Page 4 of An Unbending Lady for the Desperate Earl
“Her Grace would like to welcome you into the house,” he said, gesturing for Victoria to come inside. She did so, without so much as a single look back at the others. If she could gain more information, then this would become her sole investigation, free from the invasions of the waiting men. And maybe, just maybe, solving this case might be the very thing that won their respect for good.
Chapter 2
Christian Turner, the recently made Earl of Galbury, sat in the parlor with the Duchess of Pelsley. Nervous silence stretched between them, for nobody knew what to say in such times. It made matters all the more awkward every time Christian noted a tear trickling down the Duchess’ cheek. Tea had been laid, but neither he nor the Duchess had touched a drop. Indeed, it had likely gone cold by now.
The Duke had made himself scarce in his study, choosing to keep away from the turmoil, and the Duke’s only son had gone to visit with the other families who had fallen victim to the same criminal act. Christian could understand that. A man’s emotions were a private realm, and Christian knew that the Duke and his son would not want to show weakness in front of their household, wife, and mother. They would likely be in tears too, but it would not have done so to show that liquid misery in company. For his part, Christian felt dutybound to watch over the Duchess, given that he might one day be their son-in-law…
If Helena can be rescued, that is.He pushed away the dark thoughts, determined to believe that shewouldbe found. She had to be.
“Can I fetch a blanket, or a shawl for you?” Christian asked. The Duchess had begun to shiver, though he had a feeling it wasn’t from the cold.
The Duchess shook her head. “No, thank you.”
“I am certain she will be found, Your Grace.” Christian had his doubts, but he was determined to bring comfort to the Duchess.
“Have the other young ladies been found?” A bitter note edged into the Duchess’ voice.
“It will only be a matter of time before they are located also,” Christian replied. However, even he sensed the words rang false. He had read the papers with horror and intrigue, when they had told of the five missing ladies who had been stolen away prior to Lady Helena.
Three had been taken from their beds, in the same manner that Lady Helena had. And two had been apprehended in their carriages, while making their way home from some engagement or another. Their chaperones had borne witness to their kidnapping, though they weren’t able to identify the two fellows who had snatched their mistresses from under their noses. He hadn’t read about there being two men involved, in the papers, but he had heard the story from various acquaintances who knew the bereft families.
“You cannot know that for certain.” The Duchess’ breath hitched. “How can she have been taken without a single soul within this house hearing? I cannot fathom it, Lord Galbury. I cannot.”
“It is exceedingly strange,” he paused, “Perhaps, if you were to permit the investigators to enter, they might be able to do more about seeking evidence and finding the perpetrator of this awful deed?”
The Duchess stared at him. “I will not have them desecrating my daughter’s bedchamber. I have heard terrible stories of investigators ransacking homes and stealing valuable items. I will not add theft to an already-dire circumstance. If they cannot find Helena without traipsing through her private quarters, then they cannot be very efficient at their employment.”
“As you prefer, Your Grace.” Christian saw that he wasn’t about to win this particular argument, though it seemed a waste of resources to have so many willing helpers standing in the street outside. Then again, if they had yet to succeeded in finding the other five ladies, then maybe the Duchess was right. They couldn’t be so efficient in their employment if they had yet to find a trace of those others.
The stilted atmosphere splintered a moment later, by the arrival of the butler, Phelps. A young lady walked behind him. Draped in a rather masculine cloak of thick, navy wool, she stood at an average height, with a long neck and a pale face emerging from the cloak’s collar. She possessed an elfin quality, with angular cheeks and a small chin, and large, improbably dark eyes that took in their surroundings, darting this way and that.
“Miss McCarthy, Your Grace.” Phelps bowed and allowed the young lady to fully enter the parlor.
The Duchess raised her head. “You are the comfort that has been sent by Bow Street?” She observed the newcomer with interest. “I must say, that is rather generous of them. Until now, I thought them to be uncaring brutes, who thought only of apprehending criminals. They do not appear to have cared a jot for the other poor families in my situation.”
Miss McCarthy sketched a graceful curtsy. “They are endeavoring to do better, Your Grace.”
“Then, I suppose you ought to sit and take tea with us. Phelps, will you send one of the maids to refresh this tray? I daresay the tea has gone cold.” The Duchess gestured to Christian. “This fellow is Lord Galbury.”
“My Lord.” Miss McCarthy bobbed a second curtsy in his direction. “Are you a relation of the family?”
Christian shook his head. “I am engaged to be married to Lady Helena.”
“Ah, I see.” Miss McCarthy crossed the room and sat in the proffered chair. “I am sorry to have heard the news of what happened. It seems all of London’s finest are gripped in a vise of terror. Truly, my heart aches for all those involved.”
“Gratitude, Miss McCarthy,” the Duchess murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
“Might I be so bold as to ask what occurred?” The young lady perched on the edge of the armchair cushion. “Sometimes, it’s beneficial for the family to progress through the stages of what happened, to aid in recovering from the initial shock.”
The Duchess frowned. “I suppose that makes a great deal of sense.”
“Is the Duke not at home?” Miss McCarthy glanced around the room, as though expecting him to emerge at any moment.
Christian answered first. “He has taken to some business in his study and does not wish to be disturbed.”
Miss McCarthy nodded in understanding. “Affairs such as this can be very difficult for fathers. They are not so free to feel as we ladies may.. I imagine he is coping with this terrible ordeal in the only way he knows how.”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that,” the Duchess said, with some surprise. “I have been so furious with his perceived abandonment of me, for he disappeared into his study yesterday and has not emerged since. Not even to dine. Do you truly believe he is merely attempting to cope with his emotions?”
