A Lady’s Trust by Callie Hutton (free children's ebooks online .txt) 📗

Driscoll fisted his hair in frustration for what seemed like the hundredth time as he paced his office. He grew more frantic by the minute. According to his calculations, Amelia had been missing six days.

The first thing he did after Dante gave him the news was clip his brother on the chin. Hard enough to make his point, not hard enough to put him out of service. Then he went to Scotland Yard to gain their help.

Even before he arrived, he knew that it was most likely a futile trip. When the officer began to question him, he felt ridiculous. No, he wasn’t completely sure Miss Amelia Pence was her real name. No, he didn’t have any prior address for her. No, he knew nothing of her family. No, he didn’t know if she had friends.

He didn’t mention the necklace because he knew in his heart she didn’t take it. Dante was still working on that one.

The only time the officer seemed interested was when Driscoll told him she left all her belongings behind, even the money she was saving.

He took down the information, but he smirked when he said most likely the young lady disappeared because she grew tired of him. Only the thought of spending time in jail kept him from planting a facer on the officer.

Because of his time working for the Home Office, he was deeply behind in his work. Although he tried his best, he couldn’t concentrate long enough to get anything done. Finally, Dante hired someone to help with the ledgers.

Amelia. Where are you?

He spent every night wandering the club, looking at faces. Trying to see if anyone looked smug. Or uncomfortable. Listening for words in conversations he could question. Most of the time the club was open, he stood against the wall, a brandy in his hand that he rarely sipped, watching Amelia’s table. Marcus had agreed to take it over until they could find someone else.

It was on the eighth day after her disappearance that he got his first clue. He watched Dante make his way across the room, heading directly toward him. He gestured with his head and Driscoll followed him to a small room where they stored gaming supplies. “What is it?”

“I just heard some rumors about an auction being held in two days.”

Driscoll shook his head in confusion. “An auction? Horses?”

“No. A woman.”

Driscoll felt all the blood leave his head to the extent he felt lightheaded. “What have you learned?” His lips were so stiff with fear the words barely made it past his lips.

“Apparently Lord Newton has a step-sister who he is auctioning off.”

The blood returned to his head, and on the way setting his heart to pounding. “Auction her for what?” His voice was so low it was a wonder Dante even heard him. It was either that or shout so loud they would hear it in Bath.

“I think you probably know.” He grabbed Driscoll’s arm as he meant to move past him. “Stop Brother.”

“It has to be her.”

“We don’t know that for sure. Since the event takes place in two days, I suggest we do some investigating and find out if it’s Amelia. Even if it isn’t her, we need to alert the authorities.”

“No. I don’t want the authorities involved. I don’t want this story to spread more than it has. I suggest the first thing we do is find out who Newton’s stepsister is. I don’t travel in Society much, but I never heard of a sibling belonging to Newton.”

“Apparently Lyons is involved in this, too.”

“Daniel Lyons? That cur?” Driscoll smacked his palm with his fist. “When this is over, I shall beat both of them to a pulp.”

Dante shook his head. “No. You won’t, because if this is Amelia, we need to keep it as quiet as possible. She is a viscount’s stepsister, and who knows what status to which she was born. She should have her place in Society and possibly even a Season to secure a husband. If any of this gets out, she is ruined.”

“Surely you are not serious?” Driscoll said, aghast. “Have you not been listening to me? I have every intention of offering for her as soon as she is found. I will protect her with my name. No one would dare cast aspersions on her. She will have the Earl of Huntington as a brother-in-law.”

Dante grinned. “And me, as well. Except I’m the bastard.”

“Stop. I always hate when you do that. You were raised right along with me and Hunt. Father treated you no differently.”

“Ah, but mama.”

“Was understandably upset by your arrival. But I think she did her best to overcome that.”

Dante remained silent. Despite being distracted by Amelia, he still noticed the shift in Dante’s manner.

Not wishing to delve into that right at the time, he said, “In any event, we have two days to find out more about this affair. If it is Amelia, we need to learn where it is to be held, and who can secure an invitation.”

“If it is her, we will not be offered invitations, I am sure.” Dante rested his hand on Driscoll’s arm. “She is an employee of The Rose Room. If she was indeed taken from here, we are the last people Newton and Lyons would want involved.”

Driscoll nodded. “I will go to a few clubs right now. See if I can pick up some natter. Since this is illegal, I am sure it is being kept confidential.”

Dante nodded. “I know you will be of no use to me or the club until you get this matter settled, so go on. I will be here for the rest of the night. If you need more time, I will prevail upon Hunt to step in for a couple shifts.”

Driscoll slapped Dante on the back and left the club. His first stop was White’s, by far the most popular club of the peerage. He took a seat in a small group of gentlemen, most of them known to him.

“Rose!” Lord Sterling