Chapter 7
The Hadfield study was not as large as the one in Bryce’s London ducal mansion, but the modest-sized room was well organized and filled with volumes that spanned well over one hundred years. His gaze shifted to Hadfield’s desk, which was littered with maps and sketches of the three women believed responsible for the theft of the diamonds.
Lord Hadfield stood with his hands on his hips, legs shoulder width apart, and faced the group gathered before him. “We have managed to locate the women in a small village just shy of the Scottish border.”
The head PORF commanded the room like a general on the battlefield—decisive and totally in control of the situation. Lord Hadfield was everything he was not, and Bryce couldn’t help but notice the glint of admiration in Helen’s eyes as she listened intently.
What would it take for her to look upon him in the same manner?
Admittedly, she was a better chess player than him, managing to escape every time he thought he’d finally cornered the woman, whether it be in a chess match or in real life. Helen’s quick mind and lack of fear made her a very difficult opponent.
To his left, Helen asked, “Have you devised a strategy for us to carry out or will we be afforded the luxury of creating one of our own?”
He couldn’t prevent the corner of his lips curving into a grin. Helen’s question was posed as just that, a question, but his wife had made it quite apparent which option she preferred.
Lord Hadfield moved to stand next to the desk and gathered the detailed drawings of the offenders. Handing them over to Helen, he replied, “To date, these three ladies have led us on a merry chase. I need you and Whistlestop to put an end to this matter and retrieve the gems before the Royal Gala, which is set for a fortnight hence.”
Helen took the drawings and studied each one carefully. “Wallflowers.” She shuffled through the portraits once more. “Lady Lillian Tanner. Lady Ruth Johnson…and Lady Phoebe Peters.”
“Interesting. While Lady Lillian and Lady Ruth made their debut last season, Lady Phoebe has been on the shelf for quite some time. I wonder how it is that the pair befriended the spinster.” He’d spoken his thoughts before thinking the wiser. The narrowed gazes he received from both Helen and Lady Bronwyn confirmed he’d somehow offended them both.
Lord Hadfield chuckled. “I had the exact same thoughts, Your Grace, which is why I decided to seek out Lady Helen’s help.”
Scooping up the materials laid out on the desk, Lady Bronwyn tucked them into a neat pile before marching them over to Bryce’s wife. “You have full authority to conduct the mission as you see fit. All the information that the Network has managed to accumulate is here.”
Lord Hadfield moved to stand next to his wife. “We have full faith in the both of you to successfully complete the task, especially since the queen has requested the diamonds be cleaned and ready for her to wear at the Royal Gala.”
“We shan’t disappoint.” Helen grabbed his hand and hauled him towards the door.
Once they were out the front doors, she slowed her pace and looked up at him. The confidence she exuded mere moments ago evaporated and she asked, “What are we to do? I’ve no notion of how to go about retrieving the gems.”
He squeezed her hand and said, “We’ll figure it out…together.”
Back pressedagainst the plush cushions of the Whistlestop ducal travel coach, Helen pleated the material of her skirts. She shouldn’t be nervous. She was with her husband. But then again, Bryce had always made her a little nervous when it was just the two of them alone. Helen peeked up at the man opposite her. Bryce was no longer the boy who constantly squirmed in his seat. He was a devilishly handsome man who had assisted more than one lady to her destination, if she were to believe all the rumors. Now that she was his wife, did she have a right to know the sordid details of his past?
“Is there something the matter?” Bryce’s eyebrow over his right eye arched, punctuating his question.
“I was thinking…” Her train of thought ceased as he slid onto the bench next to her. She hadn’t been this close to him in years and for good reason. She, like every other lady, fell prey to the man’s charms. Her pulse raced and heat flooded her cheeks. She shifted to her right to place space between them, but that only resulted in his gaze meeting hers directly.
Eyes locked, Helen saw her husband for the man he was. The person she wished she could be, liked by all, easy on the eyes, and always ready with a comforting smile. Bryce was her complete opposite. She was known to bear a frown more often than not, her looks were pleasant but not notable, and only a mere handful of ladies would she call friends. Most of her female peers were not interested and didn’t understand the topics she found intriguing. Most conversations came to an abrupt halt, often leaving Helen feeling duty bound to murmur nonsense to fill what would otherwise be dead silence. She hated awkward, long pauses and Bryce knew that. So when he prompted, “About?” she was both glad and relieved he hadn’t totally forgotten.
Confident he wouldn’t think less of her for speaking her mind, she answered, “Your reputation. Specifically, how many other ladies have sat here next to you in your coach…alone.”
“I can state with a clear conscience you are the one and only lady who has traveled in this coach with me.”
“Impossible. How could that be?”
Head tilted slightly to the side he asked, “Are you calling me a liar?”
“Well, I find that rather difficult to believe.”
“I’ll confess I’ve not been a saint, and while I have engaged in a liaison or two, I’m not half the rake the ton makes me out to be…and I can assure you I’ve never once lied to you.”
Helen studied his serious features and the sting of jealousy that accompanied his confession burned deep within her chest. She wanted to know more and yet at the same time she didn’t.
He reached for her hand. “Do you believe me?”
“I trust you.” She withdrew her hand from his and tucked it under her leg. “I’d like to hear what you know of the three suspects?”
“There is not much I can share. I typically steer clear of wallflowers and spinsters.”
“I’m afraid I too can provide no further insight than what Lord Hadfield provided. We need to determine their motivation for the theft. I’d hazard a guess it wasn’t for financial gain.”
“What other reason could there be?”
“For love.” She hadn’t hesitated to respond. It was simply the first thing that came to mind. While not the most logical explanation, it resonated with Helen, mayhap because she found herself sympathizing with the three women. She would risk everything to find love or to fall in love.