Chapter Thirteen
T hree damn weeks ! How the bloody hell could one woman completely vanish off the face of the earth? She certainly hadn’t shown up at the Lyon’s Den. The man he had hired was useless and Gyles learned more on his own than what the private investigator had accomplished. Clearly his friend’s wife knew where Josephine was living, but any efforts to pry the information from the Marchioness of Saxton fell on deaf ears no matter how much her husband had coaxed.
When Gyles came to their residence the marchioness had stood before him and defiantly informed him that if Josephine didn’t wish to be found then Moriah would keep her confidence. It was up to Gyles to locate her on his own. Now, he was questioning his own judgement by waiting in the parlor of Lord Adrian de Courtenay, the man who had kept Josephine as a mistress for a short time. What had he been thinking to come here?
A woman’s laughter rang out in the entryway and Gyles rose from the chair as a couple entered the room. Lord de Courtenay introduced his wife Celia who dropped down into a curtsey.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lord,” she said brightly. Her blue eyes gazed up adoringly to her husband and Gyles could see theirs was a love match.
“The pleasure is mine, my lady.” He gave de Courtenay what he hoped was a look stating he needed a private word.
Adrian leaned down to kiss his wife’s cheek. “I shouldn’t be too long, my dear. Perhaps you could give Lord Wickes and me a moment or two…” The lady nodded before she excused herself.
“What can I do for you, Lord Wickes?” Adrian asked with a fair amount of curiosity in his voice.
“Perhaps a more private setting, my lord, to discuss a delicate personal matter,” Gyles suggested.
“By all means.”
Gyles followed the man down the hall and into a well-stocked library. Adrian shut the door ensuring their privacy and made his way to one of two chairs near a lit fireplace. He motioned to the vacant chair and Gyles took a seat wondering how to begin. Adrian waited patiently.
“I’m not sure how to start an awkward conversation…”
Adrian shrugged. “Then best just blurt out whatever you must ask and get the matter over with. I assumed this conversation wasn’t something that my wife needed to hear, or we’d still be sitting in the front parlor.”
Gyles took a deep breath. “This is about Mrs. Josephine Bouchard.”
If Adrian was surprised to hear his ex-mistresses name, he didn’t show it. Not even a flicker of emotion appeared on his features. “I see,” he finally drawled carefully. “And what do you think I can tell you about the lady?”
“I’m trying to find her.”
One of Adrian’s brows arched upwards. “Why?”
“She and her brother Simon, Earl of Rockliffe, are old friends of mine from our childhoods—we grew up on adjoining estates. He has asked me to aid him in locating her,” he answered hoping this would be enough information to get the man before him to reveal whatever he may know. He shouldn’t have been surprised when Lord de Courtenay remained tight lipped.
“Then hire a private investigator. A good one will be able to locate the woman,” Adrian replied. He stood and went to a sideboard to pour two brandies. He returned to his seat after handing one of the crystal glasses to Gyles. He pointed a finger with the hand holding his glass at Gyles. “But I’d imagine you’ve already done that without success haven’t you or you wouldn’t be here with me as a last resort.”
“He was basically useless,” Gyles answered. “I had hoped you might shed some light on where I might find her.”
Adrian took a sip of his drink before setting down his glass. He rested one elbow on the arm of his chair and raised his hand up to his chin. Obviously, this man was torn on what he should or wouldn’t tell Gyles.
“I am not in the habit of discussing my past… relationships with a total stranger,” Adrian confided while he continued to watch him.
“I would be grateful for any information you might find helpful,” Gyles said and held his breath while the man seemed to mull over his decision.
“This is more than just to help her brother, correct?”
Gyles nodded. “I recently saw her at a masquerade at Vauxhall Gardens, but she quickly fled. I fear I made a mess of things and wish to make amends to the lady,” he confided.
“Very well.” He reached out for his drink and downed the rest of the brandy. “While I won’t go into all the details of my time with Mrs. Bouchard, I will say that our arrangement ended on my part prior to my marriage. She on the other hand tried to make one last attempt to continue our association by confronting my wife at a ball of all places. Luckily, my wife handled the situation as I would expect of a duke’s daughter even if she is young. Afterwards, Josephine left the house I had set up for her and I haven’t heard from her since. That was two years ago.”
Gyles placed his elbows on his thighs and leaned forward in his chair. “But surely you must have some idea of where she went after she left the townhouse.”
“I’ve heard and read the rumors associated with her and several other women in that rag called the Teatime Tattler . The editor calls them members of the Wicked Widow’s Club,” Adrian said scowling. “I hate that damn newsprint and the sly accusations it makes. If there’s anything I remember about Josephine, it’s that in the end she was just a young innocent caught up in circumstances beyond her control. She never told me much about her past and I didn’t inquire. When I found her, she was on the streets with nowhere to go. I set her up in the townhouse and it wasn’t until a while later that we became… close. Once I married, I saw no need to keep the townhouse and have since sold the place.”
“But where has she been for the past two years?” Gyles asked hoping to finally learn where Josephine was living.
“I believe you might try the residence of Mrs. Cassandra Vaughn. She lives on the west side of town in the row of townhouses reserved for ladies who are… well… mistresses of those in the ton . She’s been known to take in several women who have fallen onto hard times,” Adrian replied coming to a stand.
Gyles also stood and held out his hand. “I appreciate all you’ve told me.
“You’re welcome. I suppose I don’t need to ask for your discretion in revealing anything I’ve told you to anyone else,” Adrian said as they walked toward the door.
“No. Of course not. This is just between the two of us.”
“I’d appreciate it,” Adrian said but he seemed at a loss for what he was to say next as he continued standing by the closed door. Gyles waited until the man finally voiced his one other concern. “If, and when, you do manage to bring Josephine back into Society where she has always belonged, please remind her that she owes my wife an apology… discreetly, of course.”
“Of course,” Gyles said nodding. “Thank you again for pointing me in the right direction.”
“I hope you are successful in locating her, Lord Wickes,” Adrian said as they walked to the entrance of his home.
Gyles bid the man a good day and went to his carriage. His heart was a little lighter knowing he would see Josephine again very soon.