Page 21 of The Duke’s Replacement Bride (The Wild Brides #6)

“ T ell me you’re here with news,” Levi said, sitting down at his desk. He folded his hands in front of him and raised his eyebrows, waiting for his friend to speak.

Gregory sat down across from him. “I do have news,” he confirmed. “I have a lead on Lady Prudence.”

“Thank goodness. Is she all right?”

“If my sources are correct, then she should be fine. I described her to several people, and she has been seen about town, though not in any bars or gentlemen’s clubs.

It seems she’s likely to be staying with a friend who lives a short distance outside of London.

If that’s true, we can go to her and find her today, and hopefully we can bring her back. I know you’ve been worried.”

“Yes, very,” Levi murmured. “Do you know where the home is?”

“I do.”

“Then we can go at once.”

“Do you want me to go with you?”

“Your source indicates that the lady is not being held against her will?”

“No, it sounds as if she’s there because she wants to be.

She was seen walking in the park a few weeks ago.

That’s how it was discovered where she might be.

And on that occasion, she looked content and happy, so my understanding is that she’s probably doing fine and there’s nothing to worry about.

But I know you’ve been concerned, so I wanted to come here and let you know as quickly as possible. ”

“Thank you. I truly appreciate it.”

Their conversation was interrupted by a shuffling sound near the door. Levi turned toward it, frowning. Was one of the servants outside? But if they were, why wouldn’t they simply knock?

He rose to his feet, went to the door, and opened it. There stood Caroline, looking up at him with a guilty expression on her face.

He frowned. “What are you doing?”

Caroline straightened up and stared at him defensively. “You told me that Gregory was going to help look into my sister’s disappearance,” she said. “Then the two of you disappear into a room to talk about something that I can’t be a part of. Can you blame me for wanting to know what it was?”

“So, you decided to stand outside of my study and eavesdrop?”

“Well, I was right, wasn’t I? You do have new information about my sister. I heard your conversation. If you’re going to look for her, I’m going to go with you.”

“Caroline, that’s out of the question.”

“Oh, no, it isn’t. You told me from the start that I could be involved in this search.

I promised to stay at home and not go out looking for her myself because you said that you would include me when something happened.

Well, now something has happened, and I am going to be included in it.

If you don’t take me with you, I’ll saddle up a horse and go looking for her on my own right now. ”

“Don’t be ludicrous. You don’t even know where to look.”

“Do you think that will stop me? Has that ever stopped me?”

Gregory smiled and shook his head. “She certainly is a fiery one, isn’t she?”

Levi sighed. “Gregory, I think you’d better go. My wife and I have things to discuss.”

Gregory reached across the desk and handed Levi a piece of paper.

“This is where you can find Lady Prudence, assuming my information is correct. I wish you good luck.” He rose to his feet and turned to Caroline.

“I hope your sister is returned to you swiftly, and I do hope my good friend Levi allows you to participate in recovering her,” he said. “You seem very devoted to her.”

“I would do anything for my sister.”

“Then she’s lucky to have you,” Gregory said. He inclined his head toward Caroline and took his leave.

Levi gritted his teeth. “I suppose you really are going to insist on doing things your way.”

“That’s right. I really am. If she’s out there, I’m never going to stop looking for her.

This is my sister we are talking about. I need to know where she is.

I need to see her for myself and know that she’s all right.

Until I do that, I will never be able to feel at ease again.

I know you’ve done all you can to make me happy in this life, but I won’t be happy here until I know that Prudence is in good hands, wherever she is. ”

She meant it. Levi could see that. And he could also see that there was nothing he could do to dissuade her. The best thing he could do now was to try to make sure that whatever happened, she was responsible and safe.

“Very well,” he said. “If you’re going to come with me, then here are the rules.

You will do everything I tell you. You will follow my instructions to the letter.

You will not argue. You will not run off and do things your own way.

If you do any of that, I will be forced to turn around and bring you back home, and I will leave you here under the guard of several members of my staff so you are unable to leave the premises.

Now, if you can agree to those conditions, and if you can keep them, then I am willing to bring you with me. Decide now.”

Her face was pale, but determined. “I’ll agree,” she said, nodding.

“All right. Change into something else. Not that peasant outfit you have, dress as a woman. But something you can move about easily in while we are out walking around. I’ll get a carriage ready and meet you back here.”

She nodded. “Thank you, Levi.”

Levi watched her go. Strange as it was, he found that he believed her.

He had faith that she would cooperate with him and do things the way he was asking her to.

And if she would do that, then he couldn’t see any real harm in having her along.

After all, they weren’t going into a dangerous situation.

If Gregory’s news was correct, they were going to find Lady Prudence at a friend’s house. That ought to be perfectly safe.

He left his study and pulled the door closed behind him.

With luck, they would find a young lady today.

But he had to admit that he was nervous about facing her.

Things had not gone smoothly between the two of them, and he couldn’t forget that his original arrangement with Caroline’s father had been for a marriage with Lady Prudence.

He was still angry with her for running away from him, even though he was happy about the marriage in which he had ended up.

What would it be like to see her again?

He wasn’t sure how he would react. Being around her was sure to be unpleasant, because it would remind him of what had happened.

And even though he was happy with the outcome, that had been humiliating.

He didn’t like knowing that a lady had run rather than be married to him.

That she had been willing to risk disgrace over a marriage to him.

She had to explain herself. That was all there was to it.

And once they found her, there would be the opportunity for her to do just that.

He nodded resolutely and went out to the foyer to await Caroline.

She must’ve been in a hurry, because she was already running down the stairs when he stepped out to meet her. Startled, he held up both hands in her direction. “What are you doing?”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t run on the stairs. You could fall.”

She laughed, but she did slow to a walk.

“You’re going to be worrying about me like this all day, aren’t you?

” She reached the bottom of the stairs and stood beside him.

“I overheard what your friend told you. He said that Prudence is just at someone’s house, that she’s there because she chooses to be. There’s nothing to be worried about.”

She was practically bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet, and he could see clearly how excited she was.

Relief must have been coursing through her.

He had to admit, it was good to feel confident that Lady Prudence had come to no harm.

He could only imagine how Caroline must be feeling about it.

But even so, caution was still warranted.

“I know you are excited to go and find her,” he told her. “But you must remember the promise you gave me.”

“I won’t forget.”

“And you promise to stick to it?”

“I’ve already given you my word.”

“Say it again. I want to be certain.”

She sighed. “I promise you that whatever you tell me to do, I will do it. I won’t make things difficult for you.”

“It’s not making things difficult that worries me,” he said.

“You’re impulsive. I worry that you’ll put yourself in danger if something unexpected happens.

And if you do, I’ll have no choice but to go after you.

If you make me choose between protecting you and finding your sister, I will choose you. So please keep that in mind.”

Some of the color left her face, but she nodded. “You won’t have to make that choice,” she assured him. “I’ll stick to my word. I promise.”

“Very well, then. The carriage should be ready for us. Let’s go. I have the address of the house in my pocket.”

They made their way outside. Sure enough, the carriage was already waiting for them. They walked to it, and Levi opened the door and helped Caroline inside. Then he walked to the driver and handed the man the paper with the address of their destination.

“As quickly as possible,” he said. “I want this done with.”

The driver nodded, accepted the piece of paper, and examined the words written on it. He tucked the paper into his pocket. Levi made his way back to the carriage and climbed in.

Caroline, seated opposite him, was staring out the window, but she turned her attention back to him as he embarked.

“I hope she’s all right,” she said, and Levi saw that her hands were fisted together in her lap. “I know Gregory said she was, but I can’t help feeling nervous.”

“I don’t think we have anything to worry about. I think we’re going to find her in good shape. In fact, I’m anticipating that she’ll be pretty pleased with herself for having evaded everyone for so long.”

Caroline looked at him carefully. “You don’t really know my sister, do you?”

“Not well at all,” Levi admitted. “We met only a few times.” He frowned. “Why do you ask?”

“I ask because you’ve perfectly captured her character,” Caroline said.

“I’m nervous for her, of course, but what you’re saying is exactly right.

She’ll be very proud of herself for having tricked everybody.

She’ll be pleased with the fact that she was able to elude us for such a long time.

She’ll think it means she’s very clever. ”

“I thought so,” Levi said.

“But how did you know that?” Caroline asked. “Since you don’t know my sister well, how were you able to capture her so perfectly?”

“Because it isn’t really her I’m describing,” Levi said.

“You must realize that, Caroline. When I talked of a lady who is clever and takes pride in it, who wants others to realize the value of her wit, I’m talking about you.

I speculate that your sister has the same qualities I see in you.

That’s why I was able to guess how she might respond when she sees us today.

I’m actually guessing at how I think you would respond if you were in a similar situation. ”

Caroline’s lips parted slightly. She didn’t seem to know what to say to that.

Levi leaned back in his chair and regarded her, feeling a sense of satisfaction. There was something pleasurable about taking her by surprise like that.

Caroline looked out the window, then darted a glance back in his direction. She seemed not to quite know what to do with herself. And that made Levi feel even more satisfied.

What they had to do today was serious business, and he knew he needed to keep his attention focused on Lady Prudence and on bringing her safely home.

But he had discovered something new. He had come to realize just how enjoyable it was to keep Caroline on the edge of her seat.

To keep her guessing. And he intended to take further advantage of that in the days to come.

The carriage continued down the road. Neither Levi nor Caroline spoke again. But the air between them was tense, and Levi couldn’t help feeling certain they were thinking similar thoughts. And that made him feel closer to her than he had so far in all the time the two of them had been married.

He couldn’t wait to get back home and spend more time with her in less dire circumstances.