Saving Persephone (The Haberdashers Book 4) by Sue London

“Ladies.”
    “You can imagine my surprise,” the duchess began without preamble, ”when Baron Whimby complimented my good taste in friends, as I had so recently hosted you at Belle Fleur.”
    “Yes,” Imogen said evenly, “I suspect that was surprising.”
    The duchess was quiet for a moment, staring at her. “I must say you were the most amiable house guest we’ve ever hosted. I didn’t even know you were there.”
    Imogen had to smile. “What is it you want to know, your grace? Or are you just waiting for an apology?”
    “What do you have to apologize for? You shared with people that you traveled to one of my country homes with me, and I confirmed it.”
    “Thank you, your grace.”
    “All that I ask is that you tell me where you really were.”
    Imogen glanced out the window and frowned. “Where are we going, your grace?”
    “I don’t want either of us to be liars, Miss Grant. We shall have nuncheon at Belle Fleur this afternoon. You will find the kitchen to be exceptional. Then the next time someone asks you if you have been there, or asks me if I have hosted you there, we can both say yes with a clear conscience. Now, then. Where were you?”
    The arrogance and dominance that Imogen found so appealing in Robert had little to recommend it in the diminutive duchess. “I don’t make it a habit to kiss and tell.”
    The countess smiled. “You were with Robert, weren’t you?”
    “Of course she was,” the blonde said. “Violetta herself told me that Sabre had whisked Miss Grant away in the ducal carriage. Whom other than Robert could pull off such a stunt?”
    Imogen looked at the girl. “You spoke to my cousin?”
    The blonde had the audacity to grin. “We’re friends, of a sort. Her cousin on the other side is my husband’s business partner. Why wouldn’t she tell me the exciting story of your growing friendship with the duchess ?”
    “All right,” the duchess said, “enough torturing Miss Grant.” She paused. “Even if it is fun, we all know that Robert will be most displeased with us, and our only hope of salvation is for our new sister to plead for our deliverance.” At that the younger woman’s expression changed from sour hauteur to a cheeky grin. “You will forgive us, Miss Grant?”
    Imogen was startled. This girl had even greater control over her energies than Robert. The muted gray that had characterized her aura before was stripped away to reveal a shining, nearly overwhelming orange. Such vibrancy , such intensity.
    “Are you all right, Miss Grant?” The solicitous, blue aura countess put out a steadying hand from across the carriage seat.
    Imogen blinked and focused on the countess. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.”
    “You look pale, perhaps you should lie down. Did you eat something that disagreed with you? Or perhaps it’s being in the backward-facing seat of the carriage? I could switch with you if you like.”
    “Stop being such a mother hen,” the blonde groused.
    Imogen smiled and put up a hand. “I’ll be fine in a moment. And I’m sure we shouldn’t have you moving seats in a bumpy carriage in your condition, countess.”
    “Jack,” the girl replied.
    “What?”
    “Call me Jack.”
    “I… all right.”
    “And I’m George,” the blonde next to her said.
    “And I’m Sabre,” the duchess added. “We are very pleased to make your acquaintance.”
     

Chapter Sixteen
    Bobbins handed over the latest note delivered by a young boy and Robert repressed an irritated sigh as he opened it. Scanning the note quickly, he called Bobbins back.
    “Find the boy who delivered this note.”
    “It may not be easy, sir.”
    “Call in whomever you need. Find him now.”
    Robert looked at the simple line again.
     
Perhaps you will be more reasonable once I cage your little bird.
     
    Blast and damnation. Of course his father’s hand was in all this. Few outside their family knew that Charlie called Sabre ‘little bird’. Not that Robert used that