“Your brother has proven himself remarkably adept at disappearing. First from his debts, now from London itself. It’s almost admirable, really.” Bragg pulled out a silver case and extracted a cigar. “May I?”
“I’d rather you didn’t.”
He lit it anyway, the smoke curling between them like a threat made visible.
“Here’s what troubles me, Lady Louise,” he said as he puffed out a cloud of smoke, “Men who run will stay hidden, unless properly motivated to return. Your brother needs motivation.”
Louise forced her breath to remain slow, to somehow soothe the rapid pace of her pulse. “I do not know where he is.”
“Oh, I believe you, my dear.” The admission surprised her until he continued. “Which is why you’re going to help me with a different problem entirely.”
Louise’s stomach turned to lead. “I don’t understand.”
“The Duke of Calborough.” Bragg spoke the name like he was savoring fine wine. “Do you know him?”
“Only by reputation.”
“Ah, reputation.” Bragg’s smile revealed teeth too white, too sharp. “His reputation once cost me a considerable investment. A gaming establishment I operated under a … different name. The good Duke took it upon himself to expose certain irregularities to the authorities. It cost me my license, my standing, and a fortune in potential profits.”
The larger of Bragg’s men shifted position, blocking the door completely.
Louise felt the walls closing in, but willed words to come out. “That has nothing to do with me or my family.”
“Not yet.” Bragg stood, moving closer slowly, lazily. “But it could. You see, rumor has it that the Duke has a weakness for beautiful women. And you, my dear, are going to help me exploit that weakness.”
Louise took an involuntary step back. “You’re mad if you think?—”
“I think you’ll do exactly as I say.” His voice dropped to barely above a whisper, somehow more terrifying than a shout. “Tomorrow night, there’s a private gathering at White’s. Certain rooms, shall we say, are set aside for more intimate entertainment. You’ll be there. You’ll ensure the Duke is compromised. And I’ll ensure the moment is properly documented for future use.”
“No.” The word came out stronger than she felt. “I won’t be your pawn in some revenge scheme. I won’t sell my virtue for?—”
“Won’t you?” Bragg glanced toward the ceiling, where Emily’s footsteps could be heard pacing overhead. “Your sister is what, six years old? Seven?”
Ice flooded Louise’s veins. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Wouldn’t I? Children are surprisingly adaptable. Workhouses, factories, and other less savory establishments. They make themselves quite useful when there’s nowhere to turn.” He gave an evil grin at her strangled gasp.
The room spun. Louise gripped the back of the settee to keep from falling. “You monster.”
“I’m a businessman, Lady Louise. Your brother understood that when he signed my papers. He borrowed eight thousand pounds. Did he mention that? No, I thought not.” Bragg moved toward the door, his men falling in behind him. “Tomorrow night. My carriage will collect you at eleven sharp. Wear something … memorable.”
“And if I refuse?”
He paused in the doorway, not bothering to turn around. “Then I’ll return for your sister instead. She’s young enough to forget she ever had a different life. Eventually.”
Fiend. Villain. Abomination, she wanted to spit at him.
Yet she couldn’t risk Emily. She had no time to consider alternatives, no other choice.
For Emily’s sake, she told herself.
“You have my word. Tomorrow night,” she replied, her fingernails digging into her palms
“Excellent. Oh, and Lady Louise?” Now he did turn, his expression almost paternal. “Do not try anything foolish. I have eyes throughout London. If you try to run, if you breathe a word of this to anyone, I will know. And little Emily will pay the price.”
The front door slammed behind them with finality.
Louise’s knees gave way. She sank onto the settee, her whole body trembling.
