Page 43 of A Most Unlikely Lady
‘It doesn’t.’ Philippa rounded on him.
‘It doesn’t,’ Ivy snapped at the same time. A flash of something dangerous in her eyes unaccountably heated Edward’s blood. ‘I am throwing a charity ball with Olivia to drum up funds for the orphanage. That’s why I was at Gunter’s. Not just to eat an ice.’ Her jagged stare could have cut Edward in half.
Well done, Lady Ivy.
It was intoxicating to watch her step into her power, even if her anger was directed at Edward.
‘Now that’s cleared up, perhaps we can return to the matter at hand.’ Ivy picked up the note and read it aloud. ‘“Danger and death await you if you choose not to heed our warning. Leave Islington now, or you shall share in your family’s fate. The Wolf.” A bit melodramatic.’ But Edward wasn’t fooled by the brave face Ivy showed them. He heard the hitch in her voice.
‘Perhaps you should stay with me for a while. I can have Stokes make up a bed for you immediately.’ Philippa stood and walked to the bell pull, but Ivy stopped her.
Ivy’s cheeks went pale even as she straightened her shoulders. ‘No. The children need me. I won’t run away like some frightened little mouse no matter what everyone thinks.’
‘You are no mouse, Ivy. Trust me on that. You can fight. And you will fight. But not alone.’ Philippa pulled the decorative rope that would summon her butler.
‘And you mustn’t venture out into the streets without an escort.’ Edward could not allow Ivy to place herself in such vulnerable situations.
Ivy let the note fall into her lap as she looked at him. ‘I don’t believe you have any say over what I must and mustn’t do, Commissioner Worthington. You are neither my father, my brother, nor my husband. My choices are my own.’ Her finger tap-tap-tapped against the note.
‘Damn it, Ivy. Don’t you see I’m trying to protect you?’ Edward stood, pacing like an agitated jungle cat. He’d never had to deal with such a restless feeling in his chest. Fear. Frustration. An incessant need to growl and claw at anything or anyone who might get close to Ivy. He felt like some crazed animal, and he hated it. ‘You refuse to listen to reason.’
Philippa arched a black brow and followed Edward with her far too astute gaze. ‘I wouldn’t question a woman’s reason, Edward. We are far more reasonable than our male counterparts. Though, in this instance, I fear you make a point.’
Edward took perverse joy in Ivy’s shocked look.
I am right, sometimes.
‘Pardon?’ Ivy focused her anger on Philippa, which was a nice reprieve for Edward.
Philippa shrugged a shoulder. ‘I hate to admit it, but he is. The Devil’s Sons are becoming bolder by the day, and I won’t risk your life to prove a point about a woman’s right to independence.’
Ivy clenched her teeth. ‘This is ridiculous. So, I’m to just stay under lock and key indefinitely?’
‘Oh, I don’t think it will take too long to flush out our prey. In fact, I have an idea.’ Philippa’s crimson lips curled in a smile that inspired pure dread within Edward. He’d seen that look before.
‘Dare I ask?’ He steeled himself for something dreadful.
‘We’ve already caught one of the Devil’s Sons’ leaders. The Snake. The Wolf has just shown his hand with this note, and once we catch him, the Crow will have nowhere to hide. Powerful men who rule by fear expect to be obeyed. The best way to provoke this wolf into a rash decision is to defy his orders. He wants Ivy to leave the orphanage, but we’ll announce the opposite. Ivy Cavendale will become the champion of all orphans.’
The parlour door opened, and a dour-faced butler with the military posture of a general and the disapproving brow of a priest slowly entered.
‘You rang for me, Your Grace? Are you in need of your lap blanket? I know older ladies are more susceptible to the cold.’ His face remained impassive, but there was a hint of triumph in the way he tilted his chin up.
Philippa and her butler had been waging war against each other since the duke died over ten years past. It was a rare treat to watch one of their skirmishes, and Edward appreciated the distraction from their tense conversation.
Philippa’s mouth crimped at the corner. She exhaled long and low through her nose. ‘Don’t be stupid, Stokes. Your thoughts must be dusty from lack of use. Do try to focus. There is much to be done.’
‘Of course, Your Grace. Done for what?’ Stokes kept his gaze focused on the carpet in front of him, the perfect picture of obedience.
‘For the charity ball we are going to host, of course.’
Ivy’s face broke into an astonished smile at the same time Stokes’ lips pulled down in a pained expression.
‘And when is this wonderful event taking place?’ Stokes could have been asking how long it might take dysentery to kill a person.
‘Two weeks. So we’ve no time to spare. Invitations must be sent immediately. Just think what fun you’ll have decorating, Stokes.’ Based on Philippa’s smile and Stokes’ heavy sigh, Edward guessed he wouldn’t be having much fun at all.
‘Thank you, Philippa! Truly.’
