To Save a Lady

by Lindsay Downs

  “Perfect.”

  With that settled, and in walking boots, Jolene followed her mother down and out to the carriage.

  No sooner had she arrived at the Hampshiretownhouse than she directed her driver to take her coach over to the marquis’ and collect her bags and Emmy. Sweeping into the house, she went directly to her mother’s parlor.

  “Have a seat, dear, for I know there is something you need to ask me.”

  Sitting beside her, Jolene tried to figure out how to start. She took a breath.

  “Mother, does Brendon have affections for me?”

  “He does and has already spoken with your father in that regard. If he hadn’t been wounded, I truly believe he would have offered for you already. I would suspect he will at the earliest opportunity, so be prepared. With that said, do you have them for him as well?”

  “I do and will accept him when he offers for me.”

  “Darling daughter, I’m pleased to learn that,” her father said from the doorway.

  “Thank you. How much of what mother and I talked about did you hear? Before you answer that, I’ve moved back since Brendon is almost completely healed.”

  “I’m glad. As we are out this eve, will you be joining us at the ball?”

  That was something she hadn’t thought about. Her one main concern, her safety considering the threats she directly and indirectly had received.

  “Which one are you attending?”

  “Would you believe at your uncle’s? Yes, Katherine has finally convinced Ethan to hold one. Don’t worry, as there won’t be a banquet beforehand,” Kristina said.

  “Then I would love to join you. I also promise not to partner with a gentleman I’m not completely familiar with.”

  “My dear, that makes me happy. You should send a note to Brendon to make him aware you will be out and at which ball,” Robert suggested.

  “Yes, that is an excellent suggestion,Father. He should be stronger tomorrow or the next day, so we may waltz.”

  Standing, she swept up to her suite and penned the letter to Brendon then went to find Bing so it could be delivered. That done, she next turned her attention to selecting agown for the ball. Searching out the perfect one was easy as she wanted it to be demure. She took out the pastel pink one and smiled. She setit on the bed and with nothing to do for the next few hours, she sat on the window seat and read. Not surprisingly after a few minutes she felt her lids closing.

  Opening her eyes when her shoulder was shaken gently, she glanced up. Emmy was smiling down at her.

  “Thank you for waking me, and why are you so happy?”

  “I shouldn’t be telling you this but tonight at the ball, don’t be surprised if a certain marquis doesn’t make an appearance. I learned of this from his butler.”

  Jolene’s first thought was torush over to his townhouse and scold him for being stubborn and pushing himself to hard. Then the thought camethat with him in attendance her safety would be even more assured.

  “I promise not to say anything and will appear surprised when he isintroduced.” She pointed to the gown on the bed. “I had planned on wearing that, but now I’ll need to rethink the dress, considering he will be there.”

  Sweeping back over to the armoire, she sorted through the choices, settling on a light green with roses around the neckline.

  “Find out if the gardener will part with a few flowers for my hair?”

  “Yes, m’ lady. When I go down I’ll order up your bath water.”

  No sooner had Emmy departed than a knock on the door stopped Jolene from retaking a seat in front of the window.

  “Come in,” she called out.

  “Daughter, this was just delivered for you,” her mother said.

  Taking the package, Jolene unwrapped it exposing a long wide velvet box. Opening it, inside she found a diamond necklace and matching bracelet. At first, she was puzzled at the gift then remembered back to several days ago and a conversation she had with the duchess.

  “What is the gift and from whom?

  She turned the box so her mother could see.“It’s from Brendon, and I believe he sent it as a forgive me gift.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because he is stubborn, impossible, and will be joining us at my uncle’s ball.”

  “Then you must wear it tonight just for him.”

  “I will as I wasn’t sure what jewelry to wear with the selected gown which is the light green one that you love.”

  “Perfect. I’ll leave you to get ready. Meet your father and I in my parlor a little before seven.”

  Dressed, with her hair decorated with several yellow roses and the gift around her neck and wrist, Jolene swept down to join her parents. As she glided down the corridor to the parlor, Jolene wondered what Brendon’ reaction would be on seeing the gift he’d sent.

  Chapter Fourteen

  With extreme care and using a cane for support, not the sword-cane, Brendon climbed the stairs leading to the foyer of the Crossington townhouse. When he’d received word that Jolene would be attending, he sent his sister, Katherine, a note informing her he would be there also. In it he’d also requested a chair be placed behind a settee so he could sit if needed.

  Crossing the vestibule, he nodded to friends with some stopping to speak with regard tohow he was doing. He thought that question appeared ridiculous as he was attending the ball. After being announced, Brendon stepped up tohis host and hostess.

  “Good evening, Ethan and dear Sister.”

  “And to you also, Brother. I’m happy you are well enough to come,” Katherine said.

  “When I learned a certain young lady would be in attendance, I thought to surprise her. I should inform you that when she sees me she might cause a disturbance.”

  “If you are referring to Lady Jolene, my niece, I assure you her mother will keep her restrained. Also, as per your request there is a chair behind the divan half way down the wall,” Ethan added, pointing to where he’d referenced.

  “I am, and thank you for accommodating my need. As they haven’t arrived, if you’ll excuse me, I will take up my post.”

  As he walked, slowly, to the settee, he glanced around to see if he could spot possible trouble. By the time he arrived at the divan, the worst problem was several rogues who might attempt a dance with Jolene. What did have him a little confused was that theseveral matrons who had frowned at him for holding Jolene a little too closely were now sending him smiles.

  Stepping behind the divan, he kept his eyes on the grand staircase for Jolene and her parents. After several minutes of waiting,they were announced then greeting Ethan and Katherine. From Jolene’sglower in his direction, Brendon suspected one or the other had mentioned him being at the ball. He sent her a grin, but that only appeared to anger her even more, as she wagged her fan at him. Then he thought what was the worst she could do to him, especially in public? In a few minutes he’d learn as she, with her parents following, made for him.

  He had to come up with an excuse for disobeying her directive not to go out tonight. Could he say Mrs. Hughes gave him permission? No, as that would be to easily found out by Jolene as she and the housekeeper got along quite well. Before he knew it, she was standing in front of him.

  “What are you doing here? You aren’t supposed to be going out until tomorrow.”

  “M’ lady, it is a pleasure to see you in such high spirits. When I received your note, and considering the threats against us, it behooved me to be here for your protection. As you see, I also arranged for a chair in case I tire.”

  Brendon breathed a sigh of relief when her frown turned into a smile. After all, everything he’d said had been the truth.

  “As long as you’re here, do you believe you might have the strength to waltz?”

  “We can only hope.”

  Once she was seated, he turned to Robert, who the entire time had been grinning.

  “Well done, m’ lord. I only hope, for your sake, this is the first and last time you
face our daughter’s ire.”

  Without even having to ask, Brendon was well aware of what Robert was referring to. When they were married.

  “I promise, never to do anything which would cause her to be mad at me,” he said in a low voice.

  “I do appreciate your presence for Jolene’s safety. Nothing has happened to her, and we only pray it remains so. Over dinner she did inform me of the conversation you both had earlier in regards to the jeweler where Jack bought the locket. She could be on to something with it. I’m having my man of business examine the shop owner’s finances, again as I know yours did also. I should learn something in a day or so.”

  “I appreciate you doing that.” A tap on Brendon’s arm brought his head down as Jolene smiled up at him. He knew why. The musicians had started playing a waltz.

  Hooking the cane to the back of the settee, he stepped around, bowed, then offered his hand to her.

  On the dance floor he peered down to her.

  “If you tire, we will stop,” she suggested.

  “Thank you. The first few steps might be a little clumsy.”

  As he had said, he stumbled but easily recovered. The rest of the dance went off smoothly. Much to his and he suspected her happiness, he didn’t tire until the very end. Once Jolenewas settled on the settee, Brendon stepped around and took a seat. To his disappointment, his view of the other guests was somewhat restricted as he was sitting, not standing.

  Once, Brendon did have to rise when he saw a well-known rogue, one he’d not seen earlier, start to approach. This had him curious if Jolene or her parents were familiar with the man. He glanced to Robert.

  “Yes, he has made himself known to us. By his reputation alone I don’t trust him,” Robert said.

  “I agree with you. I’m curious as to what he does?”

  Lord Neill stepped up and bowed to Kristina then Jolene.

  “M’ lady, I’ve not come requesting this quadrille but to give you this.”

  Brendon watched as she took the note, then the man departed without another word, which he found strange. What was even more unusual without even examining the paper Brendon accepted it from her. Breaking the wax seal, he noticed it was written on the exact same paper as the first one.

  Was not the attack on the marquis warning enough?Next time someone will be killed. Stop looking into things which do not concern you.

  As with the first one, this threat was unsigned. However, who wrote it may as well have. The person, Brendon easily noticed didn’t use contractions where they could have. Granted, many of the older peers still did, but the use of them was more prevalent from those on the continent. He passed it to Robert then searched out the Earl of Crossington. If he wasn’t mistaken, it was time to bring Ethan in on the case. To do that, though, he wanted to speak with Jolene as she was the primary investigator. With the aid of the cane he leaned forward and handed her the note which he’d just gotten back.

  “After you read this we need to talk, in private and with your parents present,” he whispered in her ear.

  He waited while she did then stood after speaking to Kristina, who joined her.

  “Brendon, behind you is a door leading to a small parlor. I know of it because when visiting sometimes I’d slip in there when we played hide and seek.”

  At least in his townhouse there wasn’t a ballroom, thusly no rooms to hide in. With a grin, he followed Jolene into the sitting room already occupied by her parents.

  “Considering this new warning and how it was written, forgive me for saying this but, Jolene, I believe we need to include Ethan, your uncle that is, in this investigation.”

  “Daughter, I agree with Brendon. After all, between the duke and Ethan they have contacts in France than we don’t even know about,” Kristina said.

  Brendon expected an argument from Jolene, but from her scrunched brow he suspected she was considering what he and her mother had said. When he saw her straighten, he believed the answer was forthcoming, hopefully for the best.

  “Under one condition. He keeps his nose out of my case.”

  “Dearest Jolene, as he’s married to my sister, but you know that, she will make sure he does.”

  “Then would you talk to Katherine. Coming from you not only will she but Ethan will listen.”

  “I will but after the next waltz which should be starting soon.”

  Easily, with that he escorted Jolene back into the ballroom. No sooner had they returned than the musicians began a waltz. With a wave of his arm and a smile from her, Brendon guided her onto the parquet. As he swirled her around the floor, this time much stronger, he held her close, even closer thanbefore.

  Spying a few matrons, he found it interesting they maintained smiles, and a few even gave him a head bob at his behavior. This confirmed to him that within the next day or so he would formally approach the Earl of Hampshire, then when permission was given, her. But that would have to be a special night followed by a ball. For that, and to keep it a secret, he would need to consult with his mother.

  When the dance ended and Jolene with her parents he hunted down Katherine, which was easy as she was talking with their parents. Then he had an idea. Include the duke in the discussion with Ethan tomorrow. This made him wonder if Jolene would agree. He stopped.

  “Your Grace, Lady Katherine, might I steal a moment of your time?”

  “As you have already spoken, uninvited I might add, and interrupted a pleasant conversation with my daughter, you may continue,” the Duke of Clarion directed to his son.

  “Lady Jolene has a case which could reach to France. We would like to meet with, Your Grace and Lord Crossington, tomorrow.”

  “Two of the clock at the palace. Don’t be late,” the duke snapped.

  “Thank you, Your Grace.”

  Brendon turned, grinned,and then returned to Jolene and her parents.

  Chapter Fifteen

  With Samson at her side, Jolene, in a very unladylike pace, went down to the foyer and her parents. When she arrived, they weren’t there but outside in the landau. This she found strange as she’d thought the closed town carriage would have been more suited for the visit with her uncle, godfather, and Brendon.

  She swept up, pleased her parents weren’t frowning. They weren’t smiling either which had her confused.

  “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. I was trying to decide which gown to wear tonight at the Jackson ball. My tardiness won’t happen again.”

  “That’s quite all right, Daughter, as I changed from the coach to this. With the weather beautiful, your mother and I thought a drive in the park would be enjoyable.”

  Jolene hoped Brendon would be joining them. After all, this was supposed to be his first official outing since his attack, not last night at the ball. She waved Samson in then waited for her mother to be helped up then she.

  On the drive over to her godfather’s, she learned her father had received a note from his man of business. When she asked what it said, he chose to wait so everyone would learn at the same time. Fortunately, she didn’t have to wait long as the landau rolled into the Clarion courtyard. She glanced ahead and smiledthat Brendon was waiting on the top stoop, without a cane.

  After being helped down by him, Jolene waited for her parents then swept in and up to the ducal office. Walking in, she was happy the duchess had joined them. Even Samson seemed pleased as he bounded over to them, earning a scratch behind the ear from both.

  Jolene took a seat beside Brendon while her collie chose to lay at her feet.

  “For the duration of this meeting titles are to be set aside so conversation may flow more easily,” the duke announced. “Jolene, since this was your suggestion, why don’t you start with what you’ve learned so far.”

  Over the next ten minutes, Jolene informed every one of her initial meeting with Julie Patrick, pointedly leaving out Vikki’s name. Next, she presented them with the first threatening note.

  “Father wasn’t able to learn any more about the origin
al sender. From all indications, the printer, where the victim was employed as an apprentice, appears to be innocent as we’ve not been able to find any evidence to the contrary.”

  She then went on to explain the second meeting with the woman and the locket. That, along with the forgery was shared. This earned groans from Ethan and the duke. Jolene nodded to Brendon to tell them about the attack on him. After he finished, she passed the note she’d received last night at the ball which led to this meeting.

  “It was Brendon who noticed that the person who penned the warning didn’t use contractions, leading him to believe the individual is from the continent,” she said in conclusion.

  “If I was to guess, the person is from France and still carries resentment that Bonaparte had lost and died in exile,” Brendon explained.

  “And this is why you both requested to meet with Ethan and myself. Because of our long past tasks working in secret for the Crown?”

  “Yes. We thought you might be able to call on your former contacts to find out what they couldlearn.”

  “Dear, I’ve several questions. The first, what about the jeweler. Could he somehow be involved? You told us the locket cost five pounds and Jack Cooper gave the man a ten-pound note receiving a fiver back. Where would he, as an apprentice, earn or get that amount of money? He would have had to save for years, wouldn’t he?” the duchess inquired.

  “He would have, and I don’t know of anyone in his position who could save up. As for the jeweler, just before coming here today I received word from my man of business. There isn’t anything unusual financial wise about the shop or the jeweler,” Robert said.

  “So, in short we are at a standstill. No clues. No direction. That along with the belief of a French connection is why we’re here, to request help,” Jolene told them.

  For her, doing this had been a big step as she never wished to seek assistance from others. Now, she waited while Ethan and her godfather thought over the request. She glanced over to Brendon.

  “Afterwards, would you care to join my parents and I for a drive around the park?”