Nora had never discussed their purpose for being there. Thankfully, thanks to Nora’s braiding, Miriam couldn’t turn to look at her as she struggled to come up with an appropriate answer. “Lord Ganden wanted them to look after the house while he was gone.”
“But he has a housekeeper for that,” Miriam said.
Nora sighed. “Well, Lord Ganden wanted to make sure you were safe as well.”
“All right.” Miriam smiled and then began to braid Monica’s hair just as Nora finished with hers.
Nora stared at Miriam and couldn’t help but ask her next question, one that had been bothering her since yesterday and the reason Nora had pulled Miriam away from the other laughing girls.
Nora simply had to know.
For two days, Miriam had stayed locked in her room, and Nora had struggled to comfort her. Then, on the third day, Miriam had come out and she’d been bright with happiness when Clive had offered to buy her enough ribbons to open her own store, for that was truly how many ribbons the girl had selected even though Nora had told her she could only have three.
It didn’t make sense. Miriam had been sad, but now she seemed… not happy, but something just under that. Content, perhaps. She was even willing to learn how to fence, which would keep her busy when she wasn’t in her lessons.
“Miriam,” Nora began.
Miriam stopped and looked at her. Her blue eyes were brilliant and large. If there was any sadness within her, it was well hidden. Did she not miss George anymore?
“Why are you so happy?” Nora asked for lack of better words. “I know you miss still George, don’t you?”
Miriam looked down. “Yes.”
Nora touched her cheek. “My dear, it’s all right to be happy. I want you to be happy. Your happiness brings me great joy, but I also want you to know that it’s all right to be sad. You don’t have to hide your feelings from me. If you want to talk about anything, I am here for you. Always remember that.”
Miriam looked up. “I have a secret.”
Nora stiffened. A million assumptions ran wild through her head. What sort of secret could a ten-year-old have? “What is it?”
Miriam’s brows pulled together. “I don’t want you to be upset.”
“I won’t be upset,” Nora said quickly, but she immediately regretted it. What if Miriam told her something that did upset her? Now she couldn’t get mad in front of the girl or Miriam would never tell her anything again.
“It’s not proper what he did,” Miriam said.
Nora’s heart began to race. She felt faint. “Miriam, please. What has happened?”
Miriam looked down at Monica. “George wrote me.”
“What?” Was that all?
Miriam looked up. “I know a gentleman is not to write to a well-bred woman, but he did it anyway. He wanted me to know where he was and what he was doing and that he missed me. He promised to write at every stop.” She grabbed Nora’s arm. “Please, don’t be upset.”
Nora entire body sighed with relief. A letter? That was all? It was so innocent compared to what she’d done with Garrick the other evening.
Not that they’d done anything more than sleep, though only slightly could she recall the weight of his body on hers, holding her into the mattress so that she didn’t hurt him or herself while she slept.
Nora smiled. “You’re right. A gentleman is not to write to a well-bred miss unless they are engaged, but you both are young. So, if Lord Ganden and Lady Ganden are all right with it, then it is fine.”
Miriam grinned and turned back to Monica, giving Nora a chance to calm herself just as Garrick walked past the opening to the room, likely heading to where Lord James and his friends were presently.
At the sight of him, a thrill shot through her. She sent Miriam back to play with her new friends and then excused herself from the room to go speak with him.
∫ ∫ ∫
2 4
* * *
“Garrick.”
Garrick turned around and watched Nora approach. She was divine. He’d seen her only hours ago, yet his eyes drank her in as though they thirsted for the vision she was.
She smiled and asked, “Have you come to take us home?”
“Actually, Clive will take you home. I’m here to see James.” Clive was here. He’d stopped by Kent’s home first before coming here. The housekeeper had given him the message. “Once I’m done here, I’ll be leaving again. I’ve much to do today.”
Garrick kept his face perfectly bland as he stared down at her.
“Oh.” She moved her eyes from his hands to his face. “All right. Well, when shall I see you? Will I see you tonight?” She blushed even though she kept her tone light.
Was that an invitation?
“I won’t be joining you tonight.” Or any night, he told himself. They’d played a dangerous game before. He was not strong enough to keep himself from loving her body forever.
She blinked and then stared at him in confusion. “But what about the man who was outside my window?”
“I’ve assigned footmen to be on guard outside the house. They’ll make sure you’re not disturbed.”
Nora nodded slowly. “I see.” Her expression changed. Her color returned to its usual hue. Then she smiled falsely and said, “Good day, Lord Coldwater.” Yet as she turned away, he realized the words lacked the warmth they had earlier that day.
Garrick had to work to keep his feet rooted as she slipped back into the receiving room that she’d come out of. Once she was gone, he turned and went to James’ study where he knew the others were waiting.
* * *
Nora slipped through the servants’ door that night and started toward the main road. Once again, the ton were out in droves. The rain had not kept anyone inside for the evening. She blended in easily with the servants in their dark garments. Her face was hidden under her cloak and an umbrella.
She’d not be caught.
She told herself this even as she knew she was being a little reckless.
She was going to Meri’s house. She’d been there before while he was away. She’d looked everywhere for any sign of Lettie. She’d gone through the house on the day the servants were away and had searched for any missive or note that would lead her to Lettie.
She’d found nothing.
But now her brother was back, and he may have brought evidence back with him.
Tonight, he was out. Her special friend Joshua had sent word through Johanna. She’d written him back, again through Johanna, that she needed to get in Meri’s home tonight. Joshua had then told her he could arrange it. Nora wasn’t sure how that would work, but she didn’t ask. She trusted him, because he’d yet to let her down.
She took a hackney a few blocks away from Kent’s home and had the driver leave her a short distance from Meri’s house, just in case.
Nora stopped a short distance from Meri’s townhouse. From the outside, no one would ever suspect the man who lived inside was capable of hurting anyone. Meri could be kind and persuasive when he wished.
There seemed to be lamps burning in most of the rooms, and Nora wondered just how Joshua would manage to get her into the house without anyone being the wiser.
The front door opened, and Nora stuck to the darkness… until she saw Joshua stick his head out and wave her over.
She looked around and then rushed toward him. “What are you doing?” she whispered.
He grabbed her arm and ushered her into the house. He was dressed like a servant. “The others are downstairs playing cards.” He glanced at her. From the looks of him, no one would ever suspect that Joshua had been a soldier, one of the best if the rumors she’d heard about him were true. He was handsome with green eyes and pale brown hair. “I purchased some very expensive wine and convinced the other servants to take the night off while your brother is away.”
“Do you work for Meri?” she asked as he showed her to the servants’ hall, but she knew the way. She’d lived here as a girl.
�
��I’m his valet, but he told me to stay home tonight.”
Nora gasped as they made it to the hall. The stairway and gallery were all empty. Joshua was good. “How did you happen to get the position?”
Joshua shrugged. “You told me to follow him. This was the best way to go about it.”
They stopped before the master’s chamber as he spoke again. “I’ve looked throughout though this room and have yet to find anything.”
Joshua opened the door and moved inside with her. “The wine and game should keep the others occupied for some time. No one will disturb you in here, since only I am allowed over the threshold. He doesn’t even allow the maids to enter.”
That said something, Meri thought as she began to search the chamber that had once belonged to her parents. The fireplace was lit as well as a few lamps, turning the beige walls a bronzer tone. She grabbed a lamp so that she could see into the shadows of the room.
Then she stood and looked at him. “Joshua, did you come by Lord Ganden’s the other night? Were you looking for me?”
He frowned. “You know I can never do such a thing. Meri may be watching you.”
“How is it that you can visit Lady Johanna’s without suspicion?”
He grinned. “Surely, you can think of a reason a young man would slip away to see a beautiful woman?”
She blushed and began her search. She could think of a few reasons indeed. She was disappointed that it hadn’t been Joshua outside her window the previous night. It would have made her feel better.
Joshua remained by the door. “I’ll be surprised if you find evidence, though not completely, since you are his sister. Perhaps, there is something you know that I don’t, some familiar intuition.”
Nora shook her head and knelt to look under the bed. “I’ve not spent time with Meri in over ten years. You likely know him better than me.”
“Then why come at all?” he asked. “It’s risky.”
She knew it was risky, but Nora was… agitated and upset.
Garrick was sleeping at the brothel tonight. She knew it even though he hadn’t said it outright. She had no clue what errand he’d left to do while she’d been with Lady Kim and the other women, but upon his return, he’d been different. Cool and distant, but not unkind. He’d simply spoken to her as though she were of no importance to him.
He hadn’t said goodbye upon his departure later. She’d only heard about it when Clive had taken her and Miriam home later. Nora had seen her daughter off to bed before making arrangements for tonight.
She simply couldn’t be in her room for long. The very thought of sleeping in her bed was painful. She wanted Garrick there. Already, she was used to his company, but apparently, he needed more. She would never be enough. She should have known better. He’d been playing with her. Perhaps, boredom had made him turn to her at all.
She had to speak to Ebba. She could no longer bear the thought of kissing Garrett. She couldn’t do it.
Or maybe…
She looked at Joshua, who was still at the door, waiting for her response. “Do you have a gun I can purchase? A double-barrel pistol, perhaps?”
His pale green eyes narrowed. “What do you need such a weapon for? Do you think your brother will come after you? He won’t. He adores you.”
She stood and checked behind the dressing screen. Her brother had left everything just as his parents had once had it. She thought that odd. “And Miriam?”
Joshua crossed his arms. “I won’t let him hurt your daughter.”
“He’s left you here tonight,” she said, moving to the drawers. “Do you know where he has gone?”
When Joshua said nothing, she knew she had her answer.
“He could be hurting someone as we speak.” Nora knelt to look under the rug by the fireplace.
“I doubt it,” Joshua said. “He’s courting a woman. I believe the lady will keep him more than busy tonight.”
Nora straightened. “My brother is courting?”
“All but engaged.”
“Is the woman blonde?”
Joshua nodded slowly.
Nora stood and had to fight to keep her voice slow. “You’ve allowed him to get near a blonde woman?”
Joshua held out his arms. “What do you expect me to do? I am a servant, and we’ve yet to find any evidence against him. At the moment, I have no reason to believe you when you say he is mad.”
“Yet you continue to take my coin as though you do,” she told him. Then she looked him over. “Is that what this is about? Are you only after my money?”
Joshua glared. “Of course not. How could you ask that of me after all I’ve done? After what I did once Meri landed in Germany?”
Nora stared at him as she recalled just what she’d arranged for Meri once he was away from England. A group of men had approached her brother and asked about Lettie. Her brother had only laughed as the men beat him within an inch of his life. Joshua had reported the incident back to her, but the English papers had gotten wind of part of the story as well. When an earl was injured, the world took notice.
The men had never been found, of course, and Meri had remained in Germany even after the event.
It had been a hard decision to make. Nora had felt sick for months afterward, but Joshua had said the men had gotten one thing from her brother.
He’d said he’d never say where Lettie was. Did that mean he knew where she was or was Meri simply playing a game and had no clue what had happened to Lettie? He loved to play games.
“I do believe you, Lady Honora.”
“So, then what is your plan to keep this lady alive?”
Again, Joshua said nothing.
Nora blinked. “You do plan to intervene, don’t you?”
“If something happens to the lady, it may just be the evidence we need.”
It took Nora a moment to understand him and then another to keep her stomach calm. She didn’t have to ask what Joshua meant. He was willing to sacrifice this woman just to have her brother arrested.
Well, Nora was not. “What is her name?”
“I’ll not say.” Joshua straightened. “And you should go. Now.”
She heard noise and quickly abandoned her mission. She hadn’t expected to find anything tonight. Actually, she’d come to distract herself and nothing more, and perhaps to see how her brother lived. Everything looked so normal. Was she wrong about Meri?
At the door, Joshua peeked out and then he grabbed her hand and rushed her down the hall. At the sight of a maid, Nora dashed into her own old room, taking Joshua with her.
“What are you—”
She wasted no time explaining. She simply opened the false wall by the fireplace and grabbed a lamp. She looked back at Joshua and took in his stunned look.
“You never told me about that.”
“Meri was in Germany for years, and I hadn’t thought of it until now.” She lit the lamp and then led the way through the hidden hall. It was painfully thin and had and had a sharp descent to the first floor. “I also didn’t think it important.”
“It’s important,” Joshua said.
When they made it to the hall closet on the first floor, Joshua once again looked amazed. Nora showed him how to find the hole to open the wall and then allowed him to take over getting them out of the house.
He took her hand once more, glanced down the outer hallway, and then rushed her to the servants’ entrance. Outside, he pulled her into the dark. “I won’t let anything happen to the lady who holds Lord Thinbrook’s affection.”
Neither would Nora. She’d find out who the woman was and warn her.
Perhaps, that was the reason Meri was having her and Johanna watched. He knew Nora would not let him hurt another woman.
Nora departed and started down the road.
She took a hackney home. She’d made it into her room without being seen.
Or so she thought.
∫ ∫ ∫
2 5
* * *
Garrick clo
sed the door much louder than he’d intended and watched as Nora jumped and spun around. Her fingers clutched her cloak together.
As their eyes held, he worked to breathe through his rage.
Her gaze narrowed. “This is my private room. I will ask you to leave and do not return unless I give you leave to.” She turned away, giving him her back, purposefully making it so he couldn’t speak to her.
He grabbed a lamp from the nightstand and launched it toward the fireplace. The flame roared and hissed as the glass shattered. The room flooded with color and then cooled into a dim glow.
Yet he could make out the fear in Nora’s eyes as she turned to him again.
“Get out!”
“Who was he?”
She narrowed her eyes at his hands. “I can’t see what you’re saying. It’s too dark.”
It wasn’t too dark. He was simply too far away. So, he walked up to her and snatched her by the arm and marched her over to the fire.
“Who was he?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
“The manservant at your brother’s house.” He’d seen the way she and the servant had spoken intimately under the lamp at the servants’ entrance of her brother’s townhouse.
Her eyes widened. “How did you know… Did you follow me?”
“I did.” He’d been returning from Lord Van Dero’s son’s home when he saw Nora slipping away from Kent’s home, just as she’d tried to do days ago. He’d been upset as he followed her at a distance across town.
Why was she risking herself this way? What was the purpose of not seeking help? Did she wish for her own death? He’d watched as she’d stopped a yard from the door to her brother’s house. Garrick had known the residence, because he’d looked into it after speaking with Kent about Meriweather Holden and his relationship with Nora. Garrick had planned on asking the man about what could be scaring his sister but had yet to get around to it.
Lord Thinbrook’s door had opened and a servant had motioned Nora to enter.
They’d stayed inside for some time and then Garrick had watched her leave and had seen the way the man had held her hand as they spoke.
Wounds of A Viscount: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 13
