Page 74 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
A lady appeared on the staircase, her blonde hair peeking out from under a bonnet in a shade of blue that perfectly matched her dress.
Jane recognized the design from a similar one in Barton’s sketchbook.She recognized the lady as well.It was early for such a lady to be up and about.
She dipped into a curtsy worthy of Spanish nobility.“Duquesa,” she said.They had been introduced at the same diplomatic ball where her husband had insulted Graciela.
The Duquesa de San Sebastian inclined her head and extended her hand.“Lady Jane Montfort.It is a great pleasure.”Her gaze swept up the porter, Guignard, and Ewan.“Leave us.”
The porter hustled Guignard and Ewan outside.The dark-clad maid and the two men who had appeared behind the Duquesa stepped back out of earshot.
Jane fought for composure.The lady was exquisitely beautiful.It was no wonder Shaldon had hastened from her bed to the Duquesa’s, like a horseman changing from a cob to an Arabian stallion.
But she must go on.“I was hoping to speak with the Duque about a matter of business.”
For a lady to visit a nobleman on business was impertinent, brazen, and not done, but she didn’t care.
Could she share the nature of the business with Shaldon’s paramour?No doubt the Duquesa’s relationship with Shaldon was as mercenary as her own.
She had come to sell the Duque the copy Guignard had provided, but perhaps she should offer it to the Duquesa.
The lady’s blue gaze rested on her and it was not unkind.
She squared her shoulders.She wouldn’t swindle the Duquesa.She wouldn’t negotiate the sale of the forgery Guignard carried in the small satchel he was clutching.She would hold Shaldon to his word and act as his agent to sell the authentic paintingheheld.
The Duquesa raised an eyebrow.“You are here regarding this painting the Duque covets?”
Jane let out a breath.“Yes.”
“Lord Shaldon’s?Yes, of course.”The lady paused, opened her mouth, closed it, and opened it again.
Choosing her words carefully, Jane thought.
“I have no interest in the painting.My husband, he is off this morning to attend an affair of honor.”
“An affair of…”
Her chest tightened.An affair of honor—a duel.
Under the lady’s gaze, her scalp began to warm and prickle.
“Whose?”Jane blurted the question.
The Duquesa inclined her head and reached for Jane’s hand, squeezing it and letting go.“That is all I may say.”She whisked out the door, her maid and guards following her.
After she’d left, Guignard, Ewan, and the porter pushed in.
Heart throbbing, Jane let herself be led out to the street.She turned on Ewan.“What do you know of a duel this morning?”
The boy blinked, and he shook his head.“Naught, my lady.”
“Guignard?”she asked.
“I also know nothing.”
Penderbrook’s debt had left him in danger of a challenge, but Shaldon had paid his debt, he’d said.Had the foolish young man concealed other debts?Or incurred more?
She signaled the hackney they’d left waiting and gave an address near Berkeley Square.
“Where are we going?”Guignard asked.
“Shaldon House.”Ewan said, and she heard the relief in his voice.
