"And yet, it seems he is now firmly fixed upon Lady Deborah."
An excuse came to her and relieved, Clara shrugged. "It may be that he has seen that Lady Alice has another gentleman pursuing her --- one that she prefers to his company, I think."
Lord Tyrone's frown lifted. "I see." He looked at her. "Which gentleman is that?"
"Clara, do you see the fireworks are about to begin?" Alice appeared at her side, ending the conversation as neatly as if she had planned it. "Come, let us find a better vantage. The elm walk gives one an excellent view, I am told."
Clara rose gratefully, leaving her brother sitting in the supper box with a half-formed question on his lips. As she walked beside Alice towards the darker reaches of the gardens, the first rocket screamed upward and burst into golden light above the trees, showering sparks that reflected in the dark water of the canal below.
She did not look back at her brother, but her mind was full of questions. Questions that, she knew, he would never willingly answer --- but questions which required the truth nonetheless.
15
After you left me at Vauxhall, I encountered Lady Deborah at our supper box. Miss Jennings is in London. Lady Deborah told me of it --- she has even written to her on occasion, though Lord Prentis does not know it. My brother's reaction to the conversation was most telling. He went rigid and tried to make us leave at once. I am more certain than ever that Miss Jennings is at the heart of this.
Josiah stood stock still, his heart beating wildly. Miss Jennings was here, in London? Raking one hand through his hair, he let out a slow breath. Clara's note implied what he already knew --- that he was the one who could move freely through London, and therefore the one who must find her. But where to begin?
If I find her, then I will be able to ask about Lord Tyrone and Lord Thomas. I might be able to uncover the truth!
A rap on the study door had him turning from where he stood by the window. "Come in."
The butler stepped inside. "My lord, your cousin has come to call."
Josiah blinked. "My cousin?"
"Lord Prentis," the butler explained. "Where should I take him?"
"The drawing room. I will attend there in a few minutes."
The butler nodded and stepped out. Josiah set Clara's note aside, curiosity sharpening in his chest. What had brought his cousin here unannounced?
Walking directly to the parlor, Josiah came inside and then shook Lord Prentis's hand, seeing the gentleman beam at him. "Cousin! You look to be in fine spirits today."
"I am, I am." Lord Prentis sat back down as Josiah rang the bell, expecting refreshments to be sent up to them. "I know that my visit is unexpected but I did hope that you would be quite all right with my stepping in for a few minutes."
Josiah shrugged. "I have no other plans this afternoon, Prentis. I am glad of your company, truly."
"That is good." Lord Prentis smiled, sat back in his chair and then steepled his fingers, his elbows on the arms of the chair. The look in his eye became a little steadier and Josiah frowned, wondering at it.
"There is something I should like to talk to you about, if I may," Lord Prentis continued, as Josiah nodded. "You and I, we spoke recently, did we not? At White's, I think."
"Yes, that is so."
Lord Prentis winced. "I think I was a trifle merry that evening, was I not?"
Josiah could not help but grin. "Yes, you were."
"And I am heartily ashamed of that," came the immediate response. "I should not have been so."
"I am not in the least bit upset about that!" Josiah exclaimed, his grin remaining. "Please, do not think that I consider you in a poor light simply because you were enjoying yourself a good deal!"
Relief softened Lord Prentis's expression, his shoulders dropping. "I am glad to hear that. I did feel somewhat ashamed of myself once I awoke. I think..." His head tilted. "I think I may have spoken harshly to you at some point?"
Josiah shook his head. "No, you did not. You were determined and decisive, that is all."
"About Miss Jennings."
A little surprised that his cousin remembered that part of the conversation so clearly, Josiah nodded. "Yes, that is correct. You did not want to tell me about her or the reasons for her departure from your family and that is quite understandable."
