Stepping alone into the party at the Duke of Redditch’s elegant mansion in Grosvenor Street that evening, Bridget sensed every eye was fixed on her.
You are a widow taking her place back in society. That is the only reason why people are interested in you, nothing more.
“Bridget! I am so glad you came.” The tall figure of Lady Naomi Steele appeared through a gap in the gathering.
Bridget sighed with relief.
Thank heavens for understanding and loyal friends.
Naomi and Bridget had known one another for many years. She had cried in the arms of the Duke of Redditch’s daughter too many times to count. Apart from her mother, Naomi was the only other person who truly understood the depth of misery that Bridget had endured during her marriage.
“I had to come. We agreed it was time for me to rejoin society, so here I am.” The quiver in Bridget’s voice betrayed her.
Before she could protest, Naomi had taken her by the arm and was leading her out of the foyer and toward the stairs. Naomi gave a wave to the duchess as they headed up to the second floor. “Just helping fix Lady Bridget’s hair, Mama. We won’t be but a moment.”
They had barely made it inside Naomi’s bedroom before the door was closed and locked. Naomi, God love her, didn’t go in for a comforting hug. Bridget wasn’t sure if she would be able to maintain her composure if her friend did.
“What is going on? I’ve seen that look on your face and heard that miserable tone in your voice all too many times in the past. It can’t be that blackguard Rupert because I have been to the cemetery on more than one occasion just to make certain he was dead,” huffed Naomi.
Bridget smiled through her tears. Everyone should have a fierce friend like Lady Naomi Steele.
“It’s Mama. These are tears of frustration and rage because of her. She’s been cheating at cribbage again, and this time someone has called her out on it. They are demanding money.”
“Oh, no. Oh, Bridget, I am so sorry.”
Naomi knew all of Bridget’s darkest secrets, while she in turn kept Naomi’s ongoing heartache over the Duke of Monsale in her safe care. “She promised she would stop. But the temptation was apparently too much.”
Naomi pursed her lips. “What are you going to do about it?”
Bridget hesitated, unsure as to how much she should reveal about Sir Stephen Moore’s involvement.
You did sign that contract, and with it comes the non-disclosure clause.
She knew Stephen to be a friend of Naomi’s brother, Lord Harry, but she wasn’t sure if Naomi knew exactly the line of work in which Stephen dealt. This moment called for a degree of discretion. “My brother has engaged someone to assist with the problem. Tristan and Mama have gone off to the country for a short time, leaving me to deal with the gentleman. I understand him to be quite experienced at handling these sorts of matters.”
A sly grin appeared on Naomi’s lips. “If Tristan is as clever as I think he is, then I know exactly who your brother has hired. You can say his name.”
Bridget hesitated before speaking. “Sir Stephen Moore.”
Naomi’s grin spread into a wide smile. “That is good news. If anyone can hunt down the villain who is seeking to harm your family, it is Stephen. Do you know when he will be back in London?”
His absence from the city was news to Bridget. When he said he had some personal matters to attend to, she had assumed he would still be in town. This was a worrying development.
“I wasn’t aware that he had left London. Are you sure he is reliable?”
The last thing she needed was someone who flittered off to the country and only got around to dealing with her pressing problem when they felt like it. She had thought Stephen to be trustworthy, now doubt crept back in.
I have less than a month to get this settled or my family’s reputation is shot.
“Stephen is a thorough professional. All of my brother’s friends who are engaged in such special assignments always treat them with the utmost seriousness. He only left town because he had to bury his father,” said Naomi.
Oh. I was so rude to him. And I pressed him as to the need to get on with dealing with my problem. How heartless must I seem?
“I had no idea. I will apologize the next time we meet.”
Naomi dropped onto the edge of her bed, spreading her arms out wide. She patted the silk coverlet. “Come and sit with me. Mama and Papa won’t instruct the staff to call anyone into the dining room for at least another hour. My parents prefer to mingle with their guests before forcing everyone to the formality of the dining table.”
Bridget did as she was told, taking up a spot on the gold-and-silver-striped bed covering. Guilt over the way she had spoken to Stephen simmered in her mind.
