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Within seconds, light lengthened the shadows. Grand knew when Lady Jenest released the latch on the portrait, spun the tumbler, and opened the safe.
Behind the screen, Grand tightened his hold on Miss Everley as she snuggled deeper into his embrace. He would give a small fortune for Lady Jenest and her manservant to go away so he might kiss Miss Everley properly.
A sigh of relief filled the room as her ladyship said, “Thank goodness no one was within.”
He listened as Lady Jenest closed the safe and returned the portrait to its place. Unfortunately, it was then that she turned toward the screen and gasped. Too late he noticed his shadow marking the sitting room rug.
“Whoever you are, show yourself,” Lady Jenest ordered.
Grand touched Miss Everley’s lips with his finger and warned her with a shake of his head to remain silent. Then, he turned and stepped into the open.
“Harlow,” Lady Jenest said in satisfaction. “You have returned. I knew you would. As soon as I heard you had released Miss Wisley, I knew you would require my services again.”
She gestured the butler away.
Grand waited for her servant to step from the room before he responded. He shook off her assumptions.
“I fear I must again disappoint you, my Lady.”
“But — but you are in my private quarters,” she argued in dismay.
“At Lord Liverpool’s insistence,” Grand countered.
“That cannot be true,” she said through trembling lips.
Grand said softly, anticipating the scene she would make, “I am not seeking another mistress, my Lady. I am in your quarters at the Prime Minister’s request.”
“Out!” she screeched. “I want you out of my house immediately. Leave now or I shall have you physically removed! Out!” she gestured widely.
Grand was going nowhere until he could safely see Miss Everley removed.
“My Lady,” he said in no nonsense tones, “if I leave, within the hour, Liverpool will have soldiers on your doorstep, and you will be arrested for running an illegal gaming house. As you have brazenly sent invitations to many in Society, you will have no defence.”
“You know I have no recourse but this,” she stated defiantly. “Jenest did not leave me a proper life interest. My husband had sold off all but the entailed lands by the time of his passing. No one would stand with me at Chancery. Jenest left me but a thousand pounds.”
“And you ruined your chances of claiming another benefactor with your very public display of acrimony,” he stated plainly. “Why would any man choose an alliance with you considering your lack of discretion?”
“You knew I loved you,” she countered.
“And you knew we held no future,” he said without emotion, needing to end this scene quickly so he might see Miss Everley to safety. “I must marry a woman who will produce an heir to the Earldom. It is the way of those of the peerage.”
“You cannot say you loved me also?” she begged.
“I have never said those words to anyone, and I will not do so until they hold the truth.” He took a half step forward. “Now, go ask Mr. Dostoff to join us here.”
“Mr. Dostoff?” Lady Jenest questioned.
“Also here this evening at Lord Liverpool’s request,” Grand confided.
“And what of Miss Snowden?” Lady Jenest’s eyebrow rose in question.
Grand knew Miss Everley stirred.
“She is waiting for my return below,” he said softly. He had not known Miss Everley had used another name, but he was glad for someone’s forethought. He would not wish more notoriety to call upon her than she had suffered previously. “If I do not make an appearance in the next five minutes,” he continued, “the lady will set up an alarm.”
Chapter Six
Grand waited until he heard Lady Jenest reach the steps before he extended his hand to Miss Everley.
