Page 7 of A Lady Most Wayward
‘Does he know of our work? Being so close to the Queen, I’m sure she has revealed certain facts to him.’ Hannah crossed the short space between the hearth and a velvet wingback chair, smoothing her skirts before she sat.
‘Based on his request for me to seek out his niece and return her to him, a good guess would be yes. According to the Chancellor, his sister’s extended absence during Hyacinth’s formative years left quite a rift between mother and daughter. He took the girl under his wing, and he’s sick with fear for her safety.’
Millie tucked a crimson curl behind her ear. ‘I can’t picture the Chancellor showing any kind of extreme emotion. I only met him once at Ivy’s charity ball, but he was so composed. Even when you informed him of his brother-in-law’s crimes and his sister’s escape. As I recall, he clenched his jaw and his left eye twitched. Hardly someone who would be overcome with feelings.’
Philippa lifted a shoulder in a shrug. ‘He was more expressive with me. I think he’s had time to process the dangers facing his niece. The last thing he wants is for this to be made public. The scandal of it would ruin Hyacinth’s chances of finding a normal life.’
‘It was clever of him to spread rumours that Olivia and her daughter escaped to the countryside during the scandal of her husband’s imprisonment and murder,’ Hannah mused. ‘If the beau monde were to catch wind of Olivia’s involvement with her husband’s dealings, or discover she is missing, it isn’t just Hyacinth who could be ruined by gossip. The Lord High Chancellor’s entire career could be in jeopardy.’
‘It’s bad enough his brother-in-law was one of the leaders of the Devil’s Sons. Has the Queen said anything to you?’ Ivy looked to Philippa, her clear eyes wide with curiosity.
‘She told me the Lord High Chancellor Hardgrave went directly to her after the charity ball and told her everything. He is committed to helping us root out the last leader in this group, but Hyacinth’s safety takes priority for him. He promised the Queen any loyalty he had to his sister died the night she helped Percival kidnap the orphans and turned Ivy over to her husband.’ As a rule, Philippa trusted very few men, but the Lord High Chancellor, while reserved and stiff in his demeanour, had shown true fear when speaking of his niece. She was certain he would do anything to get her back, and that kind of desperation wasn’t easy to fake.
‘So what is the next step?’ Penny asked.
‘We need to track down Olivia’s whereabouts, determine if she has her daughter with her, rescue the girl, and capture Olivia.’ Philippa was determined to achieve this mission quickly and put the entire affair behind her.
‘Simple as that.’ Millie’s eyes flashed with mischief. ‘We should have this buttoned up in no time.’
‘I’ll talk to Edward. I’m sure he would let Reading help us. The man is a marvel. He can comb through piles of paperwork and find one tiny piece of evidence that cracks the case.’ Ivy stood. ‘I’ll go to Scotland Yard directly and see if Edward is available.’
‘I suppose there are some benefits to being married to the Commissioner of Scotland Yard.’ Hannah winked at Ivy as the pale woman’s blush re-emerged.
‘Or at least being married to the man who hired Reading as his secretary,’ Millie added, standing to join Ivy. ‘I must be going as well. Drake is meeting me at the milliner for a new bonnet.’
‘I imagine he’ll look quite dashing. Mayhap something with blue ribbons to bring out his eyes?’ Penny’s smile was infectious. The very idea of Major General Drake in a frilly bonnet with his scarred face and the physique of a bare-knuckle brawler had even Philippa fighting a smile. Penny rose, brushing crumbs off the settee. ‘I should take my leave as well. Liam promised to take me riding in the park before we lose the light. He insists I’m getting better, but then his opinions about me are often skewed.’
A pang of longing resonated in Philippa’s chest. She was accustomed to living alone and appreciated her solitude, but seeing the women she mentored all partnered with men perfectly suited to each of their strengths and weaknesses filled her with a strange longing. Not for a man.
Saints preserve me from such a fate.
But for a partner. Someone to sit with in front of the fire as evening darkened the sky, sipping whiskey and tea, discussing the day’s events. But her chances for domestic tranquillity had never been good. A sapphist faced serious challenges to hide any romance behind the guise of passionate female friendship, but Philippa had the added complication of guilt and sorrow to navigate.
Liza’s face drifted into her mind, fresh with youth, fuzzy with time, and achingly familiar. Hollow loneliness grew sharp edges of grief.
Some people are meant to walk their path alone. There’s no point lamenting that which cannot be changed. I committed myself to Liza, and nothing will sway me. Not her death, and certainly not some blonde siren who belongs in a prison cell, not floating around in my head like a phantom temptress. Andwhyam I thinking about Olivia… again?
Philippa forced her attention back to Hannah. ‘Are you off as well?’
Hannah tilted her head, her gaze assessing. ‘I can stay for one more cup of tea. Shall I pour?’
Hannah busied herself with refreshing Philippa’s tea while the other ladies made their goodbyes and bustled out in a colourful swish of lace, silk, and cotton.
Hannah knew Philippa best of all the women and was the least afraid. The petite woman didn’t want another cup of tea. She wanted to speak with Philippa alone. ‘Say what you want to say, Hannah.’
Handing Philippa a fresh dish of whiskey-laced tea, she turned to pour her own cup, conveniently avoiding eye contact with Philippa. ‘I’ve been thinking about something you told me once.’
Philippa raised an eyebrow. It was a look she had perfected in her early years with Lord Winterbourne. Generally, she found it an effective tool in convincing others to think very carefully about their words before saying something stupid. ‘I’m surprised you remember anything I say; you certainly never seem to follow my advice.’
Hannah tsked. ‘Your advice is not always as sage as you believe it to be. But this particular time, I think you were spot on.’
Philippa huffed out a breath. ‘I am always spot on,’ she muttered.
‘You told me, “All creatures deserve love.” You also said no woman should be ashamed of her desires.’
Philippa felt heat rising from her chest to her neck. She hadn’t blushed since she was a girl. She wasn’t about to start now. Forcing another sip of whiskey down her suddenly dry throat, Philippa focused on that burn instead of the heat emanating from her core. ‘Women spend far too much time being ashamed of their feelings, while men have no trouble demanding their wants be met at any cost. I am not ashamed of my desires, but neither do I intend to discuss them with anyone.’
‘I remember feeling similarly that night. But it didn’t stop you from poking your nose into my business when I was too scared to admit my attraction to Killian.’
