Page 60 of In a Rake's Embrace
Though their private lessons were wickedly intimate, and he seemed captivated by her responses, his restraint outside those moments told her far more than words ever could. She was only a diversion to a man of his experience.
Agatha fought the longing that surged within her. She couldn’t afford to let herself keep falling so deeply. She stifled another yawn, letting her eyes drift shut as sleep finally claimed her. A sharp knock startled Agatha, dragging her from the haze of restless sleep. Her heart leaped in her chest as she sat up, disoriented for a moment, until she heard Bea’s voice through the door.
“Agatha, wake up. Someone called Maggie is here for you.”
Panic shot through her.Maggie?What could her sister possibly be doing atAphrodite? Throwing off the covers, Agatha scrambled to dress, her fingers trembling as she hastily pulled on her gown. Without waiting to arrange her hair properly, she rushed to the door, yanking it open to find Bea waiting with a concerned expression.
“Where is she?” Agatha demanded, her voice barely steady.
“In the small parlor downstairs.” Bea hesitated, her brow furrowing. She’s pacing and seems very upset.”
Agatha was already flying down the stairs, her heart thudding painfully. Her mind raced with a hundred scenarios, each more dreadful than the last. When she reached the parlor, she found Maggie pacing, wringing her hands together, her face streaked with tears. Agatha’s heart clenched at the sight of her younger sister’s palpable distress.
“Maggie!” Agatha rushed toward her. “What is wrong?”
Maggie turned, and without warning, she burst into tears, her shoulders shaking violently.
“It’s Carson,” she sobbed, her voice choked. “He’s taken ill again ... He’s abed with a fever, and Gloria is beside herself with worry. We—”
Her breath hitched as more tears spilled down her cheeks. “We asked the local physician to come, but we didn’t have the full amount of coins required to pay him, so he refused. He didn’t even see him, Agatha. He didn’t come.”
Agatha felt the world tilt around her. Carson was ill again and without proper care. Her breath quickened, fear clawing at her chest. It had taken her brother several weeks to recover from the last bout of illness.
“We … what if …” Maggie’s words broke into a sob, and she collapsed into Agatha’s arms. “What if by the time we return, Carson is …”
“No,” Agatha cut her off, her voice fierce despite the fright racing through her. “No, don’t think like that. He will be alright. Carson only needs a good physician.”
But her words felt hollow, even to herself. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, pushing the feelings down. Without a clear mind, she would not serve her family well. Agatha broke away from her sister and hurried toward Madam Rebecca’s door. She needed money immediately. But as she neared the door, a burly footman stepped in her path, his arm outstretched to block her way.
“The Madam is meeting with Mr. Wright,” he said, his voice low and firm. “They are not to be disturbed.”
Agatha froze, the name chilling her. Mr. Wright. The ruthless gambling den owner her father had owed. “This isurgent. I must speak with Madam Rebecca right away.”
“Mr. Wright is not a man that can be disobeyed,” he said. “I cannot allow anyone to enter and disturb their meeting. UnlessAphroditeis on fire.”
“When will the meeting end?”
“They must not be disturbed before seven.”
“That is hours away,” Agatha gasped.
Her mind spun, and everything around her seemed to close in for a moment. She couldn’t wait. Maggie’s cries pierced her, and Agatha’s heart twisted painfully. If they were delayed any longer, what would happen to her brother? “Come with me, Maggie.”
She rushed fromAphroditewith her sister on her heels, hailing the first hackney carriage she saw on the street. Her hands shook as she climbed inside, shuffling over on the seat so her sister could sit beside her.
“Where to, miss?” the driver asked, his voice gruff.
“Grosvenor Square,” Agatha said, giving him the address.
It was desperate, reckless even, but she had no other choice. Thomas was the only person she knew with enough power and means to help Carson. The carriage lurched forward, and Agatha leaned back, her mind racing. Agatha’s mind raced with uncertainty, bracing herself for what she might say to Thomas. She only hoped he was home. Beside her, Maggie’s quiet sobs tugged at her heart, but Agatha could find no words of comfort. She kept her eyes closed for a moment, forcing herself to control the rising panic. When the hackney finally arrived at his townhouse, she quickly paid the driver a shilling, asking him to wait for his full fare.
As Agatha reached the door, she rapped the knocker sharply. It swung open, revealing a dignified gentleman who peered down at her with evident disdain.
“Inform Lord Radbourne that Miss Woodville is here to call. It is urgent.”
“Lord Radbourne is not receiving visitors today, madam. Please present your card—”
Agatha swept past him, heedless of propriety. Her heart hammered as she searched for any sign of Thomas in the grand entrance hall.
