Page 59 of The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere
Kenilworth had complete control over Jane and Freddy, and now that he knew who Georgiana was, it would be the easiest thing in the world for him to target her, as well. Benedict had to warn her,now, before she took it into her head to wake at dawn and call on Jane, or send her a note that would hardly have a chance to graze Bagshaw’s palm before he handed it over to the duke.
Whether Georgiana liked it or not, she was done chasing after Clara Beauchamp, and the sooner she understood that, the better. Benedict didn’t want her anywhere near Kenilworth.
“Listen to me carefully, Grigg. I need to have a word with Miss Harley. I want you to leave me here and go to Kenilworth’s mansion on Grosvenor Street. Keep out of sight, and keep your wits about you. If you seeanythingamiss—if Kenilworth’s eye so much as twitches—come fetch me at once.”
“Aye, my lord.”
“Good man.” Benedict waited until Grigg had taken off down the street, then he was on the doorstep of the Clifford School, pounding with thebrass knocker.
Heavy footsteps approached, and the door burst open with such violence it threatened to fly off its hinges. “What the devil do you want, Haslemere?”
Damn it. Benedict let out a silent groan. Why must Daniel Brixton be the one to come to the door? “Let me pass, Brixton. I need a word with Georgiana.”
Brixton’s answer was a scowl. “Come back tomorrow if ye want to talk to Miss Georgiana. Or don’t. Makes no difference to me.”
He attempted to close the door, but Benedict shoved his foot between the door and the frame. “No.Now. Damn it, Brixton, it’s urgent.”
“Urgent foryou, mayhap, but not for Miss Georgiana. Get back, Haslemere.” Brixton glared at Benedict’s foot as if he’d be more than happy to crush it againstthe door frame.
Benedict peered over Brixton’s massive shoulders into the inner sanctum of the Clifford School. He fancied he’d have more luck with Lady Clifford, but the hallway was empty of everything but shadows. “Look, Brixton. I realize this is irregular, but—”
“Go home, Haslemere. Whatever your business is, it can wait until tomorrow.”
“No, itcan’t. Lookhere, Brixton—”
Benedict didn’t get any further before Brixton gave him a shove. Benedict wasn’t a small man, but he was obliged to shift his foot from the doorway in order to keep himself from toppling backward down the steps. By the time he caught his balance and righted himself, Brixton had slammed the door in his face.
“Bloody savage.” Very well. If he couldn’t get past Brixton, he’dgo around him.
Benedict ran back down the steps and rounded the side of the school, pausing to pluck up a few pebbles from the ground as he went.
The entire house was dark, including Georgiana’s window. Benedict winced as the first pebble hit the side of the building with a crack that sounded much louder than he’d anticipated. He waited, but there was no sign of either Brixton or his pistol, so he tried again. This one didn’t strike the window either, but hit the brick about afoot below it.
Surely, he could do better than that. He’d been one of the best bowlers on his cricket team atEton, damn it.
He closed one eye, focused on the window with the other, and let another pebble fly. This one hit the dead center of one of the panes. A moment later he saw the drapes twitch, heard the window slide open, and then Georgiana’shead poked out.
“Lord Haslemere? What are you doing down there?”
In spite of his worry, Benedict’s lips curved in a helpless smile. “I’m standing outside your window like some sort of demented Romeo, Georgiana. Under the circumstances, one would think you could see your way clear to calling me Benedict.”
“Is that why you’ve come? To tease me once again about calling you by your Christian name?”
Even from down here, Benedict could see the prim pinch of her lips, and his grin widened. If she thought that severe frown would scare him off, she was very much mistaken. All it did was make him want to kiss her. “No, but I thought I’d just mention it, since I’m here.”
She glared down at him. “Whyareyou here? For pity’s sake, I would have thought you learned your lesson the last time you tried this.”
“Ididlearn my lesson. If you recall, the last time I threw pebbles at your window you came downstairs to scold me, and I coaxed you into helping me with Jane. Even better, I got to see you in your night rail.”
“No, you didn’t. I was wearing my cloak and a hat, and I distinctly remember you saying neither flattered me. Now, will you listen to reason this time, or will I need to come down there again and make you go before Daniel catches you?”
“No, don’t come down.” If she did, Benedict wasn’t sure he could let her return to her bedchamber without begging her to take him with her. Better not to risk it. “I only want to tellyou something.”
“You do realize you can tell me things during the day, don’t you?”
“This couldn’t wait. Kenilworth followed us here from Lady Archer’s tonight. I saw his carriage sneaking out of the mews behind the school. He knows where you live and that you’re associated with Lady Clifford, and very likely knows who you are.”
Georgiana hesitated, then shrugged. “Well, it was inevitable he’d find it out sooner or later. I don’t see that there’s anything we can do except inform Lady Clifford and Daniel, and carry on aswe have been.”
