“I need your help,” Hunter returned curtly as he interrupted thehigh stakescard game Viscount Darwood wasin.“But we have to hurry. I’ll explain in the carriage.”
“This better be good,” his friend grumbled as he reluctantly stood up andthrew his cards on the table.As hegathered his cloakfrom the servant at the front door, he added,“You owe me fifteen pounds, by the way.”
At the moment Hunter didn’t really care. He was just glad his instinct kept proving him right. He thought he might find Darwood at White’s, just as he could feel it in his gut that time was running out to rescue Persephone from Lord Gregory.
As he climbed inside the countess’ coach, the viscount appeared slightly taken aback. “Lady Virsage. This is rather unexpected.”
“Darwood.” She inclined her head. “I’m glad Falcourt was able to coerce you into assisting us.”
“Indeed,” he returned dryly as Hunter settled himself and then rapped on the roof, where they set out once more. “I daresay I wasn’t given much choice. The duke rather accosted me in the middle of a winning hand of faro.” He lifted a brow. “Might someone tell me what I’m doing here?”
“We believe that Miss Welton is being held against her will at her mother’s establishment.”Hunterpaused meaningfully. “And that Lord Gregory means to use her as a pawn in some sort of nefarious revenge against me.”
“I see,” the viscount murmured. “So, I suppose I get to play the hero?”
Hunter clenched his jaw. “You will gain access to the house without causing suspicion and find Miss Welton and smuggle her outside.”
Darwood seemed to consider this. “Sounds easy enough.” He snorted. “Except for the part where I don’t have an altercation with Lord Gregory and end up in gaol myself.”
“Leave him to me,” Hunter said, his eyes firm as they landed on the viscount.
There was a heavy sigh, and then Darwood said, “What do you want me to do?”
After the plan had been discussed, they stopped the carriage far enough away that they wouldn’t be seen, but close enough that the viscount could spirit Persephone outside and make a quick getaway before they were caught.
Darwood alighted and began to walk down the sidewalk toward the house.
Hunter remained behind with the countess, but it was all he could do to bide his time. He wanted to break down the door and tear through every room until he found Persephone, but he knew this was the best way.
“You truly care for her, don’t you?”
He glanced over at the countess when she spoke up.
She didn’t wait for a reply, but shrugged and went on, “Sephy talked so fondly about youfrom the letters you sent, butI was always afraid her heart would become engaged while yours remained distant. Now I can see that isn’t the case.”
Hunter was quiet for a moment, and then he decided there wasn’t any point in concealing the truth. “I was going to ask her to elope with me to Scotland tonight.” He leaned back with a sigh. “I asked the king for his blessing, but he refused to give it, so I was going to take matters into my own hands, if she would have me.”
“Oh, I don’t think you have to worry on that score.” She smiled. “I think she’s been in love with you since the night you won her at that ridiculous auction.”
Hunter swallowed and prayed that the lady was right.
***
Persephone looked at her reflection and decided that she had sunk about as low as she possibly could. Her face was pale with powder, as was her wig, her violet gown cinched at the waist with panniers and a full petticoat making her hips appear even wider. She looked the epitome of her mother’s daughter.
She lifted her chin when it would have wobbled slightly.What she had shared with Hunter had been special and intimate, but after tonight, her life would be taking a rather abhorrent turn, one that would seal her destiny forever. She might resent this moment for the rest of her life, but her mother was right, thiswaswho she was. There was no use pretending she was any different.
As the key turned in the lock, she slowly turned to faceher fate. Her eyes widened in surprisebecauseit wasn’t the monster she’d been expecting, but neither was it her mother. One of her mother’s girls was standing there looking rather concerned as she held a set of keys. A man whoappearedsomewhat familiarwas withher, but Sephy couldn’t readily place him. “Miss Welton,” he bowed politely, as if he was addressing a lady of society, rather than a whore in a brothel. “I’m Viscount Darwood.I’ve been sent to retrieve you.”
She frowned slightly, refusing to allow any hope to overcome her. “I thought Lord Gregory was coming here. I haven’t been informed in anychange of plans.”
“That’s because I’m hereat the behest ofthe Duke of Falcourt.”
With that revelation, Sephy put a hand to her fluttering stomach. “Hunter wants me back?”
“Indeed. He’s waiting for us with Lady Virsage in her carriage, so if we have any hope of slipping out undetected before themadamrealizes my lovely companion’s trickery…” He let his voice trail off as he glanced down the hallway and offered agrinfor the woman at his side, who smiled broadlyin return.
Sephy needed no further incentive. While her time with the duke was still undoubtedly limited, she couldn’t resist taking the chance to see him again, even if it meant facing her mother’s wrath.
