Callie closed the door carefully behind her and crept along the narrow path that ran down the side of the house to the street. She looked up and down the wide, dark thoroughfare. Then, pulling up the hood of her cloak so that it concealed her head, she started off boldly down the street.
ACROSS THE STREET and a few doors down from the ducal mansion sat a carriage. It had been there for several minutes, and the driver, huddled in his greatcoat, had begun to doze. Inside, two men sat. One, Mr. Archibald Tilford, sat back against his seat, a bored expression on his face as he turned his gold-knobbed cane around and around in his fingers. Across from him, staring out the open window of the carriage at Lilles House, sat Archibalds cousin, the Earl of Bromwell.
Really, Brom, how long are we going to sit here? Tilford asked somewhat peevishly. Ive a bottle of port and some very lucky cards waiting for me at Seatons right now. And the brick the driver put in here is growing cold. My feet will be like ice in ten more minutes.
The earl flashed him a cool look. Really, Archie, do try to bear up. We have scarce been here a quarter of an hour.
Well, I cannot imagine what you are doing, watching a dark house, his cousin went on. What the devil do you expect to see at this time of night?
Im not sure, Bromwell replied, not taking his eyes from the house.
It is clear no one will be coming or going so late, Archie pointed out. I cannot imagine why you took it into your head to see Rochfords house right now. Good Gad, its been fifteen years, hasnt it? I thought you had finally forgotten about the duke.
Bromwell gave the other man a long look. I never forget.
Tilford shrugged, ignoring through long experience the fierce gaze that would have quelled most other men. Tis long over, and Daphne got married anyway. Bromwell did not reply, and after a moment, Tilford went on. What are you about?
Bromwell countered his cousins question with one of his own. What do you know about Rochfords sister?
Archie sucked in a sharp breath. Lady Calandra? He hesitated, then said carefully, Youre not thinking ofsome sort of game involving the dukes sister, are you? Everyone knows the man is devilishly protective of heras you would know, too, if you had not spent the last ten years of your life buried up on your estate making money.
Bromwell grimaced. Ive never known you to complain about the money that I have made for the family.
Heaven forbid, Archibald responded mildly. But you have made an ample amount, surely. You can enjoy some of it now. Live a normal life for a change. Isnt that why you came to Londonto enjoy yourself for a while?
Bromwell shrugged. I suppose.
Well, a normal life does not include sitting about in cold coaches, spying on dark houses.
You were going to tell me about Lady Calandra.
Archie sighed. Very well. The lady is young and beautiful and wealthy.
Suitors?
Of course. But she has rejected them allat least all the ones who were not too scared of the duke to even try to court her. Rumor has it that she will never marry. They say that the Lilles are simply a cold family.
The corner of the other mans mouth quirked up a trifle, and he murmured, I saw nothing cold about the lady.
Archibald shifted uneasily in his seat. I say, Brom, what exactly are you thinking?
A half smile played on Bromwells lips. I was thinking how nervous it made the duke tonight to see me with Lady Calandra. It was most amusing.
His words did not appear to reassure his cousin, who looked even more alarmed. The duke will have your liver and lights if you harm Lady Calandra.
Bromwell sent the other man a sideways glance. Do you really think that I am afraid of anything the duke might do to me?
No, the devil take it. I am sure you are not. But, frankly, I am scared enough of him for both of us.
The earl smiled. Do not fret yourself, Archie. I do not intend to harm the girl. Indeed His lips curved up in a smile that was anything but reassuring. I plan to be quite charming to her.
Tilford let out a low groan. I knew it. You are planning something. This is bound to end badly. I am sure of it. Please, Brom, can we not just drive on and forget all this?
Very well, Bromwell replied absently. I have seen all I wanted to, in any case.
He started to drop the curtain that covered the window, but then he leaned forward, peering out, and held up a hand to his cousin. No, wait. There is someone coming out. A woman.
A servant? At this hour? Even Archibald sounded interested and turned to lift the other side of the window curtain. An assignation, do you think, with some footman or
The devil! Bromwells exclamation was low but forceful. It is the lady herself.
He watched as the woman pulled up the hood of her cloak, concealing her head and face, then set off down the street. Taking Archies cane from his cousins relaxed hand, he raised it to open the small square window beside the drivers head and give him a terse set of instructions.
Then he leaned back against the seat, pulling the concealing curtain into place, as the carriage rolled forward, following the woman.
You think that is Lady Calandra? Archie asked disbelievingly. What would she be doing out? Alone? And at this time of night?
What indeed? his cousin repeated, tapping his forefinger against his lips thoughtfully.
Archie pushed aside a sliver of curtain and looked out. Weve passed her.
I know.
At the next street their carriage turned right and rolled slowly to a stop. Bromwell opened the door and stepped out of the carriage.
Brom! What do you think you are doing? Archie asked.
The earl replied lightly, Well, I can scarcely let a lady walk alone at this hour, can I?
With a smile and a tip of his hat, Bromwell closed the door and walked off.
CHAPTER FOUR
CALLIE WALKED QUICKLY, her footsteps echoing in the empty street. When she had conceived of her plan, she had not really thought about how dark and empty the night would be. It had seemed relevant only in that there would be no one about to see that she was walking out boldly without a maid or other companion. But now, as she hurried past the dark hulking shapes of the other houses, it occurred to her that a companion, even one as slight as her maid, would be reassuring.
She was not in general someone who frightened easily, but as she walked, the anger that had sent her hurrying out into the night began to ebb away, replaced by the realization that night was the time when thieves and other evildoers were afoot, going about their business. This was, of course, the best area of London and therefore should be much safer than any other place, but she could not help but remember the stories she had heard of gentlemen being followed home from taverns and attacked in their inebriated state. And surely, if someone was going to rob a wealthy household, now would be the time when the thief would be breaking in.
Moreover, even if there were no such robbers around, she knew that gentlemen, especially those in their cups, could be dangerous enoughand likely to assume that a woman alone on the street at night was not a decent woman at all, but in all likelihood one who sold her virtue on a routine basis. Callie had no desire to be mistaken for a barque of frailty plying her trade.