Vexing the Viscount

“Thank you,” he said as disappointment filled him. Just scanning his name on the note, he realized this was a woman’s script.

You should attend Lady Whitfield’s soiree tonight. I believe you might find who you are looking for there.

Braden scoured the note for a signature or even an initial, but there was nothing to indicate who’d sent the missive. A slow smile lifted his lips. Someone knew where Jonathon was and wanted Braden to find him. And by the handwriting, that someone was a woman. He would have to thank her properly, whoever she was.

He rifled through the papers on his desk until he found the invitation that had arrived earlier in the week. The party was to start at eight. That gave him just enough time to dress and check out a gambling hell before arriving. He strode upstairs to prepare.

One hour later, he had bathed and dressed for a party. He ate a quick bite of dinner to keep him satisfied until he arrived at Lady Whitfield’s Grosvenor Square home. As he placed his fork back down on his plate, he heard a commotion at the entryway. Nelson’s heavy footsteps quickly followed.

“My lord, the Duke of Northrop is in the salon.”

North was here? He pushed back his chair and headed to the salon. “North? What are you doing here?” Braden shook his head. “Please excuse my manners. Would you like a sherry or brandy?”

“Brandy,” North replied.

Braden poured two snifters and handed one to his friend. “Sit. What is new in the Midlands? Did you finally have enough of the estate and decide to return to town?”

North smiled. “Not quite. I thought my wife should see London.”

Braden’s mouth gaped. He’d been gone less than a month! “Your wife?”

“Selina.”

“You married your wise woman?”

“Yes, I did.”

“How? When? Why?”

“You’re sputtering, Middleton. A few weeks ago and the how was the usual manner by special license. And the why is because I love her.” North took a large mouthful of brandy and smiled. “Excellent stuff. I am actually here on a mission.”

Braden shook his head to clear his mind of the bewilderment of his friend falling in love again. He tilted his head with a grin “Oh?”

“Mrs. Featherstone wanted me to inquire if you have found her daughter yet.”

Should he even bother telling North that he let the girl slip away? It would only make him look foolish. “No, not yet. The friend she was staying with had been evicted before Miss Featherstone arrived.”

“And you have no other leads?” North asked with a frown.

“Unfortunately, no.”

“You do know about Miss Featherstone—excuse me, Miss Mia Featherstone.”

Braden nodded. “How is she?”

“Recovering quite well, according to Selina.”

That bit of good news assuaged his guilt for not telling Tia about her sister the day he’d found her. Perhaps if he had, she would have returned to the estate without issue.

“Excellent,” Braden finally remarked.

North finished his brandy and placed the glass on the table next to him. “I won’t take up any more of your time. Good luck finding her.”

“How long are you in town for?”

“We’re leaving in the morning. Selina felt guilty for leaving Mrs. Featherstone with the work of three estates.”

“I see. Tell Mrs. Featherstone that I haven’t given up just yet. I will find her.”