Ducal Encounters 02 - With the Duke's Approval (12 page)

All three brothers turned accusatory glances towards Clarence when she calmly explained how she had escaped by climbing through the window, negotiating a snow-covered tree, and falling from it, dislocating her shoulder.

“Oh for the love of God!” Lady Annalise glowered at her brothers. “Will the three of you please stop frowning at Lord Romsey? This is not his fault, and you are being most unreasonable in blaming him. He tried very hard to return me to the ballroom before speaking with his secretary, but I was determined to remain outside. If I went back inside Lord Roker would have cornered me and recited more of his terrible poetry.”

“Better that than—”

“
You
have never had to listen to Lord Roker’s odes, Vince. If you had, you would understand.”

Her brothers all smiled. “Well, I suppose that did give you a legitimate reason to linger out of his reach,” Nate said grudgingly.

“Quite so. What happened to me was unfortunate, but no one is to blame, except perhaps me for being so stubborn.”

“I must disagree,” Clarence replied. “If you wish to claim responsibility then you must join a queue, Lady Annalise. I agree with your brothers and blame myself, you see, and Frankie blames herself. We are both ahead of you. But in actual fact, the blame lies with the person who ordered Frankie’s capture.”

“Quite so,” Lady Annalise agreed with a wan little smile that near broke his heart.

“And so, little sister,” Nate said, “you found yourself inadequately clothed, in the dead of night, in a district of London you didn’t know. You must have been terrified. How the devil did you find your way home?”

Lady Annalise explained about the inn, and
borrowing
the cob.

“You didn’t think to ask for help?” Winchester asked.

“You saw how I was dressed.” She lifted her shoulders with apparent caution, as though expecting pain. Clarence was pleased none appeared to be forthcoming, and she visibly relaxed. “It seemed too risky. I didn’t know whom to trust, especially when my captors appeared and bribed the night porter at the inn. I suspected he would be more likely to support their cause than mine, even if I could prove who I was.”

“Good thinking,” Vince said, nodding his approval.

“I’m glad you took the horse and had the sense to head west,” Clarence said. “I shall make enquiries at inns close to the wharf, find out who is missing a horse and arrange for its return.”

“No!”

“I beg your pardon, Lady Annalise. Did I say something to displease you?”

“No, please don’t return the horse. Don’t let him do that, Zach,” she cried passionately. “That horse saved my life, and I promised her if she carried me safely home she would have oats and fresh grass for the rest of her life.” Lady Annalise brushed a tear from her swollen cheek, showing more emotion at the prospect of losing the cob than she had over her ordeal. “I want to keep her. Recompense the owner, by all means, but please don’t send her back. She and I have formed a bond, you see.”

“Certainly you may keep her, Trouble,” Winchester replied.

“Thank God Amos taught you to ride bareback,” Nate said.

“I knew that skill would serve me well one day,” Lady Annalise replied with a flash of her former spirit. “I was able to guide the horse, mostly just using the pressure of my legs.”

“I will find the owner, smooth matters over, and make the necessary recompense from my own pocket,” Clarence said.

Lady Annalise treated him to a radiant smile, even though it probably hurt her swollen lip to do so. Being the recipient of enticing feminine smiles was nothing new for Clarence. He was popular with the ladies and had his needs, just like any other man. But he was as diplomatic in his romantic liaisons as he was in every other aspect of his life. He didn’t boast about his conquests and
never
even thought about forming attachments to unmarried ladies. In spite of that, Lady Annalise’s uncontrived smile affected him in the time honoured manner. He turned briefly away, hoping the evidence was not…well, evident to her, or to any of her brothers. They were already looking for a reason to flog his hide.

“Thank you, Lord Romsey,” she said. “That is very generous of you.”

“My pleasure.” He returned her smile. “Once we find the inn, we will have a better idea where you were held. Do you know how long you walked before you came upon the tavern? Would you be able to find it again?”

“She’s not going back there!” Vince sent Clarence a murderous glare. “She has been through quite enough already.”

“It’s possible,” Lady Annalise replied, ignoring her brother’s outburst. “It would look very different in daylight, I dare say, but I do remember one or two of the places I passed.”

“Vince is right,” Winchester said. “It would serve no purpose to return, other than to upset you. Besides, there cannot be many warehouses with large trees growing beside them.”

“There are more than you might think,” Clarence replied. “But you are right, it would be inappropriate for Lady Annalise to return there. Forgive me. I should not have made the suggestion.”

“Actually, I would like to go.” Lady Annalise’s eyes clouded again and she appeared very upset. “Zach, you can have no idea the sights I saw. Such wretched creatures sleeping outside in those freezing temperatures. It was actually the sight of them that gave me the courage to carry on. I found myself exposed to the elements for one night. They live like that the whole time and somehow manage to survive. But for how long?” She gave her head a determined toss. “We have so much. We must do more to help people who cannot help themselves.”

“Our mother is already involved with all manner of charitable causes,” Winchester reminded her. “I am sure she would welcome your help.”

“Bah, it is not enough! When we visit institutions for the poor in Winchester, they knew we are coming, and we see only that which they think we ought to. Last night, I saw real poverty, real desperation.” She shook her head. “Those sights will never leave me, and have changed the way I think.”

“We can discuss it, by all means,” Winchester replied softly. “When you are feeling stronger.”

“Thank you. I thought perhaps a foundation set up by the family to help the very neediest children.”

Clarence came as close as he would ever allow himself to falling in love at that moment. After all this delicate young lady, cossetted and protected for her entire life, had been through, her thoughts were not for herself but for those less fortunate. Remarkable!

“So, there you have it.” Lady Annalise shared a glance between them. “That is all I can tell you about what happened to me. Now, perhaps you will have the goodness to explain why you think Count von Hessel was behind my abduction, which is what Mama implied earlier. What did he think to gain by forcibly taking Frankie captive?”

***

Anna watched Zach stand to pour drinks for them all. She was the only one to refuse. She observed Lord Romsey in the periphery of her vision, looking as suave, as handsome as always. But the worry lines etched in his forehead told a different story, as did the stormy set to his features. No doubt her abduction—a case of mistaken identity—had its roots in some diplomatic disaster or other he would be required to untangle, ensuring the British government didn’t become embroiled or, God forbid, somehow compromised. Anna felt for him excessively. It seemed very unfair he should have to do so much. Surely there were others equally well qualified?

“The count spoke with Frankie a few nights ago, asking about her late husband’s papers,” Lord Romsey explained.

“You think they contain something to his detriment?” Anna frowned. “Even if that is the case, why should it matter to him after all this time? I assume the papers relate to the war, and that has been over for three years.”

“That is what I have yet to discover.” Lord Romsey stood, looking magnificent in his blue coat and superbly tied neckcloth. He also looked tired. She suspected he had not slept much since her abduction. Working, always working. She was quite determined to do something to change that situation. “I already have people looking into his family’s circumstances in the new Prussian territories.”

“Do you actually have any of your husband’s personal papers, Lady St. John?” Zach asked.

“Yes, but I have never been able to bring myself to look at them. They are in a locked box in Farrington House.”

Poor Frankie, Anna thought. She had not been widowed for so very long, and if she was unable to look at her husband’s papers, it was probably because it upset her too much, or because reading his diaries would invoke painful memories. It was asking a lot to expect her to do so, but even Anna could see there was no help for that.

“Would you object if I looked at them, Frankie?” Lord Romsey asked. “You may rest assured I will not snoop into St. John’s personal affairs any more than is absolutely necessary.”

“By all means.” Frankie spread her hands. “After all the trouble I have inadvertently caused for Anna and her family, anything I can do to make amends, consider it done.”

“I shall send an express to Amos,” Zach said, “explain the situation, ask him to collect the papers and bring them to London himself.”

“Oh, but he and Crista didn’t wish to come to London,” Anna reminded her brother.

“They will when they learn what happened to you.”

“It seems unnecessary to disturb them. I’m sure a servant could collect the papers.”

“No,” Lord Romsey replied. “If the count is as determined as we think, it is only a matter of time before he thinks to look to your country estate, Frankie. If he is desperate enough to resort to abduction, there is no telling what lengths he might go to in order to obtain St. John’s papers. You ought to write a note to your servants, advising vigilance and giving Amos permission to collect that box.”

“I shall do so immediately.”

“Are things really that dire?” Anna asked, knowing from her own experience that they must be, but still reluctant to accept the fact.

Lord Romsey fixed her with a smouldering look that made Anna’s heart beat a little faster. “You know they are,” he said softly.

“I am sure money must be part of the problem,” Anna said, feeling heat invade her face as she tore her gaze from Lord Romsey’s handsome features.

“What do you mean, Trouble?” Nate asked.

“Well, the count thinks very well of himself, am I right?”

Everyone nodded. “People either adore him, or are disgusted by his pride,” Frankie said. “For the most part, it is the latter.”

“Quite so. But I am willing to wager those who do the adoring are mostly impressionable young ladies.”

“What are you getting at?” Vince asked.

“I’m not entirely sure.” Anna wrinkled her brow. “All I know is that the count’s engagement to Miss Outwood will make him a very wealthy man. She could have taken her pick from a wide circle of admirers simply because of her huge dowry, details of which her mama ensured were circulating the
ton
before her daughter made her come-out. She chose to accept the count and appears infatuated by him.” Anna paused. “The same most definitely cannot be said of the count. Ergo, he must need her money.”

Zach seemed impressed by her reasoning. “Very possibly,” he said.

“Perhaps Portia will learn something more about him at the
musicale
,” Anna mused.

Zach laughed. “I very much doubt he will give anything away in public. I only suggested our mother and Portia watched him to ensure they went out this evening. I didn’t want Mother to hear all the particulars of your ordeal, Anna.”

Anna smiled up at her brother. “That was thoughtful.”

Lord Romsey stood. “You must all excuse me. Now I know in which district you were held, Lady Annalise, I must make preparations for searches to be made at first light.”

“Keep me informed,” Zach said.

“Certainly I shall. And you must let me know the moment Frankie’s papers arrive.” Lord Romsey turned to Anna, took her hand and kissed the back of it. “I am so very glad to see you looking better,” he said softly, holding her captive with his eyes for longer than was strictly necessary. For her part, Anna was completely unable to tear her gaze away for his, and he was the one eventually to break the connection.

“Thank you,” she replied. “I hope I shall see you again very soon. I would like to try and find the location where I was held. Apart from anything else, seeing it in broad daylight will help me to put it behind me.”

Lord Romsey looked at Zach. “Let’s see how you feel tomorrow,” Zach said. “Then we can decide.”

“I shall call tomorrow for the same reason,” Lord Romsey told her before turning to Frankie and taking his leave of her also.

“Try to stay out of trouble, Clarence,” she said drolly. “I know you when you get your teeth into a problem. Nothing and no one will divert you until you find a solution.”

“Which makes me very good at what I do.” He pushed a silky lock of dark blond hair away from his scowling eyes. “The count would do well to remember that.”

Good heavens, Anna thought. The suave diplomat was permitting his emotions to show. She fancied that did not often happen. She watched his broad back as he turned to leave the room, frantically searching for an excuse to make him stay a little longer. Nothing sprang to mind, but she realised her brothers were watching her watching him rather too intently. She abruptly looked away. Unless…until she was sure her feelings were returned, she would not humiliate herself by making them apparent to her relations, none of whom were in charity with Lord Romsey at that precise moment.

The object of her affections reached the door, looked back over his shoulder, and sent her another of his disarming, lopsided smiles. Anna’s insides melted.

“Anna,” Zach said, sounding amused rather than angry when the door closed behind Lord Romsey and she was still staring at it. “You ought to return to your room and rest. There is nothing more you can do to help at the moment.”

Talking about her ordeal had driven away the residue of Anna’s fear, and she was now every bit as determined to expose the perpetrators as her brothers and Lord Romsey were. Frankie would not be safe until they discovered what it was they thought she possessed and ensured her abductors did not procure it.