The Legend of the Earl (Heirs of High Society) (A Regency Romance Book)(9)
He wondered if this was the reason Avon had brought up the story with Wint. It would make sense to have it on his mind.
She’d be on everyone’s mind now, and once she was found… what then? She could possibly try and make some claim to Wint’s holdings, though Justin didn’t see the courts bending. Not even for one of Mary Elizabeth Best’s children.
Still, the woman would draw attention and that attention, if she was staged well, could be very good.
And not just for her.
Justin paid for the paper and walked out the door with Gerard. “I must find her.”
“You and every man, woman, and newspaper writer in the country.” Gerard handed Justin an umbrella as they stepped outside and then opened his own overhead. “Everyone wants to meet her, to see her for themselves.” He was forced to speak loudly over the rain. “And as the article states, the world is wondering where the new Viscount of Wint is. The man’s heir has yet to be found.”
Justin moved swiftly to keep up with his friend, recalling that Wint had just died weeks ago. Justin had gone to the funeral. He’d missed Ms. Best’s commemoration, though he’d never truly planned to go.
“I have to find her, Gerard.”
Gerard stopped at the corner and turned to Justin. “Why?”
“She may be my way in to your father’s good graces.”
Gerard’s eyes flashed. “We’d move faster by hack.”
Justin nodded and went to flag down a hack in the rain.
His mind cleared as his thoughts came, one jumping over the other, until an idea formed.
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3
CHAPTER
THREE
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The toy store was just as full as Gerard had warned. Most everyone was body to body, either pretending to find great interest in the toys or, while purchasing their trinkets, trying to start a lively conversation with either the man or woman behind the counter.
Another man greeted them at the door. He was tall with green eyes that didn’t smile with his mouth. “Good evening, gentlemen. Welcome to Christmas’ Toys and Gifts. How can I be of service?”
Justin was taken off guard by his presence and was sure the man had been hired to do exactly what he was doing—causing anyone who entered to second-guess their entry.
“I’m here to see Ms. Smith,” Justin said straightaway, deciding not to play games.
The stranger’s dark brows fell, making Justin second-guess his decision to be straightforward. “She’s not receiving callers.”
“Ever?” Gerard asked.
The man’s green eyes moved to him and he said, “Ever.”
Gerard took a step back.
“But I’m practically family,” Justin said, gaining the stranger’s attention and moving out of the way to let two women into the shop, which was already bursting with customers. They, at least, had a child with them.
His move forced them closer to the counter to where a woman with blue eyes kept gazing in their direction.
The guard didn’t react to Justin’s claim of familiarity, and Justin thought others had probably tried that ploy before. “Are you Lord Wint?”
“No,” Justin said deciding to try honesty. “But I believe that Ms. Smith would like to meet me. I’m Lord Chantenny. I owed her father a debt and, with him being dead, she is the only person I can repay.”
Something flickered in the man’s eyes before he crossed his arms. “What debt?”
Justin was once again taken back. He didn’t like the way the man before him spoke. He was used to more respect from servants.
The guard didn’t budge. “If you wish to speak to her, you will tell me of this debt that is owed.”
“Perhaps we should speak to the owner,” Gerard said, obviously not liking the guard as well. “Is he available?”
“He’s not,” the guard said. “And no one is speaking to Alexandra without my say so.”
Justin looked the man over in a new light. He was good looking and seemed to be in athletic shape. Addressing Ms. Smith by her first name meant he knew her intimately.
If what this man said was true, then Justin would have to tell him the truth. “Her father saved my father’s life. Both of our fathers died recently, but I’ve never repaid her father for his kindness.”
“Alex never knew her father and doesn’t care to know him now. Have a good day, my lords.” The guard dismissed both men and began to move as though the conversation were done.
Justin moved with him, blocking his way. “I don’t believe her decision to be in her best interest.”
Green eyes looked coolly at Justin. “That is her decision.”
“Yet as a friend, sometimes it is best that we help make decisions for them.” Lord knew how many Gerard had made on Justin’s behalf in the last three months. “The least you can do is let her hear what I have to say. At the end of the day, the father she doesn’t wish to recognize is still her father, and that makes him a part of her.”