11
When they arrived at the house something flew past Johanna's face. Jensen heard the click and was able to push her out of the path of the bullet that had been aimed for her. Lucky it went through her hair which was piled high upon her head. She was not hurt, nor did she know someone just took a shot at her. He rushed her into the house and called for the butler to keep an eye on her and that he would be back soon to check on her. He rushed back outside and called to his groom as he ran down towards where the bullet came from.
"Go and tell Othello what has occurred."
The groom who had been working for the Duke while he was Jack Billings knew exactly who Othello was and headed straight to the home office where the man practically lived. He rushed in and past the guards and into Othello's office.
"His grace said to tell you someone took a shot at Lady Hartford and he is chasing after them."
Simon scribbled a note and then got up gave the note to a clerk and then rushed out with the groom to help in the search for the person who shot at the lady. When he got to the Hartford's estate he saw Jensen on his way back by himself. He had not caught the person who attacked the young lady. Soon after Jensen and Simon went into check on the young lady Wayne and Jennifer arrived. Wayne was not looking happy.
"What the bloody hell happened I left her a couple of hours ago and everything was fine. Where did you go after that she was just arriving home?"
Jensen looked green and Johanna was not sure why there were three men one who she did not know standing in her foyer.
"Can someone tell me what is going on and why are all of you here?"
Wayne just glared at his niece she knew he wanted an answer to his question, but she really did not want to give it to him because it sounded worse than it was. Jensen is the one who spoke up which Jo was not sure if that was a good idea.
"We went back to my place to do a little more investigating last night Johanna found a secret room in the bedchamber she was staying in. It was about a young girl who we think was being held captive and was having a baby. We were trying to see if that had anything to do with the missing girls. It got late and I brought her home so she would be able to go to court with her brother in the morning."
Wayne snapped at Jensen.
"Where is your aunt why did she not come with you as a chaperone?"
Johanna was the one to snap back at Wayne.
"We upset her when we asked if she knew of what family member she thought could do something so vile as to keep a fifteen-year-old girl locked in a tower to give birth alone."
Jennifer seemed a little woozy and Wayne caught her before she collapsed on the floor. Johanna led them into the parlor so Wayne could place her on the sofa to rest. Once everyone was settled in the parlor Johanna insisted they tell her what was going on. It was Simon who did the talking since Wayne was dealing with Jen, and Jensen did not seem to want to tell her she was in danger.
"You see Lady Hartford a while back you made some inquiries about a mystery you were investigating. One of those letters spark someone to put a target out on you, so you were given a protection detail."
Before Simon could say more she turned her attention to Jensen.
"I was just a mission for you?"
The tears started to pour out. He was getting tired of dealing with crying females tonight. He sat down next to her. And took her hands into his.
"I promise I was not assigned to protect you until after you came to my home wanting to investigate. I swear to you."
Jennifer had perked up at the sight of the couple and knew Wayne was about to hit the ceiling. He loved his niece very much and the thought of some gentlemen toying with her affections would not sit well.
Wayne was off the sofa and grabbed Jensen by the collar. He was taking a big risk since Jensen was a Duke and he was only an Earl, but he was sure the crown would understand.
"Why does she seem upset and hurt about you protecting her what is between the two of you?"
Jensen tried to get away from the Earl, but the man had the grip of death upon him. It was Simon who got Wayne to release him.
"Wayne put him down, so the boy can tell us how he might have compromised your niece."
Johanna stood up and shouted at all of them.
"He did not compromise me we kissed that's all"
Jensen never saw it coming but he had a fist in his face which he knew he had earned. He did nothing to fight back. Wayne was going for another when Jennifer stopped him.
"At least they did not secretly get married and she is with child."
"That is not funny Jen."
"I did not mean it to be after all you were much less upset with Eden's secret this was only a kiss. You do remember that first kiss Wayne, it is like two magnets where you are suddenly pulled together, and nothing can stop it."
"Be quiet Jen I need to think."
Johanna should have kept her mouth shut but she spoke before her brain thought out what she was saying.
"It is not like Jensen's kiss was my first. It was wonderful but not the first."
Wayne exploded and Jensen just smiled he would have his answer if Wayne got his way.
"Pray tell who else have you kissed young lady you are only ten and seven you have not even come out for the season so there should have been no kissing."
"I was young at the time it did not count."
"Did your lips meet then it counted."
"You are being ridiculous Uncle I am not upset Jensen kissed me I rather liked it. I was upset he did not tell me he was protecting me and that is why he would not let me have my freedom I am so accustom too."
Jensen laughed.
"If you remember I was upset you did not have an escort from the moment we met I was not going to let you go anywhere unchaperoned whether or not I had orders to protect you. I could not believe you had such freedom."
"I did not think of that it is true you were not happy I came to your home without a chaperone."
Wayne was getting hotter and hotter by the second. Jen wished Jo would just be quite and not say anything more she was sure she was making it worse. She tried to change the subject.
"Where is Luther?"
"White's I imagine he seems to be there a lot since we got to London."
Johanna answered Jen and then everyone was surprised when she suddenly got up and walked out of the room saying she was going to bed everyone can let themselves out. Everyone in the room was shocked but Wayne was just furious. The damn girl was just like her mother. She would do the same thing when she did not like where the conversation was going. How could she have learned that habit her mother died giving birth?
Jensen wished it would have been just letting himself out. But he had one angry uncle to appease and an incredibly angry supervisor as well. Jen seemed to be taking it all in stride. It was Simon who started the dreaded conversation off first.
"Did I or did I not tell you that she should be protected and so should her virtue? Did you or did you not assure me that you had never corrupted and innocent. Let me quote you. "I have never done such a thing why would you say such a thing to me I am not a known rake, yes I have sought the comforts of a woman but never an innocent I was never that much of a cad not even undercover as Jack Billings." End quote. What say you Jensen?
Jensen also remembered something else he had thought when he had been given this assignment that this could be heaven or it could be hell a few hours ago he would have said it was heaven without a doubt but he was sure it was going to be hell in a moment. He did not plan the words that came out of his mouth, but he knew in his heart they were true.
"I love the girl I will marry her."
Before anyone could say anything a voice from the back of the room spoke up.
"Bloody hell you say? Any way why are you all in my parlor? Is something wrong with my sister where is she?"
Wayne answered his nephew.
"She is fine Luther but if it was not for the Duke she might have been shot."
"Why would someone want to shoot my sister. I know she can be a pain sometimes but to shoot her over it I cannot believe it."
Luther turned to the Duke of Windom and bowed to him.
'Thank you for saving my sister I am in your debt."
Simon laughed he pointed to Jensen.
"It was your neighbor the Duke of Richmond who saved her."
"Then it is you I owe my thanks and a debt of gratitude."
"No need to thank me it was my pleasure to save your sister."
Wayne piped in with a snide remark
"it's the pleasure part that has you in hot water my boy."
Luther took a deep breath he did not need this all the night before he went to court, but here he was intoxicated and facing a room full of mostly strangers.
"What the bloody hell are you all talking about?"
"Seems old boy the Duke here has fallen in love with Jo and would like to marry her?"
"Does Jo love him?"
Jennifer thought she said it under her breath, but it was loud enough for Luther to hear.
"She certainly likes kissing him."
Luther's head was swimming why were they all talking at him none of them were making sense. When did Jo meet the Duke of Richmond when were they kissing why did his head hurt so badly?
"Everyone stop talking I cannot follow what you are all saying. I am going to go upstairs and sleep my head hurts and I need to be in court by ten."
With that he walked out of the room just like his sister had done. Wayne laughed now he knew where she had learned that particular trait from, her brother. Mary hated to deal with conflict and when she was confronted she would just go off and go to her room. He remembered how furious their parents used to get when she did that. He had not thought about how much he missed his sister in a long time.
"We will all talk after the court hearing tomorrow this needs to be resolved."
"I said I would marry her does that not resolve the matter?"
Wayne laughed,
"If we tell her she is going to marry you she will not, so you are going to have to woo her and convince her she is in love with you."
"What if that does not happen?"
"Then I will tell her she has no choice. So, plan on a wedding your grace."