“Sebastian!” Eve’s surprised call startled Helena and her eyes flew open.
Lord Thorne was in the middle of the street. When an opening presented between carriages, he dashed forward to join them on the walkway.
“What brings you to Bond Street, dear brother?”
“You will need an account set up with Madame Girard, so I decided to meet you.” He grinned at Helena and tipped his hat. “Good afternoon, Lady Prestwick.”
Helena offered a small curtsy. “Lord Thorne.”
Eve looked from her brother to Helena, her smile widening. “What a perfect opportunity for you to become better acquainted with Lady Prestwick. I think you will get on well.” If Lord Thorne recognized the scheming glint to his sister’s eyes, he pretended not to notice and offered Eve his arm.
Helena turned toward the dress shop before either sibling could spot the heated flush rising in her cheeks. The bell suspended above the door tinkled merrily as she preceded them inside. A shopgirl greeted them then bustled away to retrieve Madame Girard.
The modiste emerged from a back room, head held high. She was bone-thin with chiseled features and a wide forehead, but her appearance proved to be the only thing sharp about her. With a voice like warm molasses and the gentleness of a mother with her babe, she took Eve under her care and ushered her to the platform beyond the curtains to take her measurements. Madame Girard’s assistant yanked the curtains closed, blocking Helena and Lord Thorne’s view.
“This could take some time.” He gently took Helena’s elbow to guide her toward a corner of the shop where lace was on display. He absently lifted a loose end dangling from the bolt then let it flutter from his fingers. “Very nice.”
Helena smiled wryly. “Are you having a petticoat made, my lord?”
“I was considering drawers,” he said with a waggle of his eyebrows.
She chuckled as she imagined him in ladies’ drawers and pulled down a bolt of frilly red lace. “I believe this is more suited for your coloring.”
He winked. “Who said I was purchasing the drawers for myself?”
Helena’s breath caught as his meaning hit her. He must keep a mistress. Her reflection in Madame Girard’s oval looking glass rivaled the red lace. She shoved the bolt back on the shelf and moved on to something less scandalous.
Leather gloves seemed innocuous enough.
He joined her and leaned casually against the counter. “I hope you realize I was teasing. I have no need for ladies’ drawers, either for myself or anyone else.”
She sank against the glass countertop, almost laughing in relief. She had no say in what he did in his spare time. In truth, she had no reason to be bothered by what he did at the brothels on her behalf either, but she was.
He leaned close to her ear, his nearness making her heart skip. “I didn’t just come to set up an account for Eve. I thought waiting for a report from last night might be difficult.”
She swiveled in his direction, her breath shallow and quick. “Did you find her?”
“I’m sorry.” He shook his head slowly. “I hate disappointing you, but there has never been a woman by the name of Lavinia employed at either place.”
“Oh.” Tears burned her throat, but she swallowed them. It had been naive to think Lord Thorne would find her sister immediately, but she had gotten her hopes up anyway.
He gently patted her shoulder. “We will find her. We have only begun looking.”
We. Not I.
His gaze was earnest and gave her a sense he understood how important this was to her. Her heart melted even more. He had a way of lowering her defenses, and although it seemed unwise to allow him a step closer, she couldn’t help herself.
“Could she be using a false name?” he asked.
“I don’t think so. Fergus tracked her using her Christian name.”
“True.” His smile was comforting. “I will search again tonight after the House of Lords adjourns for the day. I will let you know what I have learned as soon as possible.”
Without stopping to think, she reached for his hand and squeezed his fingers. “Thank you. I mean that sincerely.”
The damask curtains flicked open again. Helena dropped his hand and came forward with a bright smile as Eve emerged from the back room.