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CHAPTER SEVEN

HARRIET’S HEART WAS in her throat as the large clock in the hallway marked the six o’clock hour. “Oh, Alice. I do not like this one bit,” she said, pacing across the elegantly carpeted floor of her bedchamber.

The carpet was blue, of course.

So were the drapes.

Which is why the duke had named it the Blue Room.

He had sent Alice up to assist Harriet, or perhaps it was to keep watch over her and stop her from following him into the stable.

“His Grace knows what he is doing, Miss Harriet. You mustn’t fret.”

But how could she not?

She went to the window to peer out, craning her neck to catch a glimpse of the stable. Her bedchamber overlooked the duke’s beautiful gardens, but also provided a sliver of a view of his stable if she leaned out the window and looked to her right.

“Oh, do be careful,” Alice said, her voice strained with worry as Harriet stuck her head out for a better glimpse.

Harriet inhaled lightly. “The duke is walking into the stable with his friends.”

“Do they have weapons drawn, Miss Harriet?”

“Oh, I cannot tell.”

Alice came to her side and held her by the waist. “Careful, or you’ll fall out.”

“I have a solid grip,” she assured the maid, but did not mind having the extra support. “Wait, they are walking out already.”

“Good, that was quick.”

“No, Alice. This is bad. All three of them are frowning and now hurrying back to the house. I’m going downstairs.”

“Oh, no! Please don’t, Miss Harriet. His Grace said to—”

But Harriet was already rushing out the door.

She was merely going to meet them as they walked in. But Lady Beatrice’s father, the Marquess of Covington, was also standing by the door, hovering beside Flint and looking quite dour as the three dukes marched in. “Did you find my daughter, Pendrake?”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Covington. I did not.”

Lord Covington released a deflated breath. “Then she’s finally done it, run off with that bounder, Arlington.”

“He’s hardly a bounder,” Pendrake replied. “The man is a Royal Navy captain and commands his own ship. He distinguished himself during the war, and his family is reputable.”

“But he is a commoner,” her father hissed, now turning to stare at Harriet who had paused on the bottom step of the staircase, now hesitant to approach. “My daughter sent that note to you . And the two of you were chatting up a storm throughout the picnic. What did she tell you?”

“Nothing, my lord. I promise you, she told me nothing at all.”

“And you expect me to believe this? You had to know she was planning something.” He advanced on her. “Foolish girl, did she trick you into helping her? Tell me what she told you.”

Pendrake immediately got between them, creating a secure barricade as he made certain to keep her tucked behind him. “I am sorry you are in distress, Covington. But this does not give you permission to accost my guests. Miss Comeford never met your daughter until today. You have known Beatrice for her entire lifetime. Do not think to cast blame on anyone but yourself and Beatrice. This is between father and daughter and has nothing to do with Miss Comeford.”

Harriet was surprised when Ware and Folkstone also defended her.

But she felt wretched when Lord Covington broke down in tears. “I have to find her, Pendrake. She is my dearest child. I must stop her before she marries Arlington.”

Was Beatrice of age? Or would she and this Arlington fellow need to run off to Gretna Green? Or perhaps all they needed was to get on a ship and have the captain officiate their ceremony?

She feared to ask these questions.

“Miss Comeford,” the duke said gently, “please return to your bedchamber. My friends and I will assist Lord Covington from here on out.”

“No! The chit stays with us. I know my Beatrice told her something, and I shall have it out of her if I—”

“Do not threaten the lady.” Pendrake once again nudged her behind him as he glowered at Beatrice’s father.

“She knows where my daughter fled!”

Harriet’s heart was caught in her throat. “Upon my honor, Lord Covington,” she said hoarsely. “I do not!”

How could he think such a thing?

This was a disaster.

“She told me nothing. However, I shall come with you into the study and gladly help in any way I can. Believe me, my lord. I wish I knew where she has gone.”

“It is obvious she sent her note to Miss Comeford as a distraction for her elopement scheme,” Pendrake said, motioning for them all to follow him into his study.

He paused a moment to instruct Flint. “Have tea brought in for all of us.”

“Very good, Your Grace.”

“Tea?” Covington scoffed. “I need a brandy.”

“Yes, I’m sure we shall all need a stiff drink. But let us try to remain sober while we establish a course of action.”

“What action is necessary other than finding that no-account and shooting him down like the dog he is?” Covington growled.

“Viscount Arlington will not appreciate your murdering his son, even if he is merely a fourth son,” Pendrake said dryly.

Harriet stood silent and took in all the conversations.

Beatrice’s father had referred to her beloved as a commoner. Perhaps he was considered that under strict adherence to succession rules, but no commoner would ever consider a Royal Navy captain in charge of his own vessel a common man.

It struck her then just how rigid the rules of privileged Society were.

Her brother would have been delighted to welcome such a man as Captain Arlington into their family, for a captain in command of his own ship could claim a captain’s share of any plunder gained from his capture of an enemy vessel and perhaps make himself a wealthy man.

But Lord Covington considered such men as not worthy to shine his boots.

This was a lesson to be learned.

Covington was a marquess, but the three other men in the study with her were dukes and could claim even higher rank than this exalted marquess.

What did they think of her?

A dead soldier’s penniless sister.

How stupid of her to insert herself in this situation and not run upstairs to her bedchamber as Pendrake had advised.

Too late now.

“What about Lady Beatrice’s maid,” Harriet asked. “Has anyone questioned her? Would she not be the person most likely to know where Captain Arlington has taken her?”

“We would ask, if she were here,” Ware said.

Pendrake nodded. “She rode off with Lord Covington’s daughter hours ago. Must have been immediately after she delivered the letter to you. My head groom confirmed she rode out with Beatrice.”

This is why the three dukes had rushed out of the stable mere minutes after entering. The Pendrake head groom must have told them the two ladies had taken horses and fled.

Harriet groaned. “Of course, how clever of her. Lady Beatrice sent me that note asking to meet me at six o’clock to purposely put everyone off until that hour. She was never going to meet me, and she now has a two hour head start. Oh, heavens. How easily I was taken in.”

“She obviously planned this ahead of time,” Pendrake said to Beatrice’s father, “perhaps before ever arriving at this house party.”

Harriet’s heart was in a jumble. “Would you like me to search Beatrice’s room with Mrs. Watkins? She may have left a clue behind as to her whereabouts.”

“No, Miss Comeford. That is not necessary,” Pendrake said, regarding her quite sternly. “You’ve involved yourself enough.”

Despite defending her to Beatrice’s father, was he now blaming her for this incident? How could he when he had just suggested this might have taken days of planning?

Yet, the way he looked at her.

“We’ll search in the village next,” he continued, his expression growing darker as he now scowled at her. “I know you wish to help, but there is nothing you can contribute.”

She swallowed the knot of sorrow now wedged in her throat. “Yes, of course.”

She hurried out of the study, feeling all eyes upon her retreating back.

Why had she inserted herself in the discussion when she clearly was not wanted? Nor did she have anything to offer the investigation.

All she had done was fix Covington’s rage on her, for he believed her to be a liar.

She saw it on his face and in the expressions of the three dukes.

Did they all believe she knew where his daughter had gone?

Not only did they believe her to be a liar, but they regarded her as useless.

She hurried back to her room and found Alice waiting for her. “Oh, Miss Comeford…”

“This is all my fault.” Harriet finally let the tears she had been holding back now flow. “Why did I not see it? I could have stopped Lady Beatrice.”

“Did you know she was running away?”

“No.”

“Then how are you at fault?”

Harriet sighed. “I felt she was not telling me everything. I felt it in my bones. She smirked throughout the picnic, as though she knew something the others did not.”

Alice shook her head. “Then everyone must have seen her smirking. Why blame yourself when she fooled everyone?”

“I spent much of the picnic talking to her, sometimes in private conversations.”

The girl shrugged. “Her father has known her all her life and he never saw it coming. And I’m sure she was friendly with several other young ladies, and—”

Harriet gasped. “Of course, we should be asking them. Oh, Alice. You are brilliant.”

She giggled. “What did I say, Miss Comeford?”

“A lady would know. Wait right here.” She quickly dried her tears. “I am going to ask His Grace for permission to questions the other diamonds.”

She ran downstairs and caught the men as they were about to ride to the nearby village bearing the same name as the duke, Pendrake. “What is it?” he asked with marked impatience as she rushed out of the house and called to him.

“The other ladies may have been told something. Do you mind if I question them?”

He appeared ready to growl at her, but must have realized it was not a bad idea. “Have my mother do it. I want you to keep out of it.”

“All right. I’ll speak to your mother right away. It is wisest to have her conduct the questioning since she is the highest in authority and I am…”

Nobody.

That’s who she was.

Nobody.

She had been fooled into thinking she was worthy of notice, but she was really nothing more than a charity case.

With a final frown at her, the duke rode off with his companions.

Harriet wasted no time in running upstairs to the dowager’s bedchamber. She knocked softly on the door, hoping the dowager was not napping.

Millie let her in. “Is something wrong, Miss Harriet? Do come in. Her Grace was wondering what all the commotion was about. Do you know what has happened?”

She nodded, and then related all she knew to the dowager. “Your grandson would like you to question the other ladies in the hope one of them might know more about Lady Beatrice’s plans.”

“Very well. Harriet, be a dear and ask them to meet me in the drawing room immediately. You come, too.”

“But I’ve told you all I know.”

“My dear, I must have you with me, for you have a good sense about people. You will know who is lying and who is telling the truth.”

“All right, but I do not think your grandson has the same confidence in me.” In truth, she was convinced that he blamed her as Covington did.

Losing the duke’s trust and respect devastated her.

How could she stay if he now loathed her? And yet, where could she go?

She would make the offer to leave, of course.

It was the proper thing to do.

But then, she would have to beg him for the fare to London and a little more to tide her over since she would also need a place to stay while she searched for employment.

It all seemed hopeless.

“I’ll summon them right away,” Harriet said and hurried off to gather the ladies.

Within the quarter hour they were all seated in the drawing room.

“What is all the fuss about?” Lady Marianna asked.

The dowager left it up to Harriet to tell them what had happened. “This is why the duchess has asked you all here. Do any of you have any idea where Lady Beatrice has gone? Her father is frantic with worry for her safety.”

Lady Annalise and Lady Winifred found the situation amusing.

“If she has run off with Captain Arlington, then I expect she will be in no danger,” Lady Annalise said with a dismissive air. “The man is an honorable prig. He’ll marry her, I have no doubt. Less competition for us all.”

Winifred agreed. “She’s a good one to have knocked off Pendrake’s list since she was his favorite. But good riddance to her. She’s made her choice and must deal with the consequences. It is not our concern if her father disowns her. She’ll have to get used to living on a captain’s wages.”

All the ladies tittered at the notion.

The dowager did not look amused.

After asking a few more questions to which she received unhelpful answers, the dowager dismissed the diamonds. “Stay, Harriet.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“I have never been treated with such insolence in all my days,” she intoned. “These ladies are shockingly cold-hearted.”

Harriet nodded. “I do not believe Beatrice would have confided in any of them. I think we will get more out of Lord Covington’s valet or his coachman. Beatrice’s maid would have been most helpful, but she seems to have run off with Beatrice. Your grandson dismissed my suggestion to have her room searched for clues, but I do not see how this can hurt. Would you mind if Mrs. Watkins and I searched her room?”

“It is good idea. Go to it, Harriet. But first ask Flint to summon the coachman and valet. I shall question them in the meanwhile.”

Harriet did as the dowager asked, however her room search yielded nothing, just as the duke expected.

When she returned to the drawing room to report to the dowager, the dear lady appeared equally glum. “The valet and coachman knew nothing.”

Nor could any of the Pendrake maids offer anything.

Harriet thought they might have overheard a whisper or two, but none did. Lady Beatrice and her maid were quite careful and had fooled them all.

Harriet said as much to the dowager.

“Yes, my dear. We were all completely taken in.”

This ought to have made Harriet feel better, but it did not. She could not forget the angry scowl on the duke’s face as he left for the village with Ware, Folkstone, and Beatrice’s father.

Supper was delayed until nine o’clock that evening in the hope the men would return in time. As the hour approached, Harriet thought to simply remain in her bedchamber, but the dowager would not hear of it and sent Millie to assist her. “Wear the lovely ivory with the floral embroidery tonight, Miss Harriet. This will be a casual evening, one that might end shortly after supper if the gentlemen do not return.”

Since she was not going to ignore the dowager’s wishes, she thanked Millie for her assistance and joined the ladies downstairs. There were several gentlemen present, as well. But the dukes were the ones the young ladies were hoping to see, so supper turned out to be a subdued affair.

They were just finishing the meal, enjoying a lemon syllabub, when the dukes and Lord Covington returned. Table manners fled as everyone jumped from their seats and raced into the entry hall to hear the latest news.

Harriet’s heart sank because the men appeared defeated.

“No, we did not find her,” Pendrake confirmed in response to everyone’s question. “Not a trace. However, we did receive confirmation that a man matching Arlington’s description was seen in the area shortly before Lady Beatrice disappeared.”

“I’m so sorry, Covington,” the dowager said with sincerity. “If there is any good to be found in this sad situation, it is that your daughter might find happiness married to this man.”

“I hope their marriage is blighted,” he growled, and strode into the duke’s study muttering something about needing a drink.

As others began to follow Covington and the dukes to the study, Harriet remained in the entry hall because she did not think Pendrake wished to set eyes on her ever again.

“Miss Harriet?” Flint said politely.

“The study is crowded enough. I shall be in my room should His Grace ask. I’ll come down if he requests it, but I doubt he will.”

As they stood by the front door which was still open, a young boy walked up. “Sir.”

Flint turned to the lad, somewhat surprised. “What are you doing here at this time of night, Simon?”

“A lady gave me this letter earlier and told me to deliver it to Miss Harriet Comeford at sundown.”

Harriet gasped. “That’s me.”

She took the letter from the boy, her hands trembling as she held it. “This has to be from Lady Beatrice.”

Flint gave the boy a coin.

But as the boy turned to leave, Harriet held him back. “No, wait. I think His Grace will want to speak to you. Flint, please escort the lad into the library. I’ll ask His Grace to join us. Are you hungry, Simon?”

He nodded. “Thirsty too, m’lady.”

Harriet cast Flint a wincing smile. “Could you please…and I expect His Grace will also want something to hold him over since I doubt the gentlemen have eaten yet. And someone ought to take the boy home afterward. He should not walk alone to the village in the dark.”

Darkness fell late in the summer, and sundown did not arrive until ten o’clock at night. Much too late for a boy of Simon’s age to be out and not abed.

Flint grinned. “I shall attend to all of it at once, Miss Comeford.”

“Thank you.” She knew she had overstepped her authority, but Flint did not seem to mind.

She hurried to the study, hoping the duke would not ignore her.

Everyone had gathered around him and Lord Covington, and were tossing questions at them. The duke glanced up when he saw her enter and she tried to discretely motion to him. She was afraid he would ignore her, but he excused himself and motioned for the other dukes and a sadly broken Lord Covington to continue responding to the questions.

“What is it, Harry?” he said gruffly, obviously still peeved.

“This.” She showed him the second letter “A lad called Simon just delivered it. He said it was for me. I had Flint put the boy in your library since I thought you might want to question him.”

The duke nodded. “Good thinking. Come along, let’s read that letter and talk to the boy.”

Once in the library, the duke shut the door behind them to allow for privacy while he engaged the lad. “But let’s read the letter first.”

Harriet’s hands were still trembling as she carefully unsealed it.

Dearest Harriet,

Please forgive me for embroiling you in my escapade, but I hoped you would be the voice of reason and allay my father’s fears. Captain Arlington is an excellent man and will take good care of me. I know you were worried for me, but be assured my captain has a charming estate on the Exmoor coast, fully staffed with servants, so I shall want for nothing. I turned one and twenty last month, and am now of age to marry without my father’s consent. My dear captain and I have waited for this moment since I was sixteen years old and he, two and twenty. Please let my father know he will always be welcome into our home, provided he is polite to my husband. Yes, he is my husband. We secretly married the day after my birthday, so please do not blame yourself. You are without fault. I am truly sorry I involved you in my scheme. But I hope you can understand why I had to send the first missive asking you to meet me at the stable at six o’clock. I was long gone by then, but how else was I to delay others from following me? I had to make them think I would meet you at that hour. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me, my dearest Harriet. I think we would have been great friends had we spent more time together. Wishing you every happiness.

With fondest regards,

Beatrice

Harriet turned to the duke, uncertain what his response would be to this letter. “Well, Your Grace. She is safe and that is what matters most.”

He shook his head. “Do you really think so? Her father is going to fly into a rage when he sees this letter.”

“Must he see it?”

“I am not going to withhold it from him, Harriet.”

“Of course,” she said, wishing the duke would stop scowling at her. Did the letter do nothing to exonerate her? “His daughter is now happily wed to a good man who has the means to provide for her and loves her. Do you think Lord Covington will eventually see reason and accept their marriage?”

“No. You are deluded if you believe this will end well.”

This saddened her. “I hope it will. I want Lady Beatrice and her father to be happy and reconcile. Life is too short to be wasted on resentment and bile. I do not know Captain Arlington. Is he honorable or a no-good rascal?”

The duke let out a long breath. “He’s a good man, from what I know of him. Whether he will be a faithful husband, only time will tell.”

“Time, and no interference from her father. Love is a precious gift that should never be squandered. I would give anything to make such a match for myself. But as we know, I shall be fortunate to find a position in a good household and not end up begging on the street.”

The duke said nothing.

Harriet stood awkwardly beside him while Flint rolled in a tea cart and then hurried off to attend to the others. Harriet did the honors and poured tea for the duke and Simon, and then cut each of them slices of ginger cake. “Thank you, m’lady. This is delicious,” Simon declared, his eyes wide and smile even wider.

She laughed lightly. “I am glad you like it. Mrs. Paltry is His Grace’s cook and she baked this marvel of a cake.”

“I know,” the lad said between mouthfuls. “She’s my grandmother.”

That got a grin out of the duke. “Forgive me, Harriet. I should have mentioned who Simon was. He’s a regular visitor here.”

He now knelt beside the boy. “Simon, did Lady Beatrice say anything more to you?”

“No, Your Grace. She just handed me the letter, and the gentleman she was with handed me a shilling for delivering it to Miss Comeford at sundown and no sooner. Are you going to ask me for the shilling?”

The duke shook his head and smiled. “No, it is yours. You have earned it.”

He then went on to question the lad about who else was with Lady Beatrice and her gentleman, and whether they mentioned where they were headed.

“No, m’lord. Just the captain and the lady, and the lady’s maid. The captain had a carriage at the ready and they rode off in it right after the lady handed me the letter. They rode north, that’s all I saw. Oh, and the captain gave me another shilling to return the horses the ladies took. I put them in your stable before coming to find Lady Harriet.”

“I am not…” Harriet sighed because it was not worth insisting she was not a lady. “Did they look happy?”

The duke arched an eyebrow upon hearing her question.

“Oh, yes,” Simon said with a nod. “The cove could not stop smiling. Nor could the lady, although she shed a few tears because she was sad about leaving her father. But she thought he would come around in time. That’s what she told the captain.”

“I hope so.” Harriet cut the boy another slice of cake and held back a chuckle as he devoured it in two bites.

“Your Grace, may I go now?” the boy asked after taking a last sip of his tea. “My ma will worry if I’m not back soon.”

The duke had remained on his haunches beside the boy and now rose to his full height. “I’ll have my coachman deliver you home in my carriage, Simon. Are you still hungry? Shall I have your grandmother pack you a supper basket?”

“Yes, Your Grace. That would be just fine. May I go now and ask her?”

The duke nodded. “Yes. Flint will fetch you once my carriage is ready.”

The boy ran off, leaving Harriet alone with the duke.

She handed him the letter. “I suppose you’ll want to show it to Lord Covington. May I be excused? I don’t think you need me for the rest of this discussion.”

“Go ahead. There’s no need for you to stay. The crowd will disperse after this and want to resume the planned entertainments. You do not play cards and you cannot dance, so I do not think you will enjoy yourself if you remain with us.”

“Will there be dancing tomorrow night, as well?”

He nodded. “But you need not join us for anything more.”

“All right.” She did not know how to dance their elegant dances.

The duke knew this, too.

By his nod, was he telling her to stay away from him and his friends?

She assumed so, and would plead a headache tomorrow morning and keep to her chamber from now on. Was it not safer than joining these privileged elites who did not want their house party tainted by her company? “Good night, Your Grace.”

He grunted distractedly, his attention on the letter she had left with him.

She walked upstairs feeling cast out.

Alice came up to attend her, but she barely had time to undo the lacing of her gown before rushing off to attend to the other ladies. Not that any of them had retired yet, but several wanted to change into proper evening gowns now that the dukes had returned.

“His Grace ordered the card tables set up for those who wish to play cards. And the pianist arrived earlier, so His Grace will have him stay on so that the ladies and gentlemen may dance.”

“What of Lord Covington?”

“He’s seated in the study with His Grace. They are having brandies and conversing about Lady Beatrice.”

“Just the two of them?”

Alice nodded. “Yes, he’s sent the others off to enjoy themselves now that everyone has calmed down. I’m glad Lady Beatrice is safe. But what a scandal! To be secretly married all the while. Good thing the duke did not fancy her.”

Alice rushed off.

Harriet was left alone with her thoughts.

But the duke had fancied Beatrice.

He had referred to her as the best of these diamonds. Would he remain angry? Was he hurt by Beatrice’s deception?

Would he blame her for Beatrice’s actions when all she had done was talk to Beatrice this afternoon at his urging?

What right did he have to blame her when he was the one who had goaded her to approach Beatrice in the first place?

Feeling rather exhausted, she changed into her nightgown and also donned her robe, for her insides were shivering. How long before the duke burst into her chamber, roused her out of a fitful sleep, and moved her into the servants quarters?

That would be a cruel humiliation, but she was prepared for it.

All she needed from him was assistance in securing a respectable position, and then she would be out of his life forever.

Would he renege on that promise now?

Dear heaven.

What would she do if he sent her away?

He was going to do it, she felt it in her bones.

She was the outsider and unwitting accomplice to Beatrice.

He would never forgive her.

He would never love her.

How could he? A duke and a schoolteacher? The match was laughable.

And yet, she had fallen in love with him.

How could she have been so foolish?

But there it was, she had lost her heart to the Duke of Pendrake.