Page 5 of Code Name Duchess
Winnie shook her head. This did not make any sense. Why would he act this way? Why would he decline her help? They needed one another. More specifically, she needed him. But he didn’t appear inclined to help her at all.
“Seth… I mean, Your Grace, please reconsider.”
He shook his head. “I do not think it is a good idea. I will find my sister, and I will do all I can to find Leo as well, but I am not interested in working with anyone but Mr. Markham here. I do not think you could be of help to me anyhow.”
He might as well have thrust a dagger directly into her heart, such was the impact of his words. He thought her a hindrance, a burden. He would look for Leo, but without her. Even though Leo was her brother. Anger replaced the pain of his word. How impertinent of him and how cruel to refuse her offer to join forces.
She reminded herself that she was still a lady, still the daughter and sister of a nobleman. And he a Duke. She pressed her lips together and curtsied—having forgotten to do so as she entered.
“Very well, Your Grace, I shall hope you find your sister and if you hear of anything about my brother….”
“I will, of course, tell you the moment I have news of him. Of either of them.”
She gave him a nod and turned. When she was almost out of the door, he called her back.
“Winnifred?”
She glanced over her shoulder.
“Leo is a strong man, do not worry about him. He will be fine.”
Winnie turned on the spot and scanned his face. The moment her eyes met his, she shook her head. He didn’t believe a word of it. No, Seth was as terrified as she was—it was written all over his face.
So why, then, did he refuse to work with her? And why did she have such an urge to convince him otherwise?
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she left and exited out of the villa and into the street, her mind racing. How could she persuade him to assist her? Perhaps a bribe? She shook her head.
She had nothing he would want. He was a Duke, after all. His London townhouse was among the most opulent in the area, comprised of two townhouses merged into one. Lester House was known up and down the country for its splendor and beauty. These were not accomplishments Seth would ever claim; she knew this.
It was his mother and grandmother’s doing. They’d decorated and purchased the rich tapestries, artwork, and statues. Seth was not the kind of man to care for such things. In any case, he had all he could need. There was nothing Winnie could give him to make him reconsider.
She stopped in the street and looked around, hands planted on her hips. She raised her head high, straightened her straw bonnet, and nodded to herself.
Very well then, Seth. You do not want to help me find my brother? I shall do it myself. And I shall succeed.
With determination, she strutted down the pavement toward her carriage—entirely unaware that behind her, the young man stood at the investigator’s window and looked after her, his hands balled into fists.
Chapter 3
Seth stood at the window and watched her leave. He knew outwardly he appeared stoic and closed off as he often did, but inside he trembled with fear and rage.
Leo was missing as well?
How could this be, his sister and his partner both disappeared at the same time? Of course there was a connection. It was impossible for there not to be. But he could not allow Winnifred to know of his suspicion.
“Your Grace?” The investigator called out.
“Yes, Mr. Markham?” Seth didn’t turn. He fixed his eyes on the small, slender figure of Winnifred. How much he wanted to assist her and to ease her mind—and yet he knew he couldn’t. She’d be a distraction. Seth would never admit it, but he’d found Winnifred magnetic for many years. However, he never had and never planned to act on those feelings.
Attachments of any kind were dangerous—and this notion was never more evident than right now with both his friend and his sister missing.
Am I to lose them both on the same day? What cruel fate is this? Haven’t I endured enough trials in my life thus far?
He shook his head, knowing if he continued down this train of thought, he’d find himself drawn into melancholy, a state almost impossible to escape from, as he knew well from years of experience.
“May I speak freely?” Mr. Markham said behind him. Seth nodded and turned away from the window. He tugged on his Pomona-green waistcoat and reached into his inner pocket for the delicately painted wooden box containing comfits. He placed one onto his tongue as he motioned for the investigator to ask whatever he wanted.
“Do you really believe your sister’s disappearance is connected to her social activities?”
