not know who he was, but he was a trusted individual who had worked with the League on a number of cases. "I believe she is one strong-willed woman."

He looked at the striking beauty clad in a tight, full-length red dress that bared her back. As she turned her head toward friends, her shoulder-length brown hair curled to perfection teased her skin.

Byron smiled. "She will be easy."

-Above and Below

*****

"What is this?" asked Wynne, glaring at the book that landed on his desk.

Samuel managed a mocking begging look. "Please, do deliver it with care. My footman struggled the entire day finding that last copy."

Wynne sighed. "This ought to be the last time, Samuel. I do have other plans other than delivering gifts and letters to your fiancée."

"I do hope this will be the last," Samuel said, suddenly excited. "Because I might just be on to something that will completely ruin Noah Trilby. Everything will be over soon!"

Wynne frowned. "And what might that be?"

"You know me. I do not give away any leads during a work on progress. All you have to know, my friend, is that I've met a man who can give me many secrets." Samuel blinked, walked away and without looking over his shoulder shouted, "Do tell Emma I will see her at the play! I will suffer through the entire bloody show, but I will be there!"

Wynne stared at the book and frowned. Had Samuel not given Emma the same copy a year ago? He remembered clearly for he was with the man when he procured it.

"Bloody bastard," he murmured as he threw the book aside to continue his article.

*****

Emma did not think much of the situation when Jefferson announced Wynne's arrival that afternoon. Samuel must still feel a tad guilty for having missed their walk to the park a few days ago and he had once more sent his friend to deliver a gift.

This time, she did not give Jefferson instructions to interrupt her and Wynne because anytime soon, her sister Maggie and her children shall be arriving for dinner. She could almost see Lord Hastings flying out the front doors at her family's arrival.

She silently entered the parlor and found him standing before the portrait of her father. He was too focused studying the painting that he did not notice her take a few steps nearer.

Emma saw that his expression was unreadable and that his shoulder did not stoop as they always did. In fact, Wynne looked comfortable, standing tall and proud with his hands behind him.