8
Jo made it to uncles just before the dinner hour. She was surprised he had contacted her. When she arrived, Fenton was already waiting for her. She was shown into the parlor where she found not only her uncle but the Dowager Duchess of Buckingham. This did not surprise Jo at all it was a well-known fact within the family the two of them had been more than just friends for years.
"I was summoned?"
Wayne laughed, she was always so matter of fact with him and Jen. According to his daughter Eden she was fun loving and carefree.
"You were. I have heard you have been doing one of your investigations and have opened a hornet's nest?"
"I have not opened up a hornet's nest. But yes, I am doing an investigation. Who told you about it?"
She was being snippy, and Wayne was not going to take that from her since her life was in danger. Othello had talked to him and Jen earlier in the day and they needed to assess if they should pull Jen from her assignment. If it were a matter of protecting family neither of them would hesitate.
"I want to know what you are investigating young lady?"
Jo knew if her uncle told Luther she was up to something he would let her uncle deal with it like he always did. Luther never could deny her anything, so Luther and her father always leaned on her uncle Wayne to be the firm hand with her.
"I really do not know. I found a letter leading me to a mystery, but I do not know yet what I am looking into, and that is the truth."
"Where has this mystery led you dear?"
The Dowager Duchess asked her.
"I know it has something to do with something that happened over thirty-four years ago. I also know someone from the Duke of Richmond's family is involved in it."
Simon had already told them that, so she was not trying to lie to him and get herself out of trouble which was a good thing. He did not know how to deal with her if she started to lie to him something she had never done. She was one who would look you in the eye and tell you straight. He took a deep breath to compose himself. He needed to ask two more questions one had nothing to do with the investigation but what he needed to know to protect Luther and how he would react when he found out she was spending time with the Duke of Richmond's family. After all it was Gordon and Heath who decided they would not allow Luther and Pauline to get married. They came up with a solution till this day, Wayne thought was wrong on a lot of levels. They each drafted a letter to the others child and told them they really did not love the other crushing both children. Wayne knew Pauline never married and Luther only married when his father made him. Wayne had many of arguments with Lincoln about it what had been done to the couple.
"You know Jo, I worry about you. You and Luther are all I have left to remind me of my beloved sister Mary and there is nothing I would not do for you, so I need you to answer this question. Does Luther know you are spending time with the Eveleigh's?"
"Why should it matter are they not good people. I have not found that they are anything but loving honorable people. What would Luther have a problem with?"
"It happened before you were born. Luther and Pauline had fallen in love and wanted to marry. Your Grandfather Heath and Pauline's grandfather Gordon decided they did not want them to marry. They both worried because she did not talk she would not make a fitting Duchess so they each sent a letter to them addressed as if it were from their beloved and said they no longer loved the other. Pauline never married because I would imagine she no longer trusted men since the man she loved broke her heart. Luther only married because your father forced him to before his death. Neither of them got over the other. I am just saying he might not want you to spend time with the woman who he thought broke his heart."
Fenton called them to dinner and the conversation stopped until they were all sitting and then Jo sprung Luther's news on them. Jo waited till her uncle took a bite of food before talking.
"So, on Tuesday Luther has a court date to sue Egbert for alienation of affection. He had her evicted from the estate today."
Wayne choked on his soup.
"I could not have heard you correctly, did you say your brother is seeking a disillusionment of his marriage?"
"Yes, sir I did say that. He received the church annulment already and now he is moving on to the civil suit. I am sure once that is over the Lords of Parliament will grant the disillusionment once they have heard the entire story."
"When were you two going to tell me all of this. Do you not think I would like to be there to support your brother in court?"
"It was not mine to tell, and I only found out the other day when Luther told me we were leaving early to come to London. He did not want to be there when the law came to evict them from the family property."
The rest of the dinner was eaten in silence until Fenton came in to let them know they had a visitor. He whispered the name of their guest to the Earl who laughed and told him to show him in. Wayne was going to have a bit of fun at the Duke's expense. Jensen looked fit to be tied when he walked into the dining room. He stopped at Jo's seat and just looked down at her.
"Is something wrong your grace?"
"You did not tell me you were leaving?"
"I thought I was a visitor not a prisoner."
Wayne cleared his throat to get Jensen's attention.
"Is there a problem your grace?"
Jensen turned to look at the Earl, and then noticed the Dowager Duchess. He was not surprised to see them together, but he was upset and made a statement that could have given Jo information she did not need about all three of them.
"I thought you were on assignment."
Jennifer took a bite of her dessert and acted board as if what he said had no meaning.
"I am quite sure I do not know what you are talking about young man."
He suddenly knew he had almost blown the cover of the deadly duo. Wayne laughed when Jo gave him orders and he did as he was told. Wayne had to wonder if the man knew he was whipped and there was nothing he could do about it.
"For heaven sakes Jensen sit down and stop being rude. I am sorry I left without telling you but when I received a summons from my Uncle he is not to be ignored."
Wayne laughed and then made the young man squirm.
"Is there something between the two of you I should know about?"
"No sir there is nothing other than friendship."
He looked over to his niece and saw she was agreeing with him, but he also saw a bit of disappointment. It broke his heart to see her feel that way. After dessert Wayne and Jensen left for his study leaving Jen and Jo to go to the parlor to talk. When the men were alone Wayne took the chair next to the fireplace and Jensen took the chair across from him.
"Before you get uppity let me thank you for looking out for Jo. She means a lot to me and Jen she is one of the only things left of my little sister Mary. Keep her protected, or you will deal with me that is not a threat it is a promise. Now let us talk business. Simon said she received a letter telling her to right some wrong that happened before she was even born?"
"Yes sir, then Johanna and my aunt found a letter when they were searching my chambers hidden in a secret place in the bed. It was written by my father who I believe was killed because he started to investigate into this unknown incident. Simon told me not to let her out of my sight so when she left without telling me I was a bit overwhelmed."
"She has a mind of her own that one. Simon believes someone has put a target on her. Have you noticed anyone birddogging her?"
"Not that I could say at this time. We only arrived in London last night, and we only went to one appointment today for her then we stayed at my townhouse. I expected her and my aunt for supper and when my aunt walked in alone, I became upset. This is not an assignment I would like to fail at."
"I should tell you she is planning on going to court with her brother on Tuesday. She has not said so out loud, but I know her well enough to know she will plan on being there to support him in his efforts to divorce his wife."
Wayne poured the two of them a drink and he handed Jensen one. He took a sip and then he gave the Earl some news that brightened his night.
"I think I can help your nephew his wife and her lover come into Madam's and I have markers for both. I can get them to you but I will not be able to present them in court because of my cover of Jack Billings and so I can give you the information to help him but cannot testify to it."
"I appreciate that my nephew deserves a bit of happiness, as does your aunt."
"My aunt?"
Wayne had promised himself he would stop playing match maker after things with Eden went mad and she almost lost the uses of her hands and feet, but here he was again hoping Luther and Pauline could find a little happiness.
"Your aunt and Luther fell in love when they were young. Both of their grandfathers deceived them and they each thought the other no longer loved the other. It is a sad tale to be sure and maybe they can both find what they had if they still have feelings for one another."
"Well this has been a day of surprises. I will excuse myself now I think it is time Johanna gets home if you will permit me to take her home."
"I will permit you more than that. I see she is in good hands so Jen and I will go back to our assignment but if you need me let Simon or Victor know and I will come as fast as I can. I will not be far. I should warn you she has always been allowed to gad about freely. Luther has no control over her and so you will have to be the firm hand she needs to get through this alive."
"I will take that into consideration while I am tending to her. I should ask next week starts the full season do you want her to attend or do you want me to keep her out of the ballroom."
"There would be no living with the girl if her season were called off. I hate to say this but if the bloke has not been caught before the end of next week, we need to use her as bait and draw out the scoundrel."
"Let us hope we find him before then."
When the ladies joined the men, Wayne announced that Jensen would be taking Jo home and that if she gave him any more trouble he would come back from his trip and discipline her. She knew he would never do anything to harm her, but he would not be above sending her home for the rest of the season. Just like Katie had been the year before.
"That is not fair he will not let me out of his site he feels I need to have an escort everywhere, and we all know how well I take to that?"
Wayne stood his full height and looked down at his niece.
"If his grace tells you to not go out unescorted then that is what I will expect you to do. What if Wilma wants to get back at your brother who do you think she will go after no one is doing this out of spite we just need to keep you safe."
"Well when you put it that way. I guess I can let his grace escort me everywhere. I know he will be vigilant even when not told to be. After all any man who would sit outside Madam Galois while I shopped will live up to your standards Uncle."
Wayne leaned down and kissed Jo on the cheek, and Jen hugged her goodbye.
"Please be careful my dear I do not want to hear your Uncle if something should happen to you because you did not listen."
"Yes, your grace. I will be on my best behavior."
When Jensen and Jo were alone in his carriage the silence was worse than a shouting match. Jo tried to lighten the mood and did the talking for the both. Eventually she received her reward the dukes smiled. She started in a deep voice and switched to her voice for the conversation.
"I know we have not known each other long but I take your safety quite seriously Johanna."
"I appreciate that your grace. I will strive to do better."
"From now on I will send a carriage for you or I will come and get you myself each morning. Then I will take you home after dinner. Our dinners together have become important to me and my aunt."
"I will await the carriage every morning and I will let Luther know I will be staying for dinner each night. This way he can avoid Wilma and eat at Whites."
"I am sure he would much rather eat at Whites than eat alone."
"I am sure you are correct Jensen."
His name on her lips seemed to do funny things to him. He smiled and told her playfully to be quiet.
"I am not sure I can keep quiet Jensen, maybe you could think of a way to keep me from talking."
She knew she should not taunt him but this time alone with him seemed to be making her stupid because the next things she knew he grabbed her hand and pulled her on to his lap and was proceeding to keep her quiet. They seemed to be lost in each other the kisses seemed to intensify until they felt the carriage stop and he put her back on her side of the carriage. This had to be the most enjoyable ride home he had ever taken.
"That was the most wonderful kiss I have ever received."
She piqued his interest with her words.
"That better have been the only kiss young lady you have ever received."
Before she could say anything the groom opened the door to let her out. She hopped out of the carriage thinking she had made her escape, but she discovered he was following her so she was not going to get out of answering that question or so she thought. Just as they were just past the gate and out of earshot of the groom Wilma jumped out and started to shout at her.
"They will not let me into the house. This is my home I am the Duchess of Teck."
Jensen put a protective arm around Jo and stared her down. Then Jo addressed her sister in law.
"As far as I have been told none of your possessions are here they have been sent to your fathers. The letter served to you today gave you all that information. Now if you do not remove yourself from my property I will have the constable called and remove you. You are the Duchess of nothing and hopefully soon you will be out of our lives and my poor brother can find someone who he can love and who can love him in return. Luther deserves someone who would never cheat on him you Wilma are a lightskirt and I dare you to tell me otherwise."
Egbert was about to say something but thought better of it when they all heard the Duke growl at him. This conversation was over, and they needed to leave. Wilma started to shout again once Egbert started to drag her off.
"You will rue this day Johanna. I will make sure you pay for your lack, of respect. I have been nothing but nice to you since I was married you have always treated me terribly."
Before Jo could say more the front door opened and Jensen took her arm and led her into the house. Their butler Clancy bowed to Jensen.
"Thank you your grace for protecting Lady Hartford."
"It was my pleasure."
He turned to Jo and smiled a smile she would learn to mean he had something over her, or she was in trouble.
"I will be by in the morning Lady Hartford to pick you up for Church. We will finish our discussion then."
She just smiled she was going to have to figure a way to get out of this predicament.
"Until tomorrow then."