Page 54 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
With their help he’d insure Jane’s safety, and with his own resources he’d take care of Penderbrook’s dilemma and deal with that bastard, the Duque de San Sebastian, and his Major.The Duque’s lust for a mere painting would prove a fatal weakness.He was counting on it.
He must pay an immediate visit to Guignard, as soon as he knew the man’s direction.
He sent for his coach and made quick work of his breakfast.As he was pulling on his gloves, the porter handed over a letter that had arrived by messenger.
The handwriting, the scent, the seal, sent a tingle of curiosity through him, but he waited until he was seated against the velvet-upholstered squab to scan the lines of feminine writing.
I would speak to you of your Major.Meet me at half past eleven at the usual place.
He sighed and stowed the note.He would see to the meeting between Lady Jane and her son, but he would have to forgo another night in her bed.
Jane squeezedbetween Graciela Everly and Lady Sirena on the gold damask settee in Madame’s small parlor and accepted a glass of sherry.Barton took the other free chair, and Madame La Fanelle seated herself behind her elegant writing table.
The afternoon appearance of Shaldon’s daughters-in-law was unexpected.Happy though she was to see them, their presence would complicate her business with the little Frenchman she’d been waiting half the day for.
Did they know that Shaldon had visited her the night before?Jenny must have suspected and might have told them.The girl was a clever one.
Jane made small talk, inquiring about their husbands and Graciela’s small daughter, their health—both of them being with child—and the travel from Yorkshire.
“I’ve heard you’re to attend the Kennerly musicale tonight,” Sirena said.“I confess, when I looked over your wardrobe, I thought ’twould be better to have Madame give you one of the new gowns waiting here for you.Best to show up in the most current fashion, given that all the talk is of your disappearance.The scandal sheets mention it quite slyly, but you know how quickly thetonmatches a name to a story.”
She knew very well—she’d dodged that sort of attention for more than two decades.“Thank you,” she said.“Madame, shall we go to your office?”
Guignard would arrive soon.She didn’t wish to entertain him in front of this gaggle of ladies.
“I think we must,” Madame said.
Barton rose.“I have your new gowns set aside, Lady Jane.”
The door opened a crack and the shop assistant peeked in, her face tense.“A difficult visitor,” the girl whispered.
La Fanelle frowned.“Barton shall be down just now.”
The door floated all the way open.“No need,” a male voice said.
Her heart fell.Kincaid’s bulk filled the doorway.
Madame La Fanelle’s face slipped into an unreadable coldness that matched his demeanor.And both were reaching into pockets.
She jumped in to join Barton between the two of them.
“Is there something we can help you with, Mr.Kincaid?”Barton asked calmly.Barton must have been introduced to the man at Shaldon House before she’d left Jane’s employment.
Or…had Madame confided something about the man to Barton?The hostility between the Scotsman and the Frenchwoman was palpable.
Her nerves crackled at the tension.
He nodded, his gaze fixed on Madame.“You know why I’m here, Marie,” he said.
“I’m the one you want to speak with, Kincaid,” Jane said.
His gaze flitted to her and then back to Madame.“I’m here, Marie, because that painting has put you and Barton and all your staff in danger.”
What Shaldon knew, Kincaid would be told.Of course.She should have expected this.
Jane took a step closer.“It’s not here.”
His gaze narrowed on her.He looked almost quizzical.“Are you so sure?”he asked.
