“You should thank Warrick and his gang, too, I suppose, but I shall accept the thanks. I am happy to oblige, though I am curious. You have been searching for the betting book.”
“I have.”
“Yet you have not asked me for it. Why not?”
“Would you hand it over to me?”
The horse shifted beneath her. “Knowing what I know now, perhaps.”
He nodded. “I’ve decided for the time being, the book is better off with the heiresses.”
Oh? “Why on earth would you decide that?”
“Call it a hunch.” His lips quirked upward, only a bit, but a welcome change from his usually cold face. “When I require the book, I shall come retrieve it.”
“I love your arrogance.”
“I don’t call faith in my abilities arrogance, my lady.”
“Is asking for something considered an ability?”
“For a man, of course.”
Selena shook her head, looking off into the distance. This part of town was quiet, but not without peddlers roaming about. Curious glances were sent their way, but everyone gave them a wide berth. Selena glanced at the duke from the corner of her eye.
He told her to stay calm, but with each second slipping by them, her impatience taunted her and made her question all the decisions she had made of late. All the ones she hadn’t made. All the ones she’d avoided.
This was what happened when you left important matters up to fate and timing. Had she missed her time?
“They’re leaving,” the duke said in a low voice.
Selena perked up, burrowing deeper into the hood of her cloak. “After only after ten minutes? Is that not a bit premature? What if I am just late?”
“Four went in; only three walked out. They must have left someone behind on the chance you’ll still appear.”
Selena nodded, and when the cloaked figures entered a carriage and set off, she and the duke nodded at each other and nudged their horses to follow in their wake. A red cloaked figure had been amongst them. They followed the carriage to the fringes of Covent Garden where it finally drew to a halt, and Selena watched as the three women excited the carriage and entered an establishment across the street.
The Rose.
“Of course it’s named The Rose,” she muttered. The unoriginality continued.
“A brothel.” Mortimer’s curled his lips. “This is their lair?”
“An alehouse, an abandoned warehouse, and now a brothel. The women of this club sure do make their rounds.”
“I presume the brothel is used as a front, just like the tavern.”
“Still, ladies who use a brothel as a lair?” Selena was supremely disappointed in this club. “Where is their class?”
“This isn’t about class. It’s about money.” He glanced at her. “You should remain outside.”
“Not a chance, Duke.” Warrick was in there. She wasn’t about to wait outside and leave his rescue up to fate.
“This is no place for a lady.”
“Now is not the time to develop scruples.” She dismounted her horse. “You already brought me along. In any event, I’ve never been in a brothel before. I am quite curious.” Would it be tasteful or seedy? Debauched or opulent? Would her earl be in one of the rooms? Would there be women? She hadn’t forgotten about all the tales she overheard throughout the years.
But that wasn’t what was important here. She’d followed the duke’s instruction and been patient about waiting outside the warehouse and following the women here. But Warrick and her brother had been missing for two days. Two days that she’d been none the wiser about their fate! She had been patient long enough.
