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Chance’s carriage parted the morning fog like a ship cleaving water. The sun had barely risen before he set out towards Dominic’s residence, hopefully early enough to sneak Lilly away without raising any suspicion or alerting her master. His coachmen pulled up behind the manor in a deserted alleyway. Blowing his hot breath into his gloves, Chance hopped down from the carriage and made his way to the front street.
He knew he was taking a huge risk. He was putting his own neck on the line and Lilly’s as well, but he couldn’t see any other way of helping her. She couldn’t stay in Dominic’s residence any longer, not after the way Dominic acted last night. He was too interested, and not in just where she had come from. From the moment Chance had met Lilly, beneath the hopeful sparkle of their parents’ eyes and glittering chandeliers, he knew she was different. She had the confidence and grace of a duchess, and yet she was so easy to talk to, easy to laugh with. She was also uniquely beautiful, with a ready smile and charm that drew men for miles. Everyone except Chance.
He was not blind to her charms, just not as affected as others. Instead he enjoyed her laughter, enjoyed the wall of protection her presence provided from the desperate mamas, and enjoyed her thoughtful expressions. She was like a funny little sister always pointing out his insecurities and arrogance, but liking him all the same. He could not desert her now and leave her to whatever fate would befall her. Being the son of a duke had to count for something, so he might as well do whatever he could and hope whatever troubles they fell into wouldn’t be too much for his father to smooth over.
Chanced hailed a street urchin and told him to deliver a note to the manor kitchen. The boy quickly returned with note in hand. “I’m sorry, my lord, the old codger who answered said yer lady friend ain’t there no more.”
“What?” Chance bellowed. He tossed the boy a coin and went to bang on the kitchen door himself. When he knocked on the door, a bright-eyed young brunette poked her head out.
“Where is Millie?” Chance asked angrily.
The girl’s eyes widened in fear, but then she surprised him by stepping outside with him, closing the door behind her, and pulling him around the side of the manor.
“I don’t know, my lord. All seemed well last night until his lordship burst in after midnight with Miss Millie in tow and demanded a carriage. They left together, both lookin’ mighty angry. Then, this morning, Mrs. Fields tells us to pack some things for the country and to keep real quiet about it too.”
“Damn him. He knows.” Chance turned away and cursed under his breath. He turned back to the maid. “Why are you telling me all this despite explicit instruction not to do so?”
“Well, you’ve always been real kind when you come around, and, well, Millie was my friend. I don’t want anything to happen to her. Could you help her?”
“I hope so.” Chance ground his teeth in frustration.
“My lord?” Laura asked timidly, “You aren’t the only man who come lookin’ for Millie this morning.” Laura cowered as he turned to face her again.
“Who else? Someone like me—a gentlemen?”
“No, he was no good. He was rough lookin’ and nearly scared me and Bertha out of our wits. He kept demanding to see Millie, but wouldn’t call her by name... as if he didn’t know it. He was definitely a criminal sort. He looked like he wanted to hurt us.” Laura shuddered visibly.
“Thank you for telling me. If he comes around here again, don’t hesitate to call the watch,” Chance warned. “I will find Millie and keep her safe.”
“Yes, my lord.” Laura returned to the kitchens as Chance retreated to his carriage.
As it began to amble home, he thought over all that had happened. He worried for Lilly’s safety with Dominic, but if someone else was looking for her, someone dangerous, then perhaps Lilly was right where she should be. Dominic could be extremely dangerous too, and her safety would be his top priority. He would know how to protect her. But who was this unidentifiable man, an associate of Mr. Hollow? Possibly, and an unpredictable one at that.
By the time his carriage pulled up in front of his residence, Chance had devised a plan. He would set up a watch on Dominic’s townhouse, and if the stranger returned he would have his man follow him, possibly leading them to Mr. Hollow.
Chance descended from the carriage and noticed two cloaked women sitting on the steps. As he approached they both stood, their cloaks parting to reveal their maid uniforms.
“May I help you young ladies?” he asked curiously.
A petite blond stepped forward and curtsied. “Our mistresses are awaiting you across the street, my lord.” She indicated an unmarked black carriage parked across the thoroughfare. Chance strode across the street, slowing as the carriage door was flung open and a raven-haired young woman nearly leaped out, her emerald eyes sparkling with tears.
It was Olivia Brentton. A close friend of his and Lilly’s since their early days in society. Her dark and brooding older brother Devon, Lord Wilhelm, followed closely behind her, trying to prevent her from falling.
“Lady Brentton, Devon.” Chance nodded
“Oh Chance, I don’t know what to do.” She sobbed as her bother grabbed her arm tightly to keep her from collapsing in the street.
“What’s wrong, Olivia?” Chance said quietly. He didn’t want to be heard addressing her so informally in such a public area.
“Perhaps we should go inside,” Devon suggested.
“No,” a voice from inside the carriage said before a blond head peeked out. It was Lydia Covvington, another of Lilly’s closest friends. “It’s too dangerous. We should circle the park while we talk.”
“Always the savior of propriety,” Devon grumbled.
“Some of us care for our reputations," Lydia snapped.
Chance followed them back into the carriage and seated himself beside Devon.
“Now, what’s this all about?” he asked sternly.
“I haven’t heard from Lilly. I am so scared for her, Chance. I tried to send her notes, but they all returned unanswered.” Olivia cried into her handkerchief. “Where could she have gone? Daddy won’t let me help her and now she’s gone!”
“I’m sure she’s fine, Livie,” Devon said.
“How can we help her without dragging our own names through the mud? It’s too dangerous, Olivia,” Lydia stated definitively.
“How can you be so cold, Lydia? Our friend is missing!” Olivia said, nearly shouting.
“All you care about is your good name and reputation. Don’t worry, Miss Covvington,” Devon sneered, “you won’t have to dirty your hands. I will help my sister find Lilly. Society be damned.”
Lydia shot daggers at Devon. “How dare you speak to me like that, you rogue. It is not that I don’t care. Lilly is my friend too, I just do not see what we can do for her. We do not even know where she is.”
“I know where she is.” Chance interrupted their hysterical arguing. “Well, I have a pretty good idea.”
“You do?” two feminine voices said in unison. For once Lydia’s perfectly proper façade cracked as her true worry for her friend broke through.
“She’s with a friend of mine, possibly the only man who can truly help her. I believe he’s taken her to his country seat. He is the Earl of Redwick.”
“She’s there alone with him?” Lydia gasped.
“Lilly’s life is being threatened by her stepfather. I found out this morning that a rather nefarious character has been asking after her whereabouts. I’m hoping I can lead him away from Lilly and perhaps find out where Mr. Hollow has been hiding.”
“But how are we going to do that?” Olivia asked, her tears beginning to ebb as hope lit in her eyes.
“I’m not sure there is anything we as a group can do. I need to speak with Dominic before I can do anything. I don’t want to inadvertently damage his investigation if I can help it.”
“Dominic Coel?” Devon asked.
“The very same,” Chance answered.
“I thought he retired from the office.”
“He did, but they can never seem to let go of a very good employee.” Chance snorted.
“Tell us what we can do, Chance, if anything,” Lydia said.
“I’m not sure there is much we can do at this point. I’m going to set a watch for the man who was asking for Millie and have him followed.”
“Who’s Millie?” Olivia asked in confusion.
“Oh, it’s the name Lilly used while she was working as a servant.”
“She worked as a servant?” three voices said at once.
“Oh, poor Lilly, she must feel so alone,” Lydia said tearfully.
“What can we do, Chance? How can we help? I cannot sit here while my best friend is being hunted for treason!” Olivia said fiercely.
Chance was quiet. He wished he could tell them more—at least reassure them that their friend was going to be okay—but at this point Lilly’s future was very uncertain. At least until Chance could contact Dominic and get more information from him. He had to find out what Dominic’s plan was for Lilly and if he was going to help save her or persecute her.
“Just be patient. I will let you know when I know something.”
“And if we can help,” Olivia said.
“Yes, Livie.” Chance sighed. “For such a small woman you sure are dominant of men considerably bigger than you are.”
“You can say that again,” Devon quipped.
“I will keep you informed if I can through Devon. We will not let Lilly come to any harm, I assure you.”
“Give her our love,” Lydia said. “She’s in our thoughts and not alone. I want her to know that we are thinking and praying for her every day.”
“Will do, Lydia.” Chance jumped down from the coach and waved goodbye.
“Well, look at that. The ice queen has a heart.” Devon smirked at Lydia.
“I would slap you, Devon Brentton, if I weren’t afraid of catching some vile, perverse disease from the mere touch.”
Devon winked devilishly. “You would have to be intimate with me to do that, love. If I had one, which I assure you I don’t.”
“Devon, Lydia!” Olivia gasped in shock. “How can you say such things to each other?”
“It comes quite naturally to me. Wouldn’t you agree, Lydia?”
“I agree. Filth comes out of your mouth quite effortlessly.” She sneered. “You enjoy saying lewd and perverse things to women.”
“Only to you, love.” He winked at her.
“How dare you!” Lydia raised her parasol threateningly.
“Devon, please do not bait her.” Olivia moved to sit beside Lydia. “She may be the epitome of grace and elegance, but I do believe you could push her to become violent.”
Devon laughed out loud and Olivia thought she heard Lydia growl, so she put her arms around her friend.
“What are you doing?” Lydia asked.
“I’m restraining you,” Olivia replied, and Devon laughed even harder.