Page 52 of A Lady's Dangerous Secret
“The Runners found a piece of yellowed vellum that was a receipt for three paintings by an unknown artist, George Heddon, purchased for the Duke of Westcliffe.”
“Are the Runners suspicious of these paintings?”
“They’re still trying to sort them out. The receipt is dated from 1805.”
“If the receipt was that old, was it from the current duke or his father?”
“I’m not sure.”
“That I can determine.”
Gabe walked over to one of the many bookshelves in the study and ran his finger along the spines of the tomes until he pulled out a thick book with a red-and-gold cover titledDebrett’s Peerage, Baronetetage, Knightage, and Companionage.
James looked at the book in confusion.
“It’s a record of all the noble families with births, marriages, and deaths.” Gabe sat back down at his desk and flipped through the book until he paused. His finger skimmed across a page. “Found it! The father of the Duke of Westcliffe died in 1807. It also looks like the current duke was a second son.”
“So they need to find out how Roberts was tied to the duchy at that time,” James said.
Gabe left the book splayed open on his desk. “It’s very possible he was tied to Westcliffe, especially because the Duke’s father would have been rather aged at that point. We need more information.”
“Rumor is Charlotte’s betrothal is imminent.” James ran his hand through his hair. He was a man of action, and not having all the facts frustrated him endlessly. He wanted to make a plan.
“I haven’t yet seen an announcement in the papers,” Gabe said.
A disturbing thought passed through James’s mind. “She’s desperate. What if they elope or the Duke obtains a special license?”
“The Rowley Ball is tonight,” Gabe said. “I heard Westcliffe is attending. I’ll go and speak with him alone under the pretense of needing to discuss a political matter. This conversation will allow me to try to glean additional information.”
“I can’t stay home twiddling my thumbs awaiting your verdict,” James insisted.
Gabe looked at James seriously. “I understand your frustration, but if you attend the ball, you’ll need to stay away from Lady Charlotte. My sister mentioned she’d be there. Can you do that?”
James felt his jaw tighten. It would be infinitely better to watch the Duke parade Charlotte around than sit at Gabe’s town house not knowing what was happening. He released his jaw. “I’ll try.” He could not make any promises.
Gabe stood from his desk, now eye level with James. “If you want to save her, you need…To. Stay. Away,” Gabe punctuated each word in his most aristocratic tone, which brooked no argument.
“Fine!”
“Good. It’s settled then. Do you want a brandy?” Gabe offered in a jovial tone.
“No. I need to clear my head,” James said. “I’m going for a walk.”
“Very well then.” Gabe turned to pour himself a drink.
As James reached the door leading out of the study, Gabe’s voice floated from behind him, “It will work out.”
James paused with his hand on the doorknob and turned back toward Gabe. “I hope you’re right.”
Gabe glanced down at the still-openDebrett’sand before James could turn back around, Gabe’s face became pensive. “Wait.”
James looked at Gabe expectantly.
His friend tapped the page. “I didn’t think to make a connection, but are you a distant relation of Westcliffe?”
What an odd question.
“Good God…why would you ask that?”
