Mr. Ross nodded. “Yes. Swynford would of course have the family crest embroidered on his handkerchiefs. Yes, I do believe you should show it to Waring. Let him know where you found it. Perhaps that will help him locate the duke.”
“I sincerely hope so. His family must be so worried.”
“I imagine so, although the dowager duchess would never admit as much publicly. I am certain if you asked her right now where the duke was, she would tell you he is home, safe and sound. Nothing to bring dishonor on the family.”
That sounded intimidating. Adele wanted to ask more about that, but she understood that Mr. Ross was speaking off the cuff, and besides, it suddenly felt like time was of the essence. She could not wait to return home and tell Smith that he was very likely the Duke of Swynford.
Which of course meant that there was no way he would ever court Adele. As an earl’s daughter, she was perhaps eligible, but even Adele knew that the Swynford name was one held above reproach. The duke had never even breathed near a scandal.
Adele was not naive. She was a spinster, her father was a politician of dubious reputation, and thus she was clearly below the Duke of Swynford in social standing.
“Thank you for your help,” she said. “Before I go, the countess was looking for something new to read. Do you have any suggestions?”
“As it happens, I do. We have some new novels.”
Adele let Mr. Ross show her what he had in, and she picked out and purchased a novel for the countess. Mr. Ross tried to entice her into something for herself, too, but she wanted to get to Lord Waring with all possible haste, so she promised to come back in a week. Perhaps by then, she would have overcome the unbearable sadness seeping into her body now that she knew the man she’d been spending time would leave and likely never see her again.
As she paid for the book, she considered stalling, going straight home and telling Smith she’d found nothing. That would keep him with her for longer. But perhaps it would be better to end this now, before she fell in love with him.
“Let me give you Lord Waring’s address,” Mr. Ross said. He walked into the back room and returned with a piece of paper displaying an address in Mayfair.
“Thank you, Mr. Ross. If you could keep this between us, I would appreciate it. I merely found a handkerchief. I wouldn’t want people to get the idea that I know the duke’s whereabouts.”
“Of course, my dear. Do visit soon. I’ve heard there will be a new book by the anonymous author ofEmmasoon.”
Thatwasgood news. “Please hold a copy for me if it comes in before I can next see you.”
“Of course, my lady. Have a great evening.”
*
“Are you into female callers?” asked Kelly, Lark’s butler.
Lark was in his study, awaiting word from Mr. Hogarth and pretending to check his ledgers. He cleared his throat. “That seems highly unusual. I was not expecting any female callers. Who is it?”
“Lady Adele Paulson.”
The name didn’t ring a bell. “I do not think I know her.”
“She claims to have information on the Duke of Swynford.”
A hundred thoughts flitted through Lark’s mind. Was it possible Hugh had absconded with a woman after all? How did the woman at his door come to have knowledge about Hugh? Was she Hugh’s mistress? Did she know Hugh’s abductor? “Please show her to the blue sitting room. I will be there momentarily.”
He did not know the woman he encountered a few moments later, although his mind registered a few things about her. She was pretty, albeit plain; she had the sort of understated beauty that clung to women who could not be bothered to fuss over their appearance but had been nonetheless blessed with familial good looks. She also seemed old for a debutante, so he ruled that out as a possibility. Lark was at a loss.
He cleared his throat. “I am Lord Waring.”
She turned toward him. “A pleasure to meet you, my lord.”
“And you are?”
“Yes, apologies. I am not quite myself, as I’ve had a shocking few days. I am Lady Adele Paulson.”
“Paulson.” Lark tossed around the name in his head again. It was the last name that finally clued him in. “Canbury’s daughter.”
“Yes.”
“A pleasure to meet you. Please sit down.”
