Page 22 of An Unbending Lady for the Desperate Earl
“Christian.” Victoria whispered the name. “Yes, I will call you by such a name, if you like. It would certainly be beneficial for me, to not have to remember what I should and should not call you. All this ‘My Lord’ and ‘His Lordship’ and ‘the Earl of whatsaplace’ can get rather confusing.”
Christian breathed a sigh of relief. “Then it is settled. We shall be Christian and Victoria to one another, for the duration of our investigation.”
Not beyond it. Do not even think of that. I am to wed Helena. It has been set in stone since we were children.Even though his mother and father no longer lived, he still held to his duties—the ones they had bequeathed him with, prior to their deaths. He could not go against the promises they had made to Helena’s family, no matter what his racing mind thought to the contrary.
“I suppose it would be better for this evening, anyway, if we were to refer to one another in less formal terms. I am meant to be your cousin, after all.” Victoria flashed a mischievous smile. “Lady Laura Kildare, if I am not mistaken?”
Christian nodded. “That is correct.”
“Then, this night, we must be Laura and Christian,” she said. “Now, do you have that list that you promised me?”
He delved into the pocket of his tailcoat and pulled out a folded square of paper. “I do.”
She reached for it, and he duly handed her the item. She unfolded it and began to read aloud: “The Marquess of Merton, the Earl of Foxford, the Honorable—or should he be dishonorable?—Mr. Kentish, the Lord Grangetown, the Lord Mobberley, Sir Frederick Finch, Sir Albert Musgrave, and Sir John Regis.I confess, I have never heard of any of these individuals.”
“I will make them known to you, when we arrive. Having spoken to Lord Whitfield, the Viscount whose ball we are attending, I managed to garner that all of those present on this list will be in attendance tonight,” Christian explained.
Victoria fixed him with a stern glare. “You spoke with Lord Whitfield without me?”
“I… Yes, I did. My apologies. I happened upon him whilst I was taking a walk and seized the opportunity. I realize I should have sent correspondence, to let you know of it, but I must have forgotten along the way.” He hadn’t meant to incite her ire.
She tapped her fingers on the velvet squab. “Do not allow it to happen again. I must be informed of anything pertaining to this case, no matter how insignificant it may seem.”
“Of course, Victoria.”
“And these are all powerful gentlemen?” She returned her attention to the list. “I would not have thought these last three could be so influential, if they do not carry much of a title. Are they knights of the realm? Baronets? What?”
“Both,” Christian replied. “But they have gained their station by royal decree, after proving their worth during the wars, though Sir John gained his by being an advisor to the crown. They have garnered a great deal of respect from high society and have business ventures which have made them exceedingly wealthy. In addition, being an advisor to the crown demands attention from the landed gentry, as it offers a direct route to the head of our country. Something that cannot be taken lightly. You see, sometimes it is not only the nature of a title that grants people power.”
“Very interesting,” Victoria mused. “And you believe one of these men may be the thin fellow that Miss Jennings spoke of?”
Christian hesitated. “I cannot say for certain, but these particular individuals would have been known to Miss Jennings through her ward, as they are ever present at most social occasions. There have been past rumors of their involvement in somewhat… underhanded goings-on: gambling, brawls, unscrupulous deals, that sort of matter. Of course, they were never confirmed, but it is prudent to continue to consider them suspects.”
“I wholly agree.” Victoria folded the paper and slipped it beneath the neckline of her gown, making Christian blush furiously. She never failed to take him by surprise.
A short while later, they arrived outside the townhouse of Lord and Lady Whitfield. Other carriages were departing, having deposited their cargo of gaudy-gowned ladies and stiffly-dressed gentlemen, so they could partake in the night’s revels.
When it came to their turn, to exit the carriage, Christian opened the door and got out first, before offering his hand to Victoria. She took it gingerly, their eyes meeting for a moment that seemed to slow down the rest of the world. The breath escaped Christian’s lungs, precisely the way it had when he had looked upon her in all her finery, in that humble doorway in Southwark.
She really is radiant…This time, he didn’t scold himself. He couldn’t, for it was the stark truth.
Recovering from his breathless reverie, he kept hold of Victoria’s hand and tucked it through his elbow. With her safely at his side, he led them up the front steps of the Whitfield townhouse and passed his invitation to the fellow on the door.
Inside, music drifted through the hallways—a jaunty tune that inspired dancing, though he remembered Victoria’s sharp assertion that she would do no such thing this night. He glanced at her, and saw a smile turning up the corners of her lips, as she absorbed the new surroundings.
The Whitfields had a very grand home indeed, with a crystal chandelier casting shards of silvery light down upon the impressive entrance hall. Staff glided elegantly through the crowds, offering trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres to the revelers. Christian plucked up two glasses of champagne and offered one to Victoria, who took it gratefully. Evidently, she was more nervous than she cared to show.
“Lord Galbury, what an absolute pleasure!” a voice crowed from across the room. A plump, graying lady hurried toward him, with a shy, pallid creature at her side. Christian recognized them immediately as Anne, the Duchess of Sopworth, and her daughter, Lady Jane. With news of Helena’s disappearance having spread like wildfire, he supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised that vultures would be circling. Mothers with unmarried daughters could be utterly ruthless.
He bowed. “Your Grace.”
“I heard the terrible news,” the Duchess went on. “Why, we were heartbroken, were we not, Jane?” The meek woman at her side nodded awkwardly. “I have kept my Jane under lock and key since all of this began. She shall not fall prey to whomever has done these atrocities, you mark my words.”
“That is wise, Your Grace,” Christian replied. “It is not safe for any young lady at present. In truth, I am rather surprised to see so many in attendance tonight, considering recent events.”
“Is there not security in numbers, Lord Galbury?” the Duchess countered.
He sighed. “I hope there may be.”
