Ducal Encounters 02 - With the Duke's Approval

by Wendy Soliman

  ***

  Anna watched Zach stand to pour drinks for them all. She was the only one to refuse. She observed Lord Romsey in the periphery of her vision, looking as suave, as handsome as always. But the worry lines etched in his forehead told a different story, as did the stormy set to his features. No doubt her abduction—a case of mistaken identity—had its roots in some diplomatic disaster or other he would be required to untangle, ensuring the British government didn’t become embroiled or, God forbid, somehow compromised. Anna felt for him excessively. It seemed very unfair he should have to do so much. Surely there were others equally well qualified?

  “The count spoke with Frankie a few nights ago, asking about her late husband’s papers,” Lord Romsey explained.

  “You think they contain something to his detriment?” Anna frowned. “Even if that is the case, why should it matter to him after all this time? I assume the papers relate to the war, and that has been over for three years.”

  “That is what I have yet to discover.” Lord Romsey stood, looking magnificent in his blue coat and superbly tied neckcloth. He also looked tired. She suspected he had not slept much since her abduction. Working, always working. She was quite determined to do something to change that situation. “I already have people looking into his family’s circumstances in the new Prussian territories.”

  “Do you actually have any of your husband’s personal papers, Lady St. John?” Zach asked.

  “Yes, but I have never been able to bring myself to look at them. They are in a locked box in Farrington House.”

  Poor Frankie, Anna thought. She had not been widowed for so very long, and if she was unable to look at her husband’s papers, it was probably because it upset her too much, or because reading his diaries would invoke painful memories. It was asking a lot to expect her to do so, but even Anna could see there was no help for that.

  “Would you object if I looked at them, Frankie?” Lord Romsey asked. “You may rest assured I will not snoop into St. John’s personal affairs any more than is absolutely necessary.”

  “By all means.” Frankie spread her hands. “After all the trouble I have inadvertently caused for Anna and her family, anything I can do to make amends, consider it done.”

  “I shall send an express to Amos,” Zach said, “explain the situation, ask him to collect the papers and bring them to London himself.”

  “Oh, but he and Crista didn’t wish to come to London,” Anna reminded her brother.

  “They will when they learn what happened to you.”

  “It seems unnecessary to disturb them. I’m sure a servant could collect the papers.”

  “No,” Lord Romsey replied. “If the count is as determined as we think, it is only a matter of time before he thinks to look to your country estate, Frankie. If he is desperate enough to resort to abduction, there is no telling what lengths he might go to in order to obtain St. John’s papers. You ought to write a note to your servants, advising vigilance and giving Amos permission to collect that box.”

  “I shall do so immediately.”

  “Are things really that dire?” Anna asked, knowing from her own experience that they must be, but still reluctant to accept the fact.

  Lord Romsey fixed her with a smouldering look that made Anna’s heart beat a little faster. “You know they are,” he said softly.

  “I am sure money must be part of the problem,” Anna said, feeling heat invade her face as she tore her gaze from Lord Romsey’s handsome features.

  “What do you mean, Trouble?” Nate asked.

  “Well, the count thinks very well of himself, am I right?”

  Everyone nodded. “People either adore him, or are disgusted by his pride,” Frankie said. “For the most part, it is the latter.”

  “Quite so. But I am willing to wager those who do the adoring are mostly impressionable young ladies.”

  “What are you getting at?” Vince asked.

  “I’m not entirely sure.” Anna wrinkled her brow. “All I know is that the count’s engagement to Miss Outwood will make him a very wealthy man. She could have taken her pick from a wide circle of admirers simply because of her huge dowry, details of which her mama ensured were circulating the ton before her daughter made her come-out. She chose to accept the count and appears infatuated by him.” Anna paused. “The same most definitely cannot be said of the count. Ergo, he must need her money.”

  Zach seemed impressed by her reasoning. “Very possibly,” he said.

  “Perhaps Portia will learn something more about him at the musicale,” Anna mused.

  Zach laughed. “I very much doubt he will give anything away in public. I only suggested our mother and Portia watched him to ensure they went out this evening. I didn’t want Mother to hear all the particulars of your ordeal, Anna.”

  Anna smiled up at her brother. “That was thoughtful.”

  Lord Romsey stood. “You must all excuse me. Now I know in which district you were held, Lady Annalise, I must make preparations for searches to be made at first light.”

  “Keep me informed,” Zach said.

  “Certainly I shall. And you must let me know the moment Frankie’s papers arrive.” Lord Romsey turned to Anna, took her hand and kissed the back of it. “I am so very glad to see you looking better,” he said softly, holding her captive with his eyes for longer than was strictly necessary. For her part, Anna was completely unable to tear her gaze away for his, and he was the one eventually to break the connection.

  “Thank you,” she replied. “I hope I shall see you again very soon. I would like to try and find the location where I was held. Apart from anything else, seeing it in broad daylight will help me to put it behind me.”

  Lord Romsey looked at Zach. “Let’s see how you feel tomorrow,” Zach said. “Then we can decide.”

  “I shall call tomorrow for the same reason,” Lord Romsey told her before turning to Frankie and taking his leave of her also.

  “Try to stay out of trouble, Clarence,” she said drolly. “I know you when you get your teeth into a problem. Nothing and no one will divert you until you find a solution.”

  “Which makes me very good at what I do.” He pushed a silky lock of dark blond hair away from his scowling eyes. “The count would do well to remember that.”

  Good heavens, Anna thought. The suave diplomat was permitting his emotions to show. She fancied that did not often happen. She watched his broad back as he turned to leave the room, frantically searching for an excuse to make him stay a little longer. Nothing sprang to mind, but she realised her brothers were watching her watching him rather too intently. She abruptly looked away. Unless…until she was sure her feelings were returned, she would not humiliate herself by making them apparent to her relations, none of whom were in charity with Lord Romsey at that precise moment.

  The object of her affections reached the door, looked back over his shoulder, and sent her another of his disarming, lopsided smiles. Anna’s insides melted.

  “Anna,” Zach said, sounding amused rather than angry when the door closed behind Lord Romsey and she was still staring at it. “You ought to return to your room and rest. There is nothing more you can do to help at the moment.”

  Chapter Nine

  Talking about her ordeal had driven away the residue of Anna’s fear, and she was now every bit as determined to expose the perpetrators as her brothers and Lord Romsey were. Frankie would not be safe until they discovered what it was they thought she possessed and ensured her abductors did not procure it.

  Exhaustion washed through her as she slowly climbed the stairs and returned to her room. Fanny was waiting to treat her scrapes with Doctor Fisher’s ointment and then helped her into bed.

  “I have another sleeping draft the doctor left for you.”

  “No thank you, Fanny.”

  “Are you sure, my lady? Her grace said to be sure you took it.”

  “I don’t want it. You may leave me. I won’t need you again tonight.”

&n
bsp; “No, ma’am, I cannot. Her grace gave instructions you were not to be left unattended. She said so quite specifically.”

  “And I am telling you otherwise. Refer the duchess to me if she tries to blame you.” She clapped her hands. “Now shoo, off to your own bed.”

  “Very well, my lady.” Fanny looked undecided, but Anna knew she would not disobey a direct order. “If you are sure.”

  “Perfectly sure. Good night.”

  “Good night, my lady.”

  In spite of feeling so weary, Anna lay wide awake for a long time, staring at her bed’s canopy, counting her blessings in a way she hadn’t done since she was a child. Unlike the wretched souls she had seen shivering in the streets last night, she now felt snug, safe, and blessedly warm. She wriggled her toes and pulled her knees up to her chest, nestling more comfortably beneath her pile of covers. She was battered and bruised, it was true, but those bruises would heal in a short time. The mystery as to why the count was desperate enough to resort to kidnap would endure, but finer minds than hers were working to unravel that particular mystery. There was little more she could contribute.

  Anna’s thoughts dwelt instead upon the delicate matter of winning Lord Romsey’s heart; something she was now quite determined to attempt. She was sure he enjoyed her society, and he seemed genuinely upset by her ordeal, but that wasn’t enough to satisfy Anna. She required him to let his guard down, put his admiration for her ahead of his duties, and admit to his feelings for her. Always supposing he entertained any, or that he was aware of them if he did.

  Anna thumped her pillows into a more comfortable nest and scowled with determination. There was only one way to find out.

  Even if he was aware of the attraction he felt, which was far from certain because men could be so silly about these things, Anna knew he would not act upon that knowledge. He wouldn’t act because…well, because he was too serious, too honourable, too everything that she was not. Well, they said opposites attract, did they not? There, she had diagnosed his problem. Now, all she had to do was make him equally aware of it. Unfortunately, her freedom would be severely curtailed until the marauding count and his underlings had been arrested, and Anna had no idea how long that would take. Now that she had decided to take action, she was not prepared to tolerate delays, and needed to create an opportunity to be alone with his lordship.

  On the brink of falling asleep, temporarily defeated, an idea occurred to Anna; a rather reckless manner in which she and Lord Romsey could be thrown together. After her narrow escape, she could be forgiven for throwing off social restraints, could she not? If being kidnapped had taught her nothing else, at least she had learned life was precious. It most definitely ought to be grasped and lived to the full. Yes, it absolutely should. Anna drifted off to sleep with a smile on her cut lips and a plot incubating in her brain.

  She slept very soundly and only the rattle of the drapes being opened woke her the following morning. Judging by the brittle sunshine that flooded the room, it was another crisp, cold day. Conscious of another person close by, she blinked sleep from her eyes and found her mother seated beside her.

  “Mama, what time is it?”

  “Good morning, Anna. It’s gone eleven. How do you feel?”

  “Goodness, I must have slept for more than twelve hours.” Anna sat up and stretched. “That is not at all like me.”

  “Heavens, child, after what you went through, I’m not in the least surprised. I only asked Fanny to open the curtains because it’s time to dress your poor wrists and ankles.”

  “I’m glad you woke me, Mama. I don’t want to sleep the day away.”

  “I hear you went downstairs last night,” the duchess said on a note of mild censure.

  “I knew the boys would be anxious to learn all the particulars of my adventure.”

  Mama shuddered. “I would hardly call it an adventure.”

  “Well, anyway, it seems it is all to do with some diplomatic business that Lord Romsey is working to unravel.”

  Anna’s mother sent her a probing, speculative look. “I am sure he is.”

  “Would you care for some breakfast, my lady?” Fanny asked.

  “Yes please, Fanny.” Anna still didn’t have much of an appetite, but replied pretended otherwise, partly to please her mother, but also because she would need her strength for what she had in mind.

  “I shall be back directly,” Fanny said, beaming.

  “How was the musicale, Mama? Did Portia get anywhere with her sleuthing?”

  “Unfortunately not. The count and Miss Outwood sent their apologies. It seems a last minute invitation to dine at Carlton House supersedes anything else.”

  Anna wrinkled her nose. “I had heard the count was a favourite of the prince’s. I dare say they deserve one another. And Miss Outwood will be beside herself with importance, having dined with the regent.”

  “Lord Roker was all for dashing round here last night when he heard you were indisposed,” Mama said, fighting a smile.

  Anna rolled her eyes. “I dare say he went home and composed more of his dire poetry.”

  “You are being most unkind, my dear. He means well.”

  “You wouldn’t say that if you had to listen to his poetry.”

  Mama’s smile defied her best efforts to contain it. “No, most likely not.”

  Fanny returned with Anna’s breakfast.

  “I shall leave you to eat in peace,” Mama said, standing. “I suppose it’s pointless to suggest you remain in bed for the remainder of the day?”

  “Absolutely.” Anna clasped her mother’s hand. “Don’t worry, Mama. I feel so much better today. Look, I can even flex my fingers, and they have been reduced to their normal size again. Well, almost.”

  “That is something, I suppose.”

  Once her mother left her, Anna toyed with her food while plotting her next move. When she had eaten sufficient, she had Fanny remove the tray and then help her from bed. Fanny smoothed more cream onto her scrapes and helped her to wash and dress. Anna then seated herself at her escritoire in the corner of her sitting room and reached for pen and ink. She had written this letter many times in her head last night, and now committed those words to paper with the same single-mindedness she had employed as a child when determined to join in her brothers’ games.

  Lord Romsey, she wrote. I am pleased to say I woke disgustingly late this morning, having slept through the night with no bad dreams to disturb my repose. Mama tells me the count and Miss Outwood dined at Carlton House last night. Clearly, the count is intimate with the prince. I’m not sure if that is significant and, anyway, I don’t suppose I’m telling you anything you did not already know.

  Mama also tells me I must expect a visit from Lord Roker this afternoon. The prospect does not fill me with joy, and I am afraid that more terrible poetry will set back my recovery. Besides, how am I to explain away the state of my face if I am seen by any of society’s elite? A solution to both problems occurs to me. I am more determined than ever to revisit the east end and discover the location of my prison in the hope that will aid your investigation. It is in this respect that I write to beg your intervention.

  If you have any desire to be of service to me, can I prevail upon you to call immediately after luncheon and conduct me to that district? Don’t worry about my brothers causing difficulties. Vince and Nate make themselves scarce in the afternoons, taking refuge at their club to avoid the ladies who call on the pretext of seeing my mother, sister and I, but whose real purpose is to show themselves to my brothers. Zach will probably keep guard over Frankie, leaving you and I at leisure to explore to our heart’s content.

  If more pressing matters prevent you from keeping the engagement I shall, of course, be pleased to excuse you from it. Although she had no intention of giving up that easily.

  With best wishes, Annalise Sheridan.

  Anna took a deep breath before sealing her missive, feeling as though she was sealing a very great deal more than a letter of
questionable validity written to a single gentleman. Mama would be horrified if she knew. Such things simply weren’t done by ladies of quality but, given the circumstances, Anna felt the rules seemed rather stringent. Besides, how could she press ahead with her plan to ensure Clarence Romsey learned to relax his rigid observation to duty if she never had the opportunity to see him alone?

  Quite apart from that, she really couldn’t face receiving callers when she was still so battered and bruised. That aspect of her letter was absolutely true. Rumours would abound as to the cause of her injuries and all the trouble her family had taken to keep her abduction secret would have been in vain. More than one young lady felt aggrieved by Anna’s presence in the ton simply because she was so popular, and they would be happy to orchestrate her downfall by spreading rumour and innuendo that had no basis in truth.

  What if Lord Romsey refused her? Well, Anna decided, if he did not grasp this chance to be alone with her, he wasn’t the man she thought him to be, and she would forget all about him.

  “Fanny,” she said. “I need your help.”

  “What is it, my lady?”

  “I need you to have this note delivered to Lord Romsey in Moon Street.”

  Fanny’s eyes widened. “My lady!”

  “Don’t look like that, Fanny. It is to do with what happened to me, but I don’t want the duke, or any of my brothers, to know about it. They will only make a fuss. Can you trust that nice young footman you walk out with to deliver it for me without Mr. Faraday finding out?”

  “How did you know…” Fanny blushed scarlet. “How did you know about Peter, my lady?”

  “I saw you together in the park on your afternoon off. You looked very happy.”

  “Oh, I am, my lady.” Fanny’s blushed deepened, but she did look desperately in love. Anna was pleased for her. “I hope you don’t think I’m acting improperly.”

  “Not in the least. The duke does not mind what his servants do in their own time, just so long as they behave respectably.”