“Surely, you jest.”
“I assure you, Lady Louisa, I do not.” Not if these were the men he believed. They were unpredictable. Difficult. Dangerous. No jesting about that.
“That’s not reassuring at all.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “How did they ever learn of the book’s whereabouts?”
How, indeed. And did they know that the Duchess of Talbot was the head of the female organization? They must suspect. They must have had their eye on the betting book from the very start, as well.
Oliver glanced at the boy, his mood darkening. “What did they give you in return? Just a promise that your family would no longer be in danger?”
Leo nodded, wide-eyed.
Oliver scowled. He hadn’t known this little boy for long, but a protective instinct as old as time rose within him. Like a lion sensing hyenas closing in on his cub. It didn’t make sense, but he didn’t need it to.
Those blackguards.
Playing on a boy’s fear of his family being harmed and handing him some sweets. If they had approached a Talbot once, they could do so again, especially if the duchess’s involvement became known and they wanted more leverage over this family than a book. Then it might not just be an object they took, but a person.
His gaze found Lady Louisa.
Or two.
The danger for them hadn’t passed because they no longer had the book. He was afraid it had just begun.
“Lady Louisa—”
“You are going to Brighton, aren’t you?” Her back straightened. “I’m coming with you.”
Instant resistance welled. “No, you are not.”
“I’m the one who lost the book. I shall help retrieve it.”
“You didn’t lose the book, and it’s best if you stay at home with your brother while I handle this matter.”
“Why?” Her eyes narrowed on him. “Because you’re a man?”
Yes. “Because I’m experienced in such matters.”
“Who says I’m not?”
Oliver arched a brow.
“Well, you can’t know until you experience it, can you?”
What reasoning. “The answer is still no.” He bowed. “I shall take my leave.”
His back prickled as he strode from the library. It wasn’t until his feet cleared Talbot property that the tension unraveled from him—and only then did he realize how tightly it had coiled around him in the first place.
Around her.
But now it’s all over.
Chapter Seven
The next morning
If the Dukeof Mortimer believed this was the end of the matter, he was about to learn a valuable lesson! Did he honestly believe she would just sit back and donothing?
How arrogant!
