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of thing would happen one day. Portia was reckless, beautiful, and moneyed, a prime target for any madman or peer in need of a purse. She thumbed her nose at convention and rode unescorted, went to places she had no business visiting, and thought she was clever enough to talk her way out of any situation.
    Of course, knowing Portia, he thought she might simply have run off to experience an adventure.
    The silence lengthened as Philip sank into a chair, dropping his head in his hands.
    Grayson at last found his voice. “How long?”
    Philip simply turned his head and raised an eyebrow.
    “How long has she been missing? Time is of the essence.”
    “She hasn’t been seen since yesterday afternoon, when she visited with Rose.” At the mention of Rose, Philip’s face turned pink. “Rose left town last night.”
    “Then Portia is likely with her.”
    Philip shook his head. “No, Rose did not take company with her when she left. I’ve spoken to her.”
    “I thought you said Rose had left London. How did you talk with her so quickly?”
    Philip gulped his drink. “You must be the only man not to know. Rose is my latest paramour. She was meeting me at a small hunting lodge just north of London.”
    Grayson raised an eyebrow. He could hardly blame Philip. Rose was a very beautiful widow.
    “That’s how I knew to come here. Rose told me that Portia received a note from you asking her to meet you at Vauxhall Gardens. Then when I returned to London early this morning, I was greeted by Freddie Sunster muttering about the wager. I checked at White’s, then came straight here to wring your bloody neck. Rose swears Portia said it was you, as she recognized your coat. The dark blue coat with the brass buttons.”
    “My coat’s missing.” Grayson stood and paced. “Where was she last seen?”
    “It doesn’t matter. It’s hopeless.”
    Grayson swung to dispute Philip’s words, but Philip sounded so defeated. Grayson watched as Philip pulled out a crumpled note from his pocket.
    “This note was delivered to our townhouse. Maxwell took it to the Home Office while I went checking all the places Portia could be, then I made my way here.”
    Maxwell was Portia’s youngest brother, only eighteen, and he worshiped the ground his sister walked on. He was proud of her cider business and worked for her.
    “Why was I not informed as soon as you knew she was missing?”
    “She’s not your sister,” Philip snapped.
    Grayson opened his mouth to protest, but Philip said hurriedly, “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for. I know you promised Robert you’d protect her with your life.” He walked over to stand beside him, looking out the window. “I hope you believe in divine intervention. She’s been taken from England, supposedly in your name, to hide your defilement of her. It’s going to take a miracle to get her back.”
    “God damn it to hell. I would never …” Grayson looked at the note in Philip’s hand but didn’t want to take it. Accepting the note would make the situation real.
    He took it and unfolded the note as reluctantly as a man about to read his own death sentence.
    It was almost too easy, Lord Cumberland. Lady Portia no longer exists. She has been taken from your world and sent to one from which she can never return, all on the orders of one man, Lord Blackwood. After he defiled her, he paid me to ensure all evidence was destroyed, so to speak.
    Lady Portia appears to be a woman of loose morals, meeting men in gardens at midnight. She must learn that women should be seen and not heard. Your sister needs to be taught a woman’s place, and what better way to achieve this than in a harem?
    A pity that once she is shown the error of her ways it will be too late. It will be kinder to leave her with those who have trained her. Allah has spoken—women are on this earth for man’s pleasure, nothing more. We shall teach her what you could not.
    Grayson crumpled the note in his fist and tried to calm the rage