Page 27 of An Unbending Lady for the Desperate Earl
“I am no longer sure,” she replied.
“Of what?”
She took his arm and led him further away from the irksome duo. “When I saw that indent on Lord Mobberley’s finger, I felt certain that we had happened upon the criminals who took those young ladies. But they were talking about Sir John marrying Miss Longacre. They even spoke of making assurances with regards to the Viscount’s business endeavors. Those do not seem like the actions of someone with the intent to kidnap Miss Longacre, do they?”
Christian tapped his chin in thought. “Perhaps it is a ruse, to put anyone listening off the scent?”
“Mmm… perhaps.” The trouble was, she had witnessed so many evildoers in this world that she had come to recognize the subtle nuances between a ruse and the truth. And their discussion had sounded like nothing more than the banter of two friends with delusions of grandeur.
Which meant the real kidnappers could be elsewhere, hiding among the revelers. Or, worse still, watching from the outside, waiting for their moment to strike.
I hope they are better liars than any villain I have ever encountered. I hope I am wrong.But, deep down, she knew she was not.
Chapter 12
Time wore on, with late evening turning into the small hours of the morning. Gradually, the celebrants dispersed, trickling away from the ball in dribs and drabs until there were few left. The orchestra yawned, their playing growing increasingly labored until they, too, departed the townhouse.
Victoria was used to long stretches without sleep, though she noticed Christian starting to sway slightly as he leaned up against the wall. But she didn’t have time to worry for him right now. Her eyes fixed upon Miss Longacre as she bid her goodnights to those who remained, announcing her plans to retire for the night.
Do not declare it so publicly!she scolded in silent despair, but there was nothing she could do about it now.
“She’s taking to her chambers,” Victoria whispered to Christian, giving him a sharp nudge in the ribs to wake him up.
“Hmm?” He blinked wearily.
Victoria sighed. “Should I continue alone? If you are only going to slow me down, then I must insist you return to your carriage and wait for me there.”
She had spoken to Christian of her suspicions surrounding Sir John and Lord Mobberley, and the possibility that they may not be the kidnappers. He remained unconvinced, certain that they were the culprits, so Victoria had not pressed the matter. But her gut instinct continued to tell her that she was right.
Christian shook his head. “No. I will be well. I am not leaving your side.”
“You do not have to keep your promise to my mother. She knows I am capable of taking care of myself,” Victoria protested.
“Nevertheless, I must keep the promise I made to myself. I am awake. I will not slow you down, I swear it.” Christian straightened up and rubbed his eyes. “Have you seen Sir John and Lord Mobberley?”
Victoria gestured to the odd pair, who lay asleep in two chairs on the far side of the ballroom. Judging by the rise and fall of their chests, and the ungodly snore coming out of Lord Mobberley’s mouth, they were fast asleep. Unless, as before, they were better at maintaining a ruse than she suspected.
“What do we do?” Christian asked.
“I will follow Miss Longacre upstairs, whilst you find your way out into the gardens. Stay there and keep yourself hidden. Once I know the location of her bedchamber, I will shine a light in the nearest window, to let you know where I am.” She drew in a nervous breath. “After that, all we can do is wait. If the kidnappers use the windows, as they did with Lady Helena, then you will be able to apprehend them. If they use another means of entry, I will obscure the flame so that it flashes three times—that will be your signal to come into the house to aid me.”
“But… I swore not to leave your side.” Christian gaped in horror.
“Miss Longacre’s safety is of primary importance. We must divide and conquer, Christian terminology I am sure you understand, as a former soldier.”
He furrowed his brow. “Very well, but let it be said that I do not like this at all.”
“You don’t have to like it. All that matters is that Miss Longacre sees the dawn in the safety of her own bed, instead of being taken away to some unknown nightmare,” she replied firmly.
Christian softened. “Just… make sure you keep yourself safe, in the meantime.”
“I shall, as long as you make sure to run fast if I signal for your help.” She cast him a reassuring smile. It comforted her to know that he would not be far away if things went awry. This was the most intense case she had taken on in a long while, and though she ordinarily relied upon Benedict to be her cavalry, she felt even more confident with Christian covering her.
“I will be beside you before you have even finished the third flash,” he quipped in reply.
“We shall see,” she chuckled. “Now, be discreet in your path to the gardens. The last thing we need is you being thrown out of this house, under the impression that you are some sort of deviant.”
He stared at her in shock. “You look so like a lady that I almost forgot that you are wholly Victoria.”
