Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"I need to see her," growled Starling, standing in the middle of Amelia Bennet's opulently decorated private parlour. "Is she here?"

Since that fateful morning Helen had disappeared, and despite his tireless search, he had found no sign of her in London. Her townhouse was empty, the servants ignorant of their mistress's whereabouts and she had not set foot in any of the clubs she frequented these past five days.

Starling was desperate, and now he had come to the one person who might have some knowledge on the matter.

Although it irked him somewhat that the widow had run without even thinking to speak to him first, he was glad that she had at last one friend who knew how the world worked to look out for her. Even if he suspected Madame Bennet would guard that knowledge like a righteous dragon.

The woman raised one finely plucked brow in his direction, the burly footman shuffling on his feet in warning where he stood guard at the door.

"I've heard about you, Captain Starling. You have quite the reputation."

She stroked the white silky-haired cat that occupied her lap with long, luxurious strokes as she examined him like a curiosity on display while he stood in the middle of her lavish savonnerie carpet.

"She doesn't want to talk to you," Miss Bennet said mildly, dropping her head back against the upholstery of the chaise she occupied in a relaxed manner. "This might be the one thing you cannot fix , if I understand your business correctly."

Starling counted slowly to ten, trying to keep the impatience from showing on his face.

"Has she heard the news? Lord Holsen has been exposed, and his debts called in. He is surely headed for Newgate even as we speak."

Amelia smiled radiantly, and Starling could see why the men of London fell at her feet. It was a pity it did nothing for him, though.

No, he only cared about soulful, olive-grey eyes, and making them widen with dazed delight.

"A most entertaining scandal. I assume you had a hand in it?"

Starling grimaced. "He deserved nothing less for what he did to Helen."

Amelia gave him a searching look. "Helen, is it?"

"Yes," answered Starling, crossing his arms in irritation. It seemed his charm had fled in the wake of losing the one thing he had never thought to find.

"I have also taken steps to ensure her reputation remains unblemished," said Starling. "Viscount Seton himself has promised to vouch for her, and his sister, the countess of Windham, will soon extend an invitation to join her at society events," he added. "If we can find her, that is."

Starling sighed, glancing down as his hands clenched, forcing his fingers to relax.

He had done his best to stave off any hint of scandal attaching itself to Helen's name, now he just needed Helen knew he had done it for her.

"Now, please, let me see her. We have unfinished business, and I intend to hold her to it."

If he could only get her alone, he could convince her that he had never meant her harm, that there was something between them worth fighting for.

"My, what lofty company you keep," smirked Amelia, apparently unimpressed, as Starling frowned with frustration.

"Very well, what manner of business?" she finally asked, pushing the cat off her lap and rising to her feet, walking towards him as he watched her warily.

The woman was more astute than he had given her credit for. Starling imagined that he was not the first, or the last, to underestimate the beauty.

Perhaps he could convince her to take his side, if he pleaded his case with enough fervour, she might be swayed to speak for him.

"We have a wager outstanding between us, and I intend to hold her to it. Besides, I…" Starling ground his teeth, unable to express what had seemed so blindingly obvious from the first moment he saw her.

Helen Montrose was simply the perfect woman for him.

Amelia's eyes widened briefly, then she flashed him another bright smile. "Now, that sounds just like my Helen. I will tell her you were here. Leave your card in the foyer on your way out."

With that, she dismissed him, the footman opening the door with a meaningful tilt of his head.

"Wait-"

Amelia held up one smooth pale hand, halting his speech. She shook her head gravely, her eyes serious for the first time. "No. It is up to Helen now. Good day, Captain Starling."