Page 35 of The Hellion and the Hero

“Besides,” Reggie continued. “If you reallyareworried about the gossip, there is something you could do before you left…”

She didn’t like the suggestion in his tone one bit. His single raised eyebrow was even worse. “Don’t you dare say it—”

“If you announce your engagement to Tommy Pettigrew, you will gain his protection. He has tremendous influence over the newspapers.”

“Engagement!”Georgiana nearly choked on the word, but she didn’t miss the way Captain Harris stiffened beside her.

“They won’t print the same things about his fiancée,” Reggie insisted.

“I will notmarryin order to stay out of the gossip columns.”

“Then just say that you are ready to seriously consider him. That should be enough. And you are, aren’t you?”

Georgiana bit her lip. The hope in her brother’s eyes tugged at her heart. She couldn’t tell him what she truly had planned for her future. Not now. “I suppose I could invite him here this afternoon,” she said after a moment.

Reggie broke into a wide grin. “Oh, that would be splendid!”

“Calm down, Reg,” she grumbled. “Don’t break out the champagne yet. I’ve no idea what he will say.”

“Honestly, Georgie. You can be so dense sometimes.” Reggie rolled his eyes. “The captain and I will head to Scotland Yard now.”

“Fine. But I can’t stay in Monte Carlo for more than a week. I’ll need to return regardless of what they’ve found.”

Captain Harris frowned. “How soon can you be ready to leave?”

“In a few days. I have some things at the factory that need to be taken care of.”

“Make it two,” he said.

Georgiana shot him a glare. “Giving orders already? I am not one of your petty officers, sir.”

“No,” he said, unamused. “This would be a fair sight easier if you were.”

Chapter Nine

Afew hours later, Henry parted ways with Reggie outside Scotland Yard. They had spoken at length with an inspector Henry had never met before called Crenshaw. He was new to the position and seemed hungry to prove himself. He was also terribly impressed by Henry, so for once, he leaned into his hero status, even signing something for the young man’s mother. He felt like an absolute fraud, but if it helped them solve the case, then so be it. He could play the part of the hero for a bit.

“Well, that went far better than I expected,” Reggie said. “Look, I know this wasn’t in your plans, and I am prepared to double your price. In addition to covering your expenses, of course.”

Henry so wished he was in a position to reject the offer, but he had received another, more urgent letter from his cousin’s wife that morning, as well as one from his sister. His brother-in-law was opening a new clinic in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Glasgow, and one of the backers had fallen through. Agatha hated to ask, but she was wondering if he had anything to spare.

Of course Henry would do what he could. And that meant taking whatever Reginald Fox was offering, pride be damned. He felt like the worst kind of fool, nearly kissing Lady Arlington last night while she was practically engaged to a man like Tommy Pettigrew. He had gone and spouted all that self-important drivel about needing to keep his distance and remain professional, while she had a damnedbaronat her beck and call. Christ, she must think him an idiot.

Henry nodded. “That is more than generous. Thank you.”

“No, thankyou. You don’t know what a relief this is for me. For the whole family. I can’t even think of what might have happened last night if you hadn’t been there with Georgie,” he said, his voice growing thick with emotion.

Henry had shared his theory with the inspector that a different sort of attack might have been the original plan, but it changed once his presence was detected. Reggie had been absolutely horrified and made him swear that he would not tell Georgiana about it, but the viscountess seemed to be made of stronger stuff than her younger brother.

It’s always been that way.

Now he understood what she meant. But why was she the one to take on the family’s burdens? Henry had only his sister to look out for, so it had always made sense why he was the one to shoulder everything. But with so many siblings, surely things could be spread around a little. Or perhaps it didn’t matter. Perhaps every family was alike in this way, each member locked in the roles they had occupied since childhood. But for now Henry was here. And he had a job to do.

***

“I’ve never seen someone so angry while packing for a trip to theRiviera,” Louisa said as she draped herself across Georgiana’s bed.

Georgiana glanced up from her spot on the floor before her steamer trunk and glared at her sister. She could have had Bea pack for her, but Georgiana needed to keep busy. So her maid had been tasked with gathering her toiletries instead.

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