Page 56 of Daring the Forbidden Earl
“Not to the common folk,” Nora replied, pointing to the drawing room door. “As the housekeeper just illuminated—everyone adores a commoner who defies the odds to become truly great, and a mastiff is the perfect visual for such a man. A loyal, fierce, and yet somewhat ordinary hound.”
They were interrupted by the door swinging open and Miss Steele entering. The poor girl did not look well at all—her face deathly pale, her eyes dull, her hair unkempt and unclean, while she seemed to be wearing some kind of sackcloth, as though she were in the midst of funeral rites. It did not give Johanna hope that Miss Steele would be able to make another promise… and keep it this time.
Miss Steele sat down in silence, looking as though she could barely keep her head up.
“Do you know why we are here, Miss Steele?” Johanna began, though not unkindly. Indeed, part of her wanted to take the young woman out of here, so she might begin her new life swiftly, just as Johanna was about to.
The girl frowned. “Are you here to thank me for keeping my promise?”
“Pardon?” Johanna and Nora exchanged a puzzled look.
“I did as you asked, though I received a whipping for my trouble,” Miss Steele replied. “My father was about to leave the apartments, and I did not know how to stop him—so I told him that I suspected I was with child. He flew into a rage, called the physician to confirm it, and whipped me with a switch when he discovered it was untrue. So, I apologize if I am not particularly welcoming.”
Johanna sat there for a moment, unsure of what to say. Of course, she knew there was some sort of mistake, for she had heard of what had happened last night from Mark himself. And Kenneth and Liam had both verified it. Yet, it truly seemed as though something dire had befallen Miss Steele, and she seemed tothinkshe was telling the truth.
“At what hour did this happen?” Nora asked.
Miss Steele shrugged. “My father attempted to leave at half-past-nine, and he was kept occupied by my falsehoods until at least midnight, for the physician was late in arriving.”
Confusion splintered through Johanna’s mind, for none of this made any sense whatsoever. How could Lord Dresday have been here in these apartments from half-past nine until midnight, when Mark, Liam, and Kenneth had all witnessed him at Hyde Park at ten o’clock?
Unless…
“You are quite certain your father was here?” Johanna probed. She had to be sure.
Miss Steele flashed an irritated look at her. “Would you care to see my lashings? Must I prove myself, or be held to ransom?” Her tone came out sharp. “I did as you asked. Now, if you would be so kind, I would like to return to my bed so that I may rest.”
“I apologize for any harm that came to you, Miss Steele.” Johanna could barely get the words out, for her thoughts were already upon Mark, and escaping this city as soon as humanly possible. Within the next hour or so, if it could be done.
Lord Dresday has already used his minions in his stead.
Nora raised a hand as Miss Steele stood to go. “Can I ask you one further question, and then we’ll make ourselves scarce?”
“I suppose I have no choice,” Miss Steele replied curtly, wincing in pain.
“Your father isn’t injured, is he?”
Miss Steele frowned. “No. I am the only injured party here.”
“Very good, Miss Steele.” Nora paused. “And if you require any assistance in departing London with your paramour, you have only to knock upon my townhouse door and I’ll see that it’s done, as recompense for the torment you put yourself through last night for my friend here.”
Miss Steele’s eyes widened, and her cross expression suddenly evaporated. “Do you mean it, Countess?”
“I always aid a lady in need,” Nora confirmed.
“Oh… thank you, Countess. You cannot know what this means to me. Indeed, if you could—” The young girl’s words came to an abrupt halt as a floorboard creaked outside the drawing room door. She froze in panic, as did Johanna. Was someone eavesdropping? The housekeeper would have been the more preferable option, but Johanna had a sinking feeling that they were not to be so lucky.
Nora stood up and went to the doorway, crouching low to the keyhole and peering through it. Straightening up again, she gave a slight nod to Miss Steele and Johanna and put a finger to her lips. Next, she mimed writing a letter to the former, and tapped a hand to her chest, as if to say, “Write to me of your needs, and I’ll see them done.”
“Well, thank you graciously for meeting with us, Miss Steele. I shall correspond with you, in due course, regarding the ball for the orphanage. Your suggestions for the theme have been invaluable,” Nora said, beckoning for Johanna to join her at the door. “Truly, you are an impeccable young lady.”
Miss Steele gave a nervous nod. “It was my pleasure, Countess.”
That done, Nora flung the door wide. Johanna peered over her shoulder, eager to see who the eavesdropper might be… but there was no one there. The reception room was entirely empty, though the door on the far side of the space, which had been closed upon their arrival, was now open halfway.
“We must go,” Nora whispered. “Quickly.”
She seized hold of Johanna’s hand and led her through the reception room, heading for the front door. Opening it, they hurried out onto the landing and practically skidded around the balustrade to reach the staircase. All the while, Johanna’s mind raced. She was desperate to reach Mark and inform him of what they had just been told. For whoever Mark and his friends had encountered last night, it was not Lord Dresday. At least, not in person.
