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Her lips parted, but no words came forth. And Sebastian felt an inordinate amount of satisfaction that he had robbed her of speech.
“Where are you taking me, Your Grace?”
“To my home.”
“I…and what will we do there?”
“I plan to go to bed early to get a proper rest for the journey tomorrow.”
“What journey?”
“To wherever my sister might have fled. It is tempting to dash out into the night to start the mad search for my sister but given the rain, and that you must travel with me, that would be idiocy.”
“I shall travel with you?”
How young she looked with her eyes so rounded and her hands resting against her throat.
“You will bear this burden with me until she is found. Please follow along, Lady Winfern. I do not like repeating myself.”
A sound, very much like a croak, came from her throat, and he bit back his smile. It mildly shocked him that he felt the need to smile, given the circumstances.
“Very well, Your Grace. I am acquiescing without a quarrel not only to assure you that I have nothing to do with her disappearance but because I care for Perdie very much.”
Once again, sincerity suffused her voice, but Sebastian was not moved. If she had not inveigled herself into his sister’s life and planted those ridiculous notions in her head, this problem would not exist. Reading his sister’s letter and the implication behind her words had nearly crushed the breath from his lungs. Somewhere during the eleven years he had acted as a father to Perdie, he must have failed her or let her down abominably for her to believe she had to hide whatever she endured. A young girl on her own without much protection would be very tempting and easy prey for many miscreants. Sebastian would find her at any cost, and the woman before him might have helped his sister to run away. He did not trust her to tell him the truth if she had. The lady clearly had a rebellious spirit and would likely encourage his sister to act improperly.
No, Sebastian would not let Lady Theodosia Winfern from his sight.
Chapter Seven
Less than thirty minutes after departing Prue’s home, Theo climbed the winding stairs to the landing of the second floor of the duke’s townhouse situated in Grosvenor Square. It seemed incredible that she was under the man’s roof. The butler had appeared quite shocked by her presence, but he had quickly recovered. The rest of the household appeared to be abed, and the duke had bid her follow him up the stairs.
He stopped at an impressive oak door, but he made no move to twist the knob. Instead, he turned to face Theo, his gaze sweeping over her in a quick but very thorough appraisal. “You will sleep in my chamber tonight.”
Theo was persuaded that she must have misunderstoodentirely.“I do beg your pardon, Your Grace. Surely you will not occupy the same space…or the same bed?”
The darkening of his eyes sent another ripple of shock through Theo, for within their depths, she spied a flash of desire. “I do not believe my nerves can endure any more surprises,” she cried.
His lashes lowered, and when those eyes met her again, all traces of want vanished. Had she imagined it?
“Must I truly repeat myself again, Lady Winfern?”
She choked on her gasp of outrage. “Your Grace! I will most certainly not sleep in your private chamber. I will not slink away in the night if that is your fear.”
“It is exactly that, my lady.”
Her heart pounded, and her breathing turned rapid. “I suspect you are trying to shock my sensibilities as some sort of punishment for what you imagined I did.”
“Never that,” he said drily. “We can end this charade now if you tell me exactly how you helped my sister to leave town. Or is she still in town? Is she at a private home of yours?”
Theo scoffed. “You’re goading me with your outrageous suggestions will not prompt me to give you a different answer.”
And she did understand how alarmingly suspicious it appeared. With a huff, she whirled around and started to march away. If he dared to think she would spend a minute in his chamber, he was sorely mistaken.The scoundrel!He was taking his gamble too far. Theo stopped at the door a few paces down and tested the handle. It opened into a room that gave the impression of largeness and open space. Without any fire lit in the hearth or gas lamp, she could not decipher if it was a guest bedroom. Before she could step inside, someone lifted her from behind.
She wriggled like a fish on a hook, but the duke only tightened his arms about her. Theo growled low in her throat, and a sound suspiciously like a chuckle emitted from the man.
“Set me down this instance, or you will face my wrath and let me assure you it is formidable.”
His steps faltered for a moment, and she glared up at him. The duke was not deterred, and soon they were in his room, the door slamming behind them. He deposited Theo on her feet, but she was already jumping from his embrace. She gaped at him when he locked the door and pocketed the key.
