Jasper flicked a calling card out of his pocket. “Baron Westcott, to see Lady Gardenia.”
The butler feigned a smile. “I am afraid that her ladyship is… indisposed at the moment.”
“I have some valuables of hers. Perhaps I might meet with the duke?”
“He too is currently occupied. I can deliver these valuables myself, sir, but we are not accepting visitors today.”
“Is Lady Gardenia in residence?”
“She is preparing for her wedding ceremony.” The butler went to close the door, but Jasper had eased his way inside and his foot blocked it.
“The betrothal has not been canceled?”
“Not your concern, my lord. But they are awaiting the bishop as we speak.” The broad-chested servant shifted his beady eyes to stare meaningfully at Jasper’s foot. “I’ll take care of the valuables, sir, but after this evening, she’ll no longer reside here.”
“Dewberry?” Jasper pressed, the image of her panicked expression flashing in his mind. She’d been willing to risk everything to avoid marriage to the man.
“Who else, my lord?”
Jasper didn’t like it. He didn’t like it one bit.
If Dewberry was still willing to marry Lady Gardenia, the dealings between the two dukes were more complicated than appearances would suggest.
But of course, perverse dealings were safer when commenced amongst family.
The butler’s expression had turned to a glower. He held out his hand. “I’ll ensure your delivery is conveyed into the proper hands.”
Jasper was not going to be invited inside. But the butler said the bishop had yet to arrive. He had a little time.
But to do what?
“I prefer to deliver the items myself.”
“Fine.” This time, the butler used enough force to drive Jasper’s foot back and shut the door with a snap.
If the bishop had agreed to come to Crossings’ Place, no doubt he’d accepted a large donation to do so. Could Jasper somehow delay him?
Jasper tugged on his cravat as he returned to where he’d left Bard. His better option might be to locate Lady Gardenia herself.
He shifted his attention to the building’s exterior, which was mostly covered by dense vines clinging to a trellis. There’d be an unlocked window somewhere, but which chamber belonged to the daughter?
Just as he began making his way around to the side of the house, he heard a rustling from above.
And from a distance, he thought he saw the bottoms of silk shoes? Slippers? Dangling on delicate feet, accompanied by the fluttering of skirts.
Surely not. Was she…? He’d have laughed if she wasn’t putting herself in mortal danger.
Because it seemed Lady Gardenia was at it again.
Jasper didn’t call out, which would bring attention to them both. Instead, crouching so as not to be visible from the windows on the lower floor, Jasper sprinted across the lawn. Keeping his eyes on the back of Lady Gardenia clinging to the trellis nearly forty feet off the ground, he measured his position even as she swayed backward. A cracking sound heralded the next catastrophe.
No longer concerned with being caught, Jasper positioned himself on the lawn as the trellis broke away from the building, hovered for a moment, and then slowly began falling toward the lawn.
Toward him.
The Perfect Ladder
While waiting to be summoned downstairs, Nia had found herself staring out the window, imagining yet another escape. Unfortunately, her chamber was on the third floor—much too far to jump. Like a tragic heroine in a twisted fairytale, any attempt to escape would either maim or kill her. She’d all but dismissed the idea when the trellis caught her attention.
