Page 9 of A Lady's Past
ChapterThree
Jacques had kept busy the past three weeks. Yet at every turn, he was tempted to go to the Everton Domestic Society and see how Diana fared. He didn’t even know if she was still there. She was so skittish, she might have left that very day he dropped her off and run like a thief with a bag full of diamonds. He couldn’t even say why she’d touched him so deeply. Perhaps it was that in spite of her strength and bravado, she had needed him. In that one moment in the dark at the inn, she had asked for his help, and he couldn’t let that go.
Having just returned to London after another visit with his parents, he went to see Francis Edgebrook. He could check on his investments and have a good laugh. With his enthusiasm for a new invention or discovery, Francis always put him in a good mood.
He rapped the knocker.
After a considerable wait the door opened. Fenwick, the butler, looked even more harried than usual. His red hair flopped in his eyes, and he struggled to make eye contact. “Good afternoon, sir. I apologize for my delay.”
“Is something wrong, Fenwick?”
A hint of amusement lifted one side of the butler’s mouth. “I’ll leave that for you to decide, sir.”
Butlers were not generally cryptic, but the Edgebrook household was unusual in a great many ways. “Is Mr. Edgebrook at home?”
“Yes, sir. You will find him in his office. Shall I escort you?”
“No need. I know the way.” Jacques handed over his hat and coat before going down the short hallway to Francis’s office.
Before he could knock, he heard a woman’s voice within, a distinctively raspy and sensual voice. Jacques opened the door.
Francis laughed at something before turning. “Jacques, I’m glad you’re here. I want you to meet my new assistant. I took a page out of Middleton’s book and hired an Everton lady. Who would have thought they could find someone to help an old man of science like me?”
Eyes wide and cheeks as pink as her sweet lips, her shock at seeing him again was evident.
Jacques’s first instinct was to kiss her senseless. Heart pounding and palms sweaty, he lost his voice for several beats. “The Everton Domestic Society is full of surprises. I had no idea Miss St. Cloud was of a scientific mind.”
Francis clapped. He’d lost some weight after nearly blowing himself to bits the previous year and he had a small scar on his left cheek from the incident, but his color was good. “You know each other. How fabulous. I do love it when my friends are already friends. It shows good taste all around.”
For the first time since he’d entered the office, Diana looked away. “We met just last week. Monsieur Laurent was kind enough to offer me transport when I was in need.”
The truth, but not all of it. She was the most intriguing woman. Jacques had thought of little else, and she was the last person he’d expected to find at the Edgebrook townhouse. “In what capacity are you assisting, Miss St. Cloud?”
Up like a shot, Francis said, “She’s a chemist and mechanic, Jacques. You can’t believe what a miracle she is. I’ve not had one fire or explosion since she arrived three days ago. Diana has a keen knowledge and such instincts.” Out the door he went, still rambling on about how wonderful Diana was.
Jacques looked at her. “I suppose we are meant to follow.”
Rising, she held back a smile, but it lit her eyes just the same. “Yes. I believe so.”
Francis was already heading down the stairs to his laboratory when they reached the hallway.
“Are you well? Has everything worked out at the Society, Miss St. Cloud?” It was best not to use her familiar name. Though just looking at her, he longed to touch and hold her. He’d begun to think the way she fit against him was just his imagination. Now he longed to test the theory.
With her lovely smooth cheeks and her pert little nose, she took his breath away. Diana met his gaze. “I should thank you for delivering me there, Monsieur. Everyone has been very kind.”
Doris Whimple stormed down the hall. “Don’t you keep him up all night with those beakers and flames. He needs his rest, you know. Oh, hello, Mr. Laurent. I didn’t know you were calling today.”
Never having seen Doris in a temper before, Jacques was unsure how to respond. One moment she’d been in a rage, and the next she’d simpered at him as if nothing was amiss. Doris had been lady’s maid and companion to Millicent Edgebrook, Francis’s niece and ward. Millie had joined Everton’s and eventually married Jacques’s friend, the Duke of Middleton.
“I just arrived, Mrs. Whimple. How are you?”
Hands on her hips, she frowned and shifted her gaze to Diana. “As well as can be expected.”
Still as mist, Diana stood next to him without reacting or responding.
Jacques had no idea what had created the tension. “We are only going to see what’s new in the laboratory. I’m sure we won’t be long.”
Taking a rather dramatic breath and heaving a long sigh, Doris said, “I’ll go and tell Cook to start some tea.”
