Page 36 of The Not So Perfect Duke

“I believe we can. Mr. Penn gave the home food donations. The grocer desires your business, so you can trust him,” Althea replied. “Again, that is only my opinion.”

“I trust your opinion, and I concur about believing the man. Let us depart.”

After making arrangements with Mr. Penn, they were off to London. Damon stared out the window, not speaking. Althea left him alone with his thoughts, for he had much to work through.

And Althea had plenty to keep her occupied. Setting aside the case for a moment, what possessed her to suggest terms for an affair? For that is what she had done. Then to eagerly rub against him, coming to a soul-stirring climax? It was the most extraordinary moment of her life. And she wanted to experience and explore more with the handsome duke sitting across from her. His very presence sent her nerve endings on full alert.

She glanced at Damon. So pensive yet guarded.

But not so much in this carriage when he had come to his own intense peak. Lord, when he held her close, begging her to stay in his arms. Althea had melted inside. And she may never recover.

A half-hour later, they arrived at the dukedom town house at Queen Anne’s Gate. Good lord, it was far fancier than Damon’s present home. All that brick and wrought iron.

Greeted at the door by the butler, Damon marched into the front hallway, with Althea trying to keep up with his long strides. Seeing he was outpacing her, he slowed, then gently took her arm. That thoughtful gesture had her insides melting a little more.

“I want Browning brought to my study immediately,” Damon ordered.

The butler frowned. “I am sorry, Your Grace, but he is not here.”

Chapter 12

Damon stopped in his tracks. “What?”

“We have not seen him since the day before last, Your Grace,” MacClery stated. “And when I went to his room above the stables, his meager belongings were gone.”

Stay in control.

Because Althea was correct in stating his feelings were running amuck. It was not like him at all. On the journey back to London, he tried to pack away all those unwanted and wayward emotions, most of which had Althea as the cause, but it was a fruitless endeavor. It was as if Pandora’s Box had been opened, and there was no stuffing anything back into it.

“What if he heard about your father’s death and headed to Chellenhome?” Althea said worriedly. “What if there is money in the safe? I learned from Gideon’s Whinstone case that certain people remain loyal to unethical men no matter the circumstance. What if Browning feels that pull and goes to destroy the ledgers?”

Damon gave her an admiring smile, for he approved of Althea’s suspicious turn of mind. It made her an excellent investigator. “You may have the right of it. Can you remain here and question the staff?” he asked her.

“Of course,” Althea replied.

“MacClery, bring that footman you confide in. We must leave immediately for Barking. What we spoke of? The trust? This is it.”

“There is another I trust almost as much, Your Grace. I will bring him as well. Thomas and Patrick. I’ll fetch them.” MacClery disappeared down the hall.

“Be careful,” Althea whispered to Damon as she briefly slipped her hand into his. He squeezed her hand affectionately and kissed it. The fact that she initiated touching him gave him a decided thrill, straight to the toes of his boots.

“Always. There is one incident that took place here a couple of months ago. You can question MacClery and the footmen about it when we return. My dissolute father hosted an orgy, and I want to know who attended. It may be that some of those corrupt men are involved with Chellenhome.” Damon gave her hand another brief kiss before releasing it.

To Althea’s credit, she never reacted to the word orgy, just retrieved her notebook and pencil as he had seen her do numerous times.

MacClery returned with two strapping young footmen who looked more than up to the task. “Miss Galway, Mrs. Dunbar, the housekeeper, will be setting up the study for your interviews. She will also see to it that you are brought a tea tray. Continue down the hall. It is the third door to your left.”

“Thank you.”

“We must dash. Will you wait until I return?” Damon asked.

“I will try.”

Once he gave their destination to Dawson, they were off. The three men were crowded on opposite bench seats, and Damon found it mildly amusing.

“Ever hear of Chellenhome, any of you?” he asked, watching their reactions closely.

“I have, Your Grace, in passing,” MacClery answered. “I stood at the door to listen once when Browning was summoned to the study. That was not very well done of me, but I never liked the man. I couldn’t hear much. Something was said about delivering sensitive merchandise and collecting fees.”