Page 73 of The Redemption of the Shrew

“But you won’t,” Philippe said. “You’re afraid of me, and rightly so.”

The earl sniffed. “You’re beneath my notice. Horsewhipping would be more appropriate.” He turned to go, but then whirled. “Stay away from my sister.”

Philippe grinned. “Why should I? She likes me.”

“Or else,” Hythwick hissed, and stomped away.

“Oh, sir, you oughtn’t to have mocked him,” Elspeth whispered.

Philippe shrugged. “I can take care of myself.” The problem was taking care of Gloriana, and that he couldn’t do unless he married her. “Hythwick is so desperate to bed your mistress that he has lost all commonsense. Usually he is morbidly afraid of scandal. Frankly, I’m worried for Miss Glow’s safety.”

“So am I,” Elspeth sighed.

“If his lordship returns, on no account let him into the house. Don’t even answer the door if he knocks.”

“Very well, sir.” They watched his lordship clamber into the curricle and drive away.

“Your Mr. Turner must be an excellent valet,” Philippe said, “to mask so well the deficiencies with which nature provided Lord Hythwick.”

Elspeth snickered. She did not, Philippe noted, take umbrage at the implication that there was more than just acquaintanceship between her and the valet.

“And to put up with his tantrums as well. No doubt he would like to change masters.”

“Indeed he would, sir.”

“Or perhaps go into business for himself, if he had the wherewithal to do so.”

Her eyes widened. She paused, then seemed to make a decision. She leaned closer and whispered, “Miss Glow offered him a substantial reward to search for the book.”

He smiled back at her. “I was hoping to hear that. Very well, Elspeth. I believe the time has come to make a plan. If Lord Hythwick goes to the Wellforth rout this evening—as I assume he will—might Mr. Turner be willing to meet with you and me and a friend of mine at the Spotted Dragon?”

“Yes, sir, I’m sure he will.”

“And Miss Gloriana as well, if she is feeling better this evening. The Spotted Dragon is a lowly sort of place, but it’s far safer than anywhere Lord Hythwick is to be found.”

Chapter 15

Over his dead body?

Gloriana hurried upstairs, hugging to herself the hope that Philippe cared for her. Almost immediately, she admonished herself for such weakness. He didn’t really want her at the Spotted Dragon, interfering with his plans. He’d already saved her once from Hythwick, and his pride meant he had to continue to do so.

But he had asked her to drive out with him. Surely that meant something.

Maybe, but she didn’t know what.

By mid-afternoon, the puffiness around her eyes was largely gone, thanks to the application of cucumber slices and cold tea. She’d had Elspeth refuse all morning callers—a good thing, too, for those who dropped by were gossipmongers—and settled on the drawing room sofa with a book.

She was nodding over it when a frenzied knocking on the door startled her awake. “Miss Glow,” Elspeth said a few moments later, “it’s Lady Marianne Delfin without even her maid to accompany her. She seems upset and begs to speak with you.”

“Of course.” Gloriana stood and smoothed her gown. A few seconds later, Marianne hurried in, her bonnet askew, her hair windblown. Gloriana hurried forward, hands outstretched. “What’s wrong?”

“Everything!” Lady Marianne burst into tears.

Gloriana gathered her into her arms. “There, there,” she said, and to the hovering Elspeth, “Bring tea, hot and strong.”

Marianne stopped weeping to say, “No! I daren’t stay more than a minute.”

“No tea, then,” Gloriana said. “Prepare my bonnet and pelisse, Elspeth. I’ll ring when I’m ready.” She waited until the maid had shut the door and guided Marianne to the sofa, where she removed the girl’s bonnet and straightened it out. “Now tell me, why must you hurry away?”