Chapter 4
Both Hurlington and Bryce whirled around and caught the last glimpse of Helen’s skirts as the woman dashed out the door.
“Blasted woman is on the run again.” Bryce took off and barely beat Hurlington through the door frame only to come to an abrupt halt as he nearly barreled over one of the Network elders, Mr. Cadby.
“Lost your fiancée again, I see.” Mr. Cadby chuckled and then continued on, “Not to worry, lad, we’ll have her ready and willing to meet you in the cathedral in an hour.”
“Are you certain Lady Helen will be willing?”
With a wide smile, the man who had run the tobacco shop that served as a front for the Network’s headquarters for decades said, “Of course. We would never force a lady into wedlock.”
Bryce searched the old man’s features, looking for a nervous twitch or the tightening of the man’s jaw muscles that might indicate that he might be uttering a falsehood. With no signs of deception, Bryce reminded Mr. Cadby,“Our betrothal agreement clearly states our vows are to be exchanged at Lady Helen’s discretion.”
“And so they will.” Mr. Cadby slung his arm about Bryce’s back and shoulder. “Come along. We need to make you presentable or at the very least appear as a respectable duke that you are supposed to be.”
He glared at the man who held a significant amount of influence within the Network since his own daughter, Lady Bronwyn, was married to the head PORF. In all the years he’d been betrothed to Helen, the Network had remained impartial, yet last night both he and Helen had been taken by Network members by surprise. Curious as to the reason for their actions, Bryce asked, “Why has the Network decided to intervene?”
“The Council didn’t decide. Orders came straight from the head PORF, Lord Hadfield himself.” Mr. Cadby’s hand squeezed his shoulder and leaned closer to whisper, “It has come to our attention that one of the queen’s diamond necklaces and a pair of earbobs have gone missing from the royal treasury. Lord Hadfield has assigned you and Lady Helen to retrieve them.”
He stopped mid-step and faced the Network elder. “Lord Hadfield issued the order?”
“That’s what I just said, ain’t it.” Mr. Cadby stepped forward and proceeded through a door, leaving Bryce behind.
How peculiar. Head bent, Bryce kneaded the back of his neck. The Head PORF had made no mention of the theft or that he intended to assign Bryce to a mission last evening when they spoke at the Redburn affair. In fact, Lord Hadfield and his beloved wife had kept their conversation light and brief. Although in his memory of the encounter, Lady Bronwyn did have a rather sly smirk as she mentioned how much she was looking forward to seeing him again. He’d been so preoccupied searching for his wayward fiancée that he hadn’t paid much mind to the passing comment.
The haunting image of his fiancée that appeared every time he closed his eyes formed as he squeezed his eyes shut tight. The idea of Helen marrying him purely out of duty had his stomach in knots. But what was the alternative? What had he been hoping for?
Helen had mentioned love earlier, but he didn’t believe in the emotion. Desire, he understood. But love? Love was a fictional ideal that poets and novelists had created.
Mr. Cadby reappeared at the threshold and said, “Hurry along, we don’t have all day.”
The idea of rejecting an order crossed his mind for a moment but only for a brief second before he sighed and followed Mr. Cadby into one of the back rooms. Orders were orders. He’d marry Helen and then atone for the fact he’d not been able to meet all the terms of their betrothal agreement.