Page 40 of Daring the Forbidden Earl
Undiscovered, Johanna took hold of Nora’s hand and hurriedly pulled her away from their suspicious position, leading her down the hallway to Nora’s own private study. Johanna did not say a word until they were safely inside, with the door closed behind them.
“I cannot allow this to happen,” Johanna said, in a hushed whisper. “I will not see him—or any of them—in danger.”
Nora nodded. “What should we do?”
“Not we, my dear friend.” Johanna shook her head. “I will not have you in harm’s way, either. No… this is something I must do for myself, and for Mark. It is the only way we may have a future, even if we cannot marry.”
She froze, realizing what she had just said. She supposed the truth was already out there, after what they had just heard from Liam’s study.
A glint of mischief shone in Nora’s eyes. “I knew the two of you were together. I was merely waiting for you to gather the courage to tell me yourself.”
“And… you do not mind?” Johanna hesitated, feeling suddenly nervous for approval.
Nora broke into a full, rounded laugh. “Why would I mind? I’ve been encouraging the two of you from the beginning, you dolt.” She canted her head. “Who do you think sent that letter to Carlton, knowing he wouldn’t be able to resist reading it? I hoped it would be the spark the two of you needed.” She flashed her friend a wink.
Johanna stared at Nora in abject disbelief, dumbfounded by her crafty ingenuity. Clearly, she had seen that something sweet could blossom between Johanna and Mark, even in the midst of their bitter quarreling. The legends were obviously true—nothing escaped the Countess of Keswick’s notice.
“Yousent that letter?” Johanna blurted out.
Nora cackled. “I am experimenting with a new book and thought you two could be the first to have a sample.” She put an arm around Johanna’s shoulders. “Now, tell me what you intend to do about this threat? If you need anything at all, you’ve only to ask me. I know a great many people.”
Coming back to the task at hand, knowing there would be another time for questions, Johanna took a breath. “I just need an address.”
Indeed, she was about to do what Mark and his friends could not. She was about to pay Miss Steele an unexpected visit.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Johanna stood outside a respectable, gray stone building on the very outskirts of Mayfair, not far from her own lodgings. She supposed it should not have been a surprise, for this was where the outsiders of society were forced to find a home—close enough to the members of the ton and yet not quite a part of that world.
Barons, Baronets, Knights, and Navy Captains… not to mention their wives and families. We all congregate here, trying to be more than we are.
It was somewhat different for her. She had not been born into a title, and still did not possess one. She was merely a Navy Captain’s widow, who could not even afford to have a servant reside in her apartments, not if she wanted to make the small fortune last, that her husband had left behind when he passed.
“I pray you take heed of my words, Miss Steele,” Johanna whispered to herself, to bolster her resolve. If this did not work, Mark would have to face Lord Dresday on Friday evening with his friends at his side, and she did not want to think about what might happen.
Taking a breath, she headed up the steps of the gray stone porch until she reached the front door. There, she noticed five different knobs that could be pulled, to draw the attention of the corresponding apartments. Beside the second one, a name had been inscribed on a narrow bronze plaque:Dresday.
She pulled it before her nerves could get the better of her, and awaited an answer.
A minute later, the large, green-painted door eked open to reveal a white-haired woman with a harsh squint. “How can I help you?” she asked, in an East London accent.
“I am here to visit with Miss Steele,” Johanna replied, as confidently as she could.
“Does she know you’re comin’?” The woman frowned.
Johanna gave a slight nod. “I believe so. The Countess of Keswick should have written ahead, to inform Miss Steele that I would be coming. We are attempting to gather a group of young ladies from all stations to organize a ball in aid of the Roberts Orphanage.” The lies rolled off her tongue almost too effortlessly, prompting her to make a mental note that she would have to suggest such a ball to Nora, if only to alleviate her guilt.
The older woman’s expression transformed into one of awe. “The Countess of Keswick, you say? Well, come in! I’ll send Miss Steele into you directly and make up some tea.”
Sometimes, it paid to have influential friends, and Nora was universally revered by the lower and higher classes alike… aside from some gentlemen, of course.
“Thank you,” Johanna said, as she followed the older woman into the building.
She was led up a winding stairwell to the second floor, and ushered through a set of double doors, into rather grand apartments. The ceilings were high, and the embossed wallpaper appeared to be genuine silk-screen, with plenty of fine furnishings arranged in the reception room. Evidently, the Baron of Dresday had a reasonable income… or perhaps he was living above his means, which was why he was so eager to see his daughter’s reputation salvaged.
No gentleman of high standing would wed a young lady who had already been plucked…
This entire situation smarted of Johanna’s own transgression, bringing back a torrent of bad memories. Indeed, she did not see the issue here, when no one knew that Miss Steele was no longer “pure.” Johanna had read nothing of such a lady in the scandal sheets, nor heard it mentioned by anyone at any social gatherings. Then again, she had said the same thing to her father, and it had made no difference.
