Page 20 of The Redemption of the Shrew

“He never stole from his friends,” Julian said.

“He’s not my friend.” Gloriana twisted her hands together, trying to take it in.

“Lord and Lady Garrison are his friends,” Julian said. “The book, if I understand correctly, belongs to the Garrison estate. I am one hundred percent certain that he did not steal it.”

“And I am not,” Daisy said. “He saw where you put the book, did he not? Did you remain in your bedchamber after he saved you from Lord Hythwick?”

“No,” Gloriana said, more appalled by the second. “I tried to make him leave, but he insisted I needed protection, so I left in a huff.”

“I thought as much.” Daisy nodded her conviction.

Julian’s glower didn’t change. “I admit, it’s incomprehensible that Philippe would feel the need to remain with Gloriana after beating Hythwick into insensibility, but he seems to have cared for her at some time in the past and perhaps still does to some small degree.”

“He doesn’t. He loathes me, and the feeling is mutual. Since I couldn’t physically remove him, I locked myself in the privy.” She glared at Sir Julian. “You needn’t tell me that was childish. I already know.”

“You were overwrought and rightly so,” Daisy said kindly. “Unfortunately, you gave him ample opportunity to steal the book.”

Fury washed over Gloriana. “He watched me and plotted, the hypocritical dastard. He treats me abominably, do you know? Once he even gave me the cut direct, and now he scarcely acknowledges me unless I’m with someone to whom he must be civil.” She gnashed her teeth. “I thought perhaps I deserved it, but he’s actually a thousand times worse than I ever was.”

“We don’t know for sure,” Daisy said.

“I know enough,” Gloriana said.

She would have left for London immediately if Daisy had not physically restrained her. “It will soon be dark. Besides, what are you going to do once you get there?”

“Confront him, of course.” Gloriana clenched her fists. “I’ll make him sorry he was ever born.”

“No, you’ll just offend him,” Julian said. “He’ll deny it, and then where will you be?”

She didn’t care how much sense this made. “What do you suggest?”

“Daisy and I can go to London on the way to Somerset,” Julian said. “I shall visit him and explain the problem.”

“At which point he’ll be offended at you,” Daisy said. “I’m sorry, Julian. I know he’s your good friend. I’ll talk to him. It’s much better if I take the blame.”

“No, I agreed to this discussion,” Julian growled. “Philippe has enough problems of his own at the moment without being inconvenienced by this nonsense.”

“What sort of problems?” Gloriana demanded.

“That I am not at liberty to disclose,” Julian said stuffily. “However, I am sure a diplomatic approach would be wisest.”

“There’s no time for diplomacy,” Gloriana cried. “He may be selling my book even now!”

“Unlikely, since he didn’t even steal it,” Julian said with exasperating certainty. “If you wish, I’ll write to him and send the letter express.”

“Don’t you dare warn him,” Gloriana said. “I’ll make him rue the day he ever met me.”

Julian was too well-bred to say it, but she saw the retort in his eyes: I’m sure he already does.

~ ~ ~

They were on the road by dawn. By dint of travelling post until they caught up with the London mail coach, and bribing two passengers to vacate their seats, they made it to Town in excellent time. Gloriana sent Elspeth and their baggage home in a hackney and set out immediately in another hackney to see Madame Brun.

She’d had plenty of time during the journey to ponder how to approach Philippe. She tried to think up a devious, crabwise sort of approach, such as luring him to a meeting place and taking him by surprise, but nothing came to mind. She would have to approach him directly. Even if she were so lost to propriety as to visit him at his lodgings, most likely she would not be admitted by the porter. If she wrote to him, he might not respond, and besides, she had to see him. To stare him in the face and see the guilt written there.

“Ma chère Gloriana,” Sophie Brun said when the maid ushered her into the parlor. “Quelle belle surprise! I did not expect you back in London so soon.”

“I am sorry to disturb you,” Gloriana said, “but I must speak to your brother on a matter of the greatest urgency.”