Prue unlocked the door and the tall, fair-haired young woman who had attended her at her bath came in carrying a tray. She unloaded the chocolate pot, cup and saucer, toast, butter, and a dish of strawberry jam onto the table. “Is there anything else I can do for you, my lady?”
“No thank you, Millie.” Prue’s appetite had returned, and she tucked in, enjoying every mouthful. She had eaten very little for days. After tidying herself, she went downstairs to have coffee and found Jack seated in the dining room, the air redolent with tasty aromas. He had finished his ham and eggs and put down his napkin, rising to draw out her chair. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did, thank you.”
How handsome he looked, freshly shaven and smartly dressed. She wondered where he had slept but didn’t like to ask in case she wasoverheard by the staff, who whisked in and out of the room.
“Have you eaten?”
“I’ve had toast.”
He took a last sip of coffee and put down the cup. “Not enough.” He signaled to a serving maid. “Eat a good breakfast. We will be some hours on the road. I’ll return in an hour or so. There’s something I must do.”
“Where are you going?”
“To make inquiries.”
He was so strong and capable. But Roland, who she was sure was behind this, had shown himself to be ruthless. “Be careful, Jack.”
He smiled. “Don’t leave the inn.”
“All right.”
He left the room, and through the window, she saw him climb into the curricle, his groom had waiting for him. He must have intended to go to the convent. An uneasy shiver traveled down her spine. Surely, he’d dealt with far more than this in his years working for the government, she decided, attempting to reassure herself.
As Prue took the last bite of her eggs, Mrs. Bloom came into the parlor. “Ah, good morning, my lady. I trust you were comfortable?”
Prue rose from the table. “I was, thank you.” Her face warmed. Did this woman truly believe them to be married? She was hopeless at telling lies. “My husband has gone to see to a business matter,” she said speaking a little too fast. With a calming breath, she continued… “When he returns, we shall leave for London. Thank you for your kind assistance.”
“That was no trouble at all, Lady Hereford. I hope you feel better.” She glanced at Prue’s hand with Jack’s loose signet ring engraved with the family crest on her wedding finger. “Such a pity your trunk was lost in the carriage accident.” When Prue murmured an agreement, she led the way to the parlor. “His lordship has settled the bill, but please do wait for him here. I’ll have Joseph bring you fresh coffee if you wish.”
“Thank you, I would appreciate it.” Prue was sure her cheeks flamed with color.
*
Jack pulled thecurricle up outside the ancient building, which would have been a Catholic convent before King Henry VIII had wiped them out. Now it appeared to be, as the vicar had told him, some kind of refuge, for several women toiled in the gardens. They smiled at him as he made his way to the front entry. He pulled the metal ring, and a bell clanged loudly within. Footsteps sounded. The door opened, and a muscular man who might once have been a pugilist, for his face and ears were disfigured, glowered at Jack. He seemed completely out of place here.
“I would like to speak to the person in charge.” Jack handed him his card.
He didn’t look at it. Most likely couldn’t read. “Wait here,” he said gruffly before shutting the door again. Several minutes passed.
Jack cursed, impatient to have the information he sought and return to Lady Prudence. He disliked leaving her alone. Who knew where that bounder Stanton was?
Finally, the bolt slid back, and the door opened. The brusque man gestured for him to follow and walked away down the hall. He stopped and opened a door. “In here.”
Jack gave him a sidelong glance and entered the room, where a diminutive woman wearing a gray habit and a nun’s veil rose from behind a desk. She came around to greet him.
“I am Mother Superior Rosana.” She looked at the card Jack had given her. “Good morning, Lord Hereford.” She gestured to a chair and returned to her seat behind the desk. “How can I help you?”
Jack declined to sit with a shake of his head. “Why was Lady Prudence Sedgewick brought here?” he asked, deciding not to mincematters.
“She is safe?”
“Yes. No thanks to you, or whoever it was who gave you permission to hold her against her will.”
Her eyes widened and she pulled at her collar. “What is your relationship to Lady Prudence, my lord?”
“Lady Aldridge, her great-grandmama, is very worried about her.”
