“Ladies.”Rhys sent them a smile.A real blasted smile.
Violet knew her mouth gaped, but truly, his smile transformed his face.Gone was the dangerous angel she had come to know.He looked almost boyish, even with the scar pulling at the corner of his lip.She glanced back over at the two women, their arms wrapped around each other’s shoulders.They looked at Rhys as though he were their favorite meal, their eyelashes fluttering coquettishly.
Violet schooled her features into a polite façade as jealousy clawed at her.These women obviously knew Mr.Seaton well.Had he used their services?Was he a regular here at the Birdcage?Why did she even care?Rhys Seaton’s relationships were none of her concern.
“Girls, do you need something?Because I’m having a visit here with my boy.”Mrs.Rigby’s voice was sharp, as though she also resented the interruption.
“No, just wanted to tell you that Harry was still here.Passed out face-first on the blue room rug.We tried to rouse him, honest, but he wouldn’t budge.He’s snoring like a bear.”They both giggled again.
Mrs.Rigby sighed.“Tell Bobbie to get him dressed and out of here.”
The two women nodded and then left the room, closing the door behind them.Mrs.Rigby shook her head.“I’m going to have to write the older brother again.Dunmore has to get control over that boy.He is here far too often and has no respect for my rules.”
The Earl of Dunmore?Harry must be Harry Greene.Violet was acquainted with all four of the Greene brothers.They always had run wild.Good Lord, if that was the type of clientele that Viola Rigby catered to, perhaps she would be a good source of information.
Mrs.Rigby pushed her empty plate to the side.“So, what sort of gossip are you looking for?”
Rhys spoke first.“Lady Sommerset is the daughter-in-law of the Duke of Lavensham.She is in a situation that she wishes to change and is looking to gain information that could be used as leverage against the duke or her husband, the Marquess of Sommerset.”
Mrs.Rigby leaned back in her chair, her surprise evident.Her shrewd gaze traveled over Violet.
It was time for her to interject.“I did some snooping through the duke’s correspondence, but have thus far only come up with information about the duke’s proclivities for rough sex.Although unpleasant to learn about, this is hardly damning for a powerful man like the duke.I hoped to find something that was more illegal or embarrassing.”
“It is true that powerful men visiting brothels to fulfill needs they cannot at home is not something society frowns on,” Mrs.Rigby acknowledged.“But the Duke of Lavensham has never been welcome at the Birdcage.”
“Why?”asked Rhys.
“Not because of his sexual preferences.Purely personal reasons, ones that I will not share.You know me, once I ban someone, I never change my mind.But I can tell you that the rumors that he killed his first wife are most likely true.The man has a nasty temper that, when unleashed, could certainly be deadly.Match that with his absolute disdain for everyone who is…well, not him…and he is capable of all sorts of heinous deeds.”
Rhys looked thoughtful.“Would you say that he is rash?”
“Most definitely.From what I’ve heard, he can go from icy cold to a hot rage in a split second.”
“Must be a family trait,” Violet muttered under her breath.
Rhys growled low from next to her.
Mrs.Rigby’s gaze was sharp as it bounced between her and Rhys.“Lady Sommerset, I have not seen your husband here at the Birdcage.Perhaps his father has told him not to come.Beyond that, I only know that Lavensham is known to be extremely careful with his personal business.He strives to keep his reputation polished.”Her lips twisted into a mocking smile.“He has fooled many into thinking he is the perfect gentleman.”
“He is up to something bad.I made a promise to stop him from whatever it is.”Rhys’s fingers clenched into a fist on the table.“But so far, none of my reconnaissance has proved fruitful.All he does is have dinner at his club and shop for new fucking boots.”
“Someone asked you to stop him from something but didn’t tell you what?”Mrs.Rigby asked.
“Yes, the man died before he could tell me what was happening,” Rhys replied.
Died?Violet stared at Rhys.He had made a deathbed promise?That certainly explained why he was helping her.She didn’t doubt that Rhys was a man who kept his promises.Never had she met a more serious man.
“I have gone through all the correspondence we took from that locked drawer, but most of it was personal.Nothing about business deals, or even political deals.Just the letters in response to his requests to hire women for sex.”She blushed as she glanced at Mrs.Rigby.“And several letters, much older, from a private investigation firm regarding a woman named Lillian Kelley.”
Mrs.Rigby’s teacup clattered against the delicate dish.The woman grabbed up a napkin to mop at the spilled tea.“Fuck.”She blew out a long breath.“Sorry, I don’t know more about him.Like I said, I banned him more than twenty years ago.”Then her expression became contemplative.“Wait, how many letters are we talking about?Refusing him a girl, I mean.”
Violet shrugged.“At least a half dozen.”
“Hmm, there have been several girls gone missing in the last six months.All working girls, all independent.One of mine was trying to convince her friend to come work for me.She later said her friend just disappeared one day.Said she hasn’t seen or heard from her in weeks now.And she’s not the only one.At least four more have vanished.No bodies found, like sometimes happens when a girl gets into a bad spot.”Mrs.Rigby looked over at Rhys.“Do you think he would get so desperate as to take girls right off the street?”
“It’s a stretch.Seems like pretty risky behavior for a man who likes to keep his reputation spotless,” Rhys replied.
“I agree.”Violet clasped her hands together tightly.“Honestly, this has all been shocking.I guess you never can tell what people are hiding behind closed doors, can you?”
