Persephone and Jack exchanged quick glances. “Oh?” she prompted.
“We may have discovered the identity of ‘Lord JW’,” Jack whispered. “Do you have news?”
“Indeed,” Parker said. “And I have names.”
About to encourage him to continue, Persephone was prevented from doing so when Jack glanced around and lifted a finger.
“Might we move this discussion to the study?” he suggested in a quiet voice. “It appears your servant has earned a drink. Could I pour a brandy for this young man?” He turned to Parker. “You must be chilled to the bone.”
The servant’s eyes widened. “I… I wouldn’t turn it down, sir. That is, if her ladyship doesn’t mind.”
“I don’t mind at all.” Remembering she wore only a silk robe beneath the counterpane wrapped around her shoulders, Persephone encouraged the men to precede her as they made their way to the study. Other than Bentley, no man had been in the study since Castlewait’s death. She had certainly spent time in the room, though, for she had been seeing to the earldom’s business for the past year.
She turned up a candle lamp but stayed in the shadows when Jack moved to the credenza behind the desk. As he saw to pouring brandy from a crystal decanter into two tumblers, he said, “Tell us what you’ve discovered.” He lifted a glass and gave it to Parker.
“Much obliged, sir,” the driver said as he took the brandy. He sniffed it, his gaze darting to Persephone. “You’re sure this is all right with you, my lady?” he asked as he indicated the brandy, obviously nervous.
“Only if I’m given one as well,” she replied, her attention on Jack.
He chuckled as he brought her a glass. He leaned over and dropped a kiss on her head, which had Persephone gasping softly. “Jack,” she scolded.
Parker pretended not to notice the earl’s overt show of affection. “I spoke with one of Weatherstone’s footmen. He was most apologetic about the hat, sir,” Parker began. He relayed what had happened with the hatless gentleman. “While he was inside retrieving his hat, I spoke with his driver. He told me the gent’s name was Turnbridge. A business associate of Lord Kravets who was sent by the baron to see to it a drunk man was put into the Kravets coach and taken to the baron’s townhouse no later than half-past-ten o’clock.”
Persephone straightened in her chair while Jack merely furrowed his brows. “Elias Turnbridge?” he asked after a moment.
“I couldn’t say for sure, sir. He never mentioned a Christian name.”
Persephone scoffed. “So why did Lord Wilmington end up inmycoach?”
Parker winced. “The coat of arms on the door of your coach is similar to that of the Kravets crest,” he replied. “And Mr. Turnbridge didn’t actually put his lordship into the coach. Apparently the two commoners I noticed hanging about the bushes were lackeys of the baron. They were the ones who put you into her ladyship’s coach,” he explained as he turned to Jack.
The earl’s attention was on Persephone, though. “You mentioned Kravets had a daughter who was caught kissing in an alcove at Worthington House,” he prompted.
“Honoria,” she said, remembering the young lady’s name. “According toThe Tattler,” she added. She took a sip of the brandy and closed her eyes as the warm liquid slid down her throat. “I suppose Kravets expected to kidnap you as a means to force a marriage to her.”
“Well, that wasn’t going to happen,” Jack groused. He turned his attention back on Parker. “Did Kravets’ driver suspect anything?”
“No, sir. I pretended her ladyship was still inside the Weatherstone house, and I even waited until they were well on their way before I returned here. To keep up the ruse.”
“Good thinking. What about Turnbridge?”
Parker shrugged. “He seemed most concerned about what Baron Kravets would do to him. He fears him, I think. Said the baron would be livid if he returned without you.”
“Whoisthis Turnbridge?” Persephone asked, sure she hadn’t heard the name mentioned before.
“He’s an inventor,” Jack stated. “Always looking for someone to back his latest venture.” He cursed under his breath. “He was with me at the punchbowl. Speaking to me about some sort of steam-powered invention. He was looking for investors. I pretended interest if only because I’ve been away from England so long, I wished to learn what I’d missed,” he added with a shake of his head.
“He must have put a sleeping powder in your punch, sir,” Parker said. “Which is why he has to be wondering how ‘Lord JW’ was able to ravish another young lady behind a hedgerow in the Weatherstone gardens later in the evening.”
Jack and Persephone stared at the driver. “What’s this?” Jack asked.
“When I was making conversation with the footman, he mentioned there had been an incident right before the midnight supper was announced. ‘Lord JW’ was caught kissing a young lady behind a hedgerow,” he repeated. “Said he was a rake and that he’d been caught with a number of young ladies since his return from his Grand Tour, which means that ‘Lord JW’ has to be younger than you, sir.” He paused a moment. “No offense, sir.”
Throwing his head back, Jack guffawed. “I’ve a mind to take Lord James with me when I pay a call on Lord Kravets tomorrow,” he said before he drained his brandy. “Maybe the duke, too.”
“You’re going to confront Kravets?” Persephone asked, stunned by his words.
“I am,” he affirmed. “Might Mr. Parker be allowed to drive me in the afternoon? I rather imagine I’m going to be abed well past twelve,” he said as his eyes darted to the clock on the fireplace mantel.
