He sounded so miserable, I actually felt a sharp tug of sympathy for him. “It’s not like that, Mr. Roth. This girl is much more dangerous than you can ever imagine. She’s responsible for the riot tonight and for killing two more of Henry’s footmen. I imagine he left in secret with the intent of keeping us both out of harm’s way.” All well and good, except that I had no intention to oblige such reasoning.
James lifted his head. “Miss Kilbrid, why do I have the feeling that there is a secret in this room the size of a draft horse? The evening’s events surpassed my understanding, yet Henry was unfazed by the notion that a beggar child could instigate a murderous riot and then force Nora to flee against her will.”
A draft horse, or ten, just about covered it. Even so, my tongue remained still for lack of words. A carriage clattered on the lane outside the window. I glanced toward the noise to break away from James’s expectant stare.
“For the love of God,” James said, exasperated by my silence. “Is there anything you can tell me to shed light on what occurred tonight?”
Several tense seconds passed while I debated how best to proceed without divulging my identity in the process. “I can explain some of what happened, but it won’t be easy to believe.”
His gaze remained steady. “Tell me what you can, Miss Kilbrid.”
As in most cases, a half-truth best served my purposes. “Deri is a witch of sorts who has learned to cause madness with a single touch. Before coming into the theater, she affected a score of men and women on the street. All told, the girl was responsible for eight deaths and two score seriously wounded.” Without Cate and me, the death toll would have surpassed two dozen.
While I spoke, his hands moved to grip his knees. “Why did she take Nora?”
This question proved trickier. “Deri suffers from the delusion that Nora has a greater purpose to serve in Ireland. One that may involve unlocking an ancient prison.”
“So that is where they are off to.”
Unknotting my fingers, I pressed them flat against my lap. “Wexford, to be exact.”
Silence settled around us. I knew my next move, but had yet to learn his.
James leaned back in the chair. “Miss Kilbrid, the two people I love most in this world are in danger. And I’ve no doubt you can make a similar claim.”
A sob rose up in my throat. I pressed my lips tight and nodded abruptly.
“Despite our many differences,” he said, “perhaps we can work together for their benefit. The duke will have a similar agenda, and once he knows where Henry and Nora have gone, I’m sure he will do everything possible to secure their safety.”
A door shut toward the front of the house. James ignored it and continued to watch me. I focused on the backs of my hands, at the dried blood on the edge of my fingernail. To be sure, a man once called the dragon could be an ideal ally, not to mention his vast resources and influence. And as he already knew about the goddess born, I could easily explain the hazards of hunting Deri. So why did the notion of working alongside him settle like week old mutton in my stomach?
“I don’t know, Mr. Roth. The two of us may strike a truce, but the duke is a man guided solely by his own agenda. I just don’t think—”
Footsteps approached the library, accompanied by what sounded like the methodic thump of a cane. The door flew open, and the duke came in followed by Sophie. “If you would just wait a moment, Your Grace,” she said in frustrated politeness. “Lady Dinley can meet you in the drawing room.”
The duke pointed the tip of his cane at me. “I am here to see this one.”
James jumped to his feet, and I quickly followed suit. The rumple of paper caught my attention, and I glimpsed a letter clenched tightly in the duke’s other hand.
Sophie curtsied. “As you will, Your Grace. I shall let her ladyship know.” She dashed from the room.
He glared at James. “Did you agree to play nursemaid to Miss Kilbrid again? Or did my son strong-arm you into the role?”
Nursemaid, indeed! I pressed my lips together hard to keep from saying something I would soon regret.
James shook his head. “No, Your Grace. I came here to ask Miss Kilbrid of Lord Fitzalan’s possible route.”
“Have you learned anything?” The duke didn’t wait a reply before turning to me. “Where is my son?”
Once again, I was struck by the sensation that the man could turn me inside out with only his eyes. More footsteps came from the hallway, hurried as though people were running.
James cleared his throat. “Your Grace, we have a good understanding that he has gone to We—”
“What an unexpected surprise,” Cate said in a clear voice that preceded her physical form by a split second. Coming into the library, she ignored James and me, and went straight to the duke. “I would have met you in the drawing room, Your Grace, but I was waylaid by Lucy Goodwin. It seems the poor lady overheard two of the servants discussing her daughter. From what I can gather, Nora performed on stage tonight at Drury Lane and then ran off with a beggar child. Lucy is beside herself with grief.”