Jo would know instinctively if it were true. She could never be drawn to such a man. But why would Mrs. Millet say such a thing? Letty had warned Jo against Reade, but that was because he didn’t plan to marry. Letty would not be on such friendly terms with him if he’d behaved so immorally. And if Mrs. Millet had heard such awful gossip, then Letty would have, too.
Jo made her way up the stairs to her bedchamber. She sought peace to think about Reade. What he had told her, but also how grave he’d looked. Her musings went on to his graceful stride and the way he moved his dark head, his deep voice. His strength and the masterful way he handled the big horse. A thrill went through her as she recalled being held in his muscular arms. But even in her dreams, she could not forget that he was merely intent on keeping her safe from harm.
When Jo entered her bedchamber, Sally stood nervously, coiling her hands in her apron.
“Has something upset you, Sally?”
“It was that gentleman, Miss Jo.”
“Mr. Ollerton?”
Sally nodded, her eyes owlish. “I smelled it again.”
Jo frowned. “You seem upset. Come and sit down.”
Sally perched on the edge of a chair, her shoulders shaking. It had brought back her dreadful ordeal.
Jo took her hands. “Now, what was this smell?”
“Licorice.”
“Oh?” Jo thought back. “Yes, you said your captor smelled of it. But, Sally, it’s just a sweet.” She thought for a moment. Her father had asked the butler about it. He had never said why.
“I wish we knew what happened, Miss Jo. It fair gives me nightmares wondering.”
“Lord Reade will find out, Sally.”
Sally sighed. “Yes. He is such a clever gentleman.”
As Reade approachedthe stables where he kept Ash, a horseman rode up to him.
“Just the fellow I want to see, Black,” Reade said, steadying Ash, who took a dislike to the other horse.
“Spied you riding up Upper Brook Street while I waited for Virden,” Winston said. “I hid behind a wall. Didn’t want the young lady to see me.”
Reade’s shoulders tightened. “I want to have words with Virden. Where was he?”
“Visiting the Dalrymple’s. He was there for two hours. He’s left now. Mitchell is following him.”
“Tell me. Did he pick up a fair-haired young woman and drive her to Hyde Park three days ago? And if so, why wasn’t I told?”
Black shook his head. “That shift was assigned to the recruit. Richards replaced Goodridge after he hurt his leg.”
“And did he report in?”
“Not to my knowledge.”
“Get onto Richards right away. I want to know where Virden took the girl and where he left her. Make this a priority, Black. I must see to my horse. Good day to you.”
“Good day, milord.”
Deeply troubled, Reade entered the stables and dismounted. What was Virden doing at the Dalrymple’s for so long? And while Joanna was away? Might he have business with her father? He had discounted Dalrymple as being involved. Was he judging the man by what he knew of his daughter? Dash it all, was he becoming a besotted fool?
As he worked on Ash with the curry brush, he considered Dalrymple. He didn’t like Reade, that was obvious. Reade hadn’t discovered the reason. Her father seemed an amiable fellow if Reade was any judge. Would he be able to fool his daughter, should he be caught up in something as seedy as this?
While it seemed unlikely, for all her spirited intelligence, Joanna was an innocent. There was much beyond her realm of experience. Did she understand what could have happened to these young women? That Charlotte, even if found, would no longer be the same girl. While he hoped to find the lass quickly and restore her to her family, she had disappeared days ago, which did not bode well for the condition he would find her in, if he found her.
And if this ended badly? Would Joanna forgive him? She seemed to put so much faith in him. That he would care so much, he would never have believed a few short months ago. He allowed himself a pleasurable thought that they might come to mean more to each other. Joanna in his bed. Smiling at him every morning.Fool!He did not deserve such a woman. With a pat on Ash’s glossy neck, he left the stall. He’d been fooling himself. He would never sink so low as to involve her in his life. That would be the worst thing he ever did.
