CHAPTER 3
CLIFTON
“The girl is becoming a problem.”
Ice slithered through my veins at the barely concealed hatred in the man’s voice.
Diana’s uncle. I wasn’t on speaking terms with Baron Tuttleford, but I’d heard his voice often enough in the House of Lords when he was going on about some perceived slight.
And the man seemed to have more than his fair share of grievances.
Diana’s aunt and uncle had escaped to the rear garden through the doors at the back of the house.
Fortunately, I was well acquainted with Kendrick’s townhouse and knew all the nooks and crannies in which I could conceal myself.
I was standing at the servants’ entrance at the side of the house.
Tuttleford was so certain of their privacy that he hadn’t bothered to lower his voice.
Slowly, I moved toward the rear corner of the house. If they made their way to the back of the garden, I wouldn’t be able to hear them.
“I’ve been doing my best—”
“You allowed her to befriend the Diamond.”
“Keep your voice down. You don’t want to be overheard.” Diana’s aunt stumbled over her words as she rushed to calm her husband’s temper. “I never imagined it would come to this. Standing next to Miss Edwards was supposed to highlight my niece’s deficiencies.”
“You failed. I shouldn’t have allowed the two of you to come to London. Too much can go wrong.”
Lady Tuttleford made a cooing sound, and I grimaced, imagining the obsequious expression I knew would be on her face. I’d seen it often enough today when she leaned close to her husband to whisper something to him.
“After we leave here, we can put our worries behind us. The couple will be leaving London for their wedding trip. When Diana is no longer spending time with the Diamond of the season, no one will pay her any attention.”
“See to it that happens. It would be tragic if an accident were to befall her as well.”
My heart pounded in my ears at the threat. Before I could think better of the impulse, I moved closer to the shrub that was planted just past the house. I’d just caught sight of the pair through the dense green foliage when a careless step caused a pebble to skitter away.
“What was that?” Lord Tuttleford turned to face the corner where I was, hopefully, well concealed.
I froze in place and prayed for a miracle. Some distraction that wouldn’t have the pair approaching to see if they’d been overheard by a servant. A loud crash sounded at the garden doors, and they spun in the opposite direction.
“Apologies for my clumsiness. I think I may have had one too many toasts.”
Fairfax. I took advantage of the distraction he provided and hurried back to the servants entrance, cursing myself for being so clumsy. Greyson met me just inside the door, one brow raised in question. I shook my head, and he nodded, understanding my need for silence.
We returned to the dining room, arriving before the Tuttlefords. Fairfax was also absent, and I assumed he was distracting Diana’s guardians.
I could feel Greyson’s eyes on me as I made my way over to Diana. We hadn’t spoken yet—her aunt had guarded her zealously—but now a sense of urgency prodded me to rectify that situation.
Kendrick smiled at my approach. “Clifton. I know that no introductions are necessary.”
Diana stiffened at my name, but she turned to face me.
I bowed. “Miss Atherton and I are, indeed, acquainted. Although it’s been a number of years.”
“Four,” she said, dipping into a small curtsy. “It is a pleasure to see you again, my lord.”
Her voice was a hint deeper than I remembered, the smooth timbre devoid of the higher pitch that normally came with youth.
I took a moment to study her. Brown hair pulled back into what must have been an uncomfortable style, with no hint of the curls I knew she possessed.
Against her fair skin, her brown eyes seemed larger.
No, not brown. I could see now the hint of green around the outside. Hazel, then. I wondered how much it would change in the sunlight. Would her eyes appear green when her pupils contracted?
I’d never paid much attention to her when she and her mother had visited mine. But there was a hint of something in her gaze that made me sad. That carefree young girl was gone. In her place stood a young woman who seemed unduly cautious.
The conversation I’d heard outside had me on high alert. I examined her closely as I asked, “Are you well, Diana?”
Impossibly, her eyes widened further. “I… Of course, my lord.”
“I was sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I trust your aunt and uncle are treating you well?”
Thinking of that young girl who took delight in everything and was free with her smiles had me wanting to protect her. She’d lost both her parents in quick succession, and now she was in the care of extended family who clearly didn’t have her best interests at heart.
Her mouth opened then closed again as though she was trying to decide what to say. I took a step closer and lowered my voice. “If you are in need of assistance—”
“Diana.”
At the sound of her aunt’s shrill voice, I took a step back. Diana gave me a cool, polite smile, so different from what I remembered. “It was a pleasure seeing you again, my lord. Please give my respects to your mother.” She turned to face her aunt. “I’m here, Aunt.”
Lady Tuttleford forced her way into our group and took hold of her niece’s arm. “Your uncle has called for the carriage.” She turned to Kendrick and Caroline, offering her insincere felicitations on their marriage, before leading Diana away.
My gaze remained on the pair, and I saw Diana’s aunt lower her head to whisper something in Diana’s ear. The hitch in Diana’s step was almost imperceptible, but she said nothing as she was led away.
I turned to Greyson and Fairfax, who’d joined me. “We need to call a meeting later at the club. But not Kendrick. Let him enjoy his wedding day.”
Fairfax was uncharacteristically grim. “Maybe next time you should leave the sleuthing to me.”
So he had been keeping an eye on the back garden and engineered the distraction. He would have seen the way the Tuttlefords became alarmed and decided to step in.
I nodded, but I knew I’d do it again. I owed it to the delightful young girl Diana had once been to ensure she wasn’t in danger now.
It would be tragic if an accident were to befall her as well. Tuttleford’s words echoed in my mind.
I couldn’t ignore the threat to Diana’s life.