Page 85 of A Little Bit Dangerous
Aaron burst into the room like he might tear her head from her shoulders. Indeed, the woman straightened her spine, preparing for an attack. But Aaron took one look at her hair and faltered—albeit for a mere second.
“You’d better have a damned good reason for calling at night and in such a state of dishabille.”
“A wise woman doesn’t enter the devil’s domain by choice,” she countered. “I’m here because I happened to witness a crime on your premises, and my conscience prevents me from remaining silent.”
Aaron rounded the desk. He dropped into his throne and slouched arrogantly in the seat. “Then what are you waiting for? Speak!”
Miss Lovelace folded her arms across her chest. “Not until you thank me for my trouble.”
“You want my money?”
“I want your gratitude.”
“You’ll be waiting a lifetime,” Christian said, too desperate for answers to play games. “Thank you for calling, Miss Lovelace. I pray you bring news of Miss Lawton.” He breathed deeply to keep the rising panic at bay. “The lady is missing and left the house within the last half an hour. Anything you can tell us will be invaluable.”
Miss Lovelace nodded profusely. “I always glance outside before going to bed. Drunken gamblers have a habit of loitering. It can be quite unsettling.”
“Then what the hell are you doing living at The Burnished Jade?” Aaron’s tone rang with disapproval. “And what’s happened to your father? I’ve not seen him in over a week.”
Christian shot his brother an irate glare. “Ignore him, Miss Lovelace. Tell me, what did you see in the street?”
“A red-haired lady in a hooded cloak knocked on the door, but your man turned her away. Seconds later, a woman appeared, lingering on the Den’s threshold. She called out, but that’s when two men slipped from the shadows. They dragged the lady outside and bundled her into a waiting carriage.”
The life drained from Christian’s body.
He staggered back, gripping the desk for support.
Aaron shot to his feet, his fury barely contained. “They had the gall to steal her from these premises? When was this?”
“Twenty minutes ago.” There was a bite of anger in her voice when speaking to Aaron. “I would have come sooner but had to dress and wasn’t sure what sort of welcome I would receive.”
“Can you describe the men or vehicle?” Christian said, not that it mattered. Doubtless both were hired and untraceable. “Can you recall anything that might help me locate her? Anything at all?”
Miss Lovelace pursed her lips. “They threw the cloaked lady into the carriage, too. One thug had long hair tied in a queue. One occupant held open the carriage door with a silver-tipped cane.”
The conte!
“Did they head towards the docks?” Christian said, his pulse soaring. He would kill anyone who harmed a hair on Isabella’s head. He’d follow the conte to Italian shores. He would never stop looking until he found her.
“No. I watched from the window. They were heading in the opposite direction, to Leadenhall Street.” The lady touched a shaky hand to her throat. “If I’d been outside, I would have done something to stop them.”
“And they’d have taken you hostage.” Aaron spoke as if she were an imbecile. “These men aren’t the sort of villains one reads about in stories, Miss Lovelace.”
She straightened her shoulders. “I’m well aware of that, Mr Chance. Still, only a coward stands by and does nothing.”
Aaron stared at her. Despite his growing hostility, he let his gaze slide down to the lady’s toes. “Only a fool allows themselves to be kidnapped when they’re the only witness to the crime.”
“Would you care for a drink, madam?” Theo interjected, striding towards the decanters on Aaron’s drinks cabinet. “A glass of port, perhaps? Something to settle your nerves?”
“No!” Aaron marched to the study door and held it open. “Miss Lovelace is keen to return to The Burnished Jade, and we have business elsewhere.” Aaron turned to Aramis. “Have Sigmund empty the club. We’re going out. All of us. You’ve ten minutes to ready yourselves for war.”
The lady inhaled sharply but was not deterred. “Perhaps there’s something I can do to help that poor woman. I might come with you, act as a decoy.”
“Like hell you will,” Aaron growled. “Go home, madam. And I’m not referring to The Burnished Jade.”
The lady laughed as she made for the door. “You’ll have to get used to seeing me, Mr Chance. I own the Jade and plan on starting a new venture. A club for women. A club for wallflowers, to be precise.” And then she swept from the room, leaving Aaron seething.
“The conte has a mansion house west of Tothill Fields,” Christian said, ignoring Aaron’s flaring nostrils and focusing on finding Isabella. “There aren’t many grand houses in the area. Someone will point us in the right direction.”
