Page 49 of Let Me Be Your Hero
“That was a lucky coincidence,” Diana countered.
While the siblings bickered, Archibald unfolded the papers, eager to see if the Runner had discovered anything of import. He started scanning the first of three pages.
“I can save you some time,” the duke said. “There’s not much of note in there. Our footmen were found bound and gagged. One of them sustained a blow to the head, from which he is recovering. They were both taken from behind unawares and didn’t have any material information about the men who attacked them. The report that will be of real interest will be the one regarding Lady Waldegrave’s rout, as they were able to detain those four men.”
“Did your Runner give any hint as to what that report will contain?” Archibald asked.
The duke shook his head. “When this was delivered, they had not yet been able to question them. It seems that all four of them sustained particularly nasty concussions.”
Archibald couldn’t say it in front of Lady Diana, but he shot the duke a look that said,damn right, they did.
The duke smirked. “We will be staying in town for a few weeks to purchase Cecilia a wardrobe befitting her new station as a duchess. I understand that Lady Isabella will not be able to move about freely until the issue with her attackers has been resolved. But perhaps Diana could call upon her here.”
“Oh!” Diana brightened. “I would like that. Could I come tomorrow?”
Archibald was spared from having to answer this awkward question by the duke. “No.”
“But Marcus—”
“Thorpe will let us know when he and his wife are receiving visitors,” the duke said firmly, shooting Archibald a lurid look.
“I know Izzie would like to see you.” Archibald could feel his ears reddening. “We will send you a note just as soon as she is, er, settled in.”
Comprehension flared in Lady Diana’s pale blue eyes. “I would appreciate that,” she said in a clipped voice before excusing herself.
Their guests were starting to leave. Archibald positioned himself next to Izzie, shaking hands, accepting well wishes, and trying not to cringe as his parents foisted urns of gardenias on each departing guest. The Astleys accepted this unusual offering with good grace, even the bachelor brother, Harrington, who said he would take his down to the barracks of his new regiment. “Trust me,” he said solemnly, “could you but get a whiff of the men of the 95thRifles, you would understand how badly I need these.”
Finally, the only guests left were Lady Cheltenham and Lady Lucy, who was openly crying.
Izzie pulled her twin into a tight hug.
“I’m sorry,” Lucy gasped. “I’ve always known this day would come. That one of us would eventually marry and move away. I just… everything happened so quickly, I… I thought we had more time…”
“There, there, darling,” Lady Cheltenham said, patting her daughter’s shoulder. “We won’t be leaving London until the threat against Izzie has been resolved. So, you’ll be able to visit her. That will give you a chance to get used to the situation.”
“Could we come tomorrow?” Lucy sniffed.
“No, darling,” the countess said firmly. “We need to give Izzie and Thorpe a few days.”
Lucy nodded sadly, then stepped back. “I’m happy for you. I truly am. I know I don’t look it.” She gave Archibald a miserable smile. “I am sincerely glad my sister is married to such a fine gentleman as yourself.”
Archibald bowed over her hand. “Thank you.”
“Come,” Lady Cheltenham said, then put an arm around her daughter’s shoulders and steered her out the door.
At last, he was alone with Izzie. She wasn’t crying, as her sister had been, but her eyes were moist and her cheeks were red. Archibald wasn’t sure what to say, so he settled for squeezing her hand. She glanced up and gave him a tiny smile that did not reach her eyes.
Just then, his parents hurried into the foyer, followed by a trio of footmen bearing urns of gardenias. “Has Lieutenant Astley left?” his mother asked, breathless.
“He has,” Archibald confirmed. “Why do you—”
“Quickly!” his father shouted. “Perhaps his carriage has not yet drawn away from the curb.”
“He’ll be wanting these,” his mother called over her shoulder. “For his regiment!”
Archibald groaned, rubbing his eyes as his parents sailed out the front door in a cloud of floral perfume. Beside him, Izzie giggled.
“I’m sorry about my parents,” he said. “They’re a bit, er…”
