Page 73 of Only Scandal Will Do

“I’m sure I don’t know, m’lord. But the second gentleman pushed past me and headed into the parlor, I suppose to go to Lady Juliet’s rescue. And she must have known him, for she said clear as day, ‘Here he is, m’lord. Allow me to present to you my husband, John Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Manning.’”

“What!” Again his voice rang with Katarina’s. Duncan whirled around to face the butler. “Grayson! Why didn’t you tell me Manning abducted her?” He turned his glare on Kat, who returned it, unflinching.

“Because I am not sure it was Lord Manning who called that day, my lord. Finish your tale, girl,” Grayson prodded. “Tell Lord Dalbury what the gentleman looked like.”

“Oh, he was a right proper gen’leman, m’lord. In a dark blue coat with lace at his sleeves and a gold waistcoat and fawn colored breeches.” From her tone, Janie’s admiration for the man seemed to be mounting.

“Was he tall? Did he have dark hair or light?” Duncan watched the girl closely, but she did not hesitate in her recital.

“Tallish, though not so tall as you, your lordship. And rather thin, I would say, though his

coat give him a good chest. His hair was light and longish, pulled back in one of them little black bags.” Janie lost her nervousness as she waxed long about the unknown caller.

“That doesn’t sound like Jack,” Katarina said. “His hair is darker than yours. And I can’t recall specific pieces like that in my brother’s wardrobe.” Her face wore an uncomfortable look. “I don’t know whether I want it to be Jack or not. On one hand, I would feel her safe with him, but on the other, what are they playing at?”

Her eyes widened. “You don’t think they actually eloped, do you? Jack and Juliet? They spent a good deal of time together after our wedding, but she seemed so excited about being betrothed to Mr. Sutton.” Katarina paled suddenly, and she sat down on the sofa with a thump. “I can’t think why, but I am quite worn out by all this excitement.” A frown of concern marred her usually fresh face. “I can scarcely sit up straight.”

“My dear!” Duncan rushed to her side. “Grayson, prepare the marchioness’s rooms immediately.” He bent to scoop Kat into his arms.

“A moment longer, my lord.” Grayson’s words stopped him. “Janie, tell his lordship the rest of what happened that morning.”

“Well, m’lord, I was standing right here when Lady Juliet called the gen’leman Lord Manning, and he seemed startled, but he bowed and greeted the Frenchman. They had an argument about who the lady was married to and then the Frenchman started speaking in French ever so fast, and Lord Manning answered him back just as quick and let his hand drop to his sword. He looked like he didn’t care a fig for that Frenchman. Then he said something else in French and bowed, and the Frenchman bowed and turned to Lady Juliet and said, ‘This is not the end of this, Juliet. I will return with the papers and make you see reason.’ Then Lady Juliet began to cry and Lord Manning put a hand on her arm and sat her down on the sofa.”

“What happened then, Janie?” Listening to this recitation, Duncan had re-seated himself beside Katarina. Anxious for her health, he looked at her, but she smiled and patted his leg.

“Well, my lord, I’m sure I don’t know.” Janie pouted and glared at Grayson. “Just then Mr. Grayson called to me to come fetch Lady Juliet’s tea, so I had to come away and make up the tea tray. By the time I got back with the tea, I saw Lady Juliet in her light shawl and hat with Lord Manning escorting her and her maid out of the house. I put the tea down and went to tell Mr. Grayson.” Eyes bright, Janie looked expectantly from him to Grayson, who gave her a curt nod. She bobbed a curtsey and hurried out the door.

“Janie came and told me that Lord Manning had taken Lady Juliet and her maid out,”

Grayson said. “I assumed Lady Juliet asked Lord Manning to accompany her to Lady Honoria’s. I checked with Henry in the carriage house and he told me that Lady Juliet and her luggage had indeed left. So I thought no more about it, my lord, until three days later when Lady Honoria called, looking for Lady Juliet.”

Grayson sighed. “At that point we suspected that Frenchman had upset Lady Juliet so much, she had instead gone directly to her aunt’s house. So I sent a footman to Lady Beaufort’s, but there was no reply for almost week, though I sent messages every day. I received no word from Lady Juliet either. Finally, your aunt wrote to say that she had just arrived in town, and where was Lady Juliet?

“That is when I wrote to Lord Manning at his home. His butler, Simons, wrote back that Lord Manning was from home and had been for almost two weeks, ever since his sister left for Italy. At that point I wrote to you in Italy. I sent it overland, hoping it would reach you as soon as you landed. So we have been waiting for the past four weeks to hear from someone. I did not expect it to be you, my lord.”

“Send to the stable and have Saxon saddled,” he said to Grayson, settled Katarina firmly in his arms, and carried her to their apartments.

After he had placed his wife on her bed, he sat beside her for a moment, trying to make sense of facts that seemed to have no rhyme or reason. “I am going to try to find your brother, Katarina. That seems to be the best place to begin. If she is with him, then the mystery will be solved and if they are not already married, they soon will be.”

Kat smiled wanly. “A reversal to be sure. You, now playing the outraged brother.” She put her arms around him, holding him tight. “It will be all right, my love. It must be. You will find her safe.” She stared into his eyes. “What about Vicomte St. Cyr?”

“First I will find Jack and Juliet. Once I know she is safe, I will find St. Cyr.” He tried hard to make his tone casual. “Find him and take him apart piece by piece. Very slowly.”

“Shall I go with you to find Jack?” Katarina offered, even as a yawn split her face.

“You shall do no such thing. You will stay in this bed and sleep until I give you leave to do anything else. I will keep you safe at least.” He assisted in stripping her garments from her, and she crawled beneath the covers. “Rest, Katarina.” He leaned over and stole a kiss. “I will return soon with news or Jack.”

“Unharmed, I trust?” Another yawn muffled her words.

“Assuredly, my dear. I wouldn’t want you unduly distressed.”

She smiled as her eyes began to close, and pulled the covers up to her chin.

Duncan brushed a last kiss on her brow and quit the room to find his brother-in-law. He only hoped he could refrain from killing the man on sight.

* * * *

The light streaming in around the drapes possessed an afternoon quality, a goldenness that seemed to hang heavy in the air. Kat shook her head to clear it, but she feared it was altogether too clear. As though her mind had continued to worry the problem while she slept, a decent solution presented itself: Reginald Matthews. If she asked him, she was sure he wouldn’t rest until he found Juliet. She must write him directly.