Introducing Miss Joanna (Once a Wallflower #2) - Maggi Andersen Page 0,54

asked the jarvey to wait and ran over to Sally. “Where is your mistress?”

Sally’s pelisse was wet, and her bonnet hung limply around her face. She trembled and struggled to speak.

Reade glanced around with a sense of foreboding. No sign of Joanna. He pulled off his greatcoat and hung it over the girl’s shoulders.

“Miss Jo went off to look for your carriage over an hour ago, my lord. When she didn’t come back, I searched for her. But she’s gone.”

He felt the hair lift off the back of his neck. “Gone? Are you sure?” He spun around. The rain had cleared the park of all but a few determined horse riders. “Why did she want to see me, Sally? Do you know?”

“We had the hackney go back the way I came home on that awful day,” Sally said, tripping over her words. “We found the house where the lady helped me. Miss Hatton said she thought it might be Mrs. Millet’s house because of the camellias and the shutters. Miss Jo thought you should know about it.”

Reade raised his eyebrows. “Who is Mrs. Millet?”

“Mr. Dalrymple hired Mrs. Millet to help Jo with her debut.”

Things slid into place. This Mrs. Millet was Mrs. Virden. Reade eased his tight shoulders. Had Virden learned of Charlotte’s rescue? Was Jo in danger? But he was letting his emotions rule his head. They tailed Virden. His man would contact him, and it better be soon.

As Reade’s hackney took Sally to Upper Brook Street, Black appeared in a curricle. He brought his horse close to intercept them.

Reade jumped down. “Who is following Virden?”

“Goodridge. Said his leg was better.”

“And?” Reade waited, fearing the worst.

“Virden outmaneuvered him. It appears he has conceived a means of escape.”

“Good lord!” Reade yelled. “Can I count on no one? Where did this happen?”

“Goodridge followed him to the park in his coach,” Black said. “Didn’t stay above a few minutes while Goodridge waited outside the park gates.”

“Was he alone? Did he meet anyone?”

“Goodridge didn’t see anyone with him.”

“Go on.” Reade motioned to him.

“Then he drove through Soho. Apparently, there’s a way through a cemetery. Goodridge turned a corner, and he had vanished. Virden either knows he’s followed or is taking no chances.”

“The graveyard could be the one near Mrs. Millet’s house,” Sally said.

“I think you might be right, Sally. Well done. But I must leave you here. Can I rely on you to tell Mr. Dalrymple? Do it gently, please. I will return Jo to them as soon as I can.”

“Mr. Dalrymple dines with Mrs. Millet this evening. But Miss Hatton is at home.”

“Then inform Miss Hatton, Sally, and say I shall have Jo home directly.”

Sally went up the steps, and Reade leaped into the curricle with Black.

“That devil has taken her,” he growled. “Take me to the stables. I’ll ride to Virden’s house, although I don’t expect to find him there.”

“Move on!” Black slapped the reins.

As Black drove, Reade tried to think where Virden might hide Jo. It wouldn’t be the brothel where he’d kept Charlotte. Did they use other such places? He dragged in a breath at the dispiriting thought. Their meeting was to take place tomorrow. Somewhere near the docks. He must find Virden. Reade did not intend for Jo to endure a night with him or in a brothel. He would find her if he had to employ the large number of ex-army men he knew to help him.

“Pull Rivenstock in for questioning at Bow Street,” he said through his teeth as Black pulled up outside the stables. “He might be a lord, but I’m not above getting rough if threats don’t work.”

Chapter Sixteen

“Up,” Virden ordered.

Jo raised herself to gaze out the window as the coach juddered down a drive. It pulled up outside the house Jo had discovered that morning. Mrs. Millet’s house! Was it only this morning? It seemed such a long time ago.

“Right! Out! We can’t stay long.” Virden dug his fingers into her arm and pulled her out the door onto the ground. Jo almost fell. She fought to stay on her feet as he hauled her along.

“Who is Mrs. Millet to you?” she asked when they reached the porch.

“She’s Mrs. Virden, and she’s my mother.”

“Mrs. Virden.” Her breath hitched, and she tried to pull away from him. “What do you want with me?”

“You are the holy grail, my dear. I was on the lookout for someone as things have become desperate. And there you were.” With a hand on her arm, he opened the