Warrington bowed toward the young lady. “Miss Sterling, I welcome you to Warrington House. I hope you will be quite comfortable here. I will see a maid settles you in one of the guest rooms and stays with you for the rest of the night.” The duke turned to Beckett. “Has she any luggage?”
He nodded. “As many dresses as I could find in her room at Miss Covington’s School for Young Ladies. Theymightnot all be hers.”
The duke turned towards Tony. “Splendid. My brother here will take care of any clothing matters tomorrow, won’t you, brother?” He did not await an answer. “We breakfast at ten, Miss Sterling. I hope you will join us.” He glared at Beckett for a moment. “I trust there will be no further need to render my servants senseless in the future; presenting your card should be sufficient.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Was that disappointment in Beckett’s voice?
“I will talk toyoulater.” Warrington indicated to Tony and went back upstairs.
Tony turned to the young woman. “I apologize for my brother. He snarls a lot but underneath he is…”
“A pussy cat?” Lucinda replied, all the while watching the duke ascend into the darkness of the upper level of the house.
She was putting on a brave face, this girl. Despite what had happened, she had not swooned or fallen into fits of tears, but he could see that she was terrified. Her eyes were huge in the dim light, and he detected a light tremble. He had to admire her, though. This was an odd situation. He let a small smile grow on his lips. “Something like that.”
Beckett gave a slight bow. “I’ll get your things from the carriage, milady.”
Tony and Lucinda watched his form disappear into the darkness of the hall beyond.
“What a strange man. I do not suppose he, too, is a pussy cat?” Her voice was silky, demure, controlled. It reminded him of good French cognac.
“Not in the slightest I am afraid. He is an acquired taste, but he does have his uses.”
“I see. And Lord Stafford?”
“Is a powerful man, who only has your best interests in mind, I assure you. He is also a friend of Captain Markham.” Tony took her hand in his, marveled at the delicate feel of her fingers clasped in his much larger ones. “Let me reassure you. If the captain is alive, I will find him and bring him back.”
She smiled. It was a valiant smile, but her eyes showed her worry. “To be truthful, I met him only once, when his father died, and he became my guardian.”
“Only once?” This seemed inconceivable. Markham’s commitment to duty was renowned.
“Yes, it was to tell me that he had secured a place for me at Miss Covington’s School for Young Ladies in Sussex.”
“Sussex is nice.” What a stupid thing to say, considering the circumstances.
She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t ever wish to be there again.”
“At the school or in the county?”
“Both.” She gave him a tremulous smile.
“I see. Sussex gave you no pleasure then. Was it so awful at Miss Covington’s school? Did they mistreat you? If they did you must tell me now.” What was wrong with him? Already he was feeling protective of this stranger before him. No, surely it was just his sense of duty coming to the fore.
“No. She was all kindness, but I should not have been there for such a long time.”
“How long were you there?”
A maid appeared in the hall. “Sir? The duke said I was to come and fetch the young lady.”
“Ah, yes. We will talk more tomorrow. Sleep well, Miss Sterling.”
“And you, Lord Ashton.”
Tony watched as she ascended the stairs, watched as she disappeared into the darkness. He picked up the candle holder that Beckett had left. Scanned the note again, conflicted. He knew he now had to think of Miss Sterling, but how could he not go to his friend’s aid? They both needed him, but surely Stafford would agree that he was the best man to find Markham. Lucinda could come to no harm under his brother’s roof and his brother was right. His mother liked nothing more than a project. She would have the young woman in a whirlwind of shopping and morning calls before the girl had time to even think.
He suddenly felt sorry for poor Miss Sterling.
