Page 17 of The Lyon and His Promise
He reached up to run a finger down her cheek. “I’m certain my reputation can stand the beating. Besides, it would be an honor to have you on my arm and escort you to wherever you’d like to go.”
“And what about this promise you made to my brother?”
“Let me handle your brother. Until recently, we haven’t spoken since the incident involving you so our friendship is also beginning again,” he said before he continued. “Maybe we can also start anew?”
All she had to do was say yes and her life as she now knew it would be forever changed. One little word and she could possibly have everything she had ever wished for but at what cost to the man standing in front of her? He’d be ostracized by the very people he now called his friends. She couldn’t do that to him. She’d have to let him go on with his life.
She stepped back and held out her hands to halt his progress forward. “We can’t, Gyles. I can’t let you ruin your life and your reputation because of me.”
She gave him no chance to reply when she turned and ran from his side. By the time she caught up with Cassandra she was a crying mess and begged her friend to allow her to take her carriage back home. Instead, Cassandra took Josephine’s hand and together they left Vauxhall Gardens and any chance Josephine might have had with the Marquis of Wickes.
Chapter Thirteen
Three damn weeks! How the bloody hell could one woman completely vanish off the face of the earth? She certainly hadn’t shown up at the Lyon’s Den. The man he had hired was useless and Gyles learned more on his own than what the private investigator had accomplished. Clearly his friend’s wife knew where Josephine was living, but any efforts to pry the information from the Marchioness of Saxton fell on deaf ears no matter how much her husband had coaxed.
When Gyles came to their residence the marchioness had stood before him and defiantly informed him that if Josephine didn’t wish to be found then Moriah would keep her confidence. It was up to Gyles to locate her on his own. Now, he was questioning his own judgement by waiting in the parlor of Lord Adrian de Courtenay, the man who had kept Josephine as a mistress for a short time. What had he been thinking to come here?
A woman’s laughter rang out in the entryway and Gyles rose from the chair as a couple entered the room. Lord de Courtenay introduced his wife Celia who dropped down into a curtsey.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lord,” she said brightly. Her blue eyes gazed up adoringly to her husband and Gyles couldsee theirs was a love match.
“The pleasure is mine, my lady.” He gave de Courtenay what he hoped was a look stating he needed a private word.
Adrian leaned down to kiss his wife’s cheek. “I shouldn’t be too long, my dear. Perhaps you could give Lord Wickes and me a moment or two…” The lady nodded before she excused herself.
“What can I do for you, Lord Wickes?” Adrian asked with a fair amount of curiosity in his voice.
“Perhaps a more private setting, my lord, to discuss a delicate personal matter,” Gyles suggested.
“By all means.”
Gyles followed the man down the hall and into a well-stocked library. Adrian shut the door ensuring their privacy and made his way to one of two chairs near a lit fireplace. He motioned to the vacant chair and Gyles took a seat wondering how to begin. Adrian waited patiently.
“I’m not sure how to start an awkward conversation…”
Adrian shrugged. “Then best just blurt out whatever you must ask and get the matter over with. I assumed this conversation wasn’t something that my wife needed to hear, or we’d still be sitting in the front parlor.”
Gyles took a deep breath. “This is about Mrs. Josephine Bouchard.”
If Adrian was surprised to hear his ex-mistresses name, he didn’t show it. Not even a flicker of emotion appeared on his features. “I see,” he finally drawled carefully. “And what do you think I can tell you about the lady?”
“I’m trying to find her.”
One of Adrian’s brows arched upwards. “Why?”
“She and her brother Simon, Earl of Rockliffe, are old friends of mine from our childhoods—we grew up on adjoining estates. He has asked me to aid him in locating her,” he answered hoping this wouldbe enough information to get the man before him to reveal whatever he may know. He shouldn’t have been surprised when Lord de Courtenay remained tight lipped.
“Then hire a private investigator. A good one will be able to locate the woman,” Adrian replied. He stood and went to a sideboard to pour two brandies. He returned to his seat after handing one of the crystal glasses to Gyles. He pointed a finger with the hand holding his glass at Gyles. “But I’d imagine you’ve already done that without success haven’t you or you wouldn’t be here with me as a last resort.”
“He was basically useless,” Gyles answered. “I had hoped you might shed some light on where I might find her.”
Adrian took a sip of his drink before setting down his glass. He rested one elbow on the arm of his chair and raised his hand up to his chin. Obviously, this man was torn on what he should or wouldn’t tell Gyles.
“I am not in the habit of discussing my past…relationshipswith a total stranger,” Adrian confided while he continued to watch him.
“I would be grateful for any information you might find helpful,” Gyles said and held his breath while the man seemed to mull over his decision.
“This is more than just to help her brother, correct?”
