Sadbury swallowed the lump in his throat, despairing of the wretched moment that had brought him into contact with the lecherous nobleman before him. “What do you intend to do, my lord?”
“We,” he said with deceptive, gentle emphasis, “are going to find and question the girl. We need to know what your precious Miss Pembroke knows. And if need be, we are going to eliminate the threat she poses.”
Sadbury couldn’t even swallow now and could barely speak around the despair choking him. “You aren’t going to kill the girl, are you?” He tried to gather the courage to have a backbone. “I do not know as that I would be able to allow it, my lord.”
The devilish man before him laughed wickedly. “You do not think you could allow me to do as I wish? I hardly think you would be able to stop me, you miserable toad. Now come along, we need to be on our way to Abernathy.”
“We cannot go to Abernathy, my lord. We truly ought to follow that woman’s advice and wait a couple days until she returns.”
The steady, cold gaze of the other man settled on the baron, and he fought the desire to fidget under his stare. “I have no desire to wait. We need to get this matter sorted immediately. I am fairly certain I was invited to a soiree at Abernathy this week. There is no trouble whatsoever about turning up there.” Turning to Elton he said, “You will not be welcome, I am sure.” He then turned back to Sadbury. “But you should be able to pass as a potential guest. Did you bring something better to wear than what you have on? It would not do to turn up in front of the marchioness looking like you have been working in a barnyard.”
Sadbury felt the heat rising in his cheeks and bristled at the man’s words. The other man always looked as though he had just left the gentle ministrations of his valet moments before, no matter what he was doing. It is one more reason to hate the man, the baron thought as he looked down at his own rumpled appearance and grimaced. “Aye, I have other clothes with me, but I really must protest, my lord. I do not feel comfortable arriving unannounced at Abernathy. Surely you are aware of the marquis’ reputation. I cannot think he will take it lightly if we arrive and inconvenience him while his wife is entertaining, much less if we make an attempt to carry off one of her guests.”
“You shall have to be particularly persuasive, then, will you not, Sadbury?”
The blood drained from Sadbury’s face, and it pooled in his feet as he began to sweat. He discovered he was more afraid of his companion than he was of Abernathy. Wondering if it would be worth surviving this experience, he swallowed painfully and then took a gulp of the brown liquid Elton had poured into his glass, grateful that the ruffian had not abandoned him yet.
The wellborn man stood, signalling it was time to be on their way. As they stepped onto the street, it crossed Sadbury’s mind that perhaps he should throw himself beneath the hooves of the next equipage that passed them by. He realized he was too cowardly to take that way out. He followed along in the wake of other man as he took off quickly and haughtily.
~~~
Charlotte had no desire to even approach the door when she heard a loud knocking.
“Charlotte, it’s me, Jane Holstein, could you please open the door? I am alone.”
The words did not motivate her overmuch. She was unsure how she could face the woman she had thought was her friend.
“Please, Charlotte, I really need to explain to you. I know you are probably quite angry with me, and I cannot say that I blame you, but could you please hear me out?”
With a resigned sigh Charlotte wrenched open the door, peered around quickly before grabbing her guest by the arm, pulling her into the house, and then banging the door closed forcefully and barring it shut.
“What do you want, Jane?” she asked, weary all of a sudden. “It has been a trying few days, and I do not think I have it in me to make small talk.”
“I came to apologize, Charlotte. I know I should not have brought Lord Sadbury here, but I did not know what else to do. He and his friend were quite insistent that they needed to speak with Miss Pembroke. While they were in my office, I did not feel so threatened by them until after I had given them your address. By then it was too late. I would have sent a message to you, but they planned to come straight away, so it would not have arrived in time. And then they insisted that I accompany them. I will admit to you that I was terrified. I was so afraid they were going to become violent with us when you refused to give them Miss Pembroke’s direction. I still do not know how you mustered up the gumption. I can tell you, I would not have been able to stick to my resolve as well as you did.”
Charlotte smiled wanly at her friend’s compliment. “While I was nervous for myself, I am terrified of what they might want with Daisy. I absolutely could not tell them where she is, and I hope that by warning her about them she will be able to find somewhere else to go instead of coming back here. If they are going to be returning to speak with her, I would rather neither she nor I are here when they turn up.”
“Do you think she has somewhere else she could go?”
Charlotte looked at her friend with cold assessment. “I do not blame you for bringing those cretins to my home, but I do not think I will entrust any more information into your care. I am sure you will understand.”
Miss Holstein’s cheeks burned with her humiliation. “I do understand, Miss Johnston, and I appreciate your generosity in accepting my apology. Is there anything I can do to assist you and Miss Pembroke?”
Charlotte had never been one to hold a grudge, and she wasn’t about to start at this point in her life. She eased up on the coolness of her replies, but she would never confide in her friend when Daisy’s safety was at stake. “Thank you for your offer, Jane. I am sorry to seem so angry with you. I know you were put in an untenable situation. If I can think of anything you can do to help, I will let you know, but at this point I am afraid I do not know what to do. I do not know where either of us will go. I cannot upend my life on a moment’s notice.” She nibbled her finger as she worried about the problem.
Miss Holstein looked at her helplessly. She had a few ideas, but she realized she would not be able to help. Charlotte was right not to share the information with her. It was safer for all of them. She sighed. “It is best if you can stay angry with me for now, Charlotte. Then I will be able to honestly tell them when they return that you would never trust me with your whereabouts after I took them to see you.”
Charlotte found she was able to smile at her friend after that. “Would you care for a cup of tea before you go?”
“Thank you, my dear, but it seems to me that you have rather more on your plate than you need. It would be better if you do not have to entertain company as well. Besides, in case either one of us is being followed, it be much more convincing if I am not seen to be staying overly long.”
Charlotte blanched. “Do you really think you were followed? Oh good heavens, I posted a letter to Daisy as soon as those cretins left here. It never even crossed my mind to worry about being watched.”
Jane tried to soothe her friend. “I am probably being overly dramatic. You need not worry. They walked with me back to my office, quarreling the whole way. I can safely say they were not watching your house whenever you sent your letter.”
Charlotte was unconvinced but did not press the matter, merely escorting her guest to the front door and shutting it firmly behind her. When she was once more alone, she sank into the nearest chair and wracked her brain for ideas what to do next.
“The only good thing that I am sure of is that Abernathy is well guarded. She shall be safe as long as she is there. And Lord Seaton, as foppish as he may appear to be, seemed able to protect her should the need arise.” Charlotte was aware that it was a sign of a troubled mind to be speaking to oneself, but she could not seem to stop herself. “So I am left with trying to figure out how to protect her and myself when she is done with Seaton.” Charlotte sighed and applied herself to coming up with attainable ideas.
Chapter Twelve
Daisy smiled at Kate in the mirror as she put the finishing touches to her deceptively simple hairstyle. “You have worked wonders, Kate. I barely recognize myself.”
Kate blushed bashfully. “Get on with you, miss. You would be beautiful wearing a burlap sack and your hair in pigtails. It’s easy to make you look nice, since you are so lovely to begin with. And these gowns. I have never seen such beautiful garments, have you, miss?”
“Not in a very long time, Kate. I feel like a very lucky girl to be sure.”
“Are you nervous about tonight, miss? I just felt you shiver.”
Daisy did not wish to burden her young friend with her woes. She searched for a reasonable explanation that would also be true. “I have never been to a ball, and there will be many more guests here than usual. I worry that it has all been going too well up to now and that something will happen to reveal that I do not really belong here.”
Ever loyal, Kate gasped. “Of course you belong here, miss. You are just as deserving to be here as any one of those hoity toity lords or ladies. Just because you don’t have a title don’t, I mean, doesn’t mean you don’t belong in their company. Everyone can see you’re Quality.”
Now it was Daisy’s turn to blush. “Thank you for your expression of confidence, Kate. Are you having a fine time? Are the other maids treating you well?”
“Oh yes, Miss Daisy, I am having a very fine time. The other servants are ever so nice. We have our own parties while you all are having yours. There are some handsome footmen who sure know how to dance.”
Daisy laughed as her maid’s face took on a dreamy cast. “Do make certain you do not lose your heart to any of those young men, Kate, my dear.”
“My heart is in no danger, Miss Daisy, I am merely having a good time for the first time in my life. I have my head solid enough on my shoulders, don’t you worry none about that.”
“Very well.” She stood and stepped back from the looking glass, endeavoring to see herself from all angles. “Is anything out of place, Kate? Will all our stitches hold, do you suppose?”
Kate gasped teasingly. “Are you calling mine and Charlotte’s skilled efforts into question, miss?”
Daisy laughed and answered drily. “I rather think I had a hand in some of these gowns, and it is my poor skills that are being questioned as well.”
Kate grabbed Daisy’s hand as she twitched to and fro. “Stop your fidgets, miss. Everything is in its proper place, you look lovely, all the stitches will hold, you are going to have a lovely evening, and all will be well. Now get on with you. I know you hate to be late, so you had best be getting along.”
It was exactly the right thing to say. Daisy’s eyes flew to the clock on the mantel. She grabbed the shawl Kate was holding out for her and dashed for the door with barely a backward glance.
The first person Daisy saw when she entered the drawing room was Jasper. He was standing by the mantle holding a small glass of amber liquid, talking with his brother in law, the earl. Her breath caught in her throat. He really was a most deliciously handsome man, with his high cheekbones, firm jaw, and that stubborn lock of chestnut hair that always threatened to tumble onto his forehead. She had been trying studiously to ignore her attraction since she met him, but it just snuck up on her and could not be denied. She thought rather absently that she hoped her feelings were not displayed on her face for all to see. She dragged her eyes away from him just to be safe. They collided with Lady Bess’ watchful gaze.
Bess smiled and sidled up to Daisy. “You look lovely this evening, my dear. I love that colour, it suits you perfectly. In fact, if I recall properly, I had a gown in that same colour for one of my first Seasons, but it certainly did not suit me as well as it does you.”
Daisy felt the colour ebb and flow on her face at the countess’ words. She made every effort to remain impassive despite her desire to run and hide. She decided to brazen it out. “Thank you for your kind words, my lady. It is one of my favorite gowns as well. You are looking breathtaking this evening, if I may say so, my lady. You must have been extremely popular during your Seasons.”
Seeing the countess’ positive reaction to her words, Daisy continued in the same vein. “Did you become betrothed to the earl during your first Season or did you have the opportunity to enjoy multiple Seasons?”
“Oh I lead the earl on a merry chase, to be sure,” was her reply as she flashed her dimples in a delighted smile. “Before I ever set foot in London for my first Season, I made my parents promise me that I could have a second. I told them I wanted to have fun the first year and then settle down to make a decision during my second Season. I was right to do so, although for a time I worried that I would pass up certain opportunities. Some of the gentlemen did not wish to be dallying in the City any longer than necessary. And some of the ladies I became friends with did not have the luxury of being able to postpone their choice, so they were no longer there the following year. But I did not regret my decision. I did have a wonderful time during both my Seasons.”
“What was the best part?” Daisy hoped she did not sound too eager. She did not want it to become overly obvious that she pined for a Season herself, nor that she had never had one.
Bess did not seem to notice that there was anything amiss. She was more than happy to reminisce about the happy memories. “Oh, it would be difficult to pinpoint what I enjoyed the most. I would not say it was the Marriage Mart. At first I found it terribly droll that some of the gentlemen thought my declaration that I would not make a decision during my first Season to be a challenge of some sort. There were various gentlemen who vied for my attention, who made every effort to change my mind. Some were most insistent. I found that to be a trifle distressing. The very best part was the dancing, I would say. Meeting so many lovely people and attending a different entertainment every evening, and sometimes during the day too, was far too diverting. Oh and the theatre, that is still one of the best parts about going to London. Now as a married lady, the Season has an entirely different aspect. I am undecided about which is better. Of course, being out of the Marriage Mart makes it far less fraught, to be sure.” Bess laughed for a moment. “But enough about me, tell me what has been your favorite?”
Daisy blinked in surprise at her words. Did the lady not realize she had not had her own Season? She was just opening her mouth, trying to come up with an explanation that would not embarrass either of them, when she heard a voice just behind her shoulder.
“There you are, my dear, I was wondering where you had gotten to.” Daisy had been far too engrossed in the countess’ tales to notice Jasper’s approach. Now the usual prickles on the back of her neck whenever the viscount was near were making themselves known with a vengeance, and she had to struggle to suppress the frisson of awareness that threatened to shiver her spine.
Pasting a relaxed smile to her lips, Daisy turned to Jasper saying, “Your sister and I were engrossed in conversation. I apologize if I was supposed to be somewhere.”
“Not at all, my dear, I was just longing for your company.” Daisy blushed at Jasper’s flirtatious words, which made Jasper grin before he asked her, “Are you acquainted with the Viscount of Rosemeade, Lord Jack Worth and his lovely wife, Susan?”
Daisy blinked and struggled for composure, grateful that Jasper’s casual attitude had caused him to leave out her name in the introductions. Jack looked just like his father. Daisy would have recognized him anywhere, even though it had been most of her lifespan since she had seen him. Obviously, she had changed significantly. There wasn’t an ounce of recognition in his gaze. Daisy’s smile felt a trifle crooked, but she did her best. “How do you do?”
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Lady Worth said with enthusiasm. “My husband has been friends with Lord Seaton since they were boys. We have quite despaired of him ever meeting someone sufficiently appropriate to introduce to his family and friends. You shall have to tell us all about yourself and how the two of you met, and most especially how you man
aged to convince him to leave behind his bachelor ways long enough to bring you to a house party.”
Daisy kept her smile in place through sheer strength of will. Her eyes flicked to Jasper’s gaze for a second to see how he was taking his friend’s wife’s words. From the lady’s tone, Daisy was unsure if she were in earnest, whether she were teasing Jasper, or if she were instead sensing there was something amiss with Daisy and Jasper’s relationship. She decided to take Lady Worth’s words at face value and answered politely. She had no intention of revealing anything about her own history, and she hoped to keep this conversation brief.
“There is very little to tell about myself, my lady. I have lived a rather dull life up until now. Lord Seaton and I struck up an unlikely friendship when we met quite by accident on the street in London. When we realized we were each the only ones we knew who abhorred blancmange, we just knew we had to be friends.”
Jasper was proud of her handling of the situation. He could tell she was uncertain about Susan’s question, but she managed it with aplomb. Her reply was perfect. He felt like applauding, but managed to contain his reaction to grinning like a simpleton at her. It crossed his mind that he probably looked like a fool in love. But that was to their advantage, he supposed, as long as he managed not to actually hand his heart over to the chit. Their eyes met once more, and he wondered if he might have already done the foolish deed.
He watched in wonder as the group around Daisy oohed and aahed over her words. Lady Worth’s question must have been sincere as she seemed to accept Daisy’s answer happily. They all began pelting her with questions, but they barely waited for her to respond. Everyone was laughing and talking over one another. Jasper felt rather helpless watching the scene unfold. He wished he could protect her from the attentions of his family and friends, but there was naught that could be done. In fact, it seemed as though Daisy did not wish to be rescued. She looked at him with a grin and her face aglow with delight. He was relieved to see that she had gotten over her moment of discomfort. The desire to take her in his arms and kiss that smiling mouth surged anew, and he turned away momentarily.
A Dangerous Debut: A Sweet Regency Romance (Ladies of Mayfair Book 5) Page 11
