“Victoria.” Lord Galbury looked equally astonished, his eyes as wide as saucers.
“I look ridiculous, I know,” she said swiftly.
Lord Galbury shook his head. “On the contrary, Victoria. You look… well, you look remarkable. I have never seen you look so… um… radiant before.”
“You mean I’m perspiring? Well, wouldn’t you, if you were wearing about fifty layers of garments for the sake of supposed prettiness?” She smoothed down the front of her skirt, unable to look him in the eye.
“That is not what I meant, Victoria.” Lord Galbury smiled, his eyes twinkling. “You really do look radiant. You are always impeccably presented, and, I confess, I shall keenly feel the absence of that cloak you always wear, but this suits you well. Very well, indeed.”
Victoria arched an eyebrow. “I am sure you rehearsed that on your journey here.”
Lord Galbury burst into laughter. “I can see you never learned how to accept a well-intended compliment, but then, you wouldn’t be you if you had.”
“You believe you know me?” Victoria replied, with a note of sarcasm.
“Goodness no, but I am beginning to.” The smile did not leave his lips, making Victoria feel rather queer, in a surprisingly pleasant way.
“And that is why you think you may tease me, regarding my cloak?” She didn’t intend to let him off the hook so easily, regardless of how his smile made her stomach flutter.
“Not at all. I am exceedingly fond of that cloak, as I have come to know it as the uniform of one of the finest investigators in all of London. If not the finest.”
Victoria snorted. “More jests, My Lord?”
He paused, his expression turning serious. “I have yet to jest this evening, Victoria. I mean what I say. I would not be here, aiding you, if I did not believe that were true, with regards to you being the finest investigator in this city. Or that you do, indeed, look splendid. Or that I am very fond of your cloak.”
She didn’t know what to say. Not for the first time, he had left her somewhat speechless with his sincerity and his quick mind. Fortunately, her mother came to her aid, before she could make a complete idiot of herself.
“Will you not invite the gentleman in, Victoria?”
“There is no time, Mama,” she replied.
“Is this your mother?” Lord Galbury peered over Victoria’s shoulder, and into the parlor. Betty rose from her chair and came to greet the newcomer, where Lord Galbury duly took her hand and placed a delicate kiss upon it that made Victoria feel alarmingly envious.
“We haven’t had the pleasure, and Victoria has told me little of where she is going this evening,” Betty said, adding to Victoria’s squirming.
Lord Galbury let go of Betty’s hand. “I am Christian, Earl of Galbury. Your daughter and I will be attending a ball this evening, pertaining to a case that we are both undertaking. I assure you that I will take the utmost care of her and ensure that no harm comes to her while she is at my side.”
“And if she leaves your side? She has a habit of wandering as she pleases,” Betty teased, as Victoria urged the ground to swallow her whole.
Lord Galbury chuckled. “I intend to keep her within my reach at all times, Mrs. McCarthy. I will not let her out of my sight, so that you may rest easy, knowing she is safe.”
“I will be the one keeping you safe,” Victoria remarked, under her breath.
“Perhaps.” Lord Galbury gave her a gallant smile that only proceeded to redden her cheeks to scarlet proportions.
“That is very kind, My Lord.” Betty sketched a curtsy. “I will feel much better, knowing she is in capable hands.”
“Anyone would think I were a damsel!” Victoria protested.
Lord Galbury laughed softly. “I can assure you, nobody thinks that.”
“Come, we will be late if we tarry any longer.” Victoria was desperate to remove Lord Galbury from her mother’s presence, where the pair of them could tease her at their leisure.
“I hope you will dance with His Lordship this evening. After all, if you are to keep up appearances, you will have to be convincing. And one must dance if one is to attend a ball.” Betty managed one last word to secure Victoria’s mortification.
Lord Galbury held Victoria’s gaze. “Your mother makes an exceptional point.”
“No dancing. I do not dance. And, in this dress, it wouldn’t be dancing, it would be stumbling in every direction,” Victoria retorted. “Now, please may we go?”
Lord Galbury bowed his head to hide a hint of a smirk. “We may.”
“Goodnight, Mama. I will return here afterwards, but I advise you not to wait for me before you retire. I don’t know how long I shall be,” Victoria said, eager to be on her way.
Betty grinned. “Be as late as you wish, darling. I look forward to hearing all about it.”
Heaven help me. With a roll of her eyes, Victoria bid her mother farewell and headed out into the cold night air, the icy wind nipping at her cheeks and adding the rouge she had refused to allow her mother to apply. The breeze swept up off the river, scented with the fecundity of all that poured into those murky depths. And she had seen enough bodies dredged from the riverbed to know what horrors lurked beneath.
This is why you don’t know how to behave as other ladies might, she told herself sternly. Even in the presence of a handsome gentleman, dressed in all his finery, her mind couldn’t help but turn to the worst of this world. Being an investigator had ruined her for the romances and fairytale pleasures of simpler folk. For where others saw magic and beauty upon this Earth, she saw only shadow and pain, knowing that happiness could be stolen away at any moment by the darkness that lingered on every corner. Even where high society roamed.
This night, for example, she had no thoughts of dancing and merriment. This was not a revel for her. This was business. No, she thought only of Miss Longacre, and the dark shadows that might be coming for that young innocent when the celebrations ended, and she retired to what should have been the sanctuary of her own bedchamber. Right now, Victoria and Lord Galbury were the only ones standing between those shadows and another missing lady being emblazoned upon tomorrow’s newspapers.
How could anyone think of dancing, with lurking devils on the horizon? Devils who could well be hidden in plain sight.
Chapter 10
Christian tried his best not to stare at Victoria, throughout their journey from Southwark to Mayfair. As instructed by his fearsome associate, they had changed carriages on a quiet corner, away from prying eyes, and were now safely ensconced in Christian’s as it made its way through the familiar surrounds of the wealthy residences.
I would not recognize her, if I did not already know it to be her. He turned his gaze out of the window, while stealing a glance or two out of the corner of his eye. He didn’t know if his attempt at discretion was going unnoticed under Victoria’s perceptive watch, but he hoped so. For he was not the sort of gentleman who ever stared so outright at a lady.
Seeing her in the doorway of what he supposed to be her family home, he had been left breathless by the ethereal nature of her beauty. Once more, he found himself thinking of how unlike any other lady she was. She did not wear her beauty as a badge of honor, or as a mode of enticement to draw in rich suitors. Instead, she wore it with an air of reluctance, and even disdain. It amused and intrigued him in equal measure, considering she was quite the rarest and most striking creature he had ever had the pleasure of encountering.
“Did nobody educate you that it is rude to stare at a woman?” Victoria’s voice echoed out of the faint glow within the carriage. “I would have thought that would be your first lesson, at whatever elite establishment you attended.”
Christian smiled to hide his embarrassment. “I did not mean to stare, Victoria. I am trying to grow accustomed to this new demeanor of yours. It is surprising and, as such, it is taking some time for the shock to dissipate.”
“I am little changed, Lord Galbury.”
I suppo
se that is true. You are the same Victoria I have come to know, in some small measure. And, in truth… I almost prefer the plain dress and woolen cloak. He did not say so out loud. Indeed, the thought perplexed him, for it was not the sort of thought he ought to be having, with his fiancée captured by villains.
“Actually, I have been contemplating that,” he said, to try and alter the subject and clear his mind of wayward notions.
“What? My attire? You would have me always dress in a ballgown and these ludicrous silken gloves that will be ruined within an hour? Why, I would be laughed out of London!” Victoria retorted, with her usual caustic wit.
He shook his head. “No, not that. I agree, it would be highly impractical. Although, it would certainly make criminals pause in their actions, if you were to come barging in, wearing such grandeur.” He chuckled softly at the image.
“Then what did you mean? Speak frankly.” Victoria leaned against the carriage wall and fixed her gaze upon him, making him feel suddenly flushed. Those intense eyes had a habit of making him feel unsettled.
“If you have insisted upon my referring to you as Victoria, even though it goes against every mote of propriety within my person, then it only seems fair that you call me Christian. Then, we may be on equal footing, as associates ought to be.” He gulped awkwardly. “I would not be an Earl to you, but a partner in our joint endeavor, dispensing with titles and formalities.”
He had been thinking about it since they parted ways after speaking to Miss Jennings. He had never felt particularly comfortable with having a higher status over others, but it seemed even more undesirable when he was in Victoria’s company. He didn’t want there to be any societal barrier between them, not while they continued on this missive together.
And, perhaps, beyond that… He scolded himself for even thinking it, wondering what on earth had got into him. He convinced himself it was the lack of sleep he had been enduring, since Helena had gone missing, sending him quite mad.
“Christian.” Victoria whispered the name. “Yes, I will call you by such a name, if you like. It would certainly be beneficial for me, to not have to remember what I should and should not call you. All this ‘My Lord’ and ‘His Lordship’ and ‘the Earl of whatsaplace’ can get rather confusing.”
Christian breathed a sigh of relief. “Then it is settled. We shall be Christian and Victoria to one another, for the duration of our investigation.”
Not beyond it. Do not even think of that. I am to wed Helena. It has been set in stone since we were children. Even though his mother and father no longer lived, he still held to his duties—the ones they had bequeathed him with, prior to their deaths. He could not go against the promises they had made to Helena’s family, no matter what his racing mind thought to the contrary.
“I suppose it would be better for this evening, anyway, if we were to refer to one another in less formal terms. I am meant to be your cousin, after all.” Victoria flashed a mischievous smile. “Lady Laura Kildare, if I am not mistaken?”
Christian nodded. “That is correct.”
“Then, this night, we must be Laura and Christian,” she said. “Now, do you have that list that you promised me?”
He delved into the pocket of his tailcoat and pulled out a folded square of paper. “I do.”
She reached for it, and he duly handed her the item. She unfolded it and began to read aloud: “The Marquess of Merton, the Earl of Foxford, the Honorable—or should he be dishonorable?—Mr. Kentish, the Lord Grangetown, the Lord Mobberley, Sir Frederick Finch, Sir Albert Musgrave, and Sir John Regis. I confess, I have never heard of any of these individuals.”
“I will make them known to you, when we arrive. Having spoken to Lord Whitfield, the Viscount whose ball we are attending, I managed to garner that all of those present on this list will be in attendance tonight,” Christian explained.
Victoria fixed him with a stern glare. “You spoke with Lord Whitfield without me?”
“I… Yes, I did. My apologies. I happened upon him whilst I was taking a walk and seized the opportunity. I realize I should have sent correspondence, to let you know of it, but I must have forgotten along the way.” He hadn’t meant to incite her ire.
She tapped her fingers on the velvet squab. “Do not allow it to happen again. I must be informed of anything pertaining to this case, no matter how insignificant it may seem.”
“Of course, Victoria.”
“And these are all powerful gentlemen?” She returned her attention to the list. “I would not have thought these last three could be so influential, if they do not carry much of a title. Are they knights of the realm? Baronets? What?”
“Both,” Christian replied. “But they have gained their station by royal decree, after proving their worth during the wars, though Sir John gained his by being an advisor to the crown. They have garnered a great deal of respect from high society and have business ventures which have made them exceedingly wealthy. In addition, being an advisor to the crown demands attention from the landed gentry, as it offers a direct route to the head of our country. Something that cannot be taken lightly. You see, sometimes it is not only the nature of a title that grants people power.”
“Very interesting,” Victoria mused. “And you believe one of these men may be the thin fellow that Miss Jennings spoke of?”
Christian hesitated. “I cannot say for certain, but these particular individuals would have been known to Miss Jennings through her ward, as they are ever present at most social occasions. There have been past rumors of their involvement in somewhat… underhanded goings-on: gambling, brawls, unscrupulous deals, that sort of matter. Of course, they were never confirmed, but it is prudent to continue to consider them suspects.”
“I wholly agree.” Victoria folded the paper and slipped it beneath the neckline of her gown, making Christian blush furiously. She never failed to take him by surprise.
A short while later, they arrived outside the townhouse of Lord and Lady Whitfield. Other carriages were departing, having deposited their cargo of gaudy-gowned ladies and stiffly-dressed gentlemen, so they could partake in the night’s revels.
When it came to their turn, to exit the carriage, Christian opened the door and got out first, before offering his hand to Victoria. She took it gingerly, their eyes meeting for a moment that seemed to slow down the rest of the world. The breath escaped Christian’s lungs, precisely the way it had when he had looked upon her in all her finery, in that humble doorway in Southwark.
She really is radiant… This time, he didn’t scold himself. He couldn’t, for it was the stark truth.
Recovering from his breathless reverie, he kept hold of Victoria’s hand and tucked it through his elbow. With her safely at his side, he led them up the front steps of the Whitfield townhouse and passed his invitation to the fellow on the door.
Inside, music drifted through the hallways—a jaunty tune that inspired dancing, though he remembered Victoria’s sharp assertion that she would do no such thing this night. He glanced at her, and saw a smile turning up the corners of her lips, as she absorbed the new surroundings.
The Whitfields had a very grand home indeed, with a crystal chandelier casting shards of silvery light down upon the impressive entrance hall. Staff glided elegantly through the crowds, offering trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres to the revelers. Christian plucked up two glasses of champagne and offered one to Victoria, who took it gratefully. Evidently, she was more nervous than she cared to show.
“Lord Galbury, what an absolute pleasure!” a voice crowed from across the room. A plump, graying lady hurried toward him, with a shy, pallid creature at her side. Christian recognized them immediately as Anne, the Duchess of Sopworth, and her daughter, Lady Jane. With news of Helena’s disappearance having spread like wildfire, he supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised that vultures would be circling. Mothers with unmarried daughters could be utterly ruthless.
He bowed. “Your Grace.”
“I heard the
terrible news,” the Duchess went on. “Why, we were heartbroken, were we not, Jane?” The meek woman at her side nodded awkwardly. “I have kept my Jane under lock and key since all of this began. She shall not fall prey to whomever has done these atrocities, you mark my words.”
“That is wise, Your Grace,” Christian replied. “It is not safe for any young lady at present. In truth, I am rather surprised to see so many in attendance tonight, considering recent events.”
“Is there not security in numbers, Lord Galbury?” the Duchess countered.
He sighed. “I hope there may be.”
“And who is this charming angel?” The Duchess eyed Victoria coldly, no doubt suspecting a rival to Lady Jane. Ladies such as the Duchess saw any vacation of a betrothal as an opportunity to weasel their own daughters into said position, even if that position hadn’t been vacated by choice.
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