“No. We need to visit the Servants’ Registry in the morning and a tavern near the Limestone Basin tomorrow night.”
The news dragged a groan from Aaron’s lips. “Aramis has been spoiling for a fight. He’ll accompany you tomorrow evening. Along with Gibbs, that should suffice. Make sure you take blades and pistols.”
Mischief flashed in Aramis’ eyes. “I’ll be only too glad to help. There’s always trouble brewing near the docks.”
“Perhaps I could go too,” Delphine chirped. “Thanks to your skilled tutorage, I’m an expert shot with a pocket pistol.”
“And have half the lords in thetonattempt to kidnap you and force me to tear up their debts? I think not.”
“I’m not a child. I can take care of myself.”
Despite the bonds of kinship, Isabella sensed the ties that held this family together were wearing thin.
Aaron Chance stood. “God, life was easier when you were all children.” And without another word, he stormed from the room.
“Don’t mind him,” Christian said from the seat beside her, his hand moving to give hers a reassuring squeeze under the table. “The weight of responsibility weighs heavily on his shoulders. Too heavily sometimes.”
“I understand. He’s like a father to you all.” Isabella considered her own father, and her mother’s many lovers. “I’d rather suffer the sharp edge of his tongue than his neglect or indifference.”
They drank their wine and finished their meal.
Though Aaron had left the room, she still sensed a thrum of hostility from Aramis. As the second oldest brother, he undoubtedly wished to appear loyal to his kin. It would make for an uncomfortable evening tomorrow.
Christian leaned closer and whispered, “We should find somewhere quiet to discuss the case. Once Sigmund opens the doors for business, we’ll not hear ourselves think.”
There was nowhere to go.
They’d sent Gibbs home for the night.
And they were being watched from all quarters.
He sensed her hesitance but seemed confident of her desire to be alone with him. “I shall show Miss Lawton to her room. So she might settle in before Mrs Maloney arrives.” He pushed out of the chair and addressed a frowning Aramis. “I shall be sure to leave the bedchamber door open.”
Heat rose to her cheeks, but she refused to be ashamed of her attraction to this man. “I’d like to see the sketches of Abu Simbel, if I may.”
“We’ll collect the book from my room en route.”
All eyes were upon her when she stood. Delphine was the only one wearing a knowing grin. Theodore looked at Aaron’s empty chair but said nothing. Aramis merely grunted his disapproval.
“We’re not accountable for our father’s sins,” Christian said, speaking like the best barrister. “The same can be said for Miss Lawton. She was away at boarding school on that fateful night.”
“Her being here puts us all at risk,” Aramis countered.
“Our brother’s need for vengeance leaves us vulnerable,” he corrected. “Besides, the die is cast. It’s pointless raising objections now.”
They left the dining room and walked through the lavish red hall, a place designed to put a man in the mood for sin. Christian was quiet as they mounted the stairs. When they reached his room on the second floor, he’d managed to cast aside his disagreement with his brother.
“Come in, but leave the door open,” he said, his mood restored.
Isabella lingered on the threshold before finding the courage to enter. Her hesitance had nothing to do with his brother’s comment. Something about the intimate setting deepened her attraction to Mr Chance.
A potent masculine smell hung in the air, tugging at her stomach muscles, much like the rich, musky scent of his skin. The solid mahogany bed looked as sturdy as the man. Like every muscle, the posts were carved to perfection.
“It’s extremely tidy.” She wanted to touch everything, slip into his shirt, hug his pillow, wrap herself in his sheets. She wanted to lock the door and shut the world out.
“I always take care of what’s mine.”
She didn’t doubt him for a second. He was strong, fearless, passionate, yet kind. Qualities that would make any woman fall hopelessly in love with him.
