Page 18 of The Lyon and His Promise
Gyles nodded. “I recently saw her at a masquerade at Vauxhall Gardens, but she quickly fled. I fear I made a mess of things and wish to make amends to the lady,” he confided.
“Very well.” He reached out for his drink and downed the rest of the brandy. “While I won’t go into all the details of my time with Mrs. Bouchard, I will say that our arrangement ended on my part prior to my marriage. She on the other hand tried to make one last attempt to continue our association by confronting my wife at a ball of all places. Luckily, my wife handled the situation as I would expect of a duke’s daughter even if she is young. Afterwards, Josephine left the house I had set up for her and I haven’t heard from her since. That was twoyears ago.”
Gyles placed his elbows on his thighs and leaned forward in his chair. “But surely you must have some idea of where she went after she left the townhouse.”
“I’ve heard and read the rumors associated with her and several other women in that rag called theTeatime Tattler. The editor calls them members of the Wicked Widow’s Club,” Adrian said scowling. “I hate that damn newsprint and the sly accusations it makes. If there’s anything I remember about Josephine, it’s that in the end she was just a young innocent caught up in circumstances beyond her control. She never told me much about her past and I didn’t inquire. When I found her, she was on the streets with nowhere to go. I set her up in the townhouse and it wasn’t until a while later that we became… close. Once I married, I saw no need to keep the townhouse and have since sold the place.”
“But where has she been for the past two years?” Gyles asked hoping to finally learn where Josephine was living.
“I believe you might try the residence of Mrs. Cassandra Vaughn. She lives on the west side of town in the row of townhouses reserved for ladies who are… well… mistresses of those in theton. She’s been known to take in several women who have fallen onto hard times,” Adrian replied coming to a stand.
Gyles also stood and held out his hand. “I appreciate all you’ve told me.
“You’re welcome. I suppose I don’t need to ask for your discretion in revealing anything I’ve told you to anyone else,” Adrian said as they walked toward the door.
“No. Of course not. This is just between the two of us.”
“I’d appreciate it,” Adrian said but he seemed at a loss for what he was to say next as he continued standing by the closed door. Gyles waited until the man finally voiced his one other concern. “If, and when, you do manage to bring Josephine back into Society where shehas always belonged, please remind her that she owes my wife an apology… discreetly, of course.”
“Of course,” Gyles said nodding. “Thank you again for pointing me in the right direction.”
“I hope you are successful in locating her, Lord Wickes,” Adrian said as they walked to the entrance of his home.
Gyles bid the man a good day and went to his carriage. His heart was a little lighter knowing he would see Josephine again very soon.
Chapter Fourteen
Asoft knockupon Josephine’s bedroom door came when she was checking her appearance one last time in the mirror of her vanity. She came to a stand and took a deep breath. She was ready to meet the day with whatever that might entail be it good or bad. She called out to whoever was knocking to enter. Patience beamed at her as she rushed to her side.
“He’s here!” she exclaimed with wide bright eyes. “You didn’t tell me your marquis was so devilishly handsome, Josie.”
Josephine’s knees buckled and she fell back into her chair. “Gyles is here?” she finally managed to whisper.
“Yes! Can you believe it? Cassie sent me up to come and fetch you. She’s sitting with him in the parlor so you must hurry.”
Gyles! Downstairs. Merciful heavens! What am I to do?She looked back at her reflection and saw her pale face staring back at her. She pinched her cheeks to draw some color into them for all the good that did her. She was now a wreck, and she didn’t know how she would face the man again.
But Patience wasn’t about to take no for an answer as she pulled Josephine back to her feet and all but pushed her toward the door.They began making their way down the corridor to the stairs where Josephine could hear the low hum of Gyles’s voice. She put her finger to her lips to stifle Patience’s giggles and quietly made her way to descend the staircase. And then Josephine did the unthinkable… she eavesdropped on Gyles’s conversation with Cassandra.
“I must say I’m surprised to see you here, Lord Wickes,” Cassandra said in a voice that sounded very businesslike. “May I ask what your intentions are regarding Mrs. Bouchard?”
“My intentions are only honorable, Mrs. Vaughn,” Gyles replied, and Josephine tried not to move her head around the corner to see into the room. She shushed Patience who was frantically whispering in her ear, urging her to enter the parlor.
“That remains to be seen, my lord. However, since Mrs. Bouchard has been under my roof and care for the past two years, I am sure you can understand my concern for her wellbeing.” There was a tapping sound and Josephine wondered if Cassie was rapping Gyles’s calling card on a table.
“Quite understandable, madam, and I assure you I only have Mrs. Bouchard’s best interest at heart,” Gyles answered while silence descended upon the room.
“I understand that Mrs. Dove-Lyon has specifically chosen you, Lord Wickes, as a possible suitor for Mrs. Bouchard,” Cassandra said slowly. “And are you amicable to a match between yourself and the lady?”
“That remains to be seen, Mrs. Vaughn,” Gyles said repeating Cassandra’s words from but moments before.
“How so?” she queried. “You obviously made your bet with your eyes wide open and have a debt to fulfill at the Den. Or are you accustomed to reneging on your promises, my lord?”
“I have no intention of going back on my word to Mrs. Dove-Lyon or Mrs. Bouchard,” he answered. There was a tone to his voice that he implied he was put out that Cassandra even suggested such a possibility.
“Good!” she replied and clapped her hands together. “I will leave you to work out the details with Mrs. Bouchard. Patience, see that tea is brought to the parlor along with some of Cook’s cakes. Josephine… you can come in now.”
Embarrassed that Cassie knew Josephine and Patience had been outside the room all along, she came around the doorway and dropped down into a customary curtsey while Gyles bowed before her.
