“It was my pleasure,” Rachael replied, making certain not to give her title. “I think I shall beg my mother to purchase me the green satin, for I believe that it will suit me very well! Good afternoon.”
The young lady did not appear to notice that Rachael had not given her either her name or title and, with a smile and another murmur of thanks, walked back across to where the shopkeeper stood. Turning her back so that the second lady would not see her, Rachael waited until she heard the doorbell ring again as the two ladies departed, and without wasting a moment, she hurried back across the shop to where her mother stood.
“I must go to visit Lord Blackmore.”
Lady Grant frowned.
“At this very moment? We do not know if he will be at home, Rachael.”
“I understand that, Mama, but I must go to call upon him at once. It is of the greatest urgency.”
Much to her relief, her mother did not question her further. Instead, she only nodded and, with a smile and a promise to the shopkeeper to return at their earliest opportunity, both she and Rachael walked out of the shop.
“Rachael! Good afternoon!”
Rachael blinked, then swallowed hard as Lady Alice came to join them, accompanied by Lady Frederica.
“Good day, Lady Alice, Lady Frederica. I am so very sorry, but I must go at once to call on Lord Blackmore.”
Lady Frederica frowned.
“Is this about the rumors?”
With a shake of her head, Rachael glanced at her mother – who had stepped away – and then spoke in low tones.
“I have only just seen one of the two ladies whom I overheard at the soiree. What is more, I have discovered the title of one of them.”
Both of her friends’ eyebrows lifted at once and Rachael managed a small smile despite the sense of urgency pushing her to hurry and take her leave of her friends.
“And you have not spoken to Lord Blackmore about them as yet?” In answer to Lady Alice’s question, Rachael shook her head no. “Then you will be glad to know that I believe I have just seen him step into the bookshop,” Lady Alice continued, with a small smile as Rachael caught her breath and turned around sharply.
Her hand went to Lady Alice’s, grasping it tightly as she nodded in the direction of the bookshop.
“And there, those two ladies are making their way inside also,” she whispered, her heart suddenly in her throat. “What do you think they will be doing?”
“I think they will be looking for a book,” Lady Frederica replied, calmly. “Come now, they will not know that he has gone in there, I am sure of it. Why do we not all go in together?”
Rachael nodded and, seeing her mother talking to an acquaintance, quickly told her that she was going to the bookshop with her friends and would return presently. Whether this confused Lady Grant, given Rachael’s previous eagerness to make her way to Lord Blackmore’s residence, Rachael did not know or care. All that mattered now was finding Lord Blackmore, and making certain that he was safe from whatever dark plans Lady Alderton had in mind for him.
Chapter Thirteen
“Lord Blackmore!”
Hugh turned around, only to smile as Miss Simmons hurried towards him, an urgency in her steps which he hoped came from an eagerness to be in his company.
“Rachael… I mean, Miss Simmons.” Seeing two of her friends coming behind her, he quickly reverted to formality. “How pleasant to see you. I do hope that you are well?” Seeing the whiteness of her cheeks, he frowned. “I am sorry if this latest rumor has done you harm. I have been doing what I can to behave just as usual, though I have noticed a significant amount of sharp glances being given to me.”
She shook her head, her hand finding his and grasping it tightly.
“We must speak at once. I should have told you of this some days ago, but with everything that has happened, I have struggled to find the time to do so.”
Hugh’s frown grew.
“Of course. What is it that you wish to speak of?”
“Not here,” Miss Simmons murmured, looking around and nodding to her two friends, who both immediately turned andbegan to meander around the bookshop, though they did not move too far from where he and Miss Simmons stood. “Come with me, if you would. A little further into the shop will suffice.”
Despite the clear tension humming through the air, Hugh could not help the kick of excitement that came as she led him in between bookcases and down to what seemed to be the very depths of the shop. Aged books lined the bookshelves, and there was certainly a lot more dust than in the front part of the shop. They certainly were tucked away, but he must be careful not to disturb the dust, lest they sneeze!
