Page 14 of One Waltz with the Viscount

‘Sometimes I wonder how you survive, Shrewsbury,’ Lord Routledge said, shaking his head. ‘No, you don’t know her people. Miss Shepherd is an orphan.’

‘Ah.’

The Shrewsburys regarded her with interest, and for a moment they all just stood looking at one another.

‘I have a favour to ask, on behalf of Miss Shepherd.’ Lord Routledge flopped down onto one of the chairs as if it were his own home. Lady Shrewsbury motioned for Sarah to take a seat as well, before choosing one herself.

‘Miss Shepherd needs to talk to one of your maids. Agnes Pepper.’

The request took Lord and Lady Shrewsbury by surprise.

‘May I enquire what this is about?’ Lady Shrewsbury asked with a frown.

‘Miss Shepherd’s sister is missing. She thinks Agnes Pepper might know something of her whereabouts.’

‘You came to the house a few days ago,’ Lady Shrewsbury said, her eyes narrowing a fraction.

‘Yes, my lady,’ Sarah said, trying to sit confidently in her seat. ‘As Lord Routledge says I am very worried about my sister. She has disappeared and I know she spoke to Agnes Pepper before her disappearance. I am most eager to find out what they discussed, and hopefully this will lead to finding out what happened to my sister.’

‘What a worrying time for you,’ Lord Shrewsbury murmured.

‘If you would excuse us for a moment, Miss Shepherd,’ Lady Shrewsbury said, standing. She flashed a look at the two gentlemen who stood and followed her from the room.

Sarah felt her heart sink, wondering if Lady Shrewsbury would refuse to help, or worse, if somehow they knew she had broken into their house the night before and were sending for the authorities. In any other circumstance she would have considered running, but the information Agnes Pepper had might lead her to her sister, and she couldn’t jeopardise her chance of finding out where she was.

‘Are you unwell, Henry?’ Lady Shrewsbury asked, laying a hand on his forehead.

‘Leave the man alone,’ Lord Shrewsbury commanded, pushing gently past his wife. ‘Clearly he’s smitten. Who is she?’

Henry closed his eyes. ‘I am neither unwell nor smitten. I am merely trying to do a good deed for a young woman who is distraught over the disappearance of her sister.’

‘You’re too kind, too good,’ Lady Shrewsbury said with a sigh. ‘People see that and take advantage.’

‘No one is taking advantage.’ Henry felt a ripple of irritation. Lord and Lady Shrewsbury were his closest friends. Over the last few years they had seen him at his worst, and never faltered in their support or love. However, after the heartbreak he had suffered, sometimes they treated him as though he were fragile, something to be protected.

‘She is pretty. Lovely eyes. And a good figure. Not too skinny,’ Lord Shrewsbury mused.

‘Thomas,’ his wife scolded. ‘You shouldn’t be looking.’

‘I’m not passing judgement, but I have eyes in my head. All I’m doing is making an honest observation. The girl is pretty.’

‘I hadn’t noticed,’ Henry lied. Miss Shepherd was attractive, with those sharp, green eyes and her thick brown hair. It was her smile that transformed her face though. When she could be coaxed into smiling or laughing, she looked radiant.

‘How do you know her?’ Lady Shrewsbury stepped closer, taking on the role of interrogator.

‘I met her in the street outside.’

‘In the street? Oh, Henry, as I said, you are too good, too naïve.’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘I am nothing of the sort.’

‘No, the man is not naïve, my dear,’ Lord Shrewsbury said quietly. ‘A hopeless romantic, yes, but he is aware of the ways of the world.’

‘What is the harm in bringing Miss Shepherd here to ask your maid a few questions? You can sit in, ensure nothing inappropriate occurs, and then Miss Shepherd will be on her way.’

‘You have no obligation to her beyond bringing her here?’

‘None at all. My good deed will be done, and we can all move on.’