CHAPTER 22 #2
“The fire was not your fault.” He had to focus on his driving while maneuvering through Piccadilly en route to the perfume store on Jermyn Street, but once he turned down from the main thoroughfare to the quieter street, he continued.
“You have been working with perfumes for more than half your life and never had any accidents. This was sabotage, and I’m having it investigated.
I may not have apprehended the culprit yet, but I won’t allow it to happen again. ”
“If that is the case, it is all the more reason to keep dangerous substances away from the house.”
“Whoever caused the fire is unlikely to do it again. That would be too suspicious. And things that could be used for harm are everywhere. There are dozens of items in any household that could be used for nefarious purposes. That is not the way to prevent disaster.”
“But I could not bear it if any harm came to Edward because of me…”
They had now arrived in front of the famous perfume shop, and he stopped the curricle and turned to look at her.
“I won’t allow that to happen, Josephine.
I’ve set people to protect you while we are in London.
And have men following and investigating your cousin, who is the main suspect.
We will take precautions. Once we move to my estate, you’ll be even more secure. ”
“Where am I going to keep these materials at your estate?”
He smiled, pleased she was already discussing the logistics. “We have dozens of unused rooms and several buildings scattered around the gardens. You can take your pick. If none are suitable, I’ll have one built.”
“That won’t be necessary. It would be a great waste when I’m only staying there temporarily.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“Michael,” she said in warning, but he also heard fear.
“Josephine.” He held her gaze, letting her see he was in earnest. “We have arrived. Let’s not stand on the street arguing. Come.”
Jumping from the curricle he handed the reins to his tiger and offered his hand to Josephine.
“We’ll go in, and you can browse. What you buy is up to you, but you should not let your fears guide your decisions. Please, trust me to protect you and Edward.”
Heaving a sigh, Josephine nodded slightly.
It was as close to capitulation as she was willing to offer, and it was good enough for him, for now.
As soon as they stepped foot in the store, her enthusiasm for the craft got the better of her, and he watched amused as she avidly discussed fragrances and other technical terms with the shopkeeper.
He stood back, happy to see her pursue her passion.
Half an hour later, and after a substantial order was placed, they were ready to leave the shop when another customer, one he was very glad to see, walked in.
“Duchess! What a pleasure to see you,” Michael greeted Hannah, his voice warm and friendly.
The Duchess of Stanhope turned to them and Josephine did a double take and tensed at his side.
“Aycliffe! The pleasure is mutual, but I go by Lady Brentworth now,” she said, extending her hand for him.
Michael kissed her gloved hand and obligingly conceded. “Lady Brentworth, then, if that is the title you prefer. How are Gabriel and the baby?”
“They are well. Gabriel had some business to attend to, or he would have accompanied me, and I left Samuel napping at home to do some shopping. Ever since he learned to walk, he’s become a menace to every vase and figurine in the house.
Bringing him to a store such as this is sure to be a disaster.
” She finished with the mock outrage of a proud mother.
“I’m sure he would be forgiven.” Then, seizing this perfect opportunity to introduce Josephine, he placed a gentle hand on the small of her back. “Lady Brentworth, may I introduce my fiancée, Lady Josephine?”
Lady Brentworth turned to Josie, smiling, but then her eyes widened in surprise. Before she could utter a greeting, Josephine spoke.
“Hannah?”
“Josephine! I could scarcely believe my eyes when I thought I recognized you.” Hannah extended both hands in greeting and leaned in for a friendly kiss. Josephine accepted the greeting, but her smile was shy. “I haven’t seen you in ages! I heard you had moved abroad.”
Josie’s face reddened and she lowered her gaze before blurting, “I've been living in an Egyptian harem all these years. I only just returned.”
Well, so much for subtlety. But Hannah took it in stride.
“How fascinating! I bet you have interesting stories to tell. And you are engaged to Aycliffe?” Hannah’s curious gaze skipped between the two of them. “You must visit me so we can catch up.”
“I would love to, Hannah, but I must warn you, my reputation is scandalous.”
To his immense relief, Hannah laughed, undeterred. “Don’t worry about that, dear.” Then she leaned forward as if to impart a secret. “So is mine.”
Thank goodness the duchess—he had trouble thinking of her as anything other than that, even though he knew she was now married to his friend Lord Brentworth—took the news with such aplomb. He had expected nothing else from her, but her easy manner made his esteem grow even more.
“I would love to visit, then,” Josie replied.
“Lady Brentworth, did you know that Josephine’s nephew is more or less the same age as your child? Maybe the children would like to have a visit of their own.”
“That is a capital idea! Sammy would be ecstatic to meet a new friend. Will you come for tea tomorrow? I’ll also invite Lady Hartfield and her little one and we can have a ladies’ and children's party.” Hannah finished with a bright smile.
“Men are not allowed?” he asked, placing a hand to his chest with mock hurt.
“If you insist.” Hannah sighed with mock forbearance. “I guess you, Gabriel, and Hartfield can retire to the billiards room and entertain yourselves.”
“Hartfield? No thank you. Abigail’s husband detests me.”
“I’m sure that’s not true. Lord Hartfield is a good friend of my husband’s and he’s always a perfectly congenial gentleman.”
“Hmm, maybe with you. He took an instant antipathy to me on account of my friendship with Abigail. Mighty possessive of his wife, he is.”
“Well, maybe now that you have a fiancée, he will perceive you as less of a threat.” Hannah suggested slyly.
“I’ve never been a threat to him. Abigail and I have known each other since we were children.”
“Please, say you will come. Someone needs to escort Josephine, and I know Gabriel will be glad to see you.”
“I’ll brave Hartfield’s displeasure for your sake,” he said, only half joking.
Hannah and Josephine hugged in farewell, and they took their leave. The results of today’s outing could not have been better if he had planned them. Hannah and Abigail were two of the ladies he wanted to introduce Josephine to.
“I didn’t know you were friends with Lady Brentworth,” he said as he handed a decidedly happier Josephine on to his curricle.
“We debuted together and formed a fast friendship during our first season. I didn’t think she would remember me. She married a much older duke that very first season, and we didn’t see each other much after that. And then…well, you know what happened.”
Yes, he did. “She is one of the ladies I wanted to introduce you to. Her and Abigail. They have children around the same age as Edward, and both are kind ladies who have known scandal and misfortune themselves. They could be great friends and allies.”
“I hope so. I genuinely like Hannah. But, Michael?”
“Yes, dear?” The endearment fell from his lips naturally.
“You told Hannah we are engaged. I wouldn’t want to start a new friendship with a lie.”
He pulled the curricle to a stop to look at her with undivided attention. “It is not a lie. When I proposed an engagement, I meant it to the full extent of the word. Unless and until you break it, I consider myself pledged to you.”
She shook her head vehemently. “No. It’s impossible. You don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Don’t I? Josephine, I knew I wanted to marry you twelve years ago. During all the time since, despite thinking you had deserted me, I could never forget you. I may not know a lot of things, but trust me when I say I know I want to marry you. It’s the one thing I’m sure of.”