Page 15 of Never a Duchess
They swapped items—asgian dubhfor a white lace handkerchief bearing the initials A. G. and stained with blood.
Callan considered the evidence as he walked back through Lord Kinver’s garden, picturing the excitement on Miss Ware’s face as she studied the clue. Indeed, he suspected he would have a new role in the lady’s life. As well as being her tutor in what he hoped would be the beginning of a glorious love affair, he feared he would be her partner in the hunt for a villain.
ChapterThree
“What did Dounreay say to you before you climbed into the carriage?” From the opposite seat, Devon Masters considered Lillian through narrowed eyes as the vehicle rumbled through the dim Mayfair streets. “It looked like a heated conversation.”
The duke had been firm in his opinion.
“Just that I should put thoughts of the poor woman out of my mind. We had probably witnessed nothing more than a lovers’ tiff.”
That was not what Dounreay had said.
What he’d said had shocked Lillian to her core.
The duke had insisted she heed his warning. “Ye’ll nae investigate this matter alone. Accept my help, else I’ll put ye in my carriage and tell Dewart nae to stop until we reach Inverness.”
She had tried to tell him she would enlist professional help yet was forced to agree to his demands, fearing he would make a scene.
But she could not tell Mina and Devon the truth. They would stalk her night and day and insist on accompanying her to Little Chelsea tomorrow.
Devon cast Mina a sidelong glance. “Perhaps we should mention the matter to Roxburgh when we reach Hanover Square.”
No!
That would ruin everything!
“If you must burden my brother with pointless problems, at least wait until he’s had a good night’s sleep,” Lillian interjected.
Little Alexander’s teeth were cutting his gums. Her nephew’s distressed cries kept the household awake from dusk until dawn.
“Someone may have seen you entering the bedchamber,” Devon challenged.
“It was dark, and I kept to the shadows.”
“Did you meet Dounreay for a secret rendezvous?”
Mina jumped to Lillian’s defence. “You know she avoids the duke at all costs. Since the mystic told her she would marry a man who bears his knees in public, she refuses to give the Scot the time of day.”
Thankfully, Dounreay had worn trousers tonight.
“The duke followed me out of concern for my welfare.” It was not a lie. It was undoubtedly why he had agreed to meet her at the home of an enquiry agent in Little Chelsea tomorrow.
Devon snorted. “We care about your welfare, Lillian. I know how a man looks at a woman when he wants her.”
Don’t tell me how Dounreay looks at me!
Else I shall torture myself in the lonely hours until dawn.
Still, her burning curiosity could not be tempered. “Pray enlighten me so I might take notes for my book.”
“You’re so worried about saving women from rogues, you’re in danger of being ruined yourself,” Devon countered.
Lillian gestured to the couple. “If ruination looks like this, perhaps I should write a different book.” They had married for necessity but were so desperately in love it gave the most cynical hope.
“We are merely reminding you to be careful,” Mina said.
“And I am blessed to have your friendship, but you do not need to worry about the Duke of Dounreay. In future, I shall insist on a chaperone.”
