Page 31 of Love, the Duke
“I think it was that she had a gentle soul,” Wyatt corrected, but then added, “or maybe it was a gentle soul and good heart? Damnation, Hurst, we didn’t remember her name, much less what her brother had said about her. Is she making her debut?”
In truth, Hurst’s memory hadn’t been much better until Miss Stowe showed up at his home. But he knew one thing: Winston didn’t know his sister very well or he wasn’t telling the truth in his letter. Miss Stowe wasn’t anything like how her brother described her.
Rick drummed his fingers lightly on the table as all three men were silent while they each had a sip of their drink.
“Fredricka met her and said she was lovely, but she also said all the young ladies at the party were lovely so that is no clue whatsoever.”
“They were,” Hurst ventured to say. He’d met most of the ones making their debut, but Miss Stowe was the only one who had stayed on his mind.
“Did she come to Town hoping you might find an interest in her?”
“And did you?” Wyatt asked.
“Just cough up the details and tell us about her,” Rick complained impatiently. “Don’t make us pull it out of you question by question.”
“She didn’t come to Town looking for me. Someone else.” For a moment he didn’t know what else to say, butthen he asked, “Do either of you know anyone who collects religious antiquities?”
They both sent curious looks his way.
“What does this have to do with Miss Stowe?” Rick asked inquisitively.
“She’s looking for a particular person to ask about a specific item having to do with her brother’s church.”
“I know of some who venture into antiquities, yes, but religious?” Wyatt shrugged. “That would be unusual and no one that I know of.”
“Me either,” Rick responded. “Why does she need a particular person?”
Hurst saw no reason not to tell them what he knew about Miss Stowe’s search for the chalice and the reasons for it. Leaving out, of course, that she dressed as a man to enter his home. No one should ever know that. Or the fact that the second time he saw her, she was actually searching Wyatt’s book room to see if he might be the thief. Fredericka definitely wouldn’t like that.
It was best to allow them to think he and Miss Stowe had met in the book room only to learn more about each other. If they wanted to believe it was more than a friendly visit, he would leave that up to them.
“Keep the information about the theft to yourselves,” Hurst added. “If there really is a thief in London, he doesn’t need to be forewarned that someone is looking for him.”
Both men nodded understanding, making Hurst think he’d gotten out of that conversation easily enough until Rick surprised him with, “So what do you think about her?”
He thought too much about her too often, but wouldn’t tell them that. In fact, there wasn’t much he wanted to tellthem concerning Miss Stowe. Each time he saw her, the pull was stronger that they were meant to be together.
Saying nothing wouldn’t satisfy Wyatt and Rick so he offered, “She’s even-tempered.”Sometimes.“Strong-minded.”All the time.“And definitely not a shrinking violet, which I’m sure you’ve already assumed since we met in secret at your house. I’ve always thought one of the things that made a lady beautiful was her attitude, and she has it in spades.”
Wyatt studied him a little deeper than Hurst liked before remarking, “So she’s nothing like the vicar portrayed in his letter.”
Hurst smiled to himself. “That’s safe to say.”
“It sounds like we need to meet her.” Rick picked up his glass and asked, “Will she be in London for the rest of the Season?”
Would she? Hell, yes.She might not believe it, but she didn’t have a chance of finding that relic the way she was going about it. But damn if he didn’t admire her for trying. And if only for her courageous effort alone, maybe he should try to help her in some way even though it went against his better judgment.
“I don’t think she’ll be leaving London anytime in the near future.”
“Good. I’ll talk to Edwina,” Rick said. “We’ll plan a dinner and make sure she’s invited.”
Suddenly Hurst had visions of Miss Stowe slipping away from the dinner party to secretly search Rick’s book room as she had Wyatt’s. He couldn’t let that happen. Especially when he knew what she was searching for wasn’t there.
“No,” he said quickly. “That won’t be necessary. I’m sure you will see her at a party soon and I’ll introduce her.If not, we’ll plan something casual. Maybe we’ll meet at Covent Garden or for a walk in Hyde.”
Hurst picked up his drink again. Yes, he needed to do something to help Miss Stowe. And suddenly he knew exactly what he was going to do first.
