‘Take me to Carlston,’ Pike demanded. ‘I know he is here.’
‘Lord Carlston is not seeing visitors at this time,’ Garner said, his voice at its most dignified and polite.
‘He will see me,’ Pike said.
‘His lordship has not yet regained his senses, sir. He is —’
‘If the man is unconscious,’ the Duke interjected, ‘what on earth can you gain by seeing him, Pike?’
‘I can make sure he is insensible.’
Helen rose from her chair and crossed to the doors.
‘What are you doing?’ Delia asked.
‘I do not think we need to wait upon their visiting cards,’ Helen said dryly. ‘This is not a formal call.’
Delia hurriedly pushed back her chair and joined her at the doors. They both leaned closer, listening to the approach of the visitors through the heavy wood.
‘What is going on?’ Lady Margaret’s voice called, sharp and urgent, from the floor above.
‘Mr Pike is demanding to see Lord Carlston, my lady,’ Garner replied.
‘His lordship is in no state to receive visitors.’
‘Stand back,’ Helen whispered, then opened the doors.
The two men were halfway up the staircase: Pike first, like a tall, hunched crow, and then the Duke, impeccably dressed in bottle green and self-possessed as ever. Lady Margaret peered down from the landing above, her dark hair hanging in loose curls around her tired and angry face.
Mr Pike stopped, halting the Duke behind him. ‘Lady Helen,’ he acknowledged tightly. ‘Allow me to inform you that the Duke has been sworn in to the Dark Days Club.’ She saw the silently furious And you are to blame in the jut of his chin.
She gripped the doorjamb. ‘Sworn in?’
All her attempts to keep the Duke safe had been for nothing. Here he was, following her into the Deceivers’ world.
‘Sworn in,’ the Duke said, ‘and set to be your aide if you will have me, Lady Helen.’ He bowed, then inclined his head towards Delia. ‘Always a pleasure, Miss Cransdon.’
Pike looked over his shoulder at Selburn. ‘Your Grace, would you please escort Lady Helen and her friend back into the drawing room. I will be down directly.’ His tone was as close to command as the Duke’s rank allowed.
‘Of course,’ the Duke said amicably.
Helen and Delia retreated into the drawing room. Pike sent Helen a hard look as he passed the doorway on his way towards the next set of stairs.
‘I do not want Lord Carlston disturbed,’ they heard Lady Margaret begin.
‘I don’t give a damn what you want,’ Pike snarled. ‘Where is he?’
‘Mr Pike is somewhat discomposed,’ the Duke said, entering the drawing room and closing the doors. He turned and regarded Helen. ‘I see that you are discomposed too. I imagine my appearance alongside Mr Pike has come as a surprise.’
Helen gave a brittle laugh. Surprise did not even come close to describing the dizzying collision of worlds within her head.
‘How did you even know to go to Mr Pike?’ she asked.
‘Your Grace, would you like to take a seat,’ Delia interposed, gesturing to the armchair. She glanced at Helen, adding sotto voce, ‘Sit down, dear. You look as if you may faint.’
Delia was right; she did feel lightheaded. She grasped the back of the sofa and edged her way around to its seat. Selburn took the armchair, flicking out his jacket tails. A rather fine double-breasted Weston, she noted, then had to fight the irresistible — no, hysterical — urge to laugh at the absurd observation. She gathered her muslin skirts and sat beside Delia on the sofa, the simple action bringing a return of equilibrium.
‘If you recall,’ the Duke said, ‘Mr Hammond told me that you were all under oath to the Home Office. I know Mr Pike serves the new Home Secretary, my good friend Lord Sidmouth. Ergo, I visited Mr Pike and demanded an explanation of last night’s events.’ He smiled tentatively at Helen. ‘I could not believe what you did in that lane. Your courage — it was remarkable.’
Helen clasped her hands together, forcing her tone to stay measured. ‘Pike told you about the Dark Days Club? Just like that?’
‘No, not at all. He adamantly refused to do so until I suggested I would return to London and discuss the matter in Parliament. He quite sensibly, if not graciously, decided it was more expedient to swear me to silence than risk that kind of exposure.’
‘I wish he had not,’ Helen said.
He drew back. ‘Am I not welcome as a comrade in arms?’
‘It is exactly what I did not want to happen. This is a dangerous world, Duke. I did not want you dragged into it.’
He bowed his head, but Helen could see the corner of his smile. ‘Ah.’ He looked up, blue eyes warm. ‘You are worried for my safety.’
‘Of course I am. Have you any idea of what we face?’
‘Indeed. I saw what you faced last night. I also saw that you faced it more or less alone. As far as I could tell, Lord Carlston was more a danger to you than the leader he is meant to be. I am also aware that Miss Cransdon has newly joined you as your aide.’ He nodded to Delia. ‘But with all due respect, Lady Helen, I think you need the help of a man who can offer you real and practical support and protection. Mr Pike agrees with me.’
Of course Mr Pike agreed with him. Helen pressed her hand to her forehead. Carlston hated the Duke and vice versa. They would never be able to work together. If Carlston ever woke up.
‘View it this way,’ the Duke added. ‘You know I have been watching over you since your arrival here in Brighton. Now I have merely formalised my own inclination and cemented my promise to your brother.’
‘I told you I did not want such protection.’
‘I know, because you did not want me to be at risk.’ He leaned forward, casting a glance at Delia, who took the hint and turned away, busying herself with the fringe of her pink silk shawl. ‘I do not care if I am at risk if I can protect you. That is why I hired a room in the townhouse opposite and set a man to watch you and report back on your activities. I am glad I did, or I would not have been on hand last night.’ He smiled, a little gleam of mischief in his eyes. ‘Mind you, I did not know that the young man in the company of Lord Carlston was in fact you.’
Helen felt her skin heat. ‘It is part of what I must do as a Reclaimer.’
‘So I understand. Nevertheless, Lord Carlston should have taken more care with your safety.’
‘It is not Lord Carlston’s fault.’
Selburn’s mouth quirked into disbelief. ‘Come now, the man was out of control. You saw it yourself. You were injured because of it.’
Helen sat up, apprehension stiffening her spine. ‘You did not say that to Mr Pike, did you?’
‘Of course I did. I told him Carlston was like a berserker. He put you in danger.’
No doubt Pike had leaped upon that part of the report.
‘You do not understand,’ Helen started.
‘Perhaps not, but I hope to learn.’