Page 1 of A Deal for the Duke’s Virgin

CHAPTER 1

THORNHILL ABBEY

“Your sister is missing.”

Christian looked up from the letter he was reading very slowly. It was the last in a long line of tedious invitations to various functions. Some were less respectable than others. For example, Mrs. Murman had invited him to play cards at her house, which would certainly end in something scandalous, considering that he was not generally invited when her husband was home.

The current invitation, however, was to a musical evening hosted by the Marquess of Hawton.

Choosing between cards (and potentially more) at Mrs. Murman’s and an endless, tedious evening of ‘music’ at the Marquess’s home was certainly not much of a choice.

He let the invitation slip from his fingers and stared at his mother.

“Missing?” he echoed. “Laura cannot possibly be missing, Mother. She’ll be at the lake, as usual.”

His mother shook her head vigorously. “She is not, I am telling you. Do you think I would not have checked?”

A tendril of unease unfolded in Christian’s chest. He leaned back in his seat, eyeing his mother thoughtfully.

It occurred to him, as it usually did, that he was now sitting where his father once had, and his mother was standing where he once had, almost like a supplicant.

“Are you listening to me?” Celestia snapped.

Generally speaking, she spoke mildly and softly to everybody, so her sharp tone indicated that she was thoroughly upset.

But Laura couldn’t possibly be missing. She was a little flighty at times, certainly, but she wouldn’t be foolish enough to go running off.

Would she?

“Laura will simply have wandered off,” he said sharply. “I am sure you are worried over nothing.”

Celestia tightened her jaw. “Then look at this.”

She withdrew a piece of paper and slapped it down on his desk. He leaned forward, staring. Sure enough, there was Laura’s handwriting, a ridiculous, looping script that was simply too frivolous for a lady. And the scent.

Why must she scent her writing paper so aggressively? Did she hope to inspire wheezing in everybody who read it?

As for the note itself, it was simple and to the point.

I am sorry if you look for me and find me missing. Try not to be too distressed. I have to do something which is extremely important and shall return soon.

He tightened his jaw. “She says that she will return soon.”

“Oh, Christian, enough!” Celestia groaned, covering her face with her hands. “She has gone missing. A delicately bred young woman simply cannot roam the streets with impunity. It is dangerous.”

His mother was right. Christian rose to his feet, concentrating on remaining calm. Panicking would only ratchet up her anxiety. Her nerves had never been strong.

Probably on account of life with my father. That would fry anyone’s nerves.

Enough of that. Clearing his throat, he squared his shoulders and smiled reassuringly down at his mother. “I shall find her.”

“But Christian…”

“I do not want you to worry. Laura is being foolish, as usual, but we’ll find her, I’m sure. Now, shall we look at her room? There might be some correspondence there that hints at where she has gone.”

Celestia chewed her lower lip anxiously. “You seem very certain.”

“I am certain, Mother. Don’t fret.”