Page 42 of A Little Bit Dangerous
The realisation that her father would not stop until he owned her, left Isabella trembling to her toes. She rubbed the tender spot on her arm that was surely bruised. But this fleeting pain was nothing compared to the horrors Sir Geoffrey Lawton could inflict if he sold her to the Conte di Barasian.
Christian released a deep sigh as he faced his brothers. “That man brings out the savage in me. I swear, I would have lost my head had you not arrived.”
“Daventry warned me this would happen.” Aaron Chance gripped Christian’s shoulder. “It’s my fault for keeping you in the dark, for not preparing you for the upcoming apocalypse. From now on, we remain united. It’s the only way to bring that bastard to his knees.”
“I’ll not abandon Miss Lawton.” Christian reached for her, slipping a comforting arm around her waist and drawing her close. “I’m duty-bound to protect her. She needs our guidance and support.”
“Duty-bound?” Aramis Chance snorted. “Did you eat a gentleman for breakfast, or have you always longed to play the gallant knight?”
“As the King of Diamonds, I have many facets.”
While the brothers continued teasing each other, Isabella knew there was one option open to her. She had to leave London. Tonight. Travel far across the ocean, somewhere her father couldn’t find her. Perhaps America. She just needed to find money for her passage.
Christian Chance had other ideas. “Miss Lawton should remain at Fortune’s Den. It’s not safe for her at the bookshop. You heard her father’s vile threats.” Thankfully, he did not mention Mr Griffin else Aaron Chance might think she attracted deranged men.
Good Lord!
Her life was a disaster.
None of it was of her own making.
“I agree,” Aaron Chance said, shocking them all. “Though there are rules, Miss Lawton. Rules I expect you to follow. Of course, you’re free to refuse, but if you think anything of my brother, you will see the sense in us all remaining under one roof.”
Isabella looked at Christian, her mind torn. He had risked being disowned in order to help her. While every cell in her body urged her to run, her heart ached to remain close to him.
“You’re right,” she said, knowing her father would kill Christian should the opportunity arise. “Remaining united is the only way to avoid a tragedy. But what of Mrs Maloney? I’ll not rest knowing she’s alone at the bookshop.”
“I shall make her see sense,” Christian said, though his tone suggested it would be a thankless task. “Failing that, I’ll throw her over my shoulder and lock her in the Den’s basement.”
Aaron Chance nodded. “Mrs Maloney will be your chaperone while you’re under our roof, Miss Lawton. That should be incentive enough to make her shut the shop for a few days.”
Christian looked at her, his frown revealing his frustration. There would be no time to explore a romantic relationship. No time to discover what destiny had planned. Perhaps they were only meant to be friends. Two lonely ships passing in the night.
The thought caused an inner tug of resistance.
A need to fight to prove fate wrong.
Having dismissed his agents, Mr Daventry approached them and demanded to know what had happened with her father. Isabella listened while Christian told the tale which had the makings of a Shakespearian tragedy.
“Are you both willing to continue the investigation?” Mr Daventry said. “I’ve no agents available, but I can hire protection.”
“Protection?” Christian scoffed. “I don’t need a nursemaid. Besides, based on the information we gathered today, we’re closer to discovering the truth.”
Whether aware of it or not, Mr Woodrow had provided new leads. Pursuing answers would be dangerous, but Isabella was too invested in the outcome to turn back now.
“I agree with Mr Chance,” she said. “All I ask is that you do everything in your power to prevent my father taking me hostage.”
It was Aaron Chance who answered. “He’ll not take you, Miss Lawton. My family will provide the protection you need. In return, I hope you find enough evidence to bury Geoffrey Lawton.”
“We will try our best, sir.” Isabella had no option but to find a means of getting rid of her father. The alternative was a life spent looking over her shoulder or as a slave to the Conte di Barasian.
Aaron Chance spoke privately with Mr Daventry, during which time Isabella renewed her acquaintance with Aramis and Theodore Chance. They were amusing and intimidating in equal measure.
“We’ll see you both for dinner this evening,” Aaron said in his usual blunt tone. “Daventry has agreed to be your companion for the rest of the day.”
The news was like a blow to Isabella’s heart. There would be no more intimate conversations with Christian. No begging him to hold her and chase away the darkness.
Still, she smiled, keen to turn the situation to their advantage. “May I suggest we visit Lord Oldman, sir?” Being the illegitimate son of a duke, Mr Daventry could enter houses barred to them.
