Page 44 of Code Name Duchess
“Very well, Your Grace. I shall send word later on. Fare you well.”
The formality between them made him smile, which in turn warmed her heart. They were so informal around one another that she knew it would be considered highly unusual, but she always made sure to call him by his proper title in front of company, as did he.
“Miss Keating,” he bowed and took her hand, placing a gentle kiss upon her glove. Then, when he rose to his full height again, he looked at her uncle, the disdain visible in his beautiful eyes. “And Mr. Keating.” He bowed slightly and turned. As he jumped into his carriage and the vehicle rolled away by way of the cobblestone street, Winnie’s heart already ached for his company.
Chapter 22
While Seth returned to his own home, Winnifred climbed the steps to hers, her uncle directly behind her.
Her hands shook as she stepped through the arched doorway and into the hall. Her uncle’s breathing was so ragged she could tell his guilt and vexation troubles him deeply. The butler, Mr. Purvis, appeared and relieved them of their accessories before leaving them alone. Winnie motioned for the drawing room to the right as her uncle stepped inside.
It is always so odd to see him here, in our home. He hardly ever visited when Father and Mother lived, and even now, when he comes to call on us, he usually waits outside. I always wondered why that was. Envy? No, it can’t be. He despises the wealthy and powerful. He never tires of telling us how much he loves his home in Clerkenwell. Perhaps memories. This used to be his childhood home, after all.
Inadvertently her thoughts traveled back to Seth and the painting of his brother displayed in Rose’s bed chamber. Childhood memories could be haunting, she knew that. She just never realized how profound Seth’s childhood had affected him. Not that she could have, given that he never shared anything with her until so very recently.
“Uncle Ezekiel, please take a seat.”
He shook his head and paced back and forth. “I would rather not. Winnifred, what happened? Why is Leo not here? Have they not released him yet?”
She swallowed, suddenly realizing why he was here. It was indeed guilt that had driven him out of Clerkenwell and all the way to Mayfair. Again, she swallowed and wrapped her arms around herself.
“He is not here. The exchange went wrong. The Bow Street Runners were there, and I am afraid….”
At the mention of the authorities, her uncle stopped in his tracks and glared at her. “The Bow Street Runners? Are you entirely bird-witted? Was it not clear enough? To call in the authorities is but a death sentence for your brother.”
“It was not her fault, Uncle. I called on them.”
Winnifred was surprised when Victoria stepped into the room, Pugsley at her side.
“You, Victoria?” He spoke the words as if he had never heard such an impossibility in all of his life. He stared at her, taking in her slight figure. She had changed out of her yellow gown and was now in a plain pale pink round gown, a silk shawl slung around her shoulders.
“Yes, I went to them to report Leo’s kidnapping, and they made a plan to apprehend the gang that took him. But it went wrong.”
The regret sounded with every word she spoke, and somehow her sister’s melancholy appearance did cause a shifting in Winnie’s heart. She could tell that she was genuinely distressed at the results of her actions. And Winnifred knew that her own harsh words earlier only contributed further to her sister’s current state.
Victoria seated herself in the armchair nearest to the fireplace and crossed her legs at the ankles. She drew the shawl closer around herself like armor and then blinked at her uncle. There was something in her countenance as she looked up at her uncle. A desire to be comforted and reassured.
Alas, it was evident from the expression in Uncle Ezekiel’s face that he was not in any condition to give either.
“I cannot believe you did that, Victoria. I received the kidnapping letter first, and it stated very clearly what would happen if the authorities were involved. How could you?” The accusatory tone startled even Winnie. Victoria drew back and pushed herself into the back of the chair, taken aback by the sudden verbal assault.
“I thought it best, Uncle. I felt I was doing the right thing.”
“You thoughtless, silly girl. How could you?” Victoria opened her mouth to defend herself but before she could, their uncle turned his attention to Winnifred. “How could you let her do such a foolish thing?”
“I am not Victoria’s keeper. It is very unkind of you to be so cruel to her.”
Victoria glared at her, and Winnifred was aware of the hypocrisy in the statement. She had, after all, addressed her sister with just as much contempt just a few hours before.
“This is not the time for kindness. We must do everything we can to bring Leo back alive. And the way to do this was to pay the ransom. You did raise all of the ransom, did you not, Winnifred?”
“I did not. However, His Grace did. Alas, before we could make our way to the park, the Bow Street Runners had already made a move, and the gang recognized they were there. They made off with an empty sack.”
Her uncle’s face paled, and he dropped into the nearest available chair with a plop. He rubbed his eyebrows furiously as a groan escaped him.
“This is an unmitigated disaster. Oh, Winnifred, Victoria. They will surely kill Leo now.”
“You don’t know this! You don’t. After all, all these people want is money. So what purpose would it serve to kill Leo?”
