“Tell me, how fared your journey?” Grace led her back to the settee, where they sat.
Careful to omit the very sordid aspects of her misadventure, Juliana told her friend all that had occurred. Tea had been brought while she spoke, and Grace served. It had been far too long since Juliana had enjoyed such a luxury that it nearly brought tears to her eyes. Of course, it was also, perhaps, that her heart was slowly breaking.
“I sense that there is more to this tale,” Grace said frankly after she’d concluded, her shrewd gaze scanning Juliana’s features. “However, I believe that we might be able to help you.”
A smile tugged at Juliana’s lips, hope finally blossoming. “And that is precisely why I came to you first.” She took a sip of her tea then edged toward her friend. “Tell me, how have preparations come along? Do we have many women?”
“We’ve had a promising number of preliminary interviews, but not one woman has yet completed her first task.”
“And my friends, Maria and Heather?”
Grace’s grin grew. “I’d rather thought that we could interview them together.”
“Splendid.”
“Now.” Grace’s tone grew sober. “Areyouprepared for your first task?”
* * *
Pullinghis coat tightly around himself, Leonard tramped across Grosvenor Square. He had guessed that the duke was a resident nearby and, as gauche as it was, Leo knocked on several doors, requesting direction, until someone at last capitulated.
Those few patrons who passed him on the rainy walk eyed him with open curiosity. The numbness in his heart provided him with protection from their stares, and his purpose kept his feet moving. He must warn the duke before further danger befell Juliana, and the man needed to know that it followed him, as well.
Striding with determination, Leo came to a halt before the red door of a grand building and rapped on its surface with his numb knuckles. Several long moments passed before a man of middling years opened the door.
“The duke is not in,” the man said bluntly.
Leo stepped closer. “My name is Leonard Notley. I have urgent business with His Grace.”
“His Grace has said that I’m not to admit anyone—”
“I come bearing news of Lady Juliana.”
The door swung abruptly inward, swirling the mixture of cool and warm air around him.
“Do come in, sir.”
The butler took Leo’s wet outer garments and led him through the surprisingly modest foyer and down a corridor into what appeared to be a sitting room.
“Please do make yourself comfortable.” He bowed. “I shall inform His Grace of your presence directly upon his return.”
With a nod of thanks, Leo took to an under-stuffed armchair and waited in silence. The room was blissfully warm and, despite himself, his eyelids began to droop.
Leo jolted upright with a start, and blinked. Christ, had he fallen asleep?
Heavy footfalls and loud voices echoed from the foyer, growing muffled as the man strode down the carpet runner of the corridor.
Leo stood just before the door swung inward and admitted a tall, dark-haired man with eyes…Damnation. His eyes were the same unique mixture of colours as Juliana’s.
“Who the devil are you, and what news have you of my sister?” the duke barked.
“My name is Leonard Notley—”
“The man who travelled with her!” The duke’s skin reddened. “What in the bloody hell were you doing alone with her without a chaperone? And where is she, now?”
Leo opened his mouth to reply, but a familiar lilting voice from the doorway halted him.
“I’m right here, brother.” Juliana swept into the room wearing a serviceable grey walking dress that lovingly accentuated her curves and height.
