That Infamous Pearl by Alicia Quigley Page A

with Malcolm, deep inside she knew that she
was far more curious about any relationship the woman might have with Lord
Brayleigh.
    "She
is an old friend," said Alaric curtly.
    "Is
that all?" Rowena's voice was very small.
    "What
do you mean by that?" Alaric took her delicate wrists in his hands and
squeezed slightly.
    "Only
that you seemed to know each other very well." Rowena's eyes rose to meet
his for a moment and then dropped behind the shield of her long, pale lashes.
    Alaric
cursed silently. Rowena was no fool, and she was bound to hear of his past with
Lady Bingham sooner or later. It would be better if she heard it from him,
rather than some gossip, or even worse, Marguerite herself.
    "Lady
Bingham was once important to me," he said severely. "That was long
ago and I regret it now."
    "Was
she your mistress?"
    "Rowena,
you must not talk in that manner." Alaric was genuinely shocked. "That
is not something we should discuss. It is highly improper."
    "Nonsense.
I am meeting you alone in a garden in the middle of the night; I can think of
nothing more improper than that. No one watching us would realize that we are
merely friends bent on unraveling a mystery." Rowena spoke airily, hoping
to convince herself. "I need to know about Lady Bingham if I am to
determine whether she would be of help to us or not."
    Alaric
grimaced. "I fail to see how she could help. It is entirely unimportant."
    "I
believe I should be the judge of that." Rowena folded her arms across her
chest and glared at him.
    Alaric
groaned. "Very well. Marguerite was my mistress twelve years ago. I was
very much infatuated with her; I foolishly believed myself to be in love. She
was married already to old Bingham, but we were not at all circumspect, I am
ashamed to admit."
    "She
is very beautiful," volunteered Rowena in a wistful voice.
    "Very,"
responded Alaric drily. "But you are far lovelier, Rowena."
    She
colored and looked away. "Please, continue your story, my lord."
    "I
would rather not. It is not a pleasant tale."
    Rowena
swallowed. "You must tell me; it is important to me."
    Alaric
shrugged, his temper rising slightly. "Your brother also was quite
enamored of Marguerite. He decided he would take her from me. I regret to say
we both behaved like the callow fools we were, and the entire situation came to
have a life of its own."
    "Then
your quarrel was not solely about the pearl," said Rowena flatly.
    "We
competed over everything, Rowena. Horses, carriages, clothing...women." Alaric
felt his heart sink as her face grew longer.
    "But
it began with Lady Bingham."
    "If
it had not been her, it would have been something else. Malcolm and I were
destined to want what the other had, I fear."
    Rowena
swallowed. "Go on."
    Alaric
hesitated, choosing his words with care. "Marguerite decided she would
prefer being the Countess of Brayleigh to Baroness Bingham. She left her
husband and demanded that I help her to obtain a divorce and marry her. I had
for some time been increasingly disillusioned with Marguerite and her behavior;
she encouraged Malcolm and other men shamelessly in an attempt to make me
jealous. I slowly came to realize that she cared not for me, but for my name
and fortune. I told her to go back to her husband."
    "And
did she?" asked Rowena.
    "She
went to Malcolm instead. It seems that Bingham had thrown her out, cutting her
off without funds. She was ruined socially and needed someone to support her. Two
days later Alfred Ingram was murdered, and when Malcolm fled the country she
went with him. I heard later that she soon left him for a wealthier man. I have
not seen her since."
    Rowena
frowned down at the ground. Alaric resisted the almost overwhelming urge to
take her in his arms and try to kiss a smile back onto her face. He would have
to charm her into a better mood before he could satisfy that desire.
    "I
am not proud of my behavior, Rowena. It was many years ago, and I hoped I have
learned my lesson."
    "What
lesson is that, my lord?" Rowena's