Page 31 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
Lucien noticed the moment recognition flickered in the Madam’s eyes at the title. He did not know why Nicholas would go to a brothel to conduct meetings—perhaps to avoid the allure of gambling, or perhaps to throw someone off a bigger scent. But for now, his main goal was to find the man.
“His disappearance is causing me great distress, and I have just about searched every establishment in London for him. Things are… escalating dangerously. I understand your duty of discretion and to protect your clients, but I must protect my brother.”
Perhaps it was the steel lacing Lady Edwina’s voice, or perhaps it was something softer in Madam Molly’s heart that finally made the woman cave in.
She eyed them both. “If I find out that either of you have used this information against any clients of mine, then I will ensure that the ton learns about your visit here. I warn you, it would not be aninnocenttale.”
Her threat loomed large, and Lucien’s anger flared at it, but he tamped it down for Lady Edwina’s sake. He buried it in every crevice of his joints, tensing up at the discomfort.
Madam Molly simply sat down at her desk and wrote a brief note. She held out the piece of paper to Lady Edwina, who read it and thanked her.
Without wasting another moment in a place that, quite frankly, made Lucien feel scrutinized and dirty, the two walked out.
But as they passed the grand staircase leading into higher levels of the house, to more dens of debauchery, a man walked down the stairs, his jacket so shiny that it looked embroidered with gold.
Lucien immediately stiffened when the man’s eyes flicked to Lady Edwina.
“Well,well,you are indeed a delight of the evening!” he boomed. “I have not seen you here before.”
The anger Lucien had suppressed in Madam Molly’s office flared again, and he stepped towards the man, who held up his hands.
“Peace, friend. I only wish to sample her, as you have.”
“As I have?” Lucien growled. “Leave her be.”
“Are you so possessive?” The man laughed. “I admit, I do not recognize you by face alone, but I am sure we run in similar circles. I shall keep your secret if you keep mine. And this girl… she appears much finer than the other women. Whether they think they are above such employment, they still bend over the same, do they no?—”
He did not finish his sentence, for Lucien had slammed his fist into the man’s jaw and watched him stumble back. The man caught himself on the banister behind him, but Lucien was on him again, his fingers curled into the man’s jacket. He landed another blow, his breath coming in sharp bursts.
“Watch it!” the man shouted. “You do not own the girls or claim them. You would start a fight over a whore?”
Lucien saw red and was about to claim Lady Edwina’s innocence from such employment, to defend her reputation, when his wrist was caught.
Lady Edwina pleaded with him silently, her eyes wide and desperate. Lucien hesitated.
The door behind them opened, and Madam Molly herself appeared in the doorway. “You promised not to bring trouble to my doorstep,” she reminded him. “Leave before I make good on my threat.”
Lucien only fixed his sleeve cuffs and noticed the blood smeared there. He glared back at the man. “If you even breathe in her direction again, I will break every bone in your body.”
The man nodded in understanding, his gaze averted.
Lucien could not deny the accusation, lest he reveal Lady Edwina’s identity and blow their cover. She could not be recognized here.
Finally, they left, and once they were in the carriage, Lady Edwina cursed.
“What is it?” Lucien asked, his voice still clipped.
“The name Madam Molly gave was the Silver Gate, but she confirmed that Nicholas had come to her brothel and had not used the… the employees there.” Lucien saw how she tried to hide her relief. “Shall we look into the gambling hell together?”
“I already went there,” he said tightly. “It is where I did my digging yesterday.”
Lady Edwina glared at the space between them. “We have found nothing once again.”
“Then let me take you home,” Lucien said, leaving no room for protests. “No, do not let me, for I am doing it regardless.”
He signaled for the driver to take them back to Montgomery Manor.
Silence fell between them, and Lucien could not help but steal glances at Lady Edwina, wondering why he was so fiercely intent on defending her.
