She strode away before Christian could say anything. He stared after her, his mind reeling.
Was Helena as uncomfortable with the prospect of us marrying as I was? Is that what Miss Longacre means? He did not know, and he did not suppose he would get any answers this night.
Heaving a sigh of frustration and bemusement, he set off after Miss Longacre, to save Victoria from the throng of predatorial gentleman who had surrounded her.
“Cousin, I see you are having a splendid time?” he announced, pushing past some rather boisterous fellows in order to reach her side. He put a careful hand on the small of her back, unseen by anyone watching, to let her know that he was there for her.
“It has been an absolute age since I visited the theater, Cousin,” she replied. “Well, since I visited a theater where they spoke English! I never thought my mother tongue could sound so entirely wonderful. Honestly, once you have heard badly-done Shakespeare in French, it is enough to put one off the theater for life. I am only pleased to have been able to reignite my passion for it, this evening, and in such charming company.” She fluttered her eyelashes as the crowd of gentleman bellowed their laughter in her direction.
“Where have you been keeping this one, Galbury?” One of the gentlemen nudged Christian in the ribs.
“I have not been keeping her anywhere,” he retorted sharply. “She has been with family on the continent, and you would do well to show her due respect. She has suffered gravely this past year and does not need your dire show of flirtation to add to it.”
The fellow chortled. “If only your cousin could share in your fine spirits, Lady Laura!”
“I think we ought to be on our way.” Christian pressed his hand closer to the small of Victoria’s back, and she gave a subtle nod.
“Apologies, gentlemen. My cousin does so hate to disturb his evening regime, and he shall be so very grizzly in the morning if he retires even so much as an hour late.” Victoria gestured to him with a smile. “What a delight it has been, but I must say adieu for now.”
A groan of discontent rippled through the collective crowd, as Victoria stepped out of the throng and followed Christian’s guiding hand from the theater. Miss Longacre remained with her chaperone, as she had been instructed, as they didn’t want anyone suspecting that the young Viscount’s daughter had any part in their scheme.
“Do you have to make me quite the laughingstock of London?” Christian chided playfully, as the cold night air caressed them. His carriage waited to take them home, and they hurried inside, out of the brisk chill.
She chuckled. “I couldn’t resist, Christian. And, as I mentioned yesterday, we do not want to arouse any unwanted suspicion. If I tease you outwardly, as cousins might, then the ruse is all the more believable.”
He sighed and sank back against the squabs. “You are enjoying this.”
“I must take some joy where I may, especially in such troublesome circumstances. I told you that before—even in the darkest, most perilous of times, one must always find a way to bring in some humor.” She leaned against his arm, and he didn’t move, happy to be the solid force that held her up.
“Did you notice anyone strange looking at you tonight?” Christian glanced down at her, whilst she stared ahead.
She nodded slowly. “Actually, I did.”
He froze. “Who? Can you describe them? Did you recognize them?”
“I confess, I did recognize them.”
“Tell me, Victoria—who were they? You must tell me!” His heart clenched in his chest. Could they have found the culprits, so soon after beginning this plot?
She laughed softly, her shoulders shaking against him. “It was you, Christian. You were the one looking at me.”
His terror dissipated, replaced with a relieved smirk. “That is not in the least bit amusing, Victoria.”
“No? Then why are you smiling?” She peered up at him and, so help him, he came within a hair’s breadth of closing that gap, once and for all, and kissing her.
Chapter 18
The next week passed by in a haze of balls and parties and dinners and visits to the theater and the opera. Victoria had lost track of the beautiful gowns she had borrowed from Miss Longacre, who was working devilishly hard at spreading the word of the mysterious Lady Laura.
The Duchess of Sopworth was doing her part, as well, ensuring that all and sundry knew the name of Lady Laura before the week had come to a close. Indeed, a veritable mountain of letters arrived each morning upon the silver tray at Christian’s townhouse, inviting her to this gathering and that gathering. Truly, she had become the talk of London, with every family eager to host this exciting newcomer.
“This is the trouble with high society,” she claimed, over the dinner table where she was breaking her fast. Christian sat opposite, his fork poised halfway between his plate and his mouth.
“And what may that be?” He rolled his eyes, evidently now accustomed to her daily gripes surrounding the upper echelons.
“They’re so desperate for fresh meat.” Victoria set down one of six invitations she had opened that morning. “Your social ponds are stagnant, and everyone knows everyone. So, when someone new arrives, it is a furious dash to lay claim to them first.”
Christian eyed her. “If that were true, and everyone knew everyone, we would have discovered these kidnappers by now.”
“Not necessarily.” Victoria raised a finger. “There is always a chance that I was mistaken about them being from high society itself. They could just as easily be close to a well-to-do family, with access to the same occasions and locations as said family. Yes, it would be exceedingly difficult for them to have the use of a carriage, but they may have stolen that, for all we know.”
She had been thinking a great deal about her previous suppositions, trying to figure out if she may have made a misstep somewhere along the way. She still felt certain that these criminals had something to do with high society, but she had come to realize that there might be some leeway, with regards to their positions. After all, staff could move just as easily, and just as discreetly, through the masses as actual members of the social elite.
“Do you still believe this will work?” Christian put down his fork.
“It has to.” She didn’t hesitate in her response. “Now, what is on the agenda for today? Are we to dine with kings and dance with sultans?”
He rolled his eyes. “I thought we might take a turn about Hyde Park after breakfast, and then take tea with Miss Longacre. She has invited several of the most prolific gossipmongers within her acquaintance, in the hopes of spreading your influence further. The Duchess has also given us her invitation to the Earl of Russell’s party this evening.”
“I suppose I should have more eggs, then, if we are to have such a busy day.” She cast him an encouraging smile, trying to stave off the argument they had endured each day since this plan had come into action.
He sighed. “I really think we ought to find another means of coaxing these kidnappers out of their hiding places. What good can it do, honestly, to have you in harm’s way? Will that not simply mean one more captured lady? What if you vanish, and you cannot free yourself?”
“Please, I beg of you, let us go one day without having this discussion!” she protested. “I have the means to defend myself, if I am taken. Which is more than may be said for the other ladies. They will take me into the lion’s den, not realizing that they have stolen away a lioness.”
“These are strong, clever, furtive men, Victoria. What if they overwhelm you? What if they lock you up, and you have no means of escape? What if this comes to naught, and we succeed in nothing but getting you trapped in their web?” He leaned his elbows on the table, in a most ungentlemanlike fashion.
“It will not come to that,” she replied stubbornly. “And I am quite finished with my eggs, now that I think about it. I shall go to change for the day ahead, and I strongly suggest you do the same.”
She rose without another word and crossed the room, only for Chr
istian’s voice to call her back.
“It is only because I care, Victoria.”
She didn’t dare to turn, in case she looked into those beautiful eyes of his and spilled everything that lay within her heart. A growing affection that only increased in its fervor with each passing day. For, this past week, attending so many events at Christian’s side, she had come to imagine what life might be like if she were always at Christian’s side. And, truth be told, she had come to want it, too.
“I know,” she murmured. “But there are fathers, and brothers, and fiancés out there who are without the lady they care for. I would bring them home, at any cost. I don’t have to remind you that Lady Helena is still missing. You said, once, that you loved her as a sister. That must be of more value than any care you have toward me.”
“Victoria…” He got up and Victoria instantly panicked.
He is going to say it… he is going to say that he feels something toward me, more than he should. She was no fool. She had seen the way he watched her during their outings, always endeavoring to be near her, and had heard Miss Longacre’s remarks about his feelings. Even if she had been oblivious to those things, she couldn’t have denied the way they had danced together, in a way that not even married couples would dare to dance. No, she couldn’t hear any admission of affection now, or her resolve would crumble entirely.
“I will meet you in the entrance hall in an hour.” With that, she fled the room, too afraid of hearing any truth that may stray from Christian’s lips.
Almost two hours later, Christian and Victoria arrived at Hyde Park, strolling together through the autumnal flurries of bronzed leaves that had drifted down onto the paths below. Other members of high society were indulging in a similar stroll, with the ladies chattering excitedly at the sight of the famed ‘Lady Laura,’ and the gentlemen tipping their hats to her.
She has certainly made her mark. Christian exhaled, a puff of condensation billowing out into the frosty air.
All morning, he had been unusually quiet, as he had been unable to think of anything but their parting words in the dining room. He had almost said it. He had almost told Victoria everything, but she had scampered away before he had mustered the nerve, and another opportunity had not presented itself.
Does she not feel the same? He had felt certain that she did, after their week together. They had been one another’s constant companions, even sipping brandy together in the evening, long after their duties toward the scheme had come to an end. They had talked, and warmed themselves with fire and liquor, content to simply be with one another.
And then there was the way she had pressed her palms to his chest and peered up into his eyes, as they had swayed together in her bedchamber. Wholly improper in the eyes of anyone who might have seen, but it had felt, to Christian, as though they had entered a private realm which existed solely for the two of them. He couldn’t remove the memory from his mind, no matter how hard he tried to distract himself.
I am falling in love with you. He gazed at her, as though he could somehow transfer the words into her mind, avoiding the pressure of having to speak it aloud… and risk rejection.
“Do you see the parakeets?” Victoria pointed up to one of the branches, where a small, vivid green bird perched.
He smiled. “I have always enjoyed seeing them here, especially in the colder months. They add some color to an otherwise drab London. A hint of the exotic, among the ordinary.”
Christian was about to say more, when he spied two figures standing in the shadow of one of the denser parts of woodland. They were a good distance away, but something about them had caught his eye—their stature. One shorter and broader, and one remarkably tall and thin… like a heron, the way the Duchess of Sopworth had described.
“It’s them,” Christian hissed. “Don’t make any move to suggest they have been seen. They are standing by the woodland, at the crossroads up ahead. And they are watching.”
Victoria froze. “Are you certain?”
“I believe so.” He pretended to speak with Victoria, averting his gaze until he could only see them in his periphery. “They are conversing with one another.”
“Can you see their faces?” Victoria asked.
“No… they are wearing hats, and the lower halves of their faces are obscured with scarves.” He laughed to maintain the ruse, and Victoria chuckled along with him, though her eyes held fear and determination.
“Then, we know they have heard of me,” she murmured. “The scheme is working.”
Christian’s stomach churned. “We should apprehend them now.”
“We cannot,” she shot back. “They will only lie their way out of it. We must let them come to us. Or, rather, me. They must be caught in the act of their crime or we will never be able to bring them to justice. Believe me, I know the way of these things.”
“Lord Galbury?” Another voice jolted him out of his focus. He whirled around to find Lord Mobberley and Sir John approaching—another duo of the same starkly-opposite stature. However, when he turned back, the mysterious pair beneath the trees had vanished, slithering into the darkness from whence they had come.
Blast it! He had been ready to go against Victoria’s wishes and purse those men, in the hopes it would prevent Victoria from being entangled in greater danger, but now that chance had disappeared along with the two men.
Victoria stepped in. “I do not believe we have met. Did I happen to see you at Miss Longacre’s ball?”
Lord Mobberley smirked. “No, we have not met, though I have a heard a great deal about you, My Lady. Indeed, that is why I insisted we greet you, when I saw you walking hereabouts. I am Lord Mobberley, and this is my dear friend, Sir John Regis.” He took Victoria’s hand and placed a kiss there, which only proceeded to make Christian’s stomach churn more.
Sir John did the same, grinning in the most salacious way. “You more than match the tales of your beauty, My Lady. My friend informed me that you might be the rarest bird in all of London. I doubted him, but now I see that he was entirely correct.”
“You flatter me, but I thank you,” Victoria replied politely.
“I speak only the truth.” Sir John grinned, making Christian want to smack that foolish smile off his face.
“Lord Mobberley, pardon my prying, but it looks as though you have recently lost a ring?” Victoria took Christian by surprise. “I happen to be an avid collector of jewelry, much to my cousin’s chagrin, but I can always spot these things. Did the band grow too tight? I can recommend someone to fix that, if you like?”
Lord Mobberley lifted his hand and observed the place where a ring should have been. “Ah… well perceived, My Lady. How I wish it were as simple as a band that had grown too tight. No, I gave the item to a… dear friend, who had always admired it.”
“How fortunate for her.” Victoria eyed Lord Mobberley keenly.
“Did I say I gave it to a lady?” He faltered, his eyes darting as if in panic. “I do not recall saying so. Goodness, it must be this cold air, numbing my senses.”
How did she know that? Christian stood in awe of her, for the thousandth time since they had first met. She had a secret sense about these things that he would never be able to understand.
“There is no need to be embarrassed, Lord Mobberley,” Victoria went on. “I find it quite charming, that you gifted someone with a trinket of such personal meaning.”
Lord Mobberley cleared his throat. “My, I had forgotten the time. Sir John, we have that… lunch engagement, do you recall? We really must be hurrying along.”
Sir John frowned. “Lunch engagement? I do not remember any—”
“Yes, yes, a lunch engagement. Surely, you know the one?” Lord Mobberley hastened to interject. “Come, we will be late if we do not go now. It was a delight to have finally met you, Lady Laura. Truly, I believe you may be the most famous young lady in all of London, at present. I hope that our paths may cross again.”
Half-yanking Sir John, Lord Mobberley
scurried away like a startled rat, the two men striding at a voracious pace down the central path of Hyde Park. Christian watched them leave, utterly bemused by what had just happened. Though, he reasoned Victoria would have some answers for him.
“Might you enlighten me as to what just occurred?” he said.
She smiled with a mixture of sorrow and satisfaction. “Lord Mobberley gave his ring to a lady. Judging by the softening of the indent upon his finger, he gave it to her some weeks ago. And, if I am to take his anxiety as a sign, it is my belief that he gave that ring to one of the ladies that has been taken.”
“What?” Christian gasped.
“He panicked when I mentioned the personal meaning behind the gift. He feared I might ask whom he gave the ring to, and there can only be two reasons for that: either she is a married woman; or she is someone who must be kept secret.” Her eyes widened. “My goodness, now it makes sense!”
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