“Fun for whom?” he grumbled.
“Your sister. Isn’t that why we are doing this? To give her an afternoon of normalcy? You made her smile today. That should make you happy.” Caroline patted his knee.
“And you, is this your idea of a fun afternoon?” He grasped her hand before she could pull away. “Don’t lie.”
Caroline refused to meet his gaze. “Honestly? No. My perfect afternoon would be a long ride across the countryside and then a picnic with delicious finger sandwiches, and cheese, and light flaky cream puffs. Then maybe a nap in the sunshine.”
“All by yourself? Or can I come along? Those cream puffs sound tasty.”
She glanced up at him, her blue eyes sparkling with humor. “Yes, you may come. But you must agree to let me win if we race. After all, this is my perfect afternoon.”
“Deal.”
Grace and Mademoiselle Chaumont emerged from the other room. Caroline straightened her shoulders and her lips curved into a serene smile. It was the same mask he saw her wear at social functions. Not fake exactly, more like a layer of polite armor.
She stood. “Ready to discuss patterns?”
Cage grabbed hold of her elbow. “I am going to go walk around. I’ll come back for you ladies in an hour?”
Caroline nodded. “There is a pub two blocks down on Leicester Street. It’s where my brothers always sneak off to.” She winked.
Escaping outside, Cage blinked for a moment in the sunshine. Then he turned left and strode down the street.
Chapter 29
Vigilante among the Ton?
Every day in London's streets, women of all ilk sell their bodies to earn enough to live and survive. Prostitution is no secret; it is a thriving business. Like all businesses, there are those who profit and those who toil. Equally so, every year in the glittering ballrooms of the marriage mart, young women are sold to the highest bidder for money and power. Here also, there are those who profit from the bodies and lives of their women.
So it may come as no surprise that London has a new hero from this set. A vigilante who rescues young girls who have become tangled in the web of sex and excesses. She rescued a young girl from a prominent brothel run by Mrs. G two weeks ago. Brandishing her slim deadly blade, she snatched the girl who had been sold to the brothel owner by her drunk of a father.
Then our vigilante struck again last weekend at an infamous bacchanal, which is thrown annually by Lord D. Yes, all the rumors you have heard are true. The party is as debauched as Lord D’s dark heart. Free-flowing wine and liquor, and anonymity provided by the masks fuel an atmosphere of immoral behavior. This night of excess was topped off by an auction, where the highest bidder would get to deflower a genuine virgin.
Don’t worry, dear reader, our vigilante swooped in and rescued the poor farm girl, stolen from her family by Mrs. G to serve as the virgin sacrifice. Yes, our vigilante is no ordinary woman. She is fearless, passionate, a Lady of great heart. I will wait alongside you, breathlessly, to see where she will strike next.
Cage set the pages of newsprint on the bar top. He took a long swallow of his beer. Caroline would surely blow her top. He picked up the copy ofThe Spectatorand read through the article again. A smile turned up the corner of his mouth. Fearless, passionate, the editor’s description of Caroline was spot-on. He slid a coin across to the bartender and stood. Paper in hand, he walked back to the dress shop.
Where could he take her that was private in order to show her the article? Certainly not back to Gilchrest house. Her large family seemed to pop out from every nook and cranny. She needed to read it herself so she wouldn’t be caught unawares by the news. As he entered the shop, Caroline spoke in a hushed tone with the proprietress by the large wooden table strewn with dress patterns. She quickly made her way across the room toward him.
“Morgan, I’m glad you’re back.”
He glanced around. “Where is Grace?”
“I had William take her home.” Her gaze slid away from his before bouncing back. “She burst into tears quite unexpectedly while we were discussing dress choices. She was upset but couldn’t tell me why.”
“What exactly did you say to her?” he bit out. His concern for Grace caused his tone to be harsher than he intended.
“I’m so sorry.” She clasped her hands tightly together. “I’m not sure exactly what I did. I told her she should choose some silk for a couple of ball gowns. And she responded she would never be going to any balls. I thought she was just feeling unsure. I said she would need at least one gown for my upcoming birthday ball. That she needn’t worry. You were such a good brother, and you would pay for anything she would like. Then she burst into tears.” Caroline’s eyes filled with the same worry he felt. “She was so overset I hustled her out to the carriageand asked William to take her home. He is somehow a soothing presence for Grace.”
Cage sighed. He always prided himself on his ability to figure out what a woman was feeling. They were such complicated creatures. He enjoyed the puzzle that was a woman’s mind and heart. But with his sister, he had no idea. He knew that the hardship and misfortune of the last year must affect her reactions to everything. But what was said today that would cause such anguish remained a mystery. “Don’t blame yourself.” He took his hat off and ran a hand through his hair. “I wish she would talk to me.”
“She would not talk to me either when I tried to apologize for making her upset.”
Cage slapped his hat back onto his head, dislodging the newspaper from under his arm, and sending it fluttering to the carpet. He quickly bent to scoop it up.
“What’s that?” Caroline asked.
“I’m disappointed that Grace is not here because I have a surprise I was eager to show you both this afternoon.” He ignored her question and tucked the paper in his coat pocket. “I’ve rented a proper house. I’d hoped that you ladies would like to come to see it.”
