Page 70 of A Countess of Convenience

And the audacity to look at her. “That goes for you as well, my dear. Both our tempers must be under control.”

Not something she believed she could promise at the moment. Once Anna was found safe and back in Judith’s arms then perhaps her temper would cool off enough to make polite conversation possible. Nevertheless, she nodded.

Sir Reginald signaled them to remain behind him then pushed down the door handle. The door swung inward, and Judith got a look at the dim room.

Lord and Lady Downing sat in front of the fireplace. Only one lamp lit, the room was in semi-darkness, despite the well-tended fire in the fireplace. The rest of the room remained in shadow, but Judith scoured every inch, straining to determine where Anna was. She was not sitting with her grandparents, as Judith would have expected. So where was she?

Rather than let panic steal her senses, Judith forced herself to remain calm and think clearly. Where would the child normally be this time of evening? The nursery, of course. She put a hand on John’s arm, but Sir Reginald walked into the room, and John grabbed her arm, pulling her with him.

“Good evening, Lord Downing, Lady Downing.”

Lord Downing started from his chair, and Lady Downing let out a shriek.

“I am Sir Reginald Matthews, of His Majesty’s Bow Street Magistrate’s Court.” He bowed.

“What the devil are you doing here?” Downing came closer. “How did you get in here? I left strict orders that we were home to no one.”

“To which end you removed your door knocker. That should surely discourage callers, my lord, although there are some of us whose desire to speak with you has led to drastic measures.” Sir Reginald waved her and John forward.

“Judith.” Downing almost spat the name. Behind him, Lady Downing gasped. “You have no right to be here. I expressly forbade you the house.”

“The court sees otherwise, my lord.” John came forward, brandishing the precious court determination. “The Chancery Court has decreed that Lady Haxby may have visitation with her daughter twice each week. I am uncertain if they provided you a copy of their order, however I can have my solicitor send you a copy tomorrow. In the meantime, my wife wishes to avail herself of one of those visits today.” John’s eyes narrowed as he stared Lord Downing down. “Now.”

Judith stepped forward, emboldened by John’s words. “Lord Downing, Lady Downing, will you not tell me where she is? The nursery, perhaps?” When they did not answer, Judith, her nerves hanging on by a thread, broke. She stormed up to her father-in-law and waved her finger in his astonished face. “If I have to search every inch of this house top to bottom, I will find my daughter tonight. Let me be rightly understood.”

Lord Downing stood, red-faced and speechless.

Smoothly, Matthews stepped in. “As an officer of the court, my lord, I can assure you the order is valid, and the court will see your refusal to produce the child as a flagrant disrespect of their wishes.” Sir Reginald’s countenance gave no hope of compromise. “If Lady Haxby is not allowed to see her daughter this instant, I suggest it will not go well with you if you are called before the court.”

“She’s not here.” Lady Downing’s shrill voice rang out of the darkness.

Judith, John, and even Sir Reginald froze at the words.

“What do you mean, madam?” John strode past Downing to speak directly to his wife. “If the child is not here, where would she be?”

The lady burst into tears.

Downing looked angry enough to chew nails, but said, “Lord Swindon has her.”

“Lord Swindon?” Horrified, Judith could only stand and stare at the monster who would give up a child to save the tarnished reputation of her father.

“He abducted her?” Sir Reginald’s calm voice steadied Judith.

“Not exactly.” Lord Downing made his way to the sideboard and poured himself a stiff drink. “Lord Swindon and I came to an agreement several weeks ago to betroth our children, an alliance—”

“She’s not your child. She is mine.” Rage poured through Judith. She stalked up to Lord Downing and slapped the drink out of his hand. Glass tinkled on the floor.

Downing stared at her as though she was a lunatic and retreated a step.

“If she has been harmed in any way by your greed and pride, you won’t live to regret your actions, my lord.” Why wait? She started toward Downing but was brought to an abrupt halt when John snagged her arm.

“A lady cannot issue a challenge, my dear.” He turned to Downing and produced a smile so chilling it should have frozen the blood in her father-in-law’s veins. “However, I can, and by all means will, challenge you once we have rescued our daughter from this villain to whom you have bartered her away.”

“I didn’t barter her away. I agreed to an alliance between the two families.”

“Because Swindon knows the worst about Simon.” Judith nodded, still consumed with anger. “I remembered Fenton and Simon were friends. Fenton would know all about your son’s debauches and violence. Quite likely knew about Simon’s dishonorable act at the duel.” A last piece of the puzzle fell into place. “Sir Reginald, was Lord Fenton one of Simon’s seconds at the duel?”

“No, my lady,” Sir Reginald shook his head, “but there were several young men who attended it. I am not acquainted with the gentleman, but he may have been one of them.”