Page 10 of A Deal for the Duke’s Virgin

“And you are happy to be incorrect. I suppose one of us has to be. How gentlemanly of you to volunteer.”

He stared intently at her until she began to feel uncertain. The wretched man gave away nothing of what he was thinking. In her experience, people generally kept their emotions written on their faces. Displeasure, uncertainty, plain fear, or even anger. It was all there, ready to be considered.

But not this fellow. No, his face was as calm and smooth as ever.

“I need your help, you see,” he continued, tilting his head.

She stared up at him. Was it a joke? She considered asking him but then decided against it.

“I cannot imagine what I could possibly do to help you,” she snapped. “Now, I really must leave.”

Gathering her courage, she shouldered past him. He made no attempt to grab at her or hinder her in any way. She was just congratulating herself on a neat escape when he spoke.

“I need your help to find my sister, Lady Thalia.”

She froze with one hand on the doorknob. Beyond, she could hear chatter and laughter from the ballroom. The music had stopped, at least for now.

Slowly, she turned.

“Your sister?” she echoed. “Do you mean Laura? What has happened to her?”

He eyed her thoughtfully. “You won’t spread this around if I tell you? I have no desire for her to return to a ruined reputation.”

“Of course not. I would never do anything to hurt my friend.”

“Very well. Then I shall tell you. Laura is missing.”

“Missing?”

“I do not believe that she is hurt or that she has been kidnapped. I am certain that she left of her own accord. But whatever her reasons, I must find her and bring her back. She left a rather strange note but gave no explanation nor any indication of her whereabouts.”

Thalia let out a ragged breath, dragging her fingers through her hair. The movement dislodged a few more curls, which hung around her face.

“So that is why she isn’t here,” she mumbled. “Laura would n-never miss one of my performances.”

“Has she given any indication of a desire to run away? Any pressing business that she felt she must accomplish?” the Duke asked eagerly, stepping forward. There was a glint in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. Hope.

She hesitated, and he spoke again, more quietly this time.

“I’m no tyrant, Lady Thalia. Laura and I are not as close as we were, but I have no intention of making her miserable. Whatever she feels she must accomplish, I shan’t prevent her. But the plain fact is that the world is not safe for young women. Or any women in truth. I must protect her. And to do so… well, I had better find her, hadn’t I?”

Thalia was silent for a moment, considering. Of course, she wanted to help Laura. She must help Laura. Whatever plot her friend had concocted, she hadn’t shared it. Thalia had no idea where Laura might be. No idea at all.

That worried her. Was Laura slinking around the dark backstreet alleys? Was she wandering alone in the noxious fog rolling off the Thames? Anybody could chance upon her.

What if she had left London?

This thought was the most frightening of all.

No, she won’t have done that. Why would she leave?

No answers were forthcoming.

Clearing her throat, Thalia met the Duke’s gaze squarely. He was watching her with an intent look that sent a shiver down her spine.

It’s just nerves because of his reputation. It’s got nothing to do with his face at all. In fact, I don’t even think that he’s handsome.

At that blatant lie, she finally made herself speak.