John nodded.
*
When she wokein the morning, Hetty gasped and curled her toes, remembering. Sarah entered with her hot chocolate, as the bells rang out over the city, calling people to church. “It’s a beautiful day, Miss Hetty. Listen, you can hear the booming bells of St. Paul’s Cathedral.” She drew back the damask curtains to reveal puffed white clouds in a patch of delph blue sky.
Hetty stretched her arms over her head, more aware of her body, her breasts, her nipples, and that vulnerable spot between her thighs. It was as if Guy’s lovemaking had changed her and left her yearning. She finished her chocolate and sprang out of bed.
“What a lovely day! I fancy a walk in the park after church.” With a sad pull of disappointment, she remembered Guy was not to visit her today. He had urgent business to attend to. How adroitly he’d evaded her questions as to what that business might be.
After church, Hetty strolled back to the house with Sarah beneath the trees as she recalled the time Guy had taken her to the park. The memory tugged at her heart. She wanted to see him. Wanted to be sure he was safe, though why she couldn’t convince herself of it, puzzled her.
She sat down to a hearty luncheon of soup, bread rolls, and a large helping of custard tart. After a careful look, her aunt requested a description of the house. Hetty concentrated on the food and tried to avoid her aunt’s penetrating gaze as she described in detail the impressive size and layout of the rooms. “It’s situated in a nice street in Mayfair where new houses are being erected,” she concluded.
She was relieved when her aunt made no comment, but instead discussed wedding gowns. Princess Charlotte was to be married in May. “Her wedding gown is said to have cost over ten thousand pounds,” Aunt Emily said. “I read that it is to be of silver lama on net over a silver tissue slip with flowers and shells embroidered in silver at the hem.”
“That sounds very lovely,” Hetty said. “I shall want something simpler.”
Her aunt nodded enthusiastically. “No time like the present to search for the fabric.”
Hetty wished she could give it her full attention, but the unease she felt still clouded her mind.
The next morning, the duchess was admitted, dressed in another exquisite costume of cornsilk yellow, which made her eyes appear very green.
“How divine you look, Your Grace,” Hetty said, much struck.
“Merci, mademoiselle. I must speak to you!”
“Of course.” Surprised by her urgency, Hetty showed her through to the parlor. “Please sit, Your Grace. May I offer you coffee?”
“Non, merci.” A tiny frown marred Genevieve’s normally smooth brow. She patted her breast. “I am not how you say… quiet, in here.”
Hetty’s pulse throbbed as she met the duchess anxious gaze. “I’m sorry. What worries you?”
“Gee. He called last evening but stayed only a minute before he left again. He is not himself.”
“Oh?” Guy had been less than forthcoming about his plans, leaving her wondering herself what worry consumed him. “What makes you think it?” she asked uneasily.
“You sense it, too,” Genevieve said. “Geesaid he was unable to visit me for several days.” She pushed out her bottom lip. “He said he’d be delighted to see me if I came to London, and now,poof!” She waved a hand in the air. “He says he has calls to make today and then disappears again! His behavior is most odd.”
“I did wonder,” Hetty confessed.
“I followed him this morning.”
Shocked. Hetty widened her eyes. “You followed your brother?”
The duchess nodded. “Geevisited a gun shop, Manton’s Gallery in Davies Street. He was inside for over an hour. I saw him go upstairs and heard him practicing.” She wrinkled her nose. “I could smell the gunpowder.”
“Well, I find that entirely—”
“When he came out, he carried a box under his arm.”
“For hunting?”
“Non.” The duchess shook her head. “It was not a hunting rifle. Smaller. A pistol.”
Hetty stared at her thunderstruck, her head filled with wild thoughts. Why would Guy need a pistol? Did he think himself in danger? Or did he just want to arm himself after all that had happened?
The duchess edged forward on her chair, looking ready to rise. “He has an appointment at two. If we start out now, we can follow him this afternoon.”
