Hugh’s eyes flared.
“Within the bookshop?”
“Yes, I saw her enter before I came to join you. I was afraid that she might seek to do something more to you, while you remained entirely unawares. She is around my height, with brown eyes and fair curls.”
“I am grateful to you for your concern. I do not know Lady Alderton, however.” His spirits dipped for a moment only for him to rally them again. “But I thank you. There is much I must consider and act upon now if I am to find the truth.” Looking back at her, he lifted his shoulders and then let them fall. “I may be mistaken, however. My thoughts might bear nothing of the truth, and it is for that reason that I remain cautious.”
“I understand. If there is anything I can do to help you, then you need only ask.”
“I am grateful to you for that.” Lifting her hand, he pressed a kiss to the back of it before releasing it. “I must go.” Pressing his lips tight together, he paused for a moment, then looked back at her again. “Did I ever tell you that I had a brother?”
Miss Simmons’ eyes rounded.
“No, I do not think that you did.”
Hugh nodded.
“My brother, Porter, Viscount Alderton, is in Bath at present. He married a short time ago and thus, that name makes me wonder if, somehow, he is connected to all of this, though I pray that I am wrong. I may take my leave of London and go to speak with him there, but should I depart, I will inform you before I leave.”
He watched as, for a moment, a mixture of emotions ran wildly across her expression – confusion, worry, upset – only for her to smile, seemingly choosing not to ask him any further questions. Her trust in him was wonderful, and he pressed one hand to his heart, hoping that the gesture would speak to her in a way that he could not.
“Thank you.”
Her smile grew.
“I will pray that you find the truth,” she said, softly. “Goodbye, Blackmore.”
Taking his leave, Hugh walked to the front of the bookshop, glancing to his left and, as he did so, saw a young lady with rather sharp features, fair hair, and narrowed brown eyes gazing back at him. There came no flicker of recognition, no awareness of the lady herself and, with a brief smile in her direction, Hugh stepped out of the shop and made his way back towards his carriage.
His steps grew quicker, his heart beginning to pound as he hurried to his carriage.
“To Lord Elmsford’s townhouse,” he called to his driver, who immediately nodded. “At once and with the greatest speed.”
The driver was as good as Hugh knew him to be and had the carriage pulling away the second the door was shut. It rattled quietly along the road, but Hugh’s thoughts continued to trouble him, his headandheart heavy as he considered the possibilitythat someone close to him might have been the very person trying to ruin his life completely.
“What do you mean, Lady Alderton?”
“Recall,” Hugh said, a little impatiently, “I told you that my brother had married recently. I was not invited to the wedding, however. I was only informed of it through a very pretty letter that Lady Alderton sent to me, telling me how much she looked forward to our first meeting.”
“And you have never met the lady.”
Hugh shook his head no.
“And your brother is in Bath.”
“As far as I am aware,” Hugh exclaimed, throwing up his hands in frustration. “You do not appear to be listening to me, Elmsford! I do not care whether my brother is in Bath or not. What concerns me at present is the presence of this Lady Alderton here in London. I wonder if she is the wife of my brother and if it is as I believe, then I question what it is that she is doing here.”
Lord Elmsford frowned.
“You believe that she may be the one behind all of these rumors.”
“Worse. I fear thatheis the one doing so, through her.” Pain twisted his heart, and he took a steadying breath. “I do not say that simply because she is present in London, but because of what Miss Simmons overheard.”
His friend’s frown grew heavier.
“But for what purpose? What reason would your brother have to spread such rumors, and why would his bride be so willing?”
Hugh closed his eyes.
