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And then they were gone.

I stood there for a moment, basking in the realization that I was free. Any guilt I might have felt about abandoning them had dissipated with this last action on my stepmother’s part to show me I would never be one of the family.

I sent up a silent prayer of thanks to my father for making arrangements for my future. He must have known, in those final days when he’d begun to grow ill, that his second wife would never give me a season and that I wouldn’t be afforded all the luxuries she planned to shower upon Georgiana.

I felt a moment of guilt as I thought about my sister, who’d been shocked by how I was being treated. She was young and spoiled, but she wasn’t cruel. She’d be upset to learn I’d stayed in London without telling her, but I knew we’d be able to repair our relationship.

I couldn’t seem to stop smiling as I went in search of the butler.

“Mr. Benton,” I said when I found him, “I’m afraid there’s been a change in plans. I am remaining in London with Lord and Lady Kendrick. Could you please let the others know that my trunks are to be removed from the carriage?”

His eyes widened briefly before he regained his composure. “Yes, Miss Sullivan. Perhaps you might want to pen a short note for your sister explaining your change in plans while I do that. The maids can deliver it at the appropriate time.”

Translation—he was going to instruct the servants traveling in that second carriage to deliver the letter after everyone had reached the main house.

“Of course. I’ll do that now.”

I followed him into the hallway and watched him inform the housekeeper of my change in plans. When she turned to me, I expected to see disapproval on her face. Instead, she was smiling as she inclined her head.

I was giddy with excitement. My new life was beginning today.

Chapter 16

GREYSON

It was already midday, and I’d managed to resist the urge to lurk outside the Sullivan townhouse. And since I wasn’t going to wait for Claire at Kendrick’s home, I did the next best thing and made my way to King’s. With any luck, Kendrick would be there, and I could ask him how things had gone this morning. If not, I reserved the right to turn around and track Claire down.

My apprehension about what was happening made no sense. But I hadn’t seen Claire since our brief meeting at Kendrick’s home two days ago, and I couldn’t seem to stop wondering if her plan to secure her freedom was proceeding smoothly.

She’d asked me not to call again, and I’d agreed because I didn’t want to make her life more difficult during these last few days at her stepmother’s house. But that didn’t mean I hadn’t worried. I couldn’t help thinking that Mrs. Sullivan was the type of person to order her staff to restrain Claire and force her into their carriage.

The only reason I hadn’t stormed down there to remove her myself was concern for her reputation. After the service she was doing me, I couldn’t turn around and ruin her. My appearance at their home today would have made everyone believe I had less than honorable intentions toward Claire, when we were merely helping one another during a difficult time.

I had visited the school again yesterday, hoping to see Claire. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been there.

My interest in her hadn’t gone unnoticed by the headmistress, who’d commented slyly about my sudden zeal for education. It hadn’t sat well with me, but I couldn’t blame her for noticing the change in my schedule. Normally, I only visited the school once a month to ensure everything was running smoothly.

I entered King’s and made my way to the card room, relief filling me when I saw Kendrick there. He sat off to one side, scrutinizing what appeared to be an account book.

“What has your attention?” I asked, curious. I didn’t recall ever seeing him perform such a task at the club.

Kendrick leaned back in his chair, grimacing. “Fairfax asked me to look over these accounts. It’s not my favorite way to pass the time, but…” He shrugged.

“Given how much he’s done for all of us, I suppose it’s the least we can do,” I said, understanding.

Kendrick glanced down at the book then back at me. “This isn’t his ledger, however. Were you aware he’s working with Brantford? He’s been making discreet inquiries into what some of the members here are up to.” He leaned forward as I settled into the chair across from him. “Brantford works for the Home Office. I can’t help wondering who they’re investigating.”

No one sat near us, but I kept my voice low when I replied. “I can’t say I’m surprised. Fairfax does love his intrigues, and he’s always the first to realize when everything isn’t as it seems.” I couldn’t help smiling. “No one ever suspects him of being anything but an indolent rake. They wouldn’t be so careless around him if they knew he picked up on every discrepancy and could see far beyond what they wish to share.”

Kendrick crossed his arms and leaned back again. “He knew before I did that my interest in Caroline went beyond a bit of fun. All that time when I insisted I was only helping her while I thwarted her brother for daring to offer her as payment for that card game he lost…”

I shook my head. “As I said, he sees more than the rest of us.”

There was a gleam in Kendrick’s eyes that I didn’t like. “He asked me what I thought about this business between you and Miss Sullivan.”

I frowned. “He knows what’s happening there.” When Kendrick raised a brow by way of response, I realized what he was saying. “No. Absolutely not. There is nothing like that between the two of us.”

He was grinning now. “So you don’t have anything you want to ask me now?”