Page 71 of An Unforgettable Ball at Bromenville Hall

“Boredom, I should think,” Eugenia replied, wiping her eyes. “All you noble ladies do is sit and talk. Chatting of the weather can go only so far.”

“I suppose so. Because we have maids and servants and footmen to do everything for us.”

“Exactly.”

Lady Helena sobered as she gazed at Eugenia. “If you are determined to use yourself as bait to lure this madman in, then I will help you. But we cannot do this alone.”

“I know,” Eugenia replied, gesturing toward the door. “We need to include Mr. Oldman.”

“That is exactly what I am thinking. But he owes his loyalty to His Grace. He may not agree to help us and not tell the Duke.”

“I suppose we should ask him then.”

Rising, Eugenia went into the corridor to find her bodyguard standing alone, his livery and powdered wig in perfect order, like a well-trained soldier at attention. He offered her a brief nod with no smile as she walked closer to him.

“Lady Helena and I would like to speak to you,” Eugenia said. “Would you mind stepping in here for a few moments?”

Mr. Oldman frowned. “I do not believe that would be proper, Miss Betham.”

“Please? It would only be for a minute or two. We wish to discuss something with you in private. We can chaperone each other, Lady Helena and I.”

For a long moment, Mr. Oldman considered her request, and she thought he would refuse. At last, he dipped his chin in acquiescence. “Just for a moment.”

“Thank you.”

Returning back inside Lady Helena’s apartments, Eugenia closed the door behind him. Lady Helena stood up from the couch and nodded acceptance of his respectful bow. “Mr. Oldman,” she said. “We have a request, and we also need you to promise to not inform the Duke.”

“He is my employer, My Lady,” he said. “It is my duty to report everything to him.”

“Even if it means capturing the person responsible for trying to kill him?” Eugenia asked.

He frowned. “Go on.”

Pacing around the room slowly, Eugenia said, “This person wants me dead as well, as you know. I believe you will agree that this individual should be caught before he can murder His Grace. Or me.”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“Thus, I want to draw him out, Mr. Oldman. When he tries to hurt or kill me, you will be there to catch him.”

Mr. Oldman’s brow rose. “His Grace will certainly not approve of this course of action.”

“Which is why we need to keep it between the three of us,” Lady Helena said.

He slowly shook his head, eyeing the two women. “I am not so sure this is a good idea, My Lady, Miss Betham,” he said. “There are too many unknown factors involved.”

“What do you mean?” Lady Helena asked.

“This individual has tried various methods of murder in the past,” he explained. “I alone cannot guard against every one of them – not alone. If he were to simply shoot you, I cannot protect you against that. Then you are dead, and he escapes.”

“But,” Eugenia said, “even if he kills me, you catch him at all costs.”

“You are saying you are willing to die to catch this man?” Mr. Oldman’s voice sounded incredulous.

“I would hope I do not get killed,” Eugenia said. “Still, the Duke’s life is most important.”

“If I let you get killed trying to protect him,” Mr. Oldman said, displaying annoyed impatience for the very first time, “he will no doubt hang me.”

“Oh, dear,” Eugenia said, glancing at Lady Helena. “I never thought of that.”