Page 39 of The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere
“Draven and Jane are both searching for Clara Beauchamp? But…why?” Benedict was aware he sounded like some sort of deranged echo, but no other question made sense. “Clara Beauchamp has been missing for six years! Why should they have resumed the search for hernow?”
“Because your sister thinks she saw Miss Beauchamp waiting in a carriage outside Lady Tilbury’s townhouse. The duchess sent me to Lady Wylde’s masque ball to see what information I could get from Lady Tilbury, which turned out to be very little.”
Benedict blew out a breath. “Well, there is one bit of good news, at least. The rumor about Draven and Jane has never been anything more than that. Jane’s been seen sneaking in and out of Draven’s London townhouse because they’re both searching for Miss Beauchamp, not because they’re engaged ina love affair.”
“Or there is an affair, and Miss Beauchamp knows something about it. Lord Draven and Jane could just as easily be looking for her to see to it she keeps their secrets to herself.”
Benedict scowled at her. “I prefer my explanation. Do you believe Jane really did see Clara Beauchamp?”
“It’s difficult to say.” Georgiana hesitated, her teeth once more attacking that vulnerable lower lip. “Whether she did or not, we can’t rule out the possibility Lord Draven was attacked because he’s been searching for Clara. If that’s the case, then—”
“Then Jane may be in danger.” Not just Jane, but also Georgiana, who’d made no attempt to hide her interest in Clara Beauchamp’s whereabouts at Lady Wylde’s masque ball last night. “What else, Georgiana? What haven’t you told me?”
She drew in a long breath, then admitted with obvious reluctance, “The duchess came to us at the Clifford School three nights ago, on the same night Lord Dravenwas attacked.”
“Is there anything else?” Benedict’s voice was clipped.
“No,”she whispered.
He closed his eyes. Between Lady Wylde’s tiresome antics, the scene with Georgiana, and his worry for Jane, he felt as if days had passed since he left his home this morning. By the time Grigg brought the carriage to a stop in front of Kenilworth’s elegant white brick mansion and Benedict handed Georgiana down, he was in no mood tosuffer fools.
That was when he remembered Bagshaw.
As usual, the duke’s butler was standing guard in the entryway, and as usual, he frowned when he saw Benedict. “Lord Haslemere.”
“Bagshaw.” Benedict’s lip curled.
Bagshawlookedperfectly harmless—rather like a chess piece, in his black hose and severe black coat with the polished silver buttons—but he was a wily old devil, not to mention a shameless gossip. Nothing escaped Bagshaw’s notice, and everything he noticed found its way from his lips to the duke’s ears.
“My sister is in the drawing room, I trust?” Benedict didn’t wait for an answer, but took Georgiana’s arm and hurried her toward the stairs.
“I beg your pardon, my lord, but the duke prefers I announce every guest before permitting them—”
“I’m not here to see the duke, Bagshaw, and I’m not aguest. I’m the duchess’s brother, for God’s sake. Must we do this every time?”
Bagshaw drew himself up with a dignified sniff. “Yes, my lord. But the young lady—”
“The young lady ismyguest, and no concern of yours.”
“As you wish, my lord.” Bagshaw’s tone was cold,his bow stiff.
Benedict didn’t spare the man another glance, but gestured to Georgiana to precede him up the massive, carved mahogany staircase. The sooner they got to the bottom of this mess about Jane, Draven, and Clara Beauchamp, the better.
“Benedict?” Jane rose to her feet when they entered the drawing room, her brows drawn together in a frown. “What are you doing here? I didn’t expect you to appear in London at all this season.”
“Careful, Jane, or I’ll think you’re not pleased to see me.” Benedict crossed the room and dropped a kiss on his sister’s cheek.
“Nonsense. I’m always pleased to see you.” Jane offered him a bright, false smile. “I hope you haven’t come all this way just to quarrel with Bagshaw. Really, Benedict, it’s not at all gentlemanly of you to harass His Grace’s servants.”
“I don’t quarrel with him, Jane.Hequarrels with me. But never mind Bagshaw. I’ve brought someone to meet you today. Thisis Miss Georg—”
“Miss Harley.” Jane reached out to grip the back of the settee beside her. She fought to keep her face blank, but she went so pale she looked as if she were one pump of her heart away from falling into a swoon.
Benedict froze, his stomach giving an uneasy lurch. Jane was staring at Miss Harley with an expression on her face he’d never seen before. Jane wasn’t one to fall into tempers, but her eyes flashed, a quick lightning bolt of anger before her expression shifted into something much, much worse.
Panic,and then…fear.
Benedict took an instinctive step toward her, then froze again, suddenly unsure. Surely, she wasn’t afraid ofhim? He glanced between Jane and Georgiana, who looked as if she wished herself anywhere but here. “I didn’t realize you were acquainted with MissHarley, Jane.”
