Merciful Lord!
Nicholas had spoken to Mr Masters about the debt, and he had seemed quite reasonable. And though he refused to tear up the promissory note, he had agreed to accept half the sum on condition Sir Thomas stopped attending the same clubs.
“I can send Nicholas and Sebastian to search for him.”
“No! I have a plan and have come merely to ask if I may borrow an unmarked coach for a few hours. They took ours earlier today to pay a debt.”
“What do you intend to do?”
“Why waste time looking for a lost lamb? I know where the wolf lives and mean to visit his house and beg him to remain indoors.”
Helen blinked rapidly in shock. “You want to visit Mr Masters at his private residence at this late hour? But he’s the most notorious man in London.” It was a ridiculous idea. “No! I cannot let you go, Mina. We will send a search party out for Sir Thomas and get him to apologise for his loose tongue.”
“That’s the point,” she pressed with surprising determination. “Thomas refuses to say sorry. Visiting the injured party and making amends is the only hope I have of solving the problem.”
“Then take Nicholas with you.”
“No. Mr Masters may expect a fight, and I won’t give him a chance to turn me away. I shall be perfectly fine. What will he do? Kidnap me and hold me for ransom?”
That wasn’t the worst he could do, but she didn’t dare comment.
It seemed there was no reasoning with her friend.
“I could come with you. Then he will have to be respectful.” It was a last attempt to infuse logic into her friend’s brain.
“You’ve recently suffered a terrible ordeal, and I’ll not ruin your wedding ball. Besides, if I go alone, he will see me as vulnerable. It’s the only hope I have of persuading him to withdraw his challenge. Please, Helen. All I ask is the use of a carriage.”
The conversation reminded Helen of her battle in Sir Percival’s vehicle in Wimpole Street. Nothing was more frustrating than one’s heartfelt plea falling on deaf ears.
“Very well. I shall lend you our carriage. But if you fail to return, I shall come to Mr Masters’ abode to seek you out. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” Mina dashed more tears from her cheeks and then raised the hood on her blue cloak. “Wish me luck.”
“Wait. Take a weapon.” She hurried to Sebastian’s desk and took the silver letter opener from the drawer. “Just in case you encounter a problem and need something to aid your escape.”
Mina accepted the makeshift dagger and slipped it into the pocket of her cloak. “I’m sure Mr Masters is a reasonable man beneath the bravado.”
“Yes, I’m sure he is.” Helen hugged her friend, but it did little to ease her fears. “Take care. I shall speak to you again soon.”
The hours would pass slowly.
And she would think of little else.
Helen opened the study door and peered out into the corridor. It was empty except for the magnificent man leaning against the opposite wall and looking spectacular in his black coat.
Nicholas.
Her stomach fluttered.
The pulsing of her sex was the perfect distraction.
“Mina is borrowing the carriage for a few hours,” she whispered. Most husbands would rant that it wasn’t a wife’s decision to make, but Nicholas simply nodded. “Will you tell Tanner? I shall explain all when you return.”
Concern marred his brow, but he cupped her cheek. “Wait here for me.” Then he beckoned Mina to follow him out of the front door.
He was gone for a few minutes, no more.
When he returned, he slipped into the study and locked the door. “Mina said Sir Thomas is missing but refused my offer to help search for him.”