Jillian returned his gaze for a long moment and then nodded her ascent. She pursed her lips and wrinkled her brow in thought. “Still, there must be something we can do to deflect attention from Justin, to clear up all this kidnapping nonsense.”
“I like the way you think, my lady,” Hawk said, admiration clear in his eyes.
“Case, I will require an escort.”
“Jilly, whatever you are thinking let me assure you that I won’t like it.”
She smiled at his dour look. “And you,” she said turning her attention back to Hawk. “Somehow, I think you are proficient in spreading information to just the right people.”
“I don’t know whether to be insulted or flattered, my lady,” he said with a wide grin.
“I trust you can let slip to myhusband—” She shuddered in distaste. “I trust you can make sure he finds out that I will be calling on Lady Bea tomorrow afternoon?”
“Do you think that is wise?” Hawk asked skeptically.
“No, absolutely not,” Case said emphatically shaking his head. “Jilly, you aren’t well enough to face that bastard.”
“Then it is up to you and Hawk to make sure that I come to no harm,” she said lightly. “But what better way to quiet the suspicions of Justin having anything to do with my disappearance than for me to appear in public after he has left London. Plus, Lucas will be made a fool of in front of Prinny and we all know our esteemed regent has no patience for looking silly in the public eye. He will likely drop all association with Lucas.”
“It’s a sound idea,” Hawk said rubbing his chin. “But, I will be accompanying you and Case to Lady Bea’s. We won’t take any chances with your safety. I’ll remain in the carriage while you are inside. There is no need to announce my presence; it will give us the element of surprise.”
“I still don’t like it,” Case said stubbornly. “But I certainly won’t allow you to go over there alone.”
“Now,” Jillian said, looking down ruefully at her attire. “If I am going out, I will need suitable clothing.”
“Consider it done,” Case said, dropping a kiss on her forehead.
###
It took considerable effort on Jillian’s part to dress. She had refused help from the maid, not wanting anyone to see her in such a state. Every muscle ached and protested as she pulled the dress over her still bruised body. Summoning her courage, she walked over to the mirror to take stock of the damage to her face.
She gasped in shock as she viewed the pale, bruised face of the woman looking back at her from the glass. That couldn’t beher. She touched a finger to her swollen eye then trailed it down to the red gash in her lip. Strangely, she felt the urge to cry all over again as she witnessed the results of her encounter with Lucas.
Slowly, she pulled a brush through her tangled locks and then arranged her hair in a simple knot as best she could. She set the brush down on the dressing table with a clatter. The simple task of dressing and arranging her hair had exhausted her.
Ignoring the sick feeling in her stomach and the rising panic in her throat, she slowly made her way to the drawing room where Case and Hawk awaited her.
Hawk watched as Case hurried over to assist Jillian. She was afraid. He could see it in her eyes. “Maybe this isn’t the best idea.”
She turned her vivid green eyes, now visible after the reduced swelling, to look at him. “No, this is something I must do,” she said firmly. She sighed. “I don’t expect you to understand, but all my life I have lived by the decisions of others, leaned on others for support. Even after Lucas was gone, I relied on Case for support, and then I let him and Justin make all the decisions for me.
“Now, I suppose it isn’t that unusual for a woman not to make her own decisions, but just once I have to face my problems on my own without someone shouldering the responsibility for me. I have to do this forme.”
Hawk looked at her in amazement, his admiration for her growing by leaps and bounds. “I understand completely, my lady. You are to be admired for your resolve. I wish all women in your position were as strong as you.”I wish my mother had been as strong.
“Please, no more ‘my lady’, call me Jillian.”
“Very well, Jillian. You needn’t worry,” he said softly, wanting to ease the fear he had seen in her eyes. “We won’t allow him to get near you.”
“I’ll kill him first,” Case vowed.
“You’ll do no such thing,” Jillian chided. “I’ve no wish to visit you in Newgate.” She drew a deep breath. “Shall we go, gentlemen? You’ll forgive me if I have a desire to get this over as quickly as possible.”
Case assisted her out and then helped her into the carriage. Hawk sat across from the two as they rode the short distance to Grosvenor Square. Jillian looked nervously out the window as if she expected Penroth to appear from nowhere. Hawk clenched his jaw in impatience. The sooner this was over with, the better.
As they pulled up to Lady Bea’s house, Jillian was shocked to see people milling about on the square. Carriages crowded the street and circled in slow fashion. It was the middle of January and yet one would think it was the middle of spring with all the people littered about.
Hawk leaned over and caught her eye in a reassuring manner. “It was important that as many people knew of your outing as possible. More witnesses that way.”
