Since he generally greeted her with something at least resembling a smile, she realized it must be very grave indeed. Shedidn’t even question why her mother might have been taken to one of the girls’ roomsinstead of staying in her own apartments, butrushed up the stairs and pushed open the door she’d been directed to—and found nothing but an empty bedchamber. She frowned, wondering if she hadn’t heard him wrong, but just as she turnedshe saw her mother in the frame. She tossed a purse to Zayla and said, “Good work,”just as the door slammedshut in Sephy’s face.It was quicklyfollowed by the click of a lock.
Shock rendered her momentarily speechless, but then shewalked over and pulled on the knob. It wouldn’t budge. Abruptly, fear of an entirely different sort struck her in the middle of the chest. “Mama! What are you doing?”
“I’m sorry, dear,but I had no other choice,” camePhryne’svoice from the other side. “My gambling debts have quite overtaken me,and I can’t afford to lose my house.”
“So you are offering me asransom?” Sephy snorted in disgust.
She truly had no idea the lengths her mother was willing to go through to ensure her legacy remained untarnished. Looking back, she’d seen the signs, the subtle hints that she was in financial trouble that Sephy hadn’t heeded properly.But then, she’d given over most of her allowancethat Hunter had provided for her ratherfreely. Over the years,her mother hadmanaged to pilfer several hundred pounds by making it seem as though Sephy owed it to her for saving her from Lord Gregory, whenin truthshe’d done nothing.
Sephy laid her forehead against the hard oak and couldn’t believe she’d been so blind to imagine that a woman like her mother could truly love her. The only thing she’d ever cared about, or ever would, was this house.
“Don’t worry, your duke is quite safe.It’s you that’s been specifically requested.”
Sephyfisted her hands against the door. “What have you done?”
“Let’s just sayI’ve made a deal with the devil whowill sooncome to collect his due.Soon,everything will be settled and you can go back to Falcourt and play at being his duchess once again. That is, if he will even have youafter tonight. If not, then I suppose this will be your new room to entertain.”
Her laughter floated down the hallway while Sephy’s screams and cries of frustration were thoroughly ignored.
***
Hunter walked in the door laterthat eveningand asked the butler where Persephone was.He was annoyed that the only thing the solicitor had summoned him for was a trivial matter at the estate that wasn’t quite asurgent as he’d insisted it was, but even then it had taken longer than he’d anticipated to return. Dusk was already starting to fall.
He had it in mind to apologize to Persephoneforbeing forced to delaytheir outing, but when he was told shewasn’t even there, buthad gone to her mother’s house,panic instantly struck his heart until he forced himself to calm. As far as he knew, Lord Gregory was still in the country at his father’s estate, so he likely wasn’t an impending threat. And it wasn’t as though he could protect Miss Welton by keeping her a prisoner in this house. He had to allow her certain freedoms if he had any hope of convincing her to stay with him. Since the king refused to give his blessing on their union, he intended to spirit her away to Gretna Green, that was, if she would even have him.
He shoved a hand through his hair. He had intended on speaking to her about their future arrangement when they returned from their carriage ride, but it lookedlike that would have to be postponed.
With his brow set in a permanent crease, he headed to his study to take his mind off the tension settling into his shoulders. Something just didn’t feel…right, but he pushed it aside, deciding it was his own unease.
He had just sat down behind his desk, staring at the mahogany top and remembering the last time he’d been in here with Persephone, when there was a knock at the door. He blew out a heavy breath. “Enter.”
“Your Grace.” The butler appeared in the frame. “There is a lady here to speak with you. She has requested an urgent audience—”
Hunter stood as the Countess of Virsage entered his study without even waiting for the servant to continue his sentence.He had never met the eccentric lady in person who persisted in living in the previous century in both her fashion and manner of speech, but Persephone had spoken often of her confidante in her letters to him.
As she put back the hood of her cloak, he saw her powdered wig and the patch near the side of her mouth. But instead of appearing coquettish, her eyes held a seriousness that he wouldn’t have expected. “Pardonthe intrusion, Falcourt, but I’m here for concern overPersephone’s wellbeing.”
Hebreathed a curse, realizing that he should have listened to his instinct instead of brushing it off.He rounded the corner of his desk.“What do youknow?”
“You are aware that she went to her mother’s house?”
“Yes,” he said grimly. “I was told a woman had arrived to speak with her and that they left together. I don’t know all the details as yet, but it seemed rather important. I assume something hashappened.”
“I think it’s more than that.” She paced the room. “I’ve heard Lord Gregory is back in London. In truth, I think he’s been back for some time. Rumor has it he has been seen in the company of the queen at Frogmore House.”
Hunter clenched his fists. “The bastard. Of course he would trytocoerce the queen to drop all the charges of his crimes and set him free.”
“Precisely,” the countess concurred. “But then why would he target Miss Welton when there is so much on the line?”
“To get back at me,” Hunter returned sourly. “I knew he would strike back at me any way he could for my part in his arrest.” He scrubbed a hand down his face.
“Thenshe is likely in great peril. There is no time to waste.” She headed for the door with Hunter right behind her. He grabbed his coat on the way out. “We’ll take my carriage.”
The ride across London took an interminable amount of time, but finally, they arrived at their destination.With the countessat his side,hewalked to the door as a united front.
But when they asked to see Persephone, a towering man blocked their way. “She’s not’ere.”
“Then where is she?”the countess demanded.
