The Secrets of a Lady

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Congratulations to you both. A good match, to be sure.”

Audrey nodded blindly at the blustery man before her as he shook Douglas Ellison’s hand. Though it hadn’t been officially announced, people had been crowding around them all evening, saying congratulations and giving good wishes for their engagement. She had to wonder how Douglas had spread the word out so swiftly.

There had been cattiness in the crowd. Things about old maids and money, and Audrey marrying “below her class”. Audrey ignored them. What did she care what people thought about her plans? This was only a false engagement after all.

What she did care about was Griffin. Since three days before when she’d hurried out of his arms, he’d said less than two words to her.

“Damn Wellington.”

Audrey lurched to attention at her fiancé’s harsh words. Turning her head, she saw the decorated General coming across the room. People cleared in his wake, the women tittered behind their fans and even some of the men looked like they would swoon. The new Duke bore himself well, and the people recognized it.

“I’m sorry, darling what did you say?” she asked, fanning herself as she stole a glance at Ellison’s face.

“Nothing, Audrey,” he snapped, then softened his demeanor. “It’s a bit warm in this overcrowded room.”

“Yes, Carlton House is overflowing, isn’t it?”

She looked around her. The house was a showplace, and no expense had been spared in this, one of the last fêtes of the summer. Soon the ton would settle down and go back to their country estates where they usually spent the hottest part of the season. And if Audrey was lucky, she would leave with them… but Douglas Ellison would never again depart London.

But only if Jean retrieved to the box she had discovered during her “tour”. All of them knew that was their best chance at catching the traitor himself. It could be their last.

“Excuse me.”

Both Audrey and Douglas turned to look at Griffin, who had come over so quietly through the buzzing crowd neither had seen him approach. Audrey dropped her eyes so she wouldn’t reveal her feelings to Ellison. He watched her like a hawk where Griffin was concerned.

“Berenger.” Ellison’s voice was flat and emotionless. “Haven’t seen you all night. Of course, Audrey and I have been quite popular, surrounded by well-wishers, you know. I don’t suppose you’re one of them?”

Audrey winced at the malicious way Ellison taunted Griffin, but there was nothing she could say that wouldn’t reveal the truth about her feelings.

Griffin stared straight at her. “Of course. The only thing I’ve ever wanted is to see Audrey happy with a man she cares for. And cares for her in return.”

Audrey refused to look up, refused to meet the brown eyes she knew would pull her in where she might never return.

“And she has found that.” Ellison smiled.

“I wondered if I might have a dance with your…” Griffin paused and clenched his teeth. “Fiancée.”

Ellison smirked, but released his hold on Audrey. “Just be certain you bring her back.”

Before Audrey could say anything, Griffin had her arm and was guiding her through the crowd to the dance floor. The orchestra had just begun a waltz and Griffin pulled her close. Though he kept a respectable distance between them, Audrey still felt too hot in such proximity to him. Like she’d melt if he breathed on her.

His passion and his anger were apparent in the way he moved and held her. Close but hard, his hands like vices.

“I…” she stammered. “I’m sorry. If it makes you feel better, this is difficult for me, too.”

He sneered. “Oh, yes. I feel much better.”

“What would you have me do, Griffin?” she snapped, somehow keeping a mask of civility on her face while she tried to concentrate on the steps.

He twirled her to her left, and smiled at her. Like her, he kept a calm façade while his grip on her tightened.

“I find it flabbergasting that you’ll pledge to marry a man who could kill you, yet you deny me.” He accentuated his barb with a smile, as if he’d said something utterly charming.

Drawing in a sharp breath through her nose, she tried to maintain the thin grasp on her control. “You’re being unfair. You know this is a farce until I get the information I need. With you it would be a real lifetime.”

“And that is still distasteful to you.”

She shook her head at his flat statement. “Griffin.”

“Watching you pretend to care for him is…” He trailed off as if it were indescribable.

“I know,” she interjected gently. “But if Jean can obtain the information we need tonight, all this will be over.”

Griffin said something else, but Audrey didn’t hear it. At that moment, a man pushed through the crowd to Ellison’s side. He was a burly fellow who Audrey recognized as Douglas’s driver. He spoke in Ellison’s ear for a moment, then her false fiancé’s eyes widened and he said something back. When his face came fully into view, he looked angry. His pale skin had darkened to an ugly red.

Her steps faltered as she watched the two men. Why did Ellison look ready to kill?

“Audrey?” Griffin asked as he tried to catch her eye. “What is it?”

The orchestra played the final strains of the song and Audrey pulled from his arms. “Good evening, Lord Berenger. Thank you for the dance.”

Though Griffin said her name again, Audrey kept walking away from him and back to Douglas’s side. Later she would explain why, but for the moment, getting to the villain before her was much more important.

Ellison beamed at her, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I felt like you were gone for an age.”

“Yes,” she murmured, trying not to show how much she hated his insincerity. “I saw your driver approach you. You seemed upset about what he told you. Is anything amiss?”

“You’re very observant,” he said in a noncommittal tone.

Audrey smiled. “It isn’t every day that a giant, burly driver in work boots clomps through a ballroom. He was hard to miss.”

Ellison’s eyes widened at that comment, as if he hadn’t even thought about the impropriety of the situation. “I suppose you’re right, my dear. I shall have to speak to Gregoire about that.” The anger in his voice was taut and just below the surface.

Audrey briefly wondered if she’d just caused Gregoire injury, but pressed on at any rate. Her smile became sweet as sugar. “And then there’s the fact that I am now your fiancée. I would be a sad wife indeed if I didn’t notice your moods. It must have been important for him to intrude on such an event and risk your wrath.”

Douglas’s mouth turned down in a grim line. “It was. I don’t want you to be alarmed, my dear, but someone attempted to break into my home this evening.”

Audrey’s stomach turned. Jean…

“My God, Douglas,” she stammered, surprised at how calm her voice remained even while her insides were quivering with fear. “That’s terrible.”

“Yes. Luckily my guards shot the man.”

“Oh!” The little outburst left her lips before she could control it. Ellison arched an eyebrow.

“You seem very upset by this, Audrey. Are you quite well?”

She used all her power to focus. “Yes. I–I’ve never handled violence well.” She hesitated. “Was the man… killed?”

Ellison’s eyebrow arched a second time. “I wouldn’t know. I didn’t think to inquire about the condition of the animal who broke in to my home, only if all my valuables were intact.”

Audrey nodded, but her movements were jerky. “Well, it’s a relief the man was stopped. I hope no great damage was caused.”

Douglas tilted his head to look at her through narrowed eyes. “I’m sure no permanent damage.”

“Perhaps I should find my brother. I’ve neglected him all night and would like to dance with him before it gets too late and the party comes to an end.”

“Of course.” One corner of Douglas’s mouth came up in a half smile. “Family is very important.”

Swallowing back her own fear, Audrey brushed her fingertips across Ellison’s hand. “I hope you’ll save a final waltz for me.”

His eyes widened at her touch and the sultry innuendo she’d forced into her voice. “I certainly shall.”

“Thank you.”

Her hands shook as she crossed the room, blind to the people around her. All she could think about was Jean with his crooked smile and laughing eyes. Why it had only been a few weeks before when he’d slipped into Griffin’s house and surprised her. Now he was hurt, perhaps dead.

She kept moving, but covered her mouth to keep a wail from escaping. Finally she saw Noah standing beside a table covered with punch bowls and fruit. Griffin was with him.

“Noah.” Her voice was hoarse. “Noah.”

Her brother turned from his friend, and catching sight of her pale face and worried eyes set down his drink at once.

“What is it?”

Griffin stiffened. “Did that bastard put his hands on you again?”

“No.” She grasped Noah’s coat with both hands and looked up into her brother’s handsome face. “It isn’t me. It’s Jean.”

“Your friend?” Griffin asked. “And you might want to smile, Ellison is watching.”

Somehow she forced a broad smile onto her face and Noah laughed as if she had been telling an amusing story.

“He’s been shot. Ellison’s guards caught him at the house and they…” she choked on the words, but quickly composed herself. “They shot him. He may be dead, I don’t know.”

Noah never allowed his false smile to leave his face even as his eyes dulled and his skin paled. “My God. Not Jean.”

“Dance with me,” Audrey said, “Because Ellison expects it. Griffin, I promise I will fill you in on what we speak about later.”

Slowly, she turned her eyes to him and found a surprised look on his face.

“You don’t need to share the details with me,” he said with firm assurance. “After all, this is your case.”

This time it was Audrey who was surprised. Though Griffin was worried about her, he had finally respected her position. She felt the strongest urge to give that respect back to him.

“But you’re involved in it now.” she said softly. “So you have a right to know what’s happening.”

Griffin nodded. “Very well.”

***

“Thank God this evening is over.” Audrey stepped into the foyer and allowed the footman to take her wrap. When the young man had gone, she looked at Griffin anxiously. “Do you think Noah is home yet?”

Griffin looked at her with an understanding smile. He’d been impressed with her skill that night. After their dance, Noah had gone to find Lord Golding and had disappeared soon after. Audrey had been forced to return to Ellison’s side and pretend to be the doting fiancée for the remainder of the evening, all while she worried about her friend and his life. Though she’d hidden it well with smiles and laughter, Griffin had seen the terror in her eyes. God help her if Ellison had seen the same.

“If he is, he’s likely in my study,” he said as he offered her a steadying arm. How he wished he could comfort her, but during this time he could do nothing. Only when she knew Jean was alive and unharmed would she relax. Until then, he was helpless.

The study was empty when they entered and Audrey sighed.

“This isn’t right.” She sat down with a thump and rubbed her eyes. “If the news were good, Noah would have come directly to us. Poor Jean, my dear friend…”

“Stop that!” Griffin poured her a strong drink to calm her nerves. “We know nothing. I’ve seen you work long enough to know you’re a good spy. And a good spy makes no assumptions. Perhaps Jean is fine, and is simply being debriefed. Perhaps he came away with the evidence you needed and Noah and Lord Golding are making their arrests right now.”

Audrey lifted her face to look at him. Her doubts and fears were clear. “I… suppose that’s possible.”

“Now drink this.” He offered her a tumbler of brandy. “It will calm you down while we wait.”

Taking the drink, Audrey set it on the table beside her and stood. Almost shyly she moved toward him, holding back a bit, then stepping forward. When she’d reached his side, she slipped her arms around him and held him close to her.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Griffin.”

His surprise gave way and he held her, breathing in the sweet, lilac scent of her hair and skin as her warm body pressed against him. Though he desired her at that moment, he wanted to take care of her more. He wanted to reassure her and be a beacon for her in her fear.

The sound of the door opening behind them made them both jump back and turn like thieves. Noah stood in the door. He looked tired and pale.

“Noah!” Audrey cried, running over to her brother’s side. “Please tell me what’s happening.”

Griffin frowned at his friend’s unreadable face and stepped closer in case Audrey fainted at any bad news. Noah took his sister’s shoulders in his hands to hold her steady.

“Jean isn’t dead. But he’s been badly hurt.”

“No!” Audrey cried. “May I see him?”

Noah shook his head. “I’m afraid that would be too dangerous. Golding has taken him to a secure location, but it’s probably being watched. I had to sneak in and out myself to avoid being observed. Apparently Jean was caught in a compromising position and Ellison has increased his guard tenfold.”

“But will Jean live?” Her bottom lip trembled.

Noah cupped her chin. “I… I’m not sure. You know I can’t lie to you. But he’s strong.”

She shook out of her brother’s embrace as she swiped at tears. “He saved our lives. And we can do nothing for him.”

“Except catch the villain responsible for his injuries,” Noah said.

“I’ll fetch Hannah,” Griffin murmured, desperate in his need to help in some way.

“Thank you,” Audrey murmured.

She watched him leave the room, knowing he wanted to help her, to do something to aid them in their mission. She loved him all the more for it.

“Listen to me,” her brother said as she sat down and gulped a sip of her drink. “We may not be able to get the list of Ellison’s associates after all. We may have to settle for Douglas alone.”

Audrey’s heart sank. “No!”

“I know what you’re feeling.” Noah ran a hand through his hair. “But Douglas suspects someone is watching him, aware of his tricks, now more than ever. It’s too risky to send in another agent to search the home. Golding feels it will be best for all of us to simply arrest the man and work on his associates later.”

Slamming her drink down, Audrey cried, “And let Jean have been shot in vain? And let all the scheming and risks we took have been for nothing? No. I won’t settle for that.”

Her brother took her drink and downed what remained in one sip. “What do you propose we do then?”

“Let me go in.”

Noah choked. “I must not have heard you correctly.”

She pursed her lips. “You heard me fine. Now that we’re engaged, I’ll have freer access in Ellison’s home. If I’m caught, I will be more able to explain my presence. Besides, I know exactly where the box is kept. It makes perfect sense to let me go. I can be in and out before he suspects a thing.”

“No.” Though her brother often joked and pretended not to take the assignments they were on with the seriousness they required, Audrey knew that tone. It was the one he used when he refused to bend. “What you are proposing is far too dangerous.”

Audrey shook her head as she steeled herself for the fight to come. “There isn’t any choice, Noah. If we’re on the verge of being discovered, then our time is short. All of this work and sacrifice can’t be for naught. We need to finish this case. I need to do this.”

“Get away from Griffin, you mean?” Noah asked with a cock his head.

Rising, Audrey turned away from him. She hadn’t the strength to argue the point with her brother. Especially when he was right.

“I won’t allow it,” her brother said softly.

“You can’t stop me, Noah.” She pivoted to face him and met his eyes. “And if you won’t help me, I’ll do it myself.”

As she turned to leave the room, Noah caught her arm. “Audrey, please don’t let your need to run from your feelings cloud your judgment.”

“I won’t. You’re going to have to trust me on that.” She leveled her gaze on him, doubts replaced by determination. “I’ll fetch the box at the next opportunity.”