When a Duke Loves a Governess (Unlikely Duchesses #3) - Olivia Drake Page 0,98
who among the attendees at the lecture would have known that I’d be at Astley’s today?”
“Oddly enough, I know of one,” Banfield said rather grimly. “On my return from purchasing the tickets four days ago, I chanced to encounter Lord Haviland on the street. We exchanged a few pleasantries, and I mentioned to him the purpose of my errand.”
That news gave Guy a nasty jolt. He’d written his friend off as a suspect after learning from Tessa that the earl had departed by way of the garden gate after the lecture. “Would anyone else have heard of my plans?”
“Oh, my dear boy,” Lady Victor said in a tragical tone, “I hope I may not be the one who endangered you. The other day when I was entertaining some ladies, they remarked on how lovely it is that you’ve finally been reunited with Sophy, and I said that you were taking her to the circus for her birthday. But I am very certain that none of my friends would shoot you!”
“Of course not,” Guy said, hard-pressed not to sound impatient. “But they may have told someone else, so pray give me their names.”
“There was Lady Jersey, Mrs. Ludington, Mrs. Youngblood”—she paused to tap her chin—”oh, and Lady Churchford.”
That last name snared Guy’s attention. Lord Churchford had expressed a keen interest in funding an expedition to find the gold. Although he was too stout a man to have ridden a pony, he could have hired someone else to do his dirty work.
“That clutch of biddies likely gossiped to others, too,” Marbury pointed out. “In the space of twenty-four hours, the entire ton could have learned you were attending the performance today.”
There was no topic of greater interest to chattering ladies than the doings of a bachelor duke. Little did they know, however, he had his sights set on one woman. His gaze sought the cameo loveliness of Tessa’s face. She looked far too somber, and he longed to see the lively sparkle back in her eyes, the enchanting smile on her lips again. But as attentive as she’d been to him today, he knew she must be seething about that betrothal ruse. And ironically, he found her independent spirit to be a part of her charm.
“Well, I don’t believe for an instant that this has anything to do with the stolen diaries,” Lady Victor declared. “Let us not call it the Carlin Curse, but the Carlin Killer! And he may well be after all of us.” She clutched at his hand. “I implore you, Guy, find out who is behind this. I’ve a dreadful fear for you … and for my dearest Eddie.”
He gently extracted himself from her clawlike grip. As much as the soreness in his arm made him want to snap at her, he kept his voice even. “I’ll do my best, Aunt. Now perhaps Miss James will be kind enough to escort you back to your chamber.”
Tessa frowned slightly, her gaze flashing to his. It was clear that she had a few pithy comments to utter to him in private, but in his current state of strain, he would as soon postpone their inevitable quarrel. Thankfully, she arose without a word and offered Lady Victor her assistance.
As they started toward the door, Marbury reached out to catch Tessa’s hand. “I shall return soon, my dear, so that Carlin and I can discuss your nuptials.”
“Nuptials?” Lady Victor inquired.
“Indeed, I am most happy to say that Carlin has requested my permission to pay his addresses to Tessa. He and my granddaughter will soon be betrothed.”
Lady Victor lifted the small vinaigrette flask to her nose. “Betrothed … to my nephew? Miss James?”
Banfield, too, gave a start of surprise. More important, though, Tessa had that rebellious glint in her beautiful blue eyes again. Guy groaned inwardly, wishing Marbury had kept his mouth shut.
“Nothing has been settled,” Guy stated, his stern gaze sweeping the small gathering. “I trust I can rely upon everyone here to remain silent on the matter.”
“A wise notion,” Marbury agreed. “And until such time as the announcement is put in the papers, it would be best for Tessa to live in my house, to spruce up her wardrobe and to introduce her to a few select members of society. I hope I may call on you to help with that, Lady Victor.”
“I’d be honored, my lord. But oh, this news has my head spinning. Perhaps Miss James will be good enough to explain how it all came about. It seems