Chapter 15 #2
“I’m so glad to hear she’s all right.” Indeed, the man looked most relieved.
“We—the staff, I mean—know she and Vincent wished to court.” He kept his voice low and kept glancing toward the staircase hall.
“Vincent still loves her very much and would give anything to marry her, but His Grace has been clear that will never happen. If you wait outside, I’ll see if Vincent will come out and speak with you. I can’t promise anything.”
Teague thanked him before he and Hadrian left. When they reached the pavement, Tilda opened the door of the coach and leaned out. “That didn’t take very long.”
“Probably because we didn’t get a chance to speak with Vincent,” Hadrian said. “The butler is trying to send him outside.”
“Why couldn’t you speak with him in the house?” Tilda asked.
“We didn’t get a chance,” Teague replied. “Chadwick was too busy sacking Bannet before throwing us out.”
Tilda gasped. “What happened with Bannet?”
Hadrian related what Bannet had told them and Chadwick’s reaction.
“How awful,” Tilda said with sympathy. “The poor maid. But she suspected Miss Chadwick may have had an admirer? That’s two separate people thinking the same thing!” Her excitement was palpable.
Before Hadrian could reply, Vincent walked up the stairs from the lower ground floor and met them on the pavement. He glanced back at the house. “I don’t want to be seen out here with you, so let us walk,” he said quickly.
Hadrian helped Tilda from the coach, and she held his arm as they strolled alongside Vincent. Teague strode on his other side.
“I’m so relieved to hear Priscilla is all right.” Vincent smiled briefly. “Simpson—the butler—told me.”
Tilda sent him a kind smile. “She wanted me to tell you that she loves you and hopes to see you soon.”
Vincent’s face split into a wide grin, but it faded as quickly as it had appeared. “I don’t know how that will be possible, since we’re in mourning.”
“I’m afraid Lady Priscilla is not aware of that,” Tilda explained gently. “She mentioned to me that she wanted to ask her mother if she could call on Delia in the hope that she could also see you. She does not yet know that Delia is gone.”
Gasping, Vincent went pale. “My dearest love. She will take the news poorly. I wish I could be the one to tell her so I may comfort her. She and Delia were dear friends. It’s their friendship that brought Priscilla and I together.”
“Were you aware of your sister engaging in a romantic liaison with someone?” Teague asked.
Vincent frowned. “Not at all. Why do you ask?”
“Her maid seemed to suspect she might, though your sister would not confirm it to her,” Teague explained. “When Bannet mentioned her suspicion to us earlier, your father gave her the boot.”
“Poor Bannet.” Vincent shook his head. “Is there anything I can do to help? I’ll do anything to find the man who killed my sister and kidnapped Priscilla.” His features drew tight as his eyes burned with rage.
“Not at the moment,” Teague said. “But we may have more questions.”
Vincent looked to Tilda. “If you see Priscilla again, please tell her I love her too.” He turned and continued walking around the square.
Hadrian, Tilda, and Teague returned to Hadrian’s coach, arriving as Bannet, carrying a valise, appeared at the top of the stairs where Vincent had emerged a short while ago. Hadrian approached the maid. “I’m so sorry for what’s happened. Do you have somewhere to go?”
She shook her head.
“I’d like to help you, if I may,” Hadrian offered. “I can provide you a place to stay until you find a new position.”
The maid stared up at him in surprise, then cast her gaze toward the ground. “No one will hire me because Mr. Chadwick refused to give me a reference.”
Hadrian heard Tilda make a sound of disgust.
“I’ll provide you with one,” Hadrian said, taking her valise.
The maid looked as if she were trying not to cry. “That is too kind of you, my lord.”
Hadrian gestured to his coach. “Come, we’ll take you to Ravenhurst House now.”
They moved toward the coach where Leach waited. He took the valise from Hadrian and went to the back of the coach to secure it.
“I’ll catch a cab to Scotland Yard, and you can meet me there,” Teague said as he reached into the coach to grab Lea’s notebook.
Hadrian nodded. “Sorry for the delay.”
Teague’s gaze warmed. “No apology necessary. You’re a good man, my lord.”
“You really ought to be calling me Ravenhurst by now. Or Raven, as many of my colleagues in the Lords do.”
After Teague departed, Hadrian helped Bannet into the coach and then Tilda. The maid looked uncomfortable sitting across from them on the rear-facing seat. She clasped her gloved hands in her lap, and Hadrian noticed a handkerchief between them.
After several minutes, Tilda addressed the maid gently. “I’m sorry about what happened. Have you worked for the Chadwicks long?”
“Over a decade.” Bannet sniffed. “I practically grew up with Miss Chadwick. I felt so fortunate to become her maid when she was old enough to have one.” Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she dabbed at them whilst turning her face away, as if she didn’t want them to see her grief.
“It’s all right,” Hadrian said softly. “You don’t need to hide from us.”
Bannet pressed the handkerchief to her eyes. “Thank you, my lord. Truly. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I still can’t believe you’re going to help me.” She began to cry again. “I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize, Bannet,” Tilda assured her. “You’re safe now.”
When the maid’s shoulders began to shake as she cried even harder, Hadrian wondered if she was thinking of Miss Chadwick and how she would never be safe again. He looked over at Tilda who was watching Bannet with a sad expression.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, Tilda turned her head. “You are the best of men, Hadrian,” she whispered.
He didn’t know if that was true but hearing that from her meant everything to him.