Page 48 of Lady Controversial
Marcus’s first impulse was to ring a peal over Barker for playing games, but a moment’s reflection gave him pause. Therewassomething about the lad’s lithe movements, slim hips and natural grace that spoke of a woman, but surely no mere female would have the necessary skill, courage or desperation to see such a risky ruse through? It would account for the mask, though, he reasoned. Marcus had thought that was a clever means of ramping up the interest in the lad, but he could now see that the mask served a more fundamental purpose.
IfBarker was being completely honest.
Given that he had clearly lost control of his prize asset, Marcus had to assume that was the case.
‘Her name,’ Marcus demanded.
‘Soon as I see the colour of your money.’
‘You have my word.’
Barker sneered at him. ‘Excuse me if that ain’t enough for me.’
Marcus would have been surprised if Barker had reacted in any other way. What else could he expect, given that he was obliged to do business with the lower classes, he wondered, holding back the curt retort that sprang to his lips. He silently cursed his father’s intransigence and unwillingness to forgive his youthful transgressions; traits that had resulted in Marcus finding himself in such an invidious position.
‘Clearly you have lost the young woman,’ Marcus said, sending a nod towards the two youths who kept darting up to Barker with progress reports, or lack thereof. ‘Tell me where she lives and I will resolve the matter.’
‘I know where she lives and she ain’t there. Someone took her.’
‘Who?’
‘If I knew that she wouldn’t still be lost, would she?’ Barker growled and his expression turned so forbidding that Marcus, despite the protection that stood by his shoulder, was afraid of him.
‘Someone or something distracted her at the vital moment,’ Marcus mused. ‘That’s how she got injured. It’s reasonable to suppose that’s the person who nabbed her. Any idea who it might have been?’
‘None whatsoever,’ Barker replied, so quickly that Marcus knew he wasn’t being completely honest with him. Aware too that he was more afraid of the person in question than he was of Marcus. Also cognisant of the fact that he would never reveal the girl’s name unless Marcus paid him handsomely; something which he had decided against doing, given Barker’s uncooperative stance.
‘Very well, if that’s your attitude then I shall feel no further obligation towards you and our association is at an end.’ He turned away, taking considerable satisfaction from the sour expression on Barker’s face. ‘I shall use my own resources to find the girl.’
It felt good to issue the ultimatum, but as he walked away, Marcus was beginning to realise that he might have been too hasty. He had absolutely no idea where to start looking, or who it could be locally that could frighten a hard man like Barker. But he would lose considerable face it he turned back and sought clarification so he continued to walk away.
‘Damn,’ he muttered, so quietly that his associates didn’t hear the word above the howling wind and the torrential rain that now poured down on them, drenching Marcus to the skin and adding to his misery.
Ellery watched the colour drain from Isolda’s pretty face as his words struck a chord with her.
‘It must be him,’ she said softly. ‘It would explain so much.’
‘It must be him in what respect?’ Ellery asked, taking her trembling hand in his and giving it a gentle squeeze. It was remarkable, he thought. She had faced up to that brute of a man wielding a sword and risked her life in front of hundreds of men without showing one iota of fear. But the mere mention of Brooke’s name had reduced her to a quivering wreck. ‘What has he done to frighten you so?’
Isolda cleared her throat and took several attempts to unburden herself of an obviously burning secret.
‘Barker informed me tonight that someone wanted to take over his operation, and that he had no option but to seriously consider that offer,’ she said in an undertone. ‘It can only have been Brooke. It makes perfect sense.’
Ellery scowled and nodded. ‘I should have considered the possibility that his new venture was something to do with sporting activities,’ he said. ‘That was always an area that interested him and on which he was a fountain of knowledge. The more extreme the better.’
‘Well, there you are then.’
‘Does he know your identity?’ Ellery asked, trying to hide his concerns in that regard.
‘Good heavens no! Well, he did not before tonight’s fight. Barker has always protected my anonymity. It’s in his best interests to do so, which is why I wear the mask. Besides, none of my opponents would take me seriously if they knew the truth about my gender and would show no mercy.’
‘That oaf tonight didn’t show you any.’
‘That was your fault!’ she cried indignantly. ‘I saw you and you distracted me.’
Ellery chuckled. ‘I stand duly reprimanded. But even if Barker reveals who you are in an effort to earn a few shillings from Brooke, Brooke will never get to you here.’
‘You think he intends to open a sporting club of some description here, right on your doorstep?’ Isolda asked, biting her lip.
