Page 54 of Pursuing a Duke
“Today was no accident.”
She blew on her tea to cool it off. “I know. But who would want to hurt me? Or interfere with the duchess’s charity?”
“Perhaps a family didn’t receive enough food or medicine and took it out on the next person who made a delivery, which happened to be you.” His hands shook, clanking the cup and saucer together, so he placed them on the tray resting on the table. “Someone wanted you dead. Or at least injured. I need to find that street urchin, and bribe him with a coin. Secrets can be bought for a price and I believe he is the key to solving this mystery. And I promise you, someone will pay for what they did to you.” His eyes met hers while he waited for those words to sink in.
“If you mean to frighten me, you have succeeded.”
“I’m sorry. I’m just worried for your safety. There’s a slim chance the whole thing was a case of a runaway carriage. Yet... the carriage headed right for you. There is another possibility, actually many possibilities, but another that’s worrying around in my mind is Countess Hartford.” He combed his hands through his hair. “I have half a mind to visit Lord Hartford when I leave here and confront him. The man is weak and allows his wife to rule their castle.” He exhaled loudly. “I’m expected there later today. I hope I can keep my accusations to myself for now. Meanwhile, I don’t want you to leave the house.”
“Hmmm.”
He raised a brow to her non-committal noise. “Would you rather get run over by a carriage?”
“Of course not.”
“If you do go out and someone is trying to hurt you, next time, it might be something even more devious and nefarious, and they may succeed in eliminating you.”
“Stop trying to scare me!” she exclaimed.
“Is it working?” He hoped to God it was. Her life was in danger, and he needed to convince her to take it seriously. If anything happened to her...
“Yes,” she said, as she picked up a biscuit and nibbled on it. “Now go and find who did this.”
Pulling her into his arms, he cradled her head to his chest and inhaled her unique fragrance of wildflowers. Their bodies trembled. He honestly didn’t know if he could extricate himself from her. Taking several deep breaths, he put some distance between them. Just enough so he could kiss her. Her lips tasted like sweet tea.
“I’m going to hire Bow Street Runners to watch over you to ease both our worries,” he said as he forced himself to let her go. He was terrified that if something happened to her he would never get the chance to hold her again.
After he took his leave, he went to Brooks’s, hoping Caldwell and Langford would be there, taking an afternoon libation as they used to when all three of them lived in London. Four before Aiden married Emmeline. It had been a daily tradition back then. Sweeping inside the door, he handed off his hat and overcoat to the doorman. He focused on the room and found them at their favorite place in the back. A grouping of four wingback chairs gathered around a low table in front of the large hearth. Three were occupied.
Along with Caldwell and Langford, Hollingsworth took up the third chair. Before Lilly became involved with Redford, and Langford and Lilly became betrothed, Hollingsworth had proposed to Lilly. It was a wonder Langford and he were still civil to each other.
“Gentlemen,” Andrew said as he sat in the vacant chair and signaled a waiter. “Whisky, please.”
“What happened to you?” Caldwell asked as he sipped from the drink in his hand. “You are disheveled, and you have holes in your breeches.” His eyes widened. “Is that blood?”
So intent had he been on Emmeline, he hadn’t noticed his breeches. “Bloody hell, so it is.” Knowing he could trust all the men present, he explained that day’s events.
“Lilly is never going into the slums again,” Langford said firmly.
“Emmeline was targeted. And I think I know by who,” Andrew said as he downed the contents of his glass and signaled for a refill. “May as well leave the bottle,” he grumbled to the server. He proceeded to explain his theory about the accident to his friends.
“You believe Lady Hartford is conniving enough to plan such a thing?” Hollingsworth asked.
“Who else could it be?” As far as Andrew knew, Emmeline didn’t have any enemies.
Caldwell stared into his glass. “Perhaps they target the Ladies’ Society of Mayfair and want an end to the charity.”
“I can’t see a reason for it. The charity does good work. People rely on their donations,” Langford said.
“Yes, well,” Hollingsworth spoke up, “someone always takes offense at what others do. But I’m with Blackstone. Emmeline has been doing this charity work safely for years. Why would they target the charity now? It’s most likely Lady Hartford. On the other hand, murder? That does seem extreme.”
“I know,” Andrew grumbled. “But there is something not quite right with her.”
“What about Lady Bea—” Langford began.
“No,” Caldwell interjected. “She is innocent in all of this and doesn’t have a cruel bone in her body.”
Everyone stared at Caldwell. “You should marry her,” Andrew said with renewed hope for his future.
