Page 74 of The Baron's Reluctant Bride
Chapter 16
In the Sinclair’s drawing room, Helena sat beside the fireplace, embroidery forgotten in her lap, as Gemma and Abigail entered. The sunlight cast long lines across the rug, catching on the silver threads in her gown. She looked up with a soft smile that faded the moment she saw her daughter’s expression.
"Gemma?" Helena inquired, her voice laced with concern as she rose from her seat. "Pray tell, what troubles you?"
Gemma moved with gentle purpose, crossing the drawing-room to take her mother's hand. "Mama," she said softly, her touch reassuring. "You must compose yourself and sit."
A tremor of unease ran through Helena as she slowly obeyed, her gaze darting between her daughter and Abigail, her alarm growing with each passing moment. "Good heavens," she breathed, "what dreadful thing has occurred?"
Gemma drew a steadying breath before delivering the news. "It is William, Mama. He has been... abducted."
Helena's spine straightened, her composure momentarily shattered. "Abducted? What can you possibly mean by such alarming pronouncements?"
"He came to me this very morning, Mama," Gemma explained, her voice measured despite the gravity of the situation. "He indicated a need to depart for a few days hence. However, as he took his leave, two men – individuals unknown to the household – forcibly escorted him into a carriage. It was plain he was not a willing participant in his departure."
The color drained from Helena's face, her hand now trembling visibly within Gemma's grasp.
"And no one has caught sight of him since that dreadful moment," Abigail added quietly, her expression somber. "Our gravest suspicion falls upon Mr. Thorne."
Helena stood, her composure cracking. “That man—thatman has preyed on my son for months. He lent him money, threatened him, sent letters I was not permitted to see!”
Gemma swallowed. “It’s worse than that.”
And so she told her everything she knew, she told her about Hawthorne Trading Company, about Jameson’s involvement, about Thorne's threats, his pattern of manipulating debts to bring down noble families, about the upcoming soirée and most importantly…about the danger.
Helena sat in stunned silence, one hand at her throat.
“I—I knew William had debts,” she murmured, “but I had no notion… no understanding of how deep they ran.”
“I didn’t either,” Gemma whispered.
“And Jameson,” Helena said faintly. “He’s been fighting this from the shadows?”
“Yes.”
The silence that followed was long and aching.
Finally, Helena looked at her daughter. “What do you intend to do?”
Gemma’s spine straightened. “We’re going to the soirée.”
***
The bedchamber was suffused with the delicate scent of lavender pomade mingled with the sharper note of heated iron. Candles flickered upon the mahogany dressing table, their light casting a golden glow across the polished silver implements and catching the faceted crystal buttons adorning Gemma's evening gown. She remained perfectly still before the looking glass while Betsy, her lady's maid, secured the final twist of her coiffure with steady hands.
"There now, My Lady," Betsy murmured, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "Not a single strand amiss. You look every inch a lady awaiting her prince."
Gemma's lips curved in a wistful smile. "If only this evening were so simple a tale as that."
"Why, is it not?" Betsy replied with cheerful innocence, arranging the silver-backed hairbrushes upon the table. "'Tis a fine soirée with music and dancing."
Yes, Gemma thought,but with considerably more peril and far fewer merry fiddlers than one might wish.
She released a measured breath, her countenance settling into practiced serenity as she regarded her reflection. Dark tresses swept up in elegant waves, eyes subtly enhanced to sharpen their gaze, and a gown of midnight-blue silk that shimmered like moonlight upon water when she moved. She appeared a lady prepared merely to dance, engage in pleasant flirtation, and sip champagne from crystal flutes.
None would suspect she ventured forth to infiltrate a viper's nest.
"I thank you, Betsy," she said softly.
