Miss Taygete’s Sweet Sister’s Society (The Spinster’s Society) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 8

  Feeling more at ease, Taygete asked, “How do you manage it? You say you spent your whole life working at a club. Now you’re married to a Lockwood.” The Lockwood family was known for its status and holding one of the largest gentry estates.

  Alice glanced around the room then leaned forward as the front door opened and closed. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Our lives are not all parties and balls. The Spinsters usually find ways to keep themselves busy, but I will admit the arrival of you and your sisters was well timed. We were growing restless. Now, we’ve something to do.”

  “I’m sure finding husbands can’t be that interesting.”

  Alice placed her hands on her hips. “Oh, but it can. I’ve spent years at gambling tables, reading expressions, and secretly hearing the conversations of some of the wealthiest men in London. There is much to a man that is hidden under a suit. It’s where I met Calvin.”

  For a moment, Taygete thought of just what Hugh might look like without a suit, but when heat licked her cheeks she quickly moved her thoughts elsewhere. “Was Hugh one of your father’s patrons?” She almost wanted to bite her tongue at the question, wondering what had possessed her to ask it.

  Alice didn’t seem to find any error with the question. “He was not. Only a few of the brothers preferred my father’s club to the others. Though the men are part of a brotherhood, they all have their own interests.”

  “Taygete.”

  She jumped and looked up just as Hugh came through the door, and the air changed. There was silence from everyone in the room. She stood still as he made his way to her and was startled when he grabbed her arm.

  A muscle jumped in his jaw, and his hold tightened. “What are you doing here?”

  She looked down at where he touched her and then at his face once more. “Are you upset?”

  His expression asked if she were mad. “You were supposed to wait for me at Lorena’s house.” Though he wasn’t loud, because of the silence in the shop he might as well have been shouting.

  She was used to shouting. When she worked in a hospital full of men who had either never spent time in polite society or hadn’t in a very long time, shouting was expected, as was vulgar language. While she was sure that a polite woman of Society would apologize at this moment, she decided she would not. “You never told us to remain at Lorena’s.”

  “Well…” He frowned in confusion. “It was certainly implied.”

  She kept her face expressionless. “No, what was implied was that I was the sensible one among us. Do you believe a trip to the seamstress sufficient evidence against the former?”

  He opened his mouth then pressed his lips together before glancing around the room. “We’re leaving.”

  There was no question of who ‘we’ were. Every lady in the Spinsters’ Society stood and started to move toward the door. A few were smiling at them. Taygete wasn’t sure she’d won or lost that argument but thought Hugh would think before addressing her so publicly again. She’d had everything under control before he’d come.

  She remained quiet as Hugh counted the women who left the shop. Her arms were crossed when he turned back around.

  “Alcyone,” he said.

  She blinked. “What?”

  He was speaking calmly, almost mockingly so. “Alcyone. Where is she?”

  Taygete went toward the back of the shop, ignoring the whispers from the woman whose name she didn’t know. She threw back the red curtain and prepared to tell Alcyone to come along when she found out that Alcyone was not there at all.

  A thread of panic twisted in her stomach, but she pushed it away and moved back to the main room. She found one of the seamstresses by the silk and asked after Alcyone.

  “Miss, we finished with her nearly half an hour ago.”

  Taygete was taken back. She’d not seen Alcyone leave the back room, and since the shop’s main room took up the rest of the space, it only made sense that her sister had left.

  But when?

  The word that slipped from her lips made the seamstress drop her silk and the lady gasp. Perhaps, she’d spent too much time around sailors.

  “Taygete.” Hugh spun her around. “Where is your sister?”

  “I… don’t know.” And the panic she’d put aside nearly pushed her over as it assaulted her mind with greater force. “Hugh, we have to find her.” The city was large, and her sister could be anywhere. She could be hurt or maybe someone had stolen her. Though she knew it was more likely that her sister had simply wandered off, as she was used to doing, she still was worried. “She doesn’t know London. Something bad could happen to her. The city is not safe.”

  His anger seemed to vanish at the sight of her fear. He pulled her toward the door. “I’ll go look for her. I want you to return to Lorena’s.“

  She blocked his way, causing them both to stop moving. “No, I must go with you.”

  He shook his head. “As you’ve already said, the city is not safe.”

  “I know Alcyone better than you. Let me look for her.” She placed her hands on his chest. “I have to go.” She was no longer asking his permission.

  He sighed. “All right, but you’ll come with me.”

  She readily agreed and followed Hugh to the carriage that was full of Spinsters.

  Taygete told them what was happening.

  “Take them home,” Hugh told his driver.

  Lorna stuck her head out the door. “We want to help.”

  “Yes,” Alice agreed. “We all know what she looks like. It would be better if we all helped.”

  “Yes,” Taygete readily agreed.

  “No,” Hugh said swiftly. “I already have to look for one woman. I’ll not have you all disappearing all over the city.”

  Lorena frowned. “But, Hugh—”

  “We’re wasting our time,” Hugh said. “Taygete and I will go. You will go home and await my message. If I need help, you will send Emmett and the other men. Not yourself. Agreed?”

  Lorena reached out and touched Hugh’s shoulder, her eyes softening. “Hugh, let us help you.”

  He touched her hand and gentled his own voice. “Lorena, please. For me. Go home.”

  In that small tender exchange, Taygete knew that Lorena knew all about Maia and her tragic death. Hugh had let this woman bear some of his burden, and Taygete was glad of it.

  Lorena seemed to struggle with obedience, however, but eventually she wrinkled her nose and gave a hard nod.

  Hugh looked at the driver. “Lorena’s house.”

  The carriage jerked into motion a second later and then Hugh turned to Taygete. “Where do we start?”

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  CHAPTER TWELVE

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  Hugh started with the shops closest to him, searching a bank, umbrella store, and watch shop while repeatedly making sure that Taygete was at his side the entire way. He didn’t want to lose her and could see the worry growing with her every step. The confident woman who had spoken her mind at the seamstress' had folded under the anxiety for her sister’s wellbeing, and it brought Hugh no amount of pleasure.

  He’d been baffled when she’d decided to stand up to him in the shop but also intrigued, knowing he was getting a glimpse of yet another side of the woman she’d become. He’d been ready to spend the rest of the day with her and her sisters, but searching for Alcyone had not been part of that plan. Depending on the reason she’d wandered away, Hugh would make sure Alcyone knew that while in London, she was not to go anywhere alone.

  He turned a corner and looked over at Taygete and saw her worrying her lip. “We’ll find her.”

  Taygete nodded but didn’t look his way. Her eyes remained forward, but he could tell she wasn’t seeing much.

  Hugh stopped them in front of a bookshop and turned her to him, touching her shoulder gently. He didn’t speak until she lifted
her eyes to his. “We’ll find her, Taygete. She’s too beautiful and well dressed for some gentleman not to wish to aid her in getting home. Trust me, your sister is safe.” Unless, of course, she took a hack to another part of the city, though he refused to think of that possibility at the moment. He refused to show her his own worry at the thought that he’d already failed at keeping Maia’s sisters safe.

  On their first day in the city nonetheless.

  Titan would not be pleased if Hugh returned again to Southampton with bad news. “I’ll find her,” he said with authority. There was no other option.

  Something he said must have reassured her, because she smiled, and her eyes became focused.

  Under different circumstances, he could have stared at her endlessly, but he had a job to do.

  He took her arm as they walked into the bookshop, and Taygete left his side and rushed across the room.

  Hugh saw Alcyone standing by the bookshelf and relaxed until he noticed she was not alone. A tall gentleman stood by her with his back to Hugh. Still, he could see the man’s hands moving and the look of astonishment that crossed Alcyone’s face.

  He reached them only seconds after Taygete did.

  “Alcyone,” she whispered harshly, gaining her sister’s attention. “What are you doing?”

  Alcyone blinked as though coming out of a dream and smiled. “I came to the bookshop. I thought I told you that I wished to go.”

  “Yes,” Taygete agreed with wide eyes. “You told me that yesterday, but you never told me you were leaving the seamstress’ shop.”

  “You were worried about me?” Alcyone asked, confused.

  Hugh spoke then, his words harder than Taygete’s. “Of course, she was. Your sister is supposed to be looking after you. Imagine her fright when she turned around and noticed you’d vanished in a city she didn’t know. You could have been hurt. She’s already lost one sister. Does that not matter to you?”

  “Edvoy,” Taygete gasped in surprise, taking caution to address him formally in front of their guest.

  Alcyone’s young face turned to ash and her lips parted before tears came to her eyes. She turned her gray eyes to Taygete. “I’m so sorry, Tay. I didn’t think.”

  “It’s all right.” Taygete grabbed her arms and pulled her into a hug.

  “No,” Hugh said.

  Taygete looked at him over Alcyone’s shoulder and narrowed her eyes. “Yes, it is. She’s obviously learned her lesson.”

  Of that, Hugh wasn’t sure. He wasn’t sure why Taygete seemed tough at times and grew soft at others but planned to ask her when they were alone. At the moment, he was still more frightened than she was. “I want her to swear she’ll never do this again.”

  Taygete visibly tightened her hold on Alcyone, but the younger woman straightened and met his eyes.

  Alcyone’s words didn’t waver though tears still rested in her eyes. “I’ll not wander away again. I wouldn’t wish to be hurt or hurt anyone.”

  “I’d not have let that happen, my lord.” This came from the member of the small circle Hugh had forgotten was there. The gentleman was young and blond with dark eyes. He was also handsome. Hugh didn’t know who he was but could tell he came from money. His suit was tailored well, and his posture showed him to be someone self-assured.

  Hugh played the stranger’s words again in his head before he spoke. “Who are you?” As he spoke, he took Alcyone’s arm and pulled her closer and away from the presumptuous gentleman.

  The man bowed. “We’ve not had the pleasure of meeting. I’m Samuel Fortiere and believe your anger my fault. I met Miss Alcyone outside of the seamstress’ shop, and we walked here together. I was so caught up in our conversation that I forgot to ask after her chaperone.”

  Hugh bet he had. “Though I’ve never seen you at a ball, I’m sure that even the son of a businessman knows that women of her station can’t go walking with a man she’s not courting.”

  “Then I wish to court her.” Fortiere’s eyes moved to Alcyone. “If you find that acceptable.”

  Taygete straightened, as did Alcyone, but he felt the younger woman relax.

  Hugh didn’t look at either of them and spoke before Alcyone could. “Since you know who I am, you know how to find me, and you and I can discuss if this shall move forward.” Then, to ensure that no further discussion happened, he said, “Good day, Mr. Fortiere.”

  Fortiere bowed so stiffly Hugh was surprised he didn’t snap in two. “My lord.” Then he looked at Alcyone. “Good day, Miss Alcyone, and you, miss,” he added when he addressed Taygete. With a final gaze at Hugh, he left.

  Taygete opened her mouth.

  “Not here.” Hugh showed them out of the bookshop and was glad to see that his carriage had followed him. He helped the women into the carriage then closed the door behind him.

  He was surprised when Taygete said nothing as they settled in and the carriage got underway, but the look she gave him told him that she was holding plenty back. Most likely, she planned to speak to him when Alcyone was gone, which suited him well, because he had plenty to say himself.

  He turned to Alcyone. “How did you meet Fortiere?”

  Alcyone looked at Taygete, who nodded before she spoke. “We saw each other through the window at the seamstress’ shop. I was standing next to Taygete when it happened.”

  “You were?” Taygete asked, dumbfounded.

  Alcyone nodded. “You were speaking to Alice about Hugh.”

  Hugh wanted to know more about that, and Taygete’s obvious worry only made him want that more, but Alcyone kept talking before he could speak.

  “We looked at each other and then we met at the door. Then we left.”

  “And that was all?” Taygete asked in disbelief. “All you shared was a look?”

  Alcyone’s cheeks colored, but her eyes grew soft. She seemed uncomfortable, but Hugh wasn’t sure if that came from the questions or her own emotions. “He didn’t lead me anywhere. I told him I wanted to go to the bookshop and he followed.”

  It was a slightly different story than the one Fortiere had told. The gentleman had made it seem as though he was to blame, but Alcyone unwittingly made it sound as though he’d been spellbound to follow her.

  Could it be that Alcyone had found the one? If it were so, then Hugh’s life had just gotten easier.

  “Did he compromise you?” Hugh asked.

  “Hugh!” Taygete grabbed Alcyone’s hand. “You cannot ask my sister that question!”

  “But she’s my sister as well,” he told her. “And I’m charged to protect her, am I not? She’ll answer the question just as she would to Titan.”

  Taygete pressed her lips together but said nothing as her gaze turned to Alcyone.

  Alcyone shook her head. “He didn’t touch me in the least, but he did show me a trick. He made a coin appear in his hand out of the air.” She seemed impressed by his sleight of hand.

  “Do you like him?” Taygete asked.

  “I was in a bookshop, and I didn’t glance at one book,” Alcyone said in answer.

  Hugh’s lips twitched.

  Taygete smiled and turned to Hugh. “His name sounds familiar to me, but I can’t place it. You know of this man? You made it seem as though you did in the bookshop.”

  “I’m surprised you don’t. His family has mines in north England and Wales. As to his personality, we shall see.”

  A dark part of him that he tried to keep silent was jealous. Fortiere had spotted the woman he wanted and had gone after her while Hugh had been too afraid to do so. Those thoughts always filled him with a world of guilt, yet it was the truth.

  He’d wanted Taygete.

  He’d married Maia as his weakening mother had asked, and now could never have Taygete.

  Taygete continued to hold Alcyone’s hand. “I knew I’d heard the name before, but Titan would surely know more than we would about them.”

  The carriage stopped at his house, and he helped the women down before escorting them inside.
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  Alcyone excused herself to go to her room, and Hugh started for his office, already making plans in his mind to look further into Samuel Fortiere.

  “Hugh, may I have a word?”

  He turned to Taygete and found her body to seem calm while her eyes conveyed she was prepared for war. He'd forgotten that she’d wanted to speak to him about what had happened at the bookshop.

  He’d also forgotten the pleasure of her voice, angry or not. He gestured toward his office, and she led the way.

  And much like Fortiere, he followed.

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  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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  “I thought you were a little hard on my sister,” Taygete said the moment they were behind closed doors.

  Hugh moved farther into his office, but instead of sitting behind the heavy desk, he simply removed his gloves before moving to stand a few feet away from her, surprising her with a grin.

  “Hugh, I’m being serious.”

  He crossed his arms and sighed dramatically, “I know, Tay Tay.”

  She was shocked and covered her mouth just as a peal of laughter left her. His mimicry of Electra had been spot on and hearing him refer to her with the nickname her sister used endlessly—a name that annoyed her just as much as her real name—made her forget why she’d been so upset. When she finally calmed, she tried to glare at his smiling face but couldn’t find it. Still, she added a snap to her words. “Hugh, I’m being serious. I wish to have a serious conversation with you.”

  He moved toward her and grabbed her hands. “All right, I’m listening. What is it you wish to say?” His eyes still showed light humor, but she could tell he was going for a more serious expression as well.