I swallowed a mouthful of curses. “I at least have a right to know if you’re going to tell anyone else about me.” And, whether or not I needed to leave London on the next frigate.
His eyes flashed with a startling fierceness, somewhat reminiscent of a dragon—a very dangerous one guarding a trove of gold, and I saw firsthand how the duke had earned his nickname. “Have no fear, Miss Kilbrid. Your secret is safe with me.”
Our gaze remained fixed for a moment longer. “Fine,” I muttered darkly. Then taking his hand, he pulled me to my feet, and we walked in silence to the drawing room.
*
Lucy and I arrived home alone well before midnight. While the duke had been playacting for me in the study, Cate was unexpectedly called away by one of her orphans. I guessed the little wretch had been spotted again, or someone had fallen ill and needed help. Either way, I could not begrudge Cate for doing her duty, even when my nerves felt riddled with pins from the night’s events.
While Lucy excused herself for bed, I found my way to a sofa to read until Cate returned. Was it possible that the duke suspected her as well? Or had the change of surname been enough to conceal her Irish descent? And what did he plan to do with his newfound knowledge? Would he try to blackmail me? Attempt to use my gift for power? Or hold it out as a means to manipulate Henry?
Anxiety surged amidst all the questions. “Damnation!” I cursed, throwing the book aside with a thud. Nervous energy pulled at my muscles and I soon found myself on my feet, pacing the length of the room like a caged cat.
Dragon, indeed! The man is the devil himself. How dare he use such means to trick me?
I paced back and forth, my thoughts split between anger at the duke and a well-earned self-denigration.
Stupid girl! Didn’t your mother teach you anything? How could you be such a na?ve fool!
“Excuse me, miss,” someone said from right behind me.
Absorbed in my thoughts, I nearly jumped from my skin in fright. With a small yelp, I spun around to find Sophie. “Gracious heaven! You scared me.”
Concern covered her usually soft features. “Beg your pardon, miss, but a lady is here to see you.”
This took me back a step. “What does she want?” I asked, more wary than curious due to the late hour and my complete lack of female acquaintances in this god-forsaken city.
“She came for Lady Dinley, but when I told her my mistress was away from home, she then asked for you.”
“Do you know who she is?”
“Yes, miss. It’s the Princess Amelia.”
I sucked in a hard breath. Impossible. Not after what had happened between us. “You must be mistaken, Sophie. Please, go tell whoever is out there that I am indisposed and unable—”
A lofty voice drowned out my next words. “There is no mistake,” Amelia said, as she swept into the room and threw back the hood of her cloak. “You may leave us now, Sophie. I wish a private word with Miss Kilbrid.”
Her arrogance permeated the air, and I clenched both hands to keep from throwing one of Cate’s porcelain ornamentals perched on a nearby side table. Sophie looked to me for confirmation. Only when I gave a slight nod did she curtsey and turn to leave.
Amelia and I stared at each other in tense silence, neither of us showing anything but the greatest dislike for the other. “What do you want?” I asked through gritted teeth the moment the door shut and we were alone.
In a few short breaths, Amelia’s arrogance disappeared, and her manner became somewhat hesitant. Dropping her gaze, she walked to the hearth and held her hands up to the flames, seemingly more for the distraction than to gain any real heat. “I came here tonight for Lady Dinley.”
“She is out, as Sophie has already told you.” Falling back on my Quaker teachings, I took great pleasure in omitting her royal title. “And I’ve no idea of her whereabouts, if that is what you want from me. Why don’t you return in the morning? I’m sure she will be home by then.”
I started for the door when Amelia spun around, her sheer desperation stopping me cold. “It will be too late by then. Please, Miss Kilbrid, I must get help tonight.”
My initial wariness grew into downright suspicion. “What sort of help do you need? Surely, I can offer nothing in Lady Dinley’s stead.”
Amelia knotted her fingers like a nervous child. “I’ve heard it whispered that Lady Dinley has an unusual talent for healing. Mostly it comes from the servants, but every now and again a courtier is said to have sought out her help.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. Was this another trick? Had the duke somehow involved Amelia in his schemes? Having been played a fool once tonight, I had no intention of letting it happen again.
“Do you have need of a healer?” I asked, without betraying the slightest emotion.