Page 61 of Stealing the Rake's Heart
Alexander did not go to bed. He went downstairs to the drawing room, where maids were still clearing up the mess of broken china in front of the sideboard. Ignoring their curious stares, Alexander took out a decanter of brandy, and began to drink.
Chapter Nineteen
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Mr. Seeker. And so early.”
“It’s no trouble, your Grace,” Mr. Seeker answered, lowering himself into the seat opposite William’s desk. “Itisvery early. And here I was thinking that the members of thetonall slept till noon.”
William gave a tight smile and said nothing.
As if my father would have ever allowed me to sleep a minute past sunrise. My days of longing to sleep in are long gone. I doubt I could sleep till noon even if I wanted to.
Especially not after the debacle of last night. William knew he would have to attend breakfast in a few hours, to smooth over ruffled feelings and calm shocked guests. It was his mother’s duty, but Mary was not the hostess she had once been. Lady Caldecott would do her best, but it was not her responsibility, really.
I wish Kat were here. Or Henry. Alex is no good at all. In fact, I fancy he makes things worse.
Of course, Lord Hamish Grey was gone. He had gone to sleep shortly after being returned to his room, apparently, and was woken in the grey hour before dawn with a carriage waiting for him at the servants’ entrance, his things packed already.
He had gone quietly, as grey as his name, looking sick and miserable. William himself had gotten up to see him off, more to make sure that he really did leave rather than anything else. He wasn’t sure whether Lord Grey remembered the events of last night, but apparently, he remembered enough to cringe in shame.
“I am sorry, your Grace,” he kept saying, hanging his head.
“Least said, soonest mended,” William had responded, voice tight and clipped. “There’ll be repercussions for you, no doubt. Richly deserved, I might add. I don’t wish to resume our acquaintance anytime soon or see you again in the foreseeable future. I cannot stop Alexander spending time with you, but it’s fair to assume that you won’t be invited here again.”
Lord Grey only hung his head again. “I know. And I’m sorry, truly I am.”
William had pointedly said nothing else. Apologies were all very well, and no doubt they were sincere, but apologies were not going to keep the incident out of the scandal sheets.
“Your Grace?” Mr. Seeker prompted, bringing William back to the present.
“I beg your pardon,” he said. “Last night was… eventful. I did not sleep well. In your last letter, you said you had exciting developments?”
“Indeed I did. Now, I intended to make absolutely sure of this before telling you in person, but no matter. I believe I have discovered your L.B.”
William sucked in a breath. “Oh?”
“Yes. Now, I have spent a great deal of time researching the particular ball at which you met this lady and accidentally acquired her locket, but there was nobody answering your description with those initials.”
“But…?”
“But with a little further digging, I learned that there were several ladies and gentlemen in attendance who had not received formal invitations. Visiting relatives and friends, wards, and so on. For example, a lady might receive a formal invitation, which names only herself, and writes back to the hostess to request that she bring a friend, or companion, or ward. Permission is granted, the invitation therefore extended to the newcomer, but there is no formal record of their invitation.”
William bit back a sigh. It was clear that Mr. Seeker was pleased with his cleverness, and it wouldn’t do to rush him to the point and offend him. He was getting further than William himself had managed, at least.
“And?”
“And I found one Lavinia Brookford,” Mr. Seeker finished. “Does the name sound familiar?”
“It does not. I certainly haven’t been introduced to her, and I’ve never heard her name mentioned. Is she a lady?”
“Of that, I’m not sure. I only heard the name from a lady’s maid. She might be Miss, a married woman, or even a governess or companion. I simply do not know, but rest assured, I will find out. Her description seems to answer yours, so I am confident this is the woman, but please, let me confirm my facts.”
William nodded slowly, nibbling his lower lip. “Some good news at last.”
Mr. Seeker nodded, leaning back in his seat. “I fancy that the lady will be impressed and pleased to hear of the lengths you have gone to in order to return her locket.”
William glanced sharply at the man, not sure whether that was a compliment or a subtle insult.
He was well aware that he’d gone too far. Anybody else would have shrugged and tossed the locket in a drawer, ready to be forgotten about. A particularly kind person might have sought out one of the Society Matrons, perhaps an Almack’s patron, and given her the responsibility of seeking out the lady.
