“I have no wish to pursue you, sir.”
“If that is indeed the case, then why have you done so with relentless determination for the entire evening?”
“In that you are correct.”
“I know.”
“But it is not because I wish a dalliance of any kind with you, Mr. Haddon.”
He didn’t know what to say to that. Her tone had been dismissive, as if he was not worth dallying with, which was of course a direct hit to his pride. Not that Rory was overly boastful or believed he was a touch above anyone, but still. No one liked to hear they were not worthy of a dalliance, especially when there were plenty of women in the rooms below them that would disagree.
“Then what do you wish, Miss Redfern? Because while the view out here is unparalleled, there is no doubting the cold will soon numb our extremities. I have a jacket. You, however, have very little to protect you from the elements.”
“It is a delicate matter. I must have your word you will not speak of this to anyone.” She didn’t stomp her feet, which must be going numb, or rub her arms, just stood there looking at him, unmoving.
Her voice wasn’t displeasing; actually, it had a nice pitch to it, unlike some. Wilimenia Willoughby slipped into his head. The woman could cut glass when she spoke.
“I cannot promise that, as I have no idea what you are about to disclose.”
She made a little huffing sound.
“Well?” He wasn’t normally rude, but it was getting colder the longer he stood still. He could imagine how she was feeling, dressed in substantially less.
“You went to Eton with my brother, I believe?”
“I did.” In fact, Jackson Redfern had been a close friend, and they’d gotten up to no end of trouble together. They’d drifted apart when their school days ended and not mixed in the same circles since. They always acknowledged each other and talked in passing, but the schoolboy bond had severed.
“It is Jackson I wish to speak to you about.”
“I have not seen him this season. Where is he?”
She hesitated, then her eyes turned to look at the view.
“I’m waiting, Miss Redfern.”
“This is not easy for me to speak of. I am attempting to form my words.”
“Just speak them in whatever form they take, then we can get back inside before we become ice sculptures.”
She shot him a look, and he saw the frown on her face.
“I fear my brother is in trouble, Mr. Haddon. In fact, I know he is.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“He has fallen in with nefarious individuals who are holding him against his will.”
“Nefarious?” Rory tried to recall if Jackson had ever said anything about his sister having a flair for drama.
“Yes. He has been missing for two weeks now, and I have failed to ascertain his exact whereabouts.”
“I’m sorry, but I still don’t understand why you are seeking me out, Miss Redfern?” He was completely at sea.
“Jackson said once there were not many people in the world he trusted, but you were one of them. He said you were honorable, as was your family, and if there was ever a time he needed someone to turn to, it would be you.”
“He said all of that?”
She nodded.
“Considering that was many years ago, Miss Redfern, I am impressed that you remembered the conversation so concisely.”
“I have a very good memory.”
“Excellent,” Rory said, because he wasn’t sure how else to reply to that. “We have now established my outstanding character and that you did not follow me up here to secure my attentions. What, pray tell, is it you want from me?”
“This is not amusing, Mr. Haddon. This is serious, and I have gr-grave concerns for my brother.”
He heard the stutter but wasn’t sure if it was from the cold or tears. He sincerely hoped it was the first.
“Forgive me, I did not mean to make light of the situation, but I still fail to see why you have sought me out.”
“I need your help.” The words were spoken in a somber tone. “I have no one else to turn to.”
“To help you find Jackson?”
She nodded again.
“Miss Redfern, I am unsure what it is I can do? Surely there is a friend or family member better suited to aid you in your search? Your brother and I have been no more than nodding acquaintances for some time.”
“I have no family besides an elderly aunt. Our parents passed a few years ago.”
“You have my condolences.”
She waved his words away with the flick of a wrist. “I visited Bastil’s gambling establishment to see if he was there—”
“I beg your pardon; you are not telling me you actually visited that establishment?”
“Of course I did. How can I find my brother if I do not look?”
“You are a young woman of noble birth! Surely you cannot have been so foolish as to step foot inside? Good God, you would have been ruined had anyone recognized you.”
She flicked out her fingers, dismissing his words again, which tweaked his temper. Rory never liked to be dismissed. His brother told him it was because he was the middle child.
“You do realize what could have happened had you been found or mistaken for someone else?”
Who was supposed to be looking after this woman? Surely there was someone other than her brother and aunt watching over her.
“Who?”
“Pardon?”
“Who would I have been mistaken for?”
“Someone who frequents such places,” Rory said, feeling uncomfortable to be mentioning this to a young, innocent woman.
“Women of the night, do you mean? Ladies who make their money hawking their wares to whoever is interested. Women who—”
“Yes, yes, I take your meaning.” Rory could feel the heat rising in his cheeks. “A woman such as yourself should not speak of things.”
“A woman of noble birth who was raised with food on her table and soft bedding, do you mean? A woman who has never had to struggle for—”
“You must be extremely challenging to live with.”
“Because I am aware of more than the end of my nose, do you mean, Mr. Haddon?”
“And I repeat, challenging to live with.”
“It’s true that if I have something to say, I will say it. But I do not find it a fault; indeed it is a strength in my character.”
“Said no one but you, I’m sure, Miss Redfern.”
“But to set your mind at rest, I disguised myself so no one would recognize me,” she added as if he had not spoken.
Rory had only ever given this woman a passing glance, taken no time to discuss anything more than the weather with her, and yet he had to admit, if only to himself, she was suddenly intriguing him. Not many of her standing would speak as she was or stand up to him.
Folding his arms, he waited for what next would come out of her mouth, as clearly something would.
Chapter Two
Ivy tried not to shiver as she looked at the large nobleman standing a few feet away from her. Jackson liked this man very much and once had been his closest friend. In those days she’d trusted her brother’s judgement; that was no longer the case.