Even if she had to let go of Reed Rutherford to have it.
A loophole?
If the hour had been earlier, Reed would have worked off his frustrations by taking his horse for a brisk ride on Rotten Row. Unfortunately, it was nearly the driving hour, and even in the off-season, he’d have to negotiate a few pedestrians.
His mind searching frantically for some other plan to save his family’s reputation, he marched unseeing along Hanover Street until he arrived at Rutherford Place. Had West been exaggerating? But no, before allowing himself to contemplate the possibility, Reed dismissed it as wishful thinking.
He needed to discover where Crossings had sent Lady Gardenia. Get there, and convince her to return with him—as his fiancée. All within about fifty or so hours.
The instant he stepped inside the majestic foyer, a flurry of black appeared as the eldest of his younger sisters all but accosted him. “What did she say?” she asked.
Growing up, he’d been closer to Caroline than either Melanie or Josephine. At three and twenty, Caroline was only five years younger, whereas his other two sisters were nearly a full decade behind him.
Which was the only reason he’d shared the dire nature of their circumstances with her after returning from his meeting at the Emporium.
Aside from making the journey from their father’s estate, Breaker’s Cottage, to London, his mother and younger sisters had chosen to observe strict mourning. And although Reed was fairly certain his mother suspected the rumors, troubling her with the complications would serve no purpose.
Mr. Beasley, his butler now, appeared as though out of nowhere. Reed handed over his hat and coat but didn’t answer Caroline’s question until the door to the drawing room was closed behind them.
“Well?” Caroline demanded.
“Lady Gardenia is not in London.” He dropped onto the settee and ran both hands through his hair.
“Did the duke’s butler tell you that, or were you allowed to meet with the duke himself?” Caroline lowered herself as well but lifted her feet onto the settee and hugged her knees.
“He allowed me to meet with Lady Marigold.” For an instant, Reed had believed his luck had changed. But then the younger sister had stood at the door.
And he’d been disappointed, to say the least.
And yet some carnal part of his person questioned how he’d not noticed this chit before.
With lush curves and rebellious blond curls, she presented herself as a tempting armful and quite worthy of notice. Even disregarding her more prominent attributes, one couldn’t help but find her facial features just as noticeable: curious eyes, full lips, and skin that reminded him of honey and cream.
“She’s a sweet girl,” Caroline said. “Quiet, though.”
“Well, she was too quiet for my purposes today.”
“But she told you Lady Gardenia had left London. What else did she say?”
Reed searched his memory for tidbits from the brief meeting. Mostly, he’d been devastated to learn that Lady Gardenia was no longer in town. “I don’t know.”
“Where is she?” Caroline pressed.
“Lady Marigold?”
“No, dear brother.” His sister sent her gaze rolling toward the ceiling. “Lady Gardenia.”
“Lady Marigold refused to tell me.”
“But she knows.”
Reed tugged at the back of his neck. “Yes, but knowing Crossings, she’d suffer dire consequences if she were to tell me.” He’d wanted to press Lady Marigold for more information but that wouldn’t have been fair. If he pressed anyone, he’d press the goddamn Duke of Crossings himself.
“She would have told you if she could. Goldie’s nothing like the rest of her family. And besides…” Caroline smiled.
Caroline’s good humor made no sense at all, considering their predicament.
“Besides what?” Reed asked, irritated.
