Page 46 of Dukes Are Forever
And why the hell had Will called it a merry chase?
"Did he know Will was following him?" she asked, banking her anger into hot little coals in the grate of her soul.
"I doubt it."
"And yet, he took a circuitous route to his destination as if he believed he might be followed."
Lena nodded. "He was definitely trying to give someone the slip. He went into one of his clubs and then slipped out the back fifteen minutes later and into a waiting hackney. If Will wasn't on the rooftop, he'd have missed it."
Hmm.Adele's pacing slowed. Hardcastle Lane, she'd said.
"Did you happen to have the precise address?"
Lena's eyes narrowed. "Just what are you planning?"
"I think it's time to demand some answers," she replied grimly.
* * *
She'd been expectinga raven-haired beauty to answer, but as the door to 45 Hardcastle Lane jerked open, Adele came face-to-face with an impeccable butler.
Who blinked at her.
"I'm sorry, my....?"
"I am here to see my husband," she said, lowering her dripping parasol and taking a step up onto the lintel as if to enter. Rain darkened the skies behind her, but it suited her mood.
The butler didn't move. "Your husband...?"
"I'm told he visits here," Adele said boldly. "You may know him as Malloryn."
She might as well have set fire to his well-ironed tails. The butler's gaze suddenly focused on her intently, as if he hadn't recognized her before, and she could have sworn a line of sweat sprang up down his spine. His eyes had that look.
"Your husband," the man repeated stupidly.
"I know he was here last night," Adele growled, taking the chance to duck under his arm and into the entry. "And I know the lady of the house is a rather remarkable brunette."
There was no sign of anyone else, but what did she expect? A lady's petticoat draped over the armchair in the parlor? A pair of stockings hanging from the light fixture?
"Y-Your Grace." The butler stopped just short of grabbing her, his hands twitching in midair. "You cannot— You can't just—"
"I'm not supposed to be here?" she asked icily, turning on him with a hint of the wrath boiling in her veins. "Oh, I daresay I'm not. Malloryn would prefer me tucked up at home with no idea what he's up to at night. Where is he?"
A scalded sound echoed in his throat, and he looked beside himself. "It's not.... You can't.... He's not here."
"You're lying."
"I'm not!" He tried to usher her toward the door without actually laying hands on her. "If you'll just wait a moment, I'll, ah, I'll send for your carriage and—"
"I am not going anywhere until I see Malloryn." Adele stepped right up into his face. She was done with being toyed with. "So either you fetch him or I will."
Chapter 10
The message reached Malloryn at his club, just as he was about to corner Barrons about cancelling the queen's celebrations completely. He'd need Barrons's vote if he had any hope of pushing this through council, for the queen was determined to keep her parade and her ball despite the dangers.
Urgent assistance required. Intruder apprehended at HQ.
It stopped him in his tracks.
