Page 33 of An Unbending Lady for the Desperate Earl
Victoria shrugged, feeling her own weariness set in. She may have been accustomed to sleepless nights, but there were only so many days one could go without some rest, before it started to skew the brain. “Perhaps we were mistaken about Miss Longacre’s value. No Viscount’s daughter has been taken, prior to this. Maybe it is as much to do with status as wealth, after all. Maybe her status simply was not high enough to warrant targeting.”
“At least we know that one young lady is safe.” Christian yawned.
“For now.” Victoria sank back against the plush velvet and struggled to keep the dark oblivion of slumber away. True, the kidnappers had not come for Miss Longacre that night. But that did not mean they would not, one of these days… when Victoria would not be there to stop them.
A short while later, after successfully fending of sleep, the carriage pulled up outside Christian’s townhouse. He exited the carriage first and then offered a hand to help Victoria down.
“It makes little sense for you to return home at such an hour,” he said, without prompting. “I have plenty of rooms, and you may use one to take your rest.”
Victoria lacked the energy to argue. “That is very kind, Christian.”
“Besides, we did say that you were staying at my abode, as my cousin. So, it would be prudent for us to maintain the ruse, in case any prying eyes happen to be watching.” He flashed her a mischievous smile and helped her up to the front door.
They had barely set foot in the entrance hall, when the housekeeper came barreling along, her face white as a sheet and her eyes staring like a wild horse.
“Mrs. Gittins, whatever is the matter?” Christian urged.
“There’s been another one, M’Lord!” she shrieked in reply.
Victoria frowned. “Another one? Another what? Speak plainly!”
“There’s been another kidnapping!” Mrs. Gittins clasped her hand to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes.
Victoria and Christian exchanged a grim look. “Who has been taken?” Victoria asked calmly, though her heart had begun to race like a runaway mare.
“Lady Jane,” Mrs. Gittins cried.
“Which Lady Jane?” Christian replied.
Mrs. Gittins jittered so violently that Victoria worried she might suddenly combust. “The Duchess of Sopworth’s daughter, M’Lord! It happened last night; I just heard it from the boy who delivers the meat. The Duchess bid her goodnight, went to her own chamber, and, when the sun came up… Lady Jane were gone!”
Victoria’s heart sank as realization dawned. The kidnappers had used Miss Longacre’s ball as a distraction, observing their prey in a crowded setting. The least obvious prey.
We were watching the wrong girl…
Chapter 15
Forgoing sleep, despite the lead weight of his eyelids, Christian accompanied Victoria to the home of the Duchess of Sopworth. When they arrived, there were already a bevy of investigators waiting outside in the street.
She hasn’t allowed them entry.Christian recognized the scene, for it had been the same with Lady Helena’s mother and father. They hadn’t wanted strangers traipsing through their home and ransacking their daughter’s bedchamber, even if it might have helped in the finding of her.
“Do you think you can get us inside?” Victoria murmured.
Christian nodded. “We may have to tell the truth of who you are, but she will not refuse me entry, even at such a time as this.” He scoured the clusters of investigators for any sign of the Admiral, but he didn’t appear to be here. “Do you think the Admiral knows of this yet?”
“If he doesn’t, he will once we have spoken with the Duchess,” Victoria replied.
“Oh, here she comes!” one of the investigators jeered. “The Vixen, come to take all the glory for herself. Wriggling her way into places we can’t.”
Christian arched an eyebrow. “The Vixen?”
“They think they are clever,” she retorted. “It is their nickname for me, because I happen to be wilier than they are, and my name bears a vague similarity to that word.Notvery clever, as it happens, but it keeps them happy.” She set off for the front steps of the Duchess’ house, leaving Christian with no choice but to follow. He sensed the burning eyes of the other investigators upon his back as he stood at her side. No doubt, they were growing tired of being left out in the cold, whilst Victoria continued to be given access.
She is more worthy than all of you. She is the one who will succeed in this.They may have had a setback last night, and they may have fixed their attentions on the wrong young lady, but at least they were doingsomething, instead of standing around complaining about injustices.
“Whoever took Lady Jane—they had to have been there last night. Even if they were not in actual attendance, they were watching the ball. They were watching Lady Jane,” Victoria muttered, almost to herself.
“I agree.”
