Chapter 5

5

Two days later…

“What the devil were you thinking, sister?”

Preston stormed into the drawing room of Sumhall. Grandmama looked up from her cards and followed him with her eyes, a single eyebrow raised. Miss Furrington, who lay in a furry ball right on the card table, lazily observing Calliope and Grandmama’s game, raised her head, the tip of her tail twitching.

Uneasiness stirred in Calliope’s gut. After she’d left the Admiralty, she’d thrown herself into research, finding old papers with the news from both fronts, and looking through all the books she could find in Sumhall’s library on naval ships and warfare. But, although she now knew about the overall course of both wars and had more general knowledge about the navy, nothing had given her a single clue about where Spencer could be.

She wished she knew more about Spencer’s claim that he was being followed. But he’d only mentioned it to Richard in passing a short time before his disappearance, and there were no more details to follow up on.

The only way to make any progress was to go back to the Admiralty and find those ledgers.

“If it’s about Huntingham,” she said, “or any other lord you have in mind, I’m not interested in marriage.”

Grandmama laid her cards on the table, picked up the teapot, and poured more tea into their cups, adding one for Preston. Miss Furrington sniffed the air and stared at the elegant milk jug, which Grandmama closed with a lid. “Preston, dear, I know you mean well, but I can’t help but agree with Calliope. She did tell you.”

Preston pinched the bridge of his nose. “That is not what I’m talking about. Although now you may have to marry Huntingham.” Preston sighed and looked at Grandmama. “I didn’t want to mention this in front of you.”

Grandmama’s face lost all humor. “Then you should most definitely do so.”

“Calliope,” Preston said as he came closer to her, “the truth is, you really should be looking for a husband. And Huntingham, whom you have known you since you were a girl, will be more inclined to dismiss the gossip about you.”

“What gossip?” demanded Grandmama.

Calliope didn’t care about gossip, but she had a suspicion what it might be.

Preston took the third chair at the table. “There’s talk among navy officers that the Duke of Kelford may have ruined Calliope.”

Grandmama gasped, and Calliope suppressed a curse. Preston had heard that after only two days? She hadn’t thought it would spread so quickly. She’d hoped the officers would forget about her visit as soon as she left—surely, they had more important things to do than gossip. Apparently, she was wrong.

“I remember you danced with the man,” said Grandmama. “But ruined?”

Preston glared at Calliope. “I know you’re not ruined. You know better than that. The whole thing is ridiculous. They say you came to see him in the Admiralty alone. That can’t be right, can it, Calliope? You wouldn’t be so naive.”

Calliope raised one eyebrow. “I wasn’t naive. But yes, I was in the Admiralty because I was lost.”

Preston shook his head with a low grumble. “You were lost? What are you talking about?”

She laid the cards on the table and shrugged one shoulder. “I was. And I was looking for directions.”

Preston scoffed. “Who gets lost and goes to the Admiralty for directions?”

Calliope shrugged and fingered the cards lying on the table. “Whyever not? Who else would help out a lady than the officers?”

“Do you think I believe you?”

“Preston, please, stop growling or you will turn into a wolf.”

Grandmama snickered.

Preston let out a long puff of air. Oh, he was livid, his dark eyes glistening like ripe cherries.

“Please, sister, this is not a sleuth novel. This is serious. I went to the Admiralty, too, to ask for the records of ship departures, so you do not have to lie about your reason for going there.”

Calliope tensed, suddenly feeling quite silly. “Did you find out anything?”

“No. They wouldn’t allow me to look at the records. But if I wasn’t successful, neither would you be. I will ask for an introduction to Admiral Langden himself through my connections. So you shouldn’t be worried about any of it at all. You should be going to balls and meeting other eligible bachelors, if the Marquess of Huntingham isn’t to your liking.”

Calliope was seething inside. “Balls? Meeting bachelors? You know me better than that, Preston.”

“Sister,” Preston said tightly, “I don’t think there’s a man on earth who’s worthy of the tip of your little finger, but it is my duty to see to your future and your safety. Until now, your reputation has been pristine, and your fortune, as well as our family’s standing, make you a desirable bride. You should be able to marry well.”

Calliope felt so helpless. Was she not allowed to make decisions about her own life? She stared at Grandmama. “And what do you have to say about this?”

Grandmama sighed. “Dearest, I moved into Sumhall to make sure your reputation remained unblemished, but it appears as if you have sealed your own fate by going to the Admiralty unchaperoned. Perhaps seeing another man would have been fine, but Kelford…”

Preston nodded. “Anything…anyone he touches, he ruins.”

Calliope’s stomach was twisting, bile rising. “I don’t care about my reputation. I truly don’t want to marry. A chance to find happiness like both you and Richard is very small. I’m not interested in anyone—especially not in Huntingham—and only wish to follow my own course.”

Grandmama nodded. “Following your own course is certainly better than being married to the wrong man. Thanks to your generous, deceased papa and Preston, you have an income to enjoy and can pursue your own ambitions. You don’t just want to sit back and do nothing like most ladies of the ton.”

Grandmama was certainly correct about that. And Calliope saw inspiring examples of women creating their own destinies. Jane, her new sister-in-law, ran a school and gave lessons. Penelope was learning from great artists and planned to sell her own paintings. Calliope’s mama had always taught her to be independent and to think for herself. And she knew exactly what she wanted.

“I want to start my own sleuth agency,” Calliope said.

She met Preston’s dark gaze with a challenge. Slowly, he shook his head. “I thought you’d grow out of those childish notions.”

“I’m quite sincere. It makes sense, really. The Bow Street Runners don’t have enough people to investigate crimes. Uncovering the truth and defending oneself in court falls to the victims or the accused and their solicitors if they can afford them. They are often unqualified and don’t have time and resources. It’s quite a clever business idea, actually. There’s a need among the population and few with the skills or inclination to undertake the task.”

Grandmama pursed her lips, hiding a smile. “You can’t argue with that, Preston. Your own wife is a woman of independent ambitions, and you’re the first one to support her. Jane is the same, and Richard never forbade her to run her school. He’s providing funds to assist her.”

“Exactly,” said Calliope. “So why do you support Penelope and Jane and yet restrict me from pursuing my business idea?”

Preston ground his teeth. “For a simple reason, sister. Neither Penelope nor Jane intends to run after dangerous men who steal, kidnap, and, perhaps, even murder. Not to mention the damage to your reputation, which is exactly what happened two days ago. Pick another occupation, and I’ll be the first one to cheer you on.”

Calliope ignored his tired argument about her reputation. “It does not necessarily have to be dangerous. As a woman, I’ll be less suspicious because no one expects a woman to be an investigator. I’ll be careful. I’ll hire other investigators, too. I’ll do things cleverly rather than with force. Besides, Spencer and Richard have taught me boxing and fencing in case it comes to that.”

Grandmama scoffed. “She’d do it better than most men.”

Just as Preston opened his mouth, no doubt to contradict her, the door opened and their butler, Teanby, appeared. “The Duke of Kelford has come to call.”

Sweet tickles ran through Calliope’s body, and for a few moments she couldn’t breathe. Preston blinked at Teanby as if stunned.

Grandmama gave out a chuckle and looked at Calliope. “Speaking of dangerous men and ruined reputations…”

“Tell him we’re not at home,” Preston said, then muttered something foul under his breath.

“Tell him he’s welcome to come in,” said Calliope.

Poor Teanby darted his eyes between her and Preston, and for the first time Calliope could recall, a few drops of sweat broke out on his stately, lined forehead.

“Tell the duke he’s welcome to come in,” said Grandmama with a calm smile.

Finally recognizing the authority of the woman who’d hired him as a footman so many years ago, Teanby nodded and, avoiding the duke’s angry gaze, retreated.

“Grandmama!” said Preston.

Grandmama gave him a look that spoke of power. She had an uncanny ability to illicit both respect and obedience. If Calliope could have one exceptional skill at Grandmama’s age, it would be this.

“You do not live here anymore, Preston,” Grandmama said. “I do.”

Calliope suppressed a chuckle. It was quite a sight to behold one of the richest and most powerful dukes in England shut his mouth after a single look from his grandmother.

The door opened, and Kelford came in, all tall, muscular, and breathtaking in his dark navy uniform. His turquoise eyes landed on her, and the room blurred and darkened around him. She straightened her back, his very presence sucking all air from the room.

What could he want here? He’d told her he didn’t want her anywhere near the Admiralty. He didn’t want to help her.

“Good day,” said Kelford.

Miss Furrington stared at him with the same wide eyes as Calliope herself, then stood, lazily jumped from the table, and walked towards him. As though he was an old acquaintance, she pressed against his ankles and wrapped her tail around one of his boots. Nathaniel stared at the cat with the most puzzled expression, then he sneezed.

“Pardon me,” he said.

Grandmama’s eyes twinkled, and she coughed slightly.

“Kelford,” said Calliope through a parched mouth. “Please meet my grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Grandhampton.”

Kelford gave a polite nod, meeting Grandmama’s eyes. The dowager cocked her head as she looked him over with a hint of female appreciation.

“Pleased to meet you, Lady Grandhampton,” said Kelford.

“The pleasure is mine,” said Grandmama.

“And, of course, you know my brother,” Calliope said.

“Kelford,” Preston said through gritted teeth. There was a clear threat in his dark gaze.

“Grandhampton.” Kelford nodded.

Kelford came deeper into the drawing room, his chest and shoulders deliciously broad under his uniform. Miss Furrington followed him, and when he stopped, she wrapped the end of her tail around his other boot. He blinked at the cat in confusion, while Preston stared at it as if it was a traitor.

Kelford’s gaze locked on Calliope. She begged him with her eyes not to tell them the reason she came to see him two days ago.

“I am quite surprised to see you here,” said Preston. “But it may help to gain some clarity, anyway. You see, there’s a rumor that I’ve heard going around polite circles, and if it turns out to be true…”

Kelford’s eyes never left her. They held her in their gaze, and they had all the power. Two days ago, he had threatened to tell her brothers. And here he was. Had he come to act on that threat, to tell Preston she broke into the Admiralty and stayed after hours, and that they were, after all, alone?

Please, do not tell him…please don’t…

For a very long time, Kelford said nothing, just stared at her.

“It is true,” he said finally, reverting his gaze to Preston, “that we saw each other. Lady Calliope was lost. She lost her chaperone, and I helped her find a way.”

“Calliope!” Preston practically growled.

“You see, just as I told you, brother. I do not know that area that well.”

“Do you think I believe a single word? You? Were lost?” demanded Preston. “You’re like a hound—you will find your way anywhere.”

“We were never alone,” said Kelford. “There were other officers. You have no reason to doubt her reputation.”

“But the ton surely does!” said Preston. “What is the reason for your visit, anyway, Kelford?”

Kelford’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, appearing to be at a momentary loss. “Lady Calliope forgot something,” he said. “Her umbrella.”

“Well?” Preston looked him up and down. “Where is it?”

Kelford looked around himself. “Forgive me, I broke it on the way here. I came to inquire, Lady Calliope, if I may buy you a new one and which is your favorite manufacturer.”

That was a great reason. She had to give him credit.

Calliope’s heart slammed hard. The way he looked at her made her feel as if her bones were melting. How could a man speak about an umbrella and yet cause her to overheat as though their drawing room was suddenly ablaze? She appreciated that he was in her corner and hadn’t betrayed her. He’d kept her secret.

“She can buy her own umbrella,” spat Preston.

Grandmama stood up with a mysterious expression on her face. “She can, but I had planned to go shopping on Bond Street, anyway. Calliope, Kelford, would the two of you like to accompany me? Then, sir, you could buy my granddaughter a new umbrella.”

When Preston opened his mouth to protest, Grandmama raised a single elegant dark eyebrow. The look that Calliope knew from her childhood—the one that had always managed to stop whatever mischief she and her siblings were up to.

That glare froze Preston and briefly brought out the expression of a naughty boy who was caught.

And all he could say was “As you wish, Grandmama.”