The Mystery Woman Read Free Page B

not already done so. This was her case and Daphne was her responsibility. She had to stay in command.
    “Very true, but detailed explanations will take a good deal more time than we have to spare,” Joshua said. “You must return Miss Pennington to the ballroom before there is any gossip.”
    He was right. Daphne was her first priority. The mystery of Mr. Gage would have to wait. She had to make a decision and she had to make it immediately.
    “I suppose your acquaintance with the proprietors of Flint and Marsh must serve as a character reference tonight,” she said.
    “Thank you.” Joshua sounded amused.
    She uncocked the pistol and turned away to discreetly whip up her petticoats. She returned the little gun to the stocking holster and lowered her gown.
    When she straightened she saw that Daphne was staring at her, fascinated. Joshua was watching also, his hands stacked on the hilt of his cane. His expression was unreadable but she got the odd impression that he found the notion that she went about armed rather charming.
    Most men would have been beyond shocked, she thought. They would have been appalled.
    She concentrated on removing Daphne’s gag and untying her hands.
    “Miss Lockwood,” Daphne gasped when she could speak. “I do not know how to thank you.” She turned to Joshua Gage. “And you, sir. I have never been so terrified in my life. To think that Grandmother was right all along, someone did, indeed, intend to compromise me. I never dreamed it might be Mr. Euston. He seemed like such a fine gentleman.”
    “It’s over now,” Beatrice said gently. “Do you feel faint?”
    “Good heavens, I’m not going to faint.” Daphne’s smile was shaky but determined. “I would not dare succumb to such weakness after watching you defend me with a gun. You are an inspiration, Miss Lockwood.”
    “Thank you, but I fear Mr. Gage is correct,” Beatrice said. “We must return to the ballroom immediately or there will be talk. It takes so very little to shred a young lady’s reputation.”
    “My gown is in good condition but I fear my dancing slippers have been ruined,” Daphne said. “They are soaked through and there are grass stains all over them. Everyone will know that I have just spent a great deal of time out in the gardens.”
    “That is precisely why paid companions who accompany young ladies to balls make it a point to bring a spare pair of slippers,” Beatrice said. “They are in my satchel. Come, we must hurry.”
    Daphne started forward and then paused to look down at Richard Euston’s unconscious figure. “What about him?”
    Joshua moved slightly in the shadows. “Do not concern yourself, Miss Pennington. I will deal with him.”
    Daphne stiffened in alarm.
    “You must not have him arrested,” she said. “If you do there will be a great scandal. Mama and Papa will pack me off to the country and I shall be obliged to marry some fat widower old enough to be my grandfather. That truly would be a fate worse than death.”
    “Euston will not be telling any tales to the police,” Joshua said. “He is going to disappear.”
    “But how can that possibly happen?” Daphne asked. “He moves in Society.”
    Joshua looked at Beatrice. “Don’t you think that you and Miss Pennington should be on your way?”
    She did not care a fig if Euston disappeared forever, Beatrice thought, but the fact that Joshua was confident he could make that happen was more than a little unnerving. Nevertheless she had other problems at the moment. Saving Daphne Pennington’s reputation was currently at the top of the list.
    “You are quite right, Mr. Gage,” she said. “Come along, Daphne.”
    She urged her charge toward the side door of the house.
    “Later, Miss Lockwood,” Joshua Gage said quietly behind her.
    She could not decide if the words were a threat or a promise.
    —
    A SHORT TIME LATER she stood in an alcove with Lady Pennington, a small, elegant, gray-haired woman, and watched Daphne take