by Hunt, Brenda
“You’re right Meyers. Have them bring the tray to my room. I’ll eat while I bathe. Send someone to Madame Beaucage. Isn’t she the modiste mother and Caroline used?”
“Yes, your grace.”
“Good, then send someone there for some clothes. A couple of day dresses and whatever else she may need. Just enough till I can get her there to be measured.” Worth squeezed his lips in thought. “She’s about this tall,” he showed Meyers with his hands, “thin willowy.”
Meyers nodded. He thought on all who worked here. Perhaps, Nell might be the size his grace was looking for. He would send her along with Mrs. Porter. “I will see to it, your grace.”
Worth nodded. “Good. I’ll be upstairs. Let me know the moment, either Lynden or Oxley get here.” He walked out the door, knowing Meyers would get everything he required.
He walked into his room to find Bennings directing several of his staff with pails of water preparing his bath. A tray of food sat on the table by the chair by the fireplace.
“Your grace, I have laid out your best clothes as requested. I have your dark blue jacket, your blue and gold waistcoat, your black pants.”
Worth waved him off. “That will be fine, Bennings.” He walked over to the tray of food and took several pieces of meat and placed it on a slice of bread and took a bite. He had not realized how hungry he was. In short time, he had devoured all the food on the tray.
“You have been gone for several months, your grace,” stated Bennings. The duke had been gone for lengths of time before but this time, his return had a sense of urgency. His frustration, his anger was new. His grace had never been a patient man, but this impatience had an ominous tone about it. Whatever was on his mind was serious. As much as he wanted to ask, he respected the duke’s privacy. When his grace wanted him to know, he would inform him.
He went about picking up the Duke’s discarded clothes. That, it itself was unusual. His grace was always meticulous about his clothes and was not one to simply discard them about. Then, he remembered when last he had seen the duke, he was on his way to capture the highwayman --- no the highway woman who had robbed him. He wondered if this had to do with that woman. What had the duke been involved in all these months?
Worth sank in the tub and let the hot water soak away the aches of the past days riding, chasing the devil who had taken his Lili. Again, his mind returned to the thoughts that had plagued him the past few days. The mere fact, Edward had gotten Lili’s compliance by threatening Ali made him seethe inside. Traveling these past days, he nearly went out of his mind imagining all sorts of horror. He knew the horror of the outside world. Lili did not. The anger in him had no limits. The fact they had a day and a half head start had not helped. He had taken Athena knowing her stamina was the best. He had ridden bent out of hell for London, hoping against hope, to catch up with them before London. But he had not. He had gotten to London this morning. It seemed they had gotten to London late yesterday evening.
He needed to find them soon, before Edward did anything more to her. If he touched her again, Worth would kill him. Even if he hadn’t, for what he had done to her before, was enough to warrant his death.
No longer able to sit and soak with all these thoughts rambling through his mind, Worth quickly washed and was out of the tub. He was not one to sit about when things needed to be done.
Worth stood for a moment, wrapped in a towel, as Bennings began to hand him his clothes. He looked at Bennings for a moment. As much as Bennings sometimes got on his nerves with all the proper manners and dress, he knew Bennings would never do or say anything to harm him.
“I need your utmost discretion, Bennings. You know some of the details that must never be revealed. Where is Hugh?”
Bennings looked at the duke in confusion. He was and would always be discreet with the Duke’s affairs. “Hugh is back at Stoneybrook. We thought it would be best, one of us be at each place, awaiting your return.”
“Good.”
“You were robbed by a highway man, only you believed it to be a woman. You left to look for her.” Bennings eyes widened with understanding. “You found her.”
Yes, even then Lili was playing havoc with his sensibilities.
“It was a woman and yes, I did find her. She is Lady Lilias McGowan of Glendenning Keep. Her younger brother is the laird. They have come upon hard times. An uncle had robbed them of everything of value. I was trying to help them. I went to Edinburgh to make certain they were taken care of. While I was gone, this uncle returned and has brought m’lady here. I believe he intends to sell her.”
Bennings gasped. “But she is of noble birth, your grace. How can that be? Never, you mind. There are such scoundrels out and about, ready to do such a dastardly deed.” It was no wonder his grace was in such a tither. But there was more to this.
Worth nodded. “Yes, well once I have her safe, I want nothing to be said about her being a highwayman. Only you and Hugh are aware.”
“Rest assured your grace. I will never say a word about it. Neither will Hugh, I am certain,” assured Bennings.
“There is another reason, Bennings. I have plans on Lady Lilias becoming my wife, the Duchess of Worthingston. Therefore, you can understand, why I would not want any of this bandied about for her sake. I am not certain, I can keep what is happening now quiet. But I plan on doing my best.” Worth put on the waistcoat Bennings held out to him.
Bennings smiled. He knew there was more. He had long believed the duke needed to settle down. “Then congratulations are in order, your grace. I believe you will find her. With all of us looking, helping, you shall find her. There is no place in London that uncle of hers can hide her. We will all do whatever it may take, to make that happen.” He firmly believed it to be so. The duke was a powerful man.
Worth smiled. Even though Bennings was a valet in every sense of propriety, he did not doubt for a moment, Bennings would do anything, even if it meant something totally improper.
Bennings assisted him into his dark blue almost black jacket. Worth gazed at his reflection in the mirror. He brushed an imaginary fleck off his sleeve. He turned, very satisfied with the way he looked.
“There, your grace. Now, whatever I can do, whatever any of us can do, you can count on us.”
“Thank you, Bennings.”
“Your grace.” Worth halted at the door. “You will find her and she will be safe. Of that outcome, I shall be praying for.”
Worth nodded, for a moment overcome with emotion, for the fear of not finding her safe reared its ugly head again. He refused to think that way. No, he would find her safe. With that thought upper most in his mind, he went downstairs hoping Lynden or Oxley or both had arrived.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Worth got to the bottom of the stairs in time to see Meyers letting Oxley in. Worth met him in the foyer. He extended his hand to Oxley. “Thank you, for coming so quickly. Let’s talk in my study.” Oxley nodded. He turned to Meyers. “If Lynden shows up, escort him to my study, as well.”
Once in his study and the door closed behind him, Worth turned to Oxley. Oxley was a small, plain looking man of what Worth believed to be about fifty years in age. He knew it was why this man could go in just about anywhere and most people did not pay any attention to him. He just blended in. But don’t under estimate and think this little man was weak. Worth had seen him in a fight. This little man was the scrappiest fighter he had ever seen. He had watched him take down men twice his size.
Worth motioned him to a chair.
Once seated, Oxley asked, “What do you need, your Grace?” Oxley knew he owed the Duke much. More, than he could ever repay him. The Duke had rescued his young son in France after he had been shot. The Duke had put his own life in jeopardy to bring his son home. No matter when or why the Duke called, he would answer that call.
“I need your help locating a young woman for me. Her uncle took her from her home in Scotland and has brought her to London. My belief he is going to sell her.” Worth coul
d see Oxley was listening but did not understand why he was asking. “She is to be the future Duchess, Oxley.”
Oxley raised his eyebrows in surprise. “What do you know of him?”
Worth went on to explain everything he knew about Edward and Lili.
Oxley listened and nodded. “I think we can find them, your grace.”
“Good. We need to find them as soon as possible. Spare no expense, Oxley. Hire as many people as you need.”
Oxley stood. “Rest assured, your grace, I will find them.”
“Soon or will it take days?” asked Worth, knowing this waiting was driving him crazy.
“I will make as soon as I can. Hopefully by this evening. I will keep you informed.” Oxley walked out of the study.
Worth watched him leave. He went to the sideboard and poured himself another glass of whiskey. He downed it and poured himself another glass.
“Whatever the problem, my friend, abusing that whiskey at this hour will not help.”
Worth turned to see Lynden walking through the door. Lynden was the rake of the three of them. How many scraps had Lynden gotten him and Grayson into at Eaton. Too many to count.
“Perhaps not, but it has made waiting for you to get here passable,” replied Worth raising any empty glass to Lynden who nodded.
Worth pointed to the chair Oxley had just vacated and handed him his now filled glass. Lynden raised his glass in salute. He took a sip. “When did you get back into London? Or better yet, why have you summoned me at this ungodly hour. It is barely midday.”
Worth gave him a disgruntled look as he sat down in the other chair. He knew Lynden better than that.
“I need your help,” stated Worth in all seriousness.
Lynden sat up straighter in his chair. Worth asking for his help meant something serious was going on. “The Duchess?”
“Mother?” Worth shook his head. “No, she is fine, as far as I know. I was told she is at Stoneybrook. I am rather grateful she is not here. I don’t want her involved in this, until all is settled. She would just worry. After Caroline --------” He left the sentence hanging.
He and Lynden had worried about the Duchess when his sister, Carolyn died. Then Grayson, her husband, had died shortly after. Grayson had been the third member of trio that had bonded in Eton as young boys. With their deaths, his mother had become a recluse. She seldom came to London anymore. She spent much of her time at Stoneybrook growing her roses. Worth had written her several times while in Scotland. He knew she would worry.
Lynden nodded. Caroline’s death had affected them all. Lynden had lost his mother when first at Eton and had spent many a holiday with Worth at Stoneybrook. The Duchess had become like a second mother to him.
“No, it is the future Duchess that is in trouble.” Worth knew it was best to confide in Lynden from the beginning.
Lynden opened his eyes wide as he stared at his friend. Surely, Worth was jesting but one look at the seriousness of his face, he knew he was not.
“The future Duchess?” he asked to make certain, he had indeed heard him correctly the first time. This changed things considerably.
Worth nodded. “Yes. You are aware I have been in Scotland these past months.”
“I had heard something along those lines,” he answered.
Worth explained he had come to stay at Glendenning. He did not tell him how that had happened. He told him about his stay with the twins and Lili. He explained to him how, he had gone to Edinburgh on business. While in Edinburgh, Lili had been kidnapped by her uncle and brought to London to be sold.
“I take he does not know you are a duke?” questioned Lynden. There was more to this story than Worth was telling, much more.
“No. Actually, no one there knows I am a duke.”
Lynden raised his eyebrows. Yes, indeed there was more to this story Worth was omitting. “Is she a commoner?”
Worth shook his head. “No, she is the daughter of the laird. Well, actually, her younger brother is the laird. Her father died a couple of years ago.”
“Now, that I believe. Rescuing a damsel in distress. That is the Worth, I know.” Lynden looked at Worth seriously. Worth portrayed himself as a cold sometimes heartless person. Lynden knew better. Worth was the one to go the extra step to make certain he rescued those people whom he felt needed rescuing.
“Is she of age? Because if he is her guardian, he does have final say over her.”
“She just turned twenty. I don’t think he is her guardian. He is her mother’s step brother. Her father died two years ago and he only showed up several months ago.”
“Then how did they know he was who he said he was?”
Worth raised an eyebrow. He had never thought along those lines. He should have thought of that. What if he wasn’t family at all?
“Lili said her mother only mentioned him a couple of times. Lili did meet him once when she was a little girl. But you have given me something, I had not considered. I believe, he is in serious debt. The first time there, he stole everything he could take and then some.”
Lynden gazed at Worth thoughtfully. Again there was that feeling Worth was not being completely truthful with him. What was he hiding?
Before Lynden could ask more questions, Meyers knocked on the door and entered.
“I am sorry to interrupt, your grace, but this was just delivered. The delivery boy said it was from Oxley. I thought it was imperative I get it to you immediately.” He handed the Duke the note.
So soon, thought Worth. He tore open the note and read. “Damn!”
“What does it say, Worth?”
“He has found where Edward abides, but neither he nor Lili are there. He is watching the place.”
“Well do we wait here till Oxley sends us word of Edward’s returned or do we wait at Edward’s place?” Lynden asked, but he knew the answer.
Worth looked at Lynden through narrowed eyes. Lynden smiled. This was going to prove to be an adventure he was glad to be a part of. But then all adventures with Worth, always proved to be interesting.
“Well old friend, my coach awaits outside. Shall we go to where this Edward fellow abides and have a welcoming party for him. I am curious to see what you have planned for him. Nothing pleasurable, I’m sure.”
“Sometimes Lynden, you do state the obvious,” stated Worth as he walked out the study with Lynden hard at his heels.
Meyers was waiting at the door with the Duke’s gloves and cane. Worth grabbed his cane. Meyers nodded lightly. Worth smiled. Meyers knew him very well.
Lynden looked down at Worth’s cane and smiled as well. “I have pistols in the coach.”
“I am carrying too,” stated Worth as he padded his jacket. There was no way he was taking any chances with Edward. He believed Edward was a coward. But desperate cowards did desperate things. He planned on being prepared for anything.
Several members of the ton were out walking. Several, he could see wanted to stop and talk but he ignored them. Instead, he got into Lynden’s waiting coach. He knew gossip mongers would be in full swing with every and any sort of speculation. So be it. Lynden gave his driver the address he had read on Oxley’s note.
Inside Lynden coach, Worth sat back. The address they were heading for section of London near the East end. There were several boarding houses there. A few were fairly reputable. Worth sat across from Lynden. Lynden saw the stubborn set of Worth’s jaw. He knew Worth was keeping his anger under very tight control. Few people realized, that control was Worth’s at his most dangerous. He didn’t ask Worth any questions. Whatever Worth was planning, Worth would let him know what he needed of him.
The coach pulled up at the corner. The address was across and down the street. No sooner had the coach come to a stop, the door opposite the street opened and Oxley climbed in.
Oxley nodded to the two men, “Your Grace, my lord. He has not returned as of yet. I have talked with the land lady. He’s got back late last night. Had a young man with him, no woman. Said he wou
ld be paying her today. That’s all she is interested in. Seems I just missed him. Had the young man in tow, he did. Land lady said the young one never said a word, always looked down,” explained Oxley.
Worth nodded. “Ali said he made her change into men’s clothing. Land lady had no idea where he was going?”
“No, your Grace. I’ve got about half a dozen men checking all the places about to see which one he frequents. None of them have reported back. All we can do is wait.” Oxley looked from the Marquees to the Duke. He wished he had more news to tell him.
Lynden watched Worth very carefully. Worth had the patience to wait. But there was one problem. The more Worth was forced to wait, the more his mind came up with ways of retribution. None of them bode good for the person in his sight.
“Then we wait,” said Worth.
Oxley nodded and slipped out of the coach.
“Well, have you decided how you want to handle him?” asked Lynden, stretching out as much as he could.
“I have a few thoughts. I just need to have Lili safe before I put it into motion.”
“This should be interesting to watch. I’m glad I decided to stay in London a few extra days. I had thought of going home to Hollings. London has been such a bore.”
Worth looked at Lynden. “Bored with your latest paramour? Is it still the lovely widow, the Lady Whiting?” Worth knew Lynden never stayed with any woman for any length of time.
Lynden laughed. “There have been two more since Lady Whiting, my friend. You have been gone from London for too many months.”
Worth shook his head and smiled. He knew Lynden’s history. He had been devastated when the woman he loved, left him the day before their wedding, to run off with some German noble who was richer than Lynden. Lynden had been in line for just a mere baron at the time. That had not been high enough in the social registry for Madelaine. He and Grayson had tried to warn him about Madelaine. But Lynden had been so in love with her. He had failed to see her treachery and underhandedness. It had taken Worth and Grayson months of being by his side to keep him from drinking himself into oblivion or worse yet, something that he would regret. When he finally emerged from the depths of hell as he called it, he had hardened his heart to the females of the world. He never stayed with a woman more than a couple of months, a widow, an actress. Mothers warned their impressionable young daughters about Lynden.