“Are you quite well, Cousin?” Lord Peter asked quietly.

  “Oh yes,” she replied at once but, clearly, she was not convincing enough.

  “Shall we find some cooler air?” he suggested, and she nodded gratefully.

  Somehow, he carved a path for them between visitors, and they emerged at last into the cooler, drafty air of the passage. Of course, there were people out here, too, milling between boxes, but at least they were in smaller numbers and well spread out.

  “Oh, thank goodness,” Kitty murmured. “I could not breathe in there.”

  “No, I’m afraid all the other boxes emptied into ours. At this time of the year, Dearham has little competition, and I fear he is also subjected to a flood of toadies who would not normally get near him. Then there are the nosy, desperate to know who the unknown ladies are.”

  “How can he stand it?” she blurted.

  Peter shrugged. “Better than we thought he would. It’s no secret that when my father was alive, he leapt from scandal to scandal with charming insouciance. I think it was his way of dealing with… Well, being a duke’s heir brings one a lot of supposed friends. Being the duke has made him grow up before he was ready.”

  “Does he resent it?”

  Lord Peter thought about it. “I don’t know,” he said in vague surprise.

  For so apparently open a man, the duke revealed very little.

  “It would make no difference if he did,” Lord Peter added. “There’s nothing he can do about it.”

  Trapped in the life he was born to, as she had often felt trapped in hers.

  “Why, Lord Peter!” came a voice from behind them. A group of people, led by a determined dowager, accosted them. “I thought I saw you earlier with His Grace. What a pleasant surprise to find you still in town. Are you fixed here for the winter?”

  “No, ma’am, we shall go to Dearham Abbey soon for Christmas. Allow me to introduce my cousin, Miss Rennie…”

  Another slew of instantly forgotten introductions followed, and then even more as another group of people joined the first. As soon as she civilly could, Kitty edged back to the fringes. And then was when she saw Toby lurking at the top of the stairwell.

  Her attention was immediately distracted again by a gentleman making polite conversation, but when a pretty lady in white diverted him, Kitty slipped away and followed Toby into the shadowy stairwell.

  “Toby? Is everything well?”

  “That’s what I came to ask you.” He grinned, taking her arm and looking her up and down. “Don’t you look a treat! You must be wearing a fortune.”

  “The duke will take it up with Uncle Bill,” she said impatiently. “How are Vera and your parents?”

  “Fine and proud of you. As I am, of course. So what have you got out of him so far? In coin, I mean, not fripperies, though they’re sellable, of course.”

  She frowned at him, uncomprehending. “Toby, what is it you want?”

  “To make plans with you. If you give me the coin, he can’t take it back. And I’ll salt it away until we can be married.”

  She stared. “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t be coy, Kitty,” he said drily. “We all know Bill Renwick wouldn’t have let you do this without advantage to himself. So give him enough to keep him quiet, and we’ll keep the rest. What do you say?”

  Kitty was speechless. There were so many misunderstandings here she didn’t know where to begin. More than that, she was disgusted. In the end, she simply brushed off Toby’s hand, turned on her heels, and emerged back into the corridor—right beside Princess Hagerin, who stood by the wall, elegantly fanning herself.

  Kitty stopped dead.

  “Dear me,” the princess drawled with a curl of her lip. “Dear, dear me.”

  Hysterical laughter surged in Kitty’s throat. Only misery forced it back down.

  “You have no idea,” Kitty said and walked on to collect Lord Peter and return to their box.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The layers of misunderstanding forming over Kitty’s head began to weigh her down. Certainly, they prevented her from enjoying or even understanding the main play. The rest of the intervals were torture when she had to keep the smile plastered to her face while she longed simply to be away.

  It doesn’t matter, she told herself in the carriage, finally returning to Grosvenor Square. Toby’s schemes were not hers. The duke already mistrusted Toby and would understand the truth. Still, it made her angry that the princess had eavesdropped and immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion about matters, which were nothing to do with her anyway.

  Unless she marries Johnny, in which case she imagines we are stealing from her.

  Either way, Kitty did not care to be on the back foot, as it were, with the duke and his family. And she knew instinctively that the princess would present what she had overheard in the worst light possible.

  Perhaps, the best solution was for her to tell Johnny immediately. But he was alone with the princess at this moment, no doubt hearing everything from Aline Hagerin.

  Damn Toby! Why does he even think he can interfere with this?

  By the time she stepped out of the carriage, her head was pounding, and she could not face dealing with anything else tonight. If they thought the worst of her, she would simply go home to Maida. Whoever had attacked her and the hotel had probably fled the country by now. Or Uncle Bill had dealt with him in his own way, though she wasn’t quite sure what that way might be.

  She had no need to be here. Perhaps it was time to go home, whatever tomorrow brought.

  It would be best, she thought miserably, if she just left and never saw Johnny again.

  A cold hand seemed to squeeze about her heart. She was almost glad when the maid’s knock sounded at the door. “Come in.”

  But it was not Jilly who entered, but the princess.

  Kitty rose to her feet.

  The princess closed the door and walked unhurriedly toward her. “I thought we should have a little talk in private. In fact, I shall come straight to the point. You are no more His Grace’s cousin than I am.”

  “Probably not,” Kitty agreed.

  This lack of fight seemed to throw the princess. She peered at Kitty. “Your speech is common, your manners gauche. In short, you have no pretensions whatever to gentility. Whatever made you think you can get away with it?”

  Kitty had had enough. “Whatever makes you think I could? Do you find His Grace foolish or childish?”

  The princess’s eyes narrowed. “No. But then he didn’t hear what I did.”

  “Which was what?” Kitty said tiredly.

  “You and your lover plotting to steal from him.”

  “I don’t believe you heard me plotting anything.”

  “Then this Toby,” the princess mocked, “is just some insane stranger who importuned you?”

  “No,” sighed Kitty. “He is a misguided old friend.”

  “Misguided by whom? Bill Renwick? Who appears to be both victim and villain.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I wish you would just go.”

  The princess smiled with icy amusement. “I’m sure you do. By chance, it’s the same advice I was about to offer you. Just go and leave His Grace alone. I won’t allow him to be let down.”

  Let down. Not fleeced. The word choice kept Kitty’s retort in her throat. And perhaps seeing the hesitation, the princess said, “Don’t misunderstand me, Miss – er… Rennie. You really are very good. The lost cousin plucked from her lowly background to take her rightful place among her noble relatives. Innocent, bewildered, grateful—and injured, too, just to gather a little extra pity. You really do excel at the role. Even I was fooled for a little, and I assure you I am sharper than most. I have had to be.”

  “Sadly, your edges must be blunted,” Kitty retorted. “I’m sure it happens over time.”

  The princess’s eyes widened, and then, unexpectedly, she laughed. “You have claws. What a pity. I almost like you. But I can’t let you interfere with the duke.”

  “Why, because that’s your job?” Kitty was almost enjoying herself now. Almost.

  “Yes,” the princess said frankly. “And Johnny and I have a long and pleasant history.”

  “And present. So I have gathered.”

  The princess, who was turning away, paused and glanced back, searching Kitty’s face. “I thought you were there last night. How much did you see?”

  “Enough.”

  “Then you know you have no chance. If your plan was to betray your confederates and simply marry the duke, know it will never happen. He is mine and has been for years. You cannot compete.”

  “I would not so demean myself.”

  The light from the lamp was dim, so Kitty might have been mistaken. But she thought a hint of color might be staining the other woman’s cheeks.

  “Quite right,” the princess said, recovering. “Think of what I have said. Act on it. And I shall bid you good night.”

  Kitty did not answer her. Her throat felt too tight to speak.

  *

  By morning, Kitty had come to the decision that she would lay the whole matter before the duke, explain about Toby without even mentioning the princess. Accordingly, after breakfast, which she shared only with Lord Harry, who was about to dash off about some business or other, she plucked up her courage and asked a passing footman if the duke was yet up.

  “I believe he’s in the library, Miss.”

  “Thank you.” She marched on to the library, trying to gather her courage, for the unwelcome thought she had been trying to avoid had finally forced itself to the front of her mind. What if he sends me away?

  She had no objection to going home, with or without the danger of the arsonist. Only…the duke would not be there, and the very thought of never seeing him again left a great, empty hole in her life. Well, she could live with that. She could live with anything if she thought he was happy. Really, she could.

  Drawing back her shoulders, she knocked on the closed door and went in.

  The duke and the princess were standing together by the fireplace as though in the midst of a serious discussion. Both heads turned toward her.

  The princess smiled. And Kitty knew she should have told the duke last night. She had been outplayed. Now he had his lover’s version of events, and the unusual frown on his face told her he did not like it.

  “Kitty?” he said with surprising mildness.

  Helpless pain wrapped around her heart. But at least it came with a ragged surge of pride. She did not need to defend herself when she had done nothing wrong. She did not need to be here. And if he could believe such ill of her, he was not worth her blind, foolish devotion.

  “Nothing,” she managed, already stepping back out of the room. “Forgive the intrusion.”

  Her decision made, she endeavored to squash her feelings with determined practicality. She was used to organizing and arranging. She went immediately to her chamber and wrote a brief note. This was the hardest part, and she wrestled quite hard with the wording.

  My Lord Duke,

  I have come to realize my presence here creates too many complications and misunderstandings. Whatever you might have heard, I never have and never would try to rob you or yours. On the contrary, I have ever been grateful for your kindness and for that of Lady Meg and Lord Harry. Please forgive my abrupt departure, but I hate farewells and would spare us both further distress.

  The truth is that, whatever blood relationship may or may not exist between us and whatever fears my uncle harbored for my safety—now surely passed—my place is with him and my cousins. You have my undying gratitude for your help and friendship.

  I cannot express the depth of my good wishes for your future happiness.

  Yours,

  Kitty Renwick.

  A single tear dropped onto the paper. Hastily, she blotted it and decided it didn’t interfere with the legibility of her letter. She set down the pen, then snatched it up again and all but scribbled a postscript.

  Please also pass on my farewells to Lord and Lady Harry and their delightful children.

  Having sanded the missive, she folded it and wrote the duke’s name on the front. Then, leaving it on her desk, she left her chamber once more and hurried downstairs to the front hall. Somewhere in the house, she heard the children’s laughter, the squawk of one of the babies, the chatter of the maids cleaning in the drawing room upstairs. Her throat tightened again. How had this place become so appealing, so comfortable, so quickly?

  She had to be quick and brisk to make herself do this.

  She marched up to the young footman lounging on the seat by the front door. Deep in dreams of his own, it took him a few moments to notice her approach. He sprang to his feet.

  “Aidan, can you bring a hackney to the door in fifteen minutes?” she asked. The shorter the time, the less chance of anyone finding out.

  “Of course, Miss. But His Grace will prefer you use the town carriage.”

  “No, others will need that this morning. A hackney is best.” Since she knew they would not let her out alone to walk to the hackney stand, it made the most sense to have one brought here. Of course, no one would be happy about her entering it alone, but she thought she could probably dash in and be gone before anything could be done about it. “Also…” She lowered her voice. “It is a private matter, Aidan. I don’t want His Grace or her ladyship bothered by this. That’s very important.” To prove it, she passed him a coin from the purse she had been given by the duke and never used.

  Aidan hesitated.

  She had thought he might, so she looked him straight in the eyes and lifted her eyebrows. “If you cannot do this for me, I shall merely find someone who can.”

  “Of course, I’ll do it, Miss!” he said, properly aghast, which made her feel even more guilty.

  “Excellent. Please be discreet.”

  He tugged his forelock, and she hurried to the staircase without looking back.

  Returning to her room, she wrestled herself out of her morning gown with some difficulty and hung it back in the wardrobe. She took out her own autumn red dress and threw it on the bed while she removed her stays and changed out of her new chemise and stockings, replacing them with her own.

  She fastened her gown as best she could and put all her new and borrowed things away in the wardrobe. She tied on her old bonnet and cloak and took one more coin from the purse before she left it on the dressing table. Then she threw her few things into her old carpetbag and picked up the letter from the desk.

  Opening the bedchamber door a crack, she peered out. Lady Meg was talking to the housekeeper at the top of the stairs, so she waited impatiently, her heart drumming, until the two went their separate ways and the landing was quiet.

  Then, with a last glance at the most luxurious chamber she would ever sleep in, she slipped out, closed the door, and walked swiftly along the passage, down the stairs, past the maid polishing the banister. They exchanged good mornings as she hurried on.

  She had hoped Aidan would be about business elsewhere in the house by now, but as she crossed the empty hall, he appeared breathlessly through the front door and opened his mouth.

  Please don’t shout that the carriage awaits!

  As though he heard her silent instruction, he closed his mouth again, giving her time to reach him.

  “It’s waiting for you, Miss,” he told her. “Shall I come with you?”

  “No, thank you, Aidan.” She gave him the letter with her final coin. “I would like you to give this to His Grace an hour from now. If he is not at home, then give it to him when he returns.”

  “Miss, I really think I should…”

  With a smile, she ducked under his arm and walked down the steps. “Maida Gardens, if you please,” she said to the driver and stepped inside unaided, closing the door behind her.

  *

  “Aline, you know nothing about her,” Johnny said impatiently.

  “Neither do you,” Aline retorted.

  “I know enough.”

  “To discount her alliance with the greedy young man?”

  “I don’t discount the greedy young man,” Johnny allowed. “In fact, I’m fairly sure I know exactly who he is.”

  “Then why won’t you see what she is?”

  From the window, gazing down at the street, where a hackney had drawn up by the front gate, Johnny turned and met Aline’s gaze.

  “Why won’t you?” he countered. “Look, I know you are sharp, smart, with survival instincts honed through all sorts of dangers I can only guess at to assess character at a glance. But do you really take me for a fool?”

  She stared at him, for the first time looking uncertain, though whether of her position or how to answer him without offense was moot.

  “Aline,” he said softly, “I have not navigated my world badly over the years. I don’t believe I need a nanny at this stage.”

  She blinked, suddenly appalled. “A nanny? Is that how you think of me?”

  Johnny wanted to laugh and knew he shouldn’t, so he dragged his gaze hastily back to the window. A female in a familiar old cloak and bonnet hurried from the front steps into the hackney. A jolt shocked through him, and he spun around and bolted from the room.

  Aline, what have you done?

  He flew along the landing and took the stairs in three bounds, leaping across the hall so fast that Aidan, the footman, who was just closing the front door, flattened himself against it in alarm.

  “Where has Miss Rennie gone?” Johnny barked, reaching for the door and wrenching it open, propelling Henry across the floor in the process.

  “I d-don’t know, Your Grace,” Aidan stammered. “She begged my discretion and bade me give you this.”

  Johnny paused long enough to glance back at him.

  “In an hour,” Aidan said miserably.

  Ignoring the letter, Johnny sprang down the steps and raced up the street after the hackney.

  A maid cleaning the front steps gawped at him. Two gentlemen jumped out of his way, their expressions torn between astonishment and amusement. Johnny ignored them, intent only on catching up with the hackney, which was heading along the square in the direction of North Audley Street.

 

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