“She still has a particular fancy for the tables, I’m afraid,” Sephy returned evenly, remembering that the countess had been a long time benefactor of her mother’s house for reasons she could do no more than guess at, although something told her they were rather particular friends. “It’s fortunate that the duke is rather generous with my allowance.”
“Oh, dear.” The lady shook her head. “I shall have to pay her a visit. Perhaps I can get through to her. She does relapse from time to time, and I have to remind her that she wouldn’t be the only one who suffered if the house were to fall to ruin.” She reached out and took Sephy’s hand. “And I will make a few discreet inquiries into Falcourt’s sister and send word once I have something to tell.”
“Thank you.” Sephy gathered her wrap and stood. “I should be going. I have a few more stops to make before I return home.”
The countess reached out and embraced her. “Take care of yourself, Persephone.”
She nodded. “I will.”
***
When Persephone walked in the door later that afternoon, she was greeted by the gruff voice of the duke in the foyer. “Where have you been?”
She blinked, not used to such a firm tone coming from him. She also noticed that once the butler had taken her outerwear, he quickly removed himself from sight. “I had some errands to run—”
Hunter’s brown eyes narrowed slightly. “Now that I am back home, I would appreciate it if you didn’t go gallivanting all over the countryside without my previous approval. It reflects poorly on me as a protector if I don’t even know where my mistress has gone off to.”
Sephy was speechless, but she recovered quickly enough. “I’m sorry, Falcourt.” She addressed him formally, for this man certainly wasn’t acting like the Hunter she had come to adore through his letters. “I will make sure to draw up a schedule of my comings and goings.”
His jaw clenched. “I don’t appreciate your sarcastic tone. Might I remind you that it is my generosity that has allowed you to live in comfort these last few years.”
She jerked as if struck. “Of course I haven’t forgotten!” She blew out a frustrated breath. “But neither do I understand where all of this anger is coming from. Have I done something to offend you since this morning?”
He shoved a hand through his hair and then set his hands on his hips. “Forgive me, I—” His throat worked as he swallowed. “I’m taking out my aggression on you when you aren’t at fault. I suppose I was just worried—” He broke off. “I was recently informed that Lord Gregory has been released from gaol.” He snorted. “I feel as if all the years I spent chasing him were wasted since he is once again free to roam the streets and carry out his misdeeds among innocent women.”
“Oh, Hunter.” Sephy’s heart instantly went out to him, his earlier upset fading in her mind when she was struck with the hopeless expression on his face. She walked over to him and laid a gentle hand on his arm, praying that he wouldn’t brush her aside again. “I know how upsetting this is for you. But you can’t discount that justice will be served.”
His eyes burned with fervor. “Can’t I? When that monster assaulted my sister, not one man would come forward to testify against him. Without proper witnesses, he walked away without a single reprimand, free to do the same to other women.”
“But he was arrested when he returned to England, so you must have found some way to convince the authorities of his guilt?”
“None that I honestly believe will stand at this point.” He shook his head. “I should have known it wouldn’t be so easy. After studying his business dealings for years, I found out that he has been passing counterfeit British money, but his father’s influence could very well find a way to lessen the crime and convince the Crown to remove all charges.”
Sephy’s mouth slackened, although she knew that money went far to grease many pockets in London. “Surely the king wouldn’t allow that to happen.”
He shrugged. “It is my word against his, after all. And while I’ve been away, the Marquess of Highgrove has taken the monarch’s ear. After Louisa’s… incident, I spent most of my time in the country caring for her at my estate while Lord Gregory continued to be on the prowl. It was only after my sister had a devastating setback that I was compelled to begin this quest and believe that goodness would prevail over evil.” His lips twisted. “I should have put a bullet through his head when I had the chance. More the fool, I.”
She grabbed his hand and brought it to her heart. “Don’t ever say that! You must have faith that it will all work out as it should. To have even lowered yourself to such a despicable level is beneath someone of your kindness.”
He was silent for a moment, and then he surprised her by reaching out and cupping her cheek in his hand. His gaze roamed over her face, as if he wasn’t sure what he was looking at. “You are a rare gem, Miss Welton. For someone who was raised in a brothel, I fear it’s your naivety about the world that will bring about your downfall.”
With obvious reluctance, he allowed his hand to slip away and fall to his side. “However, since I don’t wish for your tutelage to come at the hand of Lord Alabaster Gregory, we will be spending an exorbitant amount of time together until he is dead, or transported, preferably the latter.”
Sephy couldn’t help but smile. Since his return, that was all she wanted, but after he’d made his sentiments
