Page 100 of A Little Bit Dangerous
Other roles?
What did he mean?
Tired of his intimidating manner, she said, “Why don’t you say what’s really on your mind, Mr Chance? Clearly, you have a problem you wish to discuss.”
“I find women much like those little figurines you study. It’s difficult to tell an original from a fake. And so I ask, what are your intentions towards my brother?”
Heavens! He sounded like the father of a famed debutante.
“I’m afraid I am not at liberty to tell you.” She’d say nothing until she had spoken to Christian. “Rest assured. His happiness is my only concern.”
“Indeed.” Aaron pushed away from the jamb, the tense air shifting around him. “We’ve survived unimaginable horrors, Miss Lawton. Being part of this family means subjecting oneself to intense scrutiny. To marry a Chance brother, one must have a backbone of steel. I’m not convinced you have the mettle.”
This conversation acted as a stark warning. If she wanted Christian, she had to learn to deal with his brothers. Their lives would never be their own. Aaron would always be there in the background, issuing commands.
“I have no wish to compare scars, Mr Chance. Suffice it to say, I believe we were both forged in hell’s flames. Forgive me. I have pressing business elsewhere. Good day.”
“Christian loves you,” Aaron said as she opened the door. “He’s the only one amongst us who has a chance of being happy. And so I ask one thing of you.”
She inhaled deeply, though didn’t look at him. “Yes?”
“If you decide to leave London, never return.”
* * *
Christian had taken to pacing the length of the drawing room. The chime of the mantel clock rang like a death knell. A signal his life was doomed. That he was too wicked to deserve even a modicum of happiness.
Isabella should have woken hours ago.
The mile walk to Ludgate Hill took twenty minutes. He tried to think of all the reasons she might be late. Refused to draw the obvious conclusion. The tender way they’d made love last night had convinced him she would not run. Every fibre of his being said he could trust her.
So, where the hell was she?
The sound of the front door opening stole the breath from his lungs. Instead of the light patter of feet and a woman’s curious call, he heard the thud of booted footsteps on the parquet. Three loud raps on the drawing room door confirmed it was Aaron.
Christian closed his eyes against a swell of raw emotion.
Don’t come in!
Damn you! Don’t come in!
Aaron failed to hear Christian’s silent plea. He entered the room and scanned the empty seats, his face a mask of stone. “Am I to understand she’s not here? She left Fortune’s Den two hours ago.”
Panic surfaced.
He forced his fears aside and sought another explanation. “What if Daventry hasn’t arrested Captain Snell? The bastard might have taken her to use as leverage.”
“Christian,” Aaron said calmly. “Snell is in custody. Daventry sent word an hour ago. His crew made statements to save their own necks. Snell and Lawton exchanged English women for Egyptian treasures. Daventry is to lead a missing persons investigation.”
All the fight left Christian’s body. He flopped down onto the sofa and rested his head in his hands. The crippling sense of helplessness was worse than anything he’d ever encountered.
“I know her. Isabella wouldn’t do this.”
Aaron released a deep sigh. “I may not have helped matters.”
Christian jumped to his feet, anger shooting through him like a lightning bolt. “What the hell did you say to her?”
Aaron’s hard eyes softened. “That being part of this family meant dealing with my brash manner. That she’d need a backbone of steel. If she’s gone, she’s not as strong as you think.”
