“Yes, Rosalind. It’s a realistic portrayal of all of us. And I believe it will look spectacular above the mantle,” Aunt Dora said.
Everyone expressed their agreement that the portrait would look amazing.
By the time they returned to the duchesses’ townhouse, Serafina felt the first true wave of weariness crash over her. The afternoon had been wonderful—Julian’s smile, the studio bathed in afternoon light, the promise in his voice—but beneath that brightness lay a darker undertow.
Grimsby’s past…the things he had done to that young woman…the possibility that there had been others. Her stomach twisted at the thought. And now the undeniable fear thatshemight also be in danger from him.
Her uncle and the Duke of Danforth were doing everything in their power to find the baron—she knew that. Yet as sheclimbed the stairs to her room, having told the duchesses that she was turning in early, exhaustion had settled into her bones. She couldn’t shake the unease coiled tight in her chest.
Baron Grimsby had vanished far too neatly.
And deep down, she feared they had not heard the last of him.
CHAPTER 11
The next day
She woke to bright sunshine and birds singing outside her window. “Good morning, Willow,” she said with a giggle as the pup who’d slept at her usual place at the foot of her bed trotted up to her and licked her face. Serafina stretched out her arms and noticed that the room was toasty and was immediately thankful Martha had started the fire in her fireplace. As she padded to her wash basin, the door opened, and Martha rushed in. “Miss Davies, you’re awake. Good morning.”
“Good morning, Martha.”
“This missive arrived. I think it might be from your young man,” she said, handing Serafina a note, before opening the wardrobe and fishing out a dress for the day. “Let’s get you dressed, miss.”
Twenty minutes later, Serafina was ready to quell the rumblings in her stomach. “You’re hungry, miss,” Martha said, leaving the room. “Your aunts are waiting in the dining room.”
“Thank you, Martha.” Serafina opened the note, expecting to learn when Julian would be coming to bring the finished painting. Her hands shook as she read:
My dearest Miss Davies,
You have made it very difficult to gain time with you, and I am very determined to have you. Therefore, I am wasting no more time on wooing you.
I am in possession not only of the details of your elopement with the Earl of Landon, two years past, but also of a witness who is very willing to share the story with the newspapers. The witness is very credible, I assure you.
My instructions are brief, but very specific. Take a carriage, under the pretext of visiting your guardian at his office.
If you don’t follow these instructions exactly, I will release the story of you and the Earl of Landon to the press. And I will make certain your precious artist/duke will never be able to paint another portrait ever again. Yes, I know the handsome Mr. Kerr is the Duke of Strathmoor.
And my dear, I am not in the habit of bluffing.
Yours—soon.
Serafina’s entire body began to shake. With trembling fingers, she folded the note and slipped it into her reticule. Willow began barking, obviously reacting to Serafina’s fear.
Oh my God! He’s been watching me more than I ever imagined,she thought. Her skin crawled just thinking of being in his presence. She couldn’t allow that story to come out…it would ruin her family. She couldn’t saddle them with her mistake all over again. The first time had been enough. And she would not be lucky a second time. Her uncle would not be able to suppress the gossip. Not to mention the potential negative consequences on the new businesses that her uncle and his friends had been working so hard on, including her tearoom. But what worried her most of all was the baron’s threat to Julian. She could not allow that to happen. She would die if he were hurt or maimed because of her.
Martha opened the door and peeked in. “Mrs. Atwell has outdone herself with the sticky buns she made. She made enough for the entire household.”
“Goodness! I don’t want to miss those,” she said. She hurried downstairs. Time was of the essence. She couldn’t allow Grimsby to carry out his threats.
“Good morning, dear. We have your favorite sticky buns,” Aunt Rosalind said, licking her thumb, as Serafina entered.
“Yes, Martha told me about the buns, and I could smell the delicious cinnamon and sugar on my way downstairs,” Serafina said, trying her best to feign enthusiasm. The last thing her stomach wanted was food, even if it was sticky buns. She needed to ask Peter and Martha to meet her at the carriage.
Quickly, she ate her sticky bun and gathered up Willow, who was enjoying her morning repast of toasted bread crusts from Aunt Rosalind. Oh dear, between Aunt Rosalind and Aunt Bianca, Willow would soon be twice her size. She’d have to have a chat with the duchesses about all of them sneaking Willowadditional treats. Willow’s stomach was already plumping up from the bread snacks. Which would not bode well for the pup’s health. But that was a problem Serafina would have to tackle another day.
She excused herself from the table, saying she was taking Willow out to the garden for her morning walk. Luckily, the other duchesses were still abed. Hurrying out of the dining room, she bumped into the very footman she needed. Peter was big and strong. He could defend her from the baron, if needed. “Peter, please ask Mr. Herrman to ready the carriage. And have Martha meet us in fifteen minutes. I need to speak with my guardian at his office. And need both you and Martha to accompany me.”
“Yes, ma’am. We will be out front, ready for you.”
