“She only needs a moment to gather herself,” Iris declared. She turned to Diana. In a more natural voice, hinting at her time in London’s East End, Iris added: “Take your time, love. This lot is not going anywhere. They want to hear what you’ve to say, just like me.”
Diana closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, she met her mother-in-law’s gaze.
“My husband is the Benevolent Phantom and has journeyed to Chamberly.”
Iris gave an audible gasp. Duncan, previously unflappable, paced before his mother’s marble hearth.
“Outrageous,” he muttered. And then louder. “Have you any proof? How did you conclude that Albion and the Phantom are one and the same?”
“She needn’t provide proof,” the Dowager said, her gaze never leaving Diana’s. “Your brother is the Benevolent Phantom.”
“Mother! You knew and kept such a thing from me?”
The Dowager rearranged her shawl and nodded.
“But how can he make these trips to Chamberly without detection?” Iris asked. At the same time, Duncan emitted a gruff: “It is inconceivable that he would engage in such a reckless endeavor and not tell me. I might have helped him.”
“You would have done no such thing,” his mother said. “You would never approve of what you just labeled recklessness. You would have tried to talk him out of it. Albion understood asmuch and did not want his work to come between the two of you.”
“He didn’t tell me either,” Diana said, feeling sorry for the giant orc standing before his mother. Both of them seemed far less intimidating now. “I know not why. Perhaps he was trying to protect me. He might have been protecting you as well. Anyway, we can interrogate Albion once he is safely back in London. Right now, our only priority is to find him.”
“Your concern is appropriate and appreciated,” the Dowager said. “But I am given to understand that Albie is engaging in helping this Alliance of the Benevolent Phantom from afar. His chief contribution is funding from his trust. After all, what could he accomplish? He can hardly sneak around undetected.”
“Her Grace makes sense,” Iris said.
“I know what I saw on the note. Leaving at daybreak. Why would Albie communicate such a thing to his compatriots were he not planning to go to Chamberly himself? He told me he had sudden business in Newhaven. Perhaps he plans to leave from there. Departing from Dover would call more attention to himself. It is a busier port, is it not?”
“Regardless, we can’t assume Albion intended to go himself,” Iris said. “If he directs the group’s affairs from afar, maybe Newhaven plays into it.”
A flicker of hope ignited in Diana’s heart. Maybe she had overreacted and misunderstood the communication. The Dowager Duchess and Iris were making fair points. If either of them believed Albion to be in danger, they would have immediately helped her. The missive from Reginald may have been due only to overexcitement.
Except that Duncan Higgins pressed his lips together as the rest of his form remained still.
“Duncan?” his mother said. “Do you know something about Albie’s current whereabouts?”
“Albion planned to go to Chamberly,” he replied quietly. “Under the guise of a diplomatic trip on behalf of the Hidden Realm. To be accompanied by correspondents who might remind readers of the horrific conditions there. He asked for my help in the matter. All the ancient gods take me. I granted that help. But he has now left before I had the chance to gather that group.”
The Dowager clasped her elegant green hands before her chest, Orcan jewels sparkling on her rings. “I knew nothing of this.”
“As he meant it to be. You know his identity, and I know his whereabouts. Neither of us was privy to both elements. Undoubtedly, Albion wanted to protect us.” He turned to Diana, his somber exterior infused with sympathy. “To protect you.”
Diana looked down at her cuticles, shame washing over her once more.
“How could he possibly be of use to anyone in Chamberly?” Iris said. “He does realize he’s not a human, doesn’t he? Even if he gets along in Society easily enough.”
“You are underestimating your brother-in-law,” Duncan told her.
“I’m underestimating nothing but only stating a fact.”
“He does not make it his custom to go to Chamberly himself,” the Dowager noted. “Something compelled him.”
Diana’s heart fell. She had urged him. She had induced him to go.
“He is in danger,” Diana said. “I must travel there myself. This entire debacle is all my fault. I only wanted to see if you had any information to assist me in this mission. And besides that.” She hesitated before fixing her eyes on the Dowager. “I owe you an explanation and allow you the honor of ordering me out of your sight and never speaking to me again.”
After learning of this terrible betrayal on her part, they would hate her. The orcs and Iris alike. Much as she wanted to, she didn’t dare look away. That would be cowardly. If she had any hope of winning the respect of Albion’s family, she had to face their disdain.Diana braced herself.
“Sir Reginald Addington enlisted me to help find the identity of the Phantom. I agreed. You see, he threatened my sister’s life.”
