Chapter 5 #2
Understanding dawned in his eyes. “Ah, yes—the important meeting.” He paused dramatically. “It was cancelled.”
Her patience frayed. “But surely it was of the utmost importance?”
He pressed a hand to his chest. “Nothing is more important than you, Miss Winslow.” He turned gallantly to Jane. “I would be honored to dine with you.”
“What wonderful news,” Charlotte muttered.
“Isn’t it, though?” he replied, maddeningly cheerful as he addressed Charlotte. “But I do wish for a word in private, if you’ll permit me.”
His tone held an unexpected sincerity that gave her pause. Reluctantly, she rose. “Very well. We can take a turn about the gardens.”
“Thank you, Diamond,” he said, his smile back on his lips.
She spun on her heel, refusing to wait for him, though she could feel his gaze at her back—smug, amused, and altogether too aware of her reluctant relief.
Luca easily caught up to Charlotte. Her pace was brisk, her chin tilted upward at that imperious angle that told him—without a word—that she was thoroughly annoyed with him.
No surprise there. He seemed to have an uncanny knack for vexing her, needling her with remarks he could not stop himself from making.
He told himself it was for his own amusement, but the truth was more complicated: he liked seeing her spark.
They descended to the veranda and she spun on her heel to face him. “What is so important that I must endure your presence three times in one day?”
Luca smiled, savoring her ire. “It is good to see you, too, Diamond.”
She stiffened. “Stop calling me that, you jackanapes.”
Her insult only widened his grin. “I see you are resorting to name calling. My day just improved.”
She folded her arms. “Just tell me what you wish to say so we can end this tiresome song and dance.”
His humor faded. This was not a jesting matter. “Someone threatened me earlier.”
Her arms fell at once. Her eyes widened, genuine alarm chasing away her annoyance. “Are you all right?”
The concern in her voice startled him. It was not feigned. “I am,” he said carefully, “but the man also threatened you.”
She reared back. “Why me?”
“That is what I intend to find out. He said if I did not cease looking into The Chelmsford Asylum that I would regret it.”
“Then you are on to something. Something tangible, if you are being threatened.”
“That is my thought as well,” Luca admitted, “but it leaves me conflicted. I can handle my own risk, but I do not want anything to happen to you.”
Unimpressed, she narrowed her eyes. “Nothing will happen to me. I am surrounded by servants, and I will exercise caution when I go about Town.”
“I want you to be careful.”
“You need not worry about me, my lord,” she returned. “I can take care of myself.”
He wasn’t so easily persuaded. “You say that now, but you have no idea the dangers that lurk in the heart of London.” He hesitated, then added, “I think it would be wise if we told your brother—”
“Absolutely not!” she exclaimed, her voice rising in alarm. “If Alistair even suspected I was in danger, I would be locked away in the townhouse forever.”
“Would that be such a bad thing?”
Her glare would have felled a lesser man. “How would I get material for my articles?”
“Your safety is more important than a blasted article.”
“But yours isn’t?” she shot back.
Her words struck home, though he did not let it show. Running a hand through his hair, he muttered, “I don’t believe the duchess’s death was from influenza. It was too convenient, too sudden. I have to keep investigating.”
Her brow arched. “Why is her death so important to you?”
He faltered, then gave her the truth she deserved.
“The duchess was a dear friend of my mother’s.
My mother tried desperately to help her when she learned of her being committed, even petitioned the queen, but her hands were tied.
When the news came that the duchess had died, my mother was inconsolable.
I vowed then that I would find the truth, one way or another. ”
Her features softened. “I am sorry.”
“I don’t want your pity,” Luca said sharply. “I want justice. That is all.”
She studied him for a long moment. “That is admirable, but is this investigation worth your life?”
He exhaled, knowing she was right to ask, yet unwilling to admit defeat. “Something is happening at The Chelmsford Asylum. I intend to uncover it.”
“Very well,” she said, eyes brightening with determination. “But I still wish to help.”
He blinked at her, incredulous. “No. I won’t have you risking your life for this.”
“Well, I am involved now whether you like it or not,” she countered. “I already spoke to Jane. She told me the duke rarely spoke of his wives, particularly his first wife.”
“That does not surprise me,” Luca said grimly. “He discarded her so easily. Why would he even bother mentioning her?”
Charlotte stepped closer. “What are we going to do?”
“We are going to do nothing,” Luca said firmly. “I, however, intend to speak to the late duchess’s sister. She may have answers.”
“I could go with you.”
He huffed a laugh. “And how, pray tell, would we explain that to your brother?”
She shrugged with maddening nonchalance. “We could go on a carriage ride.”
Luca smirked despite himself. “Are you trying to get me alone, Miss Winslow?”
Her cheeks flushed. “Good heavens, no. You are a cocky, loud-mouthed man.”
“And yet you just suggested a carriage ride with me. I am flattered, but I worry you would ravish me.”
Her mouth dropped open. “I would never ravish you!”
“Whyever not?” he asked lightly. “I am a remarkably good-looking man. You could do far worse.”
“I pity the woman who marries you.”
He pressed a hand to his heart. “That almost sounded like envy.”
“And what would I possibly have to envy?”
“If this is your way of flirting—” he began.
She poked him hard in the chest. “I would never flirt with you.”