The Secrets of a Lady

Chapter Ten

Griffin looked out the window of the carriage as it passed into Hyde Park. Over ten thousand troops milled about the park grounds, ready to begin the reenactment of the battle of Trafalgar on the Serpentine. Mixed in were thousands upon thousands of people of all rank and age, from the poorest peasant to the Prince Regent himself.

“This looks to be the perfect place to kill a King,” he muttered.

Audrey glanced up from the papers in her hand and out the window, taking in what Griffin had already seen. “Yes.” She glanced first at him then her brother and Hannah. “Or even a Prince or two.”

Griffin smiled at her remark though the worry he had felt from the very beginning of this entire mess was growing daily. Not only was Audrey pursuing a dangerous traitor, but a man who Griffin was certain would accost her if he got the chance. That made Ellison more treacherous and put Audrey in even more peril. Even though the brother and sister team wanted to deny it, the fact that Ellison was pushing her to leave Griffin’s house, to distance herself from any man who was a friend, was proof that the traitor was growing bolder. He felt he had a claim to protect in Audrey.

Noah pulled the curtain back from his window a fraction as the carriage stopped in a line of traffic. “There will be guns going off and explosions starting the moment the reenactment begins at eight. All manner of people will be running around with weaponry, be it working or not. We all must be on our guard.”

Audrey nodded but her gaze was focused on Griffin. He shifted in his seat as her eyes drifted away. Since their encounter in the sitting room a few afternoons before, he’d been increasingly uncomfortable around her. It was becoming evident that being her friend was much more difficult than he’d thought. Especially when all he wanted to do was touch her, kiss her, make her his in every primal way he could.

“Oh, Lord,” Audrey sighed as she covered her eyes.

“What is it?” Hannah craned her neck to see over Audrey’s head and out the window.

She rolled her eyes in Griffin and Noah’s direction. “Ellison. He’s standing waiting by where all the carriages are parking now. I’m not going to get a moment’s peace from that man.”

“And that’s exactly what we want, dear sister,” Noah said with a chuckle. “So chin up, smile, and pretend you can’t get enough of him.”

Griffin stifled a laugh as Audrey gave her brother a withering glare. How he’d hate to be on the receiving end of such a look.

“It’s so very simple for you to mock,” she muttered. “You get the easy job every time. I’m the one who has to spend my time with disgusting letches.”

Noah looked playfully affronted. “I’ve had to sacrifice my evenings for the job from time to time.”

Griffin bit back a bark of laughter that made both siblings and Hannah turn to look at him in surprise. “You told me those ‘sacrifices’ have been most pleasant on the whole.”

“That’s right,” Hannah chimed in with a shake of her dark curls. “You’ve never complained in all the years I’ve known you.”

Noah put a finger to his lips. “Hush you two, I’m trying to make Audrey feel better.”

With a voice dripping with sarcasm, Audrey shook her head. “Thank you so very much, my dearest brother.”

“I’m your only brother.”

“Yes. Aren’t I lucky?” Audrey said with a smile.

Noah laughed as the carriage stopped a second time. It rocked with the movement of the servants climbing down to aid their departure.

As Griffin watched, the Audrey he was so drawn to faded away. The laughter and playfulness that was such a part of her day-to-day existence vanished, replaced by a much more jaded, disinterested woman that the ton and Douglas Ellison could do nothing but adore. She was everything they worshiped, and everything Griffin shied away from. It was stunning how she slipped so easily into character.

Just like Luci.

Only instead of changing her personality for her own gain, Audrey did it for her country. Though it did little to improve his mood, at least Griffin could understand and respect her motives.

The carriage door swung open and the footman held out his arm. With a fleeting smile for both Griffin and her brother, Audrey took the man’s assistance and stepped from the carriage. Her eyes crinkled as the bright, late afternoon sun hit her face even though her wide rimmed bonnet offered her some protection. Following behind was Hannah, who wasted no time in putting on the demure mask of a lady’s maid.

As Griffin stepped to the packed down grass, he found himself immediately searching the throng of people for Douglas Ellison. If there was anything he had learned over the years, it was to keep his enemies close.

At his side, Audrey fanned herself, looking properly bored even while her blue eyes scanned the crowd with as much focus as his own. It seemed she, too, could only think of Ellison and what her next move would be to bring the man down.

“Lady Audrey!” came a voice from over the crowd.

With a muted sigh, she turned toward the source of the sound and smiled while she raised her hand to wave. “Mr. Ellison! We’re over here!”

Nudging his way through a group of gentlemen, Ellison burst from the pack. He gave a broad grin, his gray eyes roving over Audrey in one possessive, lurid motion. It took every ounce of Griffin’s strength not to grab the man and pummel him to a pulp. The desire was even more powerful than it had been the night of the opera. Since then Griffin had tasted Audrey’s lips, felt her soft skin against his own. He was loath to share her, especially with a bastard like Douglas Ellison.

Ellison took both her hands in an inappropriate gesture of familiarity. “Audrey, how nice to see you once again. I’ve missed your company.”

“Oh, Douglas,” Audrey replied with a false giggle before her eyes slid to Griffin and her brother with counterfeit embarrassment. “I mean, Mr. Ellison… it’s only been a few days since we last saw each other. Surely you couldn’t have even noticed my absence in such a short period of time.”

While Griffin seethed, Ellison lifted Audrey’s gloved hand to his lips and smiled. “You’d be surprised.”

Noah cleared his throat as he stepped forward. Griffin could see his friend took no more pleasure than he did in the way Ellison was manhandling Audrey. “Mr. Ellison.”

Ellison released Noah’s sister with reluctance and shook the other man’s hand. “Lord Lockhart, good to see you. Fine weather, eh?”

“Yes,” Noah replied in a dry tone.

Ellison’s eyes went passed Noah to focus on Griffin. He wasn’t surprised when the jovial friendliness on the man’s face vanished. What did surprise him was that Ellison didn’t display the general jealousy of a possessive man, but the specific hatred of Griffin. Yet he was certain he hadn’t revealed any of his conflicted feelings for Audrey in front of Ellison.

Had he?

“Viscount Berenger.” Ellison’s tone was cold. “Good to see you here. Having Audrey and her brother in your home seems to be bringing you out of your shell of late. I don’t think I’ve seen you at so many events in all the three years we’ve been neighbors.”

Griffin forced himself to take a civil tone. “A good host mustn’t neglect his guests. I admit this sort of thing isn’t my forte, but Noah and Audrey were set on attending all the events of the Jubilee.”

“You’re putting on a good face,” Ellison said. “But perhaps your visitors are too wearing on you so soon after your dear wife’s untimely passing. Might you consider giving Audrey and Lord Lockhart up to my care?”

Every hair on the back of Griffin’s neck stood up as he clenched his right hand into a tight fist. All he’d been able to think about during the past few days was Ellison and his offer… or threat… to take Audrey away from him.

“I assure you that having Noah and Audrey in my home is nothing but a pleasure,” he managed to choke out with difficulty.

“Hmmm…” Ellison let his gaze slip over to Audrey. “A pleasure I’d love to be all mine.”

Before Griffin could bite out a retort or punch the man in the face, he felt Noah grasp the back of his tailored jacket and twist the material in his hand to hold him in place.

“It’s a generous offer, Ellison,” Noah said with a forced smile. “But Audrey and I are quite comfortable where we are.”

Griffin watched as Audrey pretended to be disappointed for Ellison’s sake. God, how he hated her duplicity and the ease with which she lied. Even if it was for King and Country, he could hardly bear to watch it, or face the sour memories it stirred.

Griffin pulled from Noah’s hold and straightened his coat. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to have a look around.”

With that, he turned on his heel and stalked into the crowd, wishing he could dispose of Douglas Ellison right then and there. And hating that it was Audrey’s safety which kept him from doing just that.

***

Audrey watched Griffin disappear from view with a frown. How she wished she could follow him and offer him some kind of comfort. It troubled him that Ellison desired her. It troubled her, too, but the act was a necessary evil. If only Griffin understood… if only she could make him understand.

“Strange man, Berenger,” Ellison said with a shrug. “Never have understood him.”

“Lord Berenger is still in mourning,” Audrey said softly, hoping her voice was free of the emotions she so strongly felt for Griffin. “It is natural for him to be so distant.”

“Hmph.” Ellison offered her his arm as Noah and Hannah followed close behind them. “It’s been six months. He should be well past any sadness he may have felt at his wife’s death. Especially considering her-”

Behind them, Noah made a loud sound in the back of his throat. Both Audrey and Ellison turn to look at him. The expression in her brother’s eyes was enough to make Audrey shiver. They were dilated with anger, dark as midnight. It was a look he rarely used, but it was effective.

“Mr. Ellison, please recall that my sister is an innocent lady and Griffin Berenger is a friend,” he ground out, meeting Ellison’s eyes and holding his gaze there.

Douglas looked away quickly, unable to match the intensity of her brother’s stare. “Of course, Lord Lockhart. I apologize for my lack of thought.”

Audrey had an urge to stomp her foot. For the past few weeks she heard innuendo about Griffin and Luci’s marriage, but never gotten to the real truth. What was the secret that made Griffin so unhappy? Audrey had always assumed his marriage had been a harmonious one, but more and more she doubted that theory had been correct.

Ellison gave a smooth smile. “Your brother is correct and I apologize. We should speak of more pleasant topics. Such as today’s events. Look over the crowd! There are our Prince and his guests now.”

Audrey followed the sweeping motion of Ellison’s hand and found herself looking into a raised box on the parameter of the park. Inside the Prince and several of his guests were chatting.

“I was under the impression you weren’t overly found of our esteemed monarch, Douglas,” she whispered. “I’m surprised you show so much interest in him and his party today.”

Ellison patted her hand as he let out a cold laugh. “You are observant, but how can one not be happy at an event such as this? It’s bound to be the best show this city has seen in years.”

Audrey’s heart leapt in her throat and she tossed a glance back at her brother. From his position a few steps behind them, Noah hadn’t overheard their conversation, but had followed their stares to the Prince’s box. Noah had a concerned frown on his face. Even Hannah held Audrey’s stare for a long moment before dropping her gaze to the ground as was appropriate for the role she played.

“I hate to be rude,” Noah said, stepping closer to the couple. “But I see an old friend, Lady Greene, across the lawn. I would be remiss if I didn’t say hello to her. Will you entertain my sister for a moment, Ellison?”

The other man’s eyes lit up at the chance he was being offered. “Of course, Lockhart.”

“Thank you, I won’t be long.”

Audrey stifled a smile as her brother disappeared into the crowd. Lady Greene was a code term between the two of them. It meant Noah was off to find Lord Golding and give him a report on their situation. The fact he had decided to do so immediately made Audrey wonder if her brother felt the danger had escalated.

“Alone at last,” Ellison said with a smile.

Audrey glanced in Hannah’s direction. “Almost alone.”

Though Ellison nodded as if he, too, were upset by the need for a chaperone, Audrey silently said a thank you for the societal norms that didn’t allow her to be unaccompanied with the man beside her. She shuttered to think what he might attempt in a private setting.

As they walked through the park, Hannah forever trailing behind them at a respectable distance, Audrey looked around her. The grounds were packed with people of all rank and political disposition. Any one of them could be operating under Ellison. She searched desperately for a sign of his partners. Just one exchanged glance, one word out of place, and she could go to Noah with the evidence. But there was nothing and her shoulders slumped in disappointment.

The miniatures of the ships involved in the Battle of Trafalgar were already arranged on the river, ready for the reenactment that would surely entertain the drunken crowd. Of course once the true gaiety had begun, Audrey’s job would be all the harder. As soon as the noisy festivities commenced, there would be confusion and Ellison or his men could easily make a move.

“Come my dear.” Ellison gripped her arm a bit tighter as his gray eyes darkened. “Let’s move closer, shall we?”

“Perhaps we should find a spot in the shade.”

She pulled back against his grip. Suddenly she felt less protected by the crowd around them. Douglas looked positively gleeful and it was terrifying.

His grip gentled though he didn’t release her. “We’ll want to be close when the reenactment begins. The Prince has the best view on the field.”

Though she searched for a reason to refuse, Audrey couldn’t find one. Finally, she smiled. “Of course. We’ll simply keep watch for my brother so he may join us later.”

As she allowed Ellison to lead her toward the Prince and his party, she prayed Noah would find them and that they could put a stop to whatever the traitor had planned.

***

“Where the hell have you been?”

Griffin turned from the barrel of ale he’d been standing beside to look at Noah. His friend gave a smile to soften the tone of his question.

“I could ask the same of you,” Griffin replied.

“I had to take care of some business with Lord Golding and then I was looking for you.” His friend’s smile faded. “Grif, I understand your anger and your fear for Audrey’s safety, but you must be more careful about how you behave around Ellison. Too many outbursts and the man might suspect something.”

“He already suspects something.” Griffin downed his ale with a grimace.

“What?” Noah asked. “I’ve heard nothing. What does he suspect?”

“Not what you think,” Griffin hastened to say as he realized his friend thought he meant Ellison had guessed something about Audrey. “He thinks I’m a rival for your sister’s affections. He doesn’t feel the way he would with just any other man, but sees me as a true challenge. I don’t know how he’s come to this conclusion, but it was clear by the way he looked at me that he considers me an opponent.”

Noah tilted his head to look at his friend in silence for a moment. “Are you?”

Griffin swallowed the remainder of his drink in one uncomfortable gulp. The brew stuck in his chest as he stared at his friend. “I beg your pardon?”

“Are you a rival for my sister’s affection?” Noah repeated. His face revealed none of his emotions.

Griffin shut his eyes briefly, letting his senses be filled by the sounds and smells of the crowded park. He thought of Audrey and his entire body clenched with pleasure and pain and longing all at once.

“I would never hurt Audrey,” he finally answered.

“That wasn’t the question.”

Griffin opened his eyes. He should have known Noah wouldn’t be distracted by evasion. Unfortunately, he wasn’t certain of his answer. He wanted Audrey. And wanted to protect her, but beyond that…

A great cheer from the crowd made both men look up. A group of soldiers passed through, their uniforms smart in the fading evening sun.

Noah looked at him again. “What I asked is if you’re in any way serious about my sister. And don’t tell me you’re only interested in her friendship. I’ve seen the way you look at her and I know you two have exchanged at least one kiss. Those aren’t the actions of a friend.”

Dipping his head, Griffin examined the dusty ground beneath his feet where the grass had been smashed beyond repair.

“Noah, I don’t know what to tell you about your sister and I. The fact is…”

Before he could finish his sentence, a loud bang came from behind the two. As both spun around, a large cheer went up from the gang of people around them.

“Is that the reenactment beginning?” Noah yelled over the din.

“It must be!” Griffin said in return. “It’s close to eight. But that was awfully loud, wasn’t it?”

“Very.” The two men locked eyes and Griffin knew Noah was thinking the same thing he was. Where was Audrey and was she in danger?

“Let’s go.”

Griffin spun on his heel to hurry through the crowd. People automatically cleared out of his way, some calling out his name. How he managed to wave and smile at his old friends, he didn’t know, but his hand came up naturally as he maneuvered through groups of people.

“I don’t see her,” Noah called out, straightening up so he could look over the crowd.

Another explosion rocked the park and several children screamed to his left. Griffin looked at them sharply. No one was hurt, in fact they seemed to be having a grand time.

“Damn it,” he said with a shake his head. “Why in God’s name did we leave her alone?”

Noah’s response was a warning. “Griffin.”

He ignored the warning. “Let’s split up. You go north toward the refreshment area, I’ll head toward the Prince’s box. We’ll meet back by that tree over there in ten minutes if neither of us has found her.”

Griffin motioned to a tall elm tree a few feet away. Its branches were heavy with lads who had scrambled into the bows for a better view of the festivities.

“Very well,” Noah said, “But watch yourself if you find them. Audrey is still doing a job, you know.”

As Noah vanished into the milling crowd, Griffin sighed. “I know. How could I not?”

With a deep breath, he hurried toward the spot in the distance that was the Prince’s box. Clamoring around people and half-empty crates of liquor in his pathway, Griffin scanned the crowd, looking for a glimpse of Audrey’s yellow gown, or that ridiculous bonnet she wore with all the ribbons, or the flash of her auburn hair as she strolled around the park. But there was nothing, only thousands of people milling in a disorganized wave.

Just as he was about to give up and head back to the elm where he’d promise to meet Noah, Griffin saw what he’d been looking for. The crowd peeled back and Audrey stood on a slight knoll, her hand shading her eyes as she peered around the park. Her bonnet was somewhat crocked, cocked too far over one eye. Ellison was nowhere in sight, neither was Hannah.

With a soft sound of relief, Griffin hurried toward her, knocking against uniformed men and tipsy women in his urgent need to reach her, to touch her and make sure she was real and unharmed.

“Audrey!” he called out, but the noise around him muffled his voice.

She didn’t seem to hear him as she continued to look around her with an expression of vexation on her face. With a scowl, she removed her bonnet and lowered her head to look at the messy knot in one of the ribbons, just as an errant arrow whizzed by her skull.