But he had noticed Lady Amelia Crowley. It would have been impossible not to; she was last year’sDiamond of the Season, after all.
Recalling how she’d owned that title, Leopold shifted in his chair.
The golden-haired, blue-eyed vision possessed all the makings of a future duchess, flaunting herself in prim and proper gowns designed to tease but not hide the delicate curves of her slim figure.
Cool as ice, the entitled beauty had skimmed her gaze right over him.
But Winterhope wasn’t finished and his agenda for this meeting gradually came to light. “With Foxbourne making trouble, she isn’t safe under his protection,” he said. “Clementine—my marchioness—has invited Lady Amelia for an extended visit to Winterhope Downs, but all her correspondence goes unanswered. If you recall, the Foxbournes hold Clem and I in contempt and it’s likely the letters go straight into the bin.”
“So, why bother then?” Leopold pressed.
“Last spring, there was talk of a match between Lady Amelia and myself. There was nothing official, but… Foxbourne saw things differently and holds my wife responsible.” The Marquess hissed through clenched teeth. “Despite several attempts to explain, all but begging for a reconciliation, Clementine’s letters to her cousin have gone unanswered. She’s heartbroken already, and would be devastated if something were to happen to Lady Amelia.” Winterhope, the lovesick devil, looked as fierce as ever. “Foxbourne’s going to bring her to London for the Season.”
“Why not just go to her?” Leopold was the opposite of eager to entertain this complication. “Explain that she’s in danger and get her away from London?”
“The Foxbournes bloody hate Winterhope,” Helton answered with a look implying it ought to be obvious. “If we go to Lady Amelia’s father, fool that he is, odds are he’ll simply take that information right back to Crossings—which could compromise everything.”
“She needs protecting.” Standish frowned. “But Helton’s right, if she thinks Winterhope’s involved, I doubt she’ll cooperate. And unfortunately, we’ve all been introduced—at Winterhope’s house party.”
“Not all of us.” Helton dipped his chin, staring at Leopold over his spectacles.
The room fell silent, all eyes on Leopold now.
“I was hoping you would be willing to secure Lady Amelia’s safety.” Malum spoke with cool detachment. “Whether the girl wants it or not.”
Were they actually suggesting… “You want me to kidnap her?”
“Consider it more of a rescue,” Malum added.
Leopold was more than accustomed to dealing with delicate situations, situations that skirted the law.
Fucking hell.
With all these Rotten Rakes married up now, and Malum at the helm of his emporium, even Leopold conceded that he was the obvious choice for this “rescue” mission. He wasn’t encumbered like the others, and he also had the perfect location to keepHer Ladyshipout of the duke’s crosshairs.
“When?” he asked.
“The letter says Foxbourne is planning on travelling one week from Monday,” Winterhope provided, already looking relieved. “Best she doesn’t set foot in London.”
“You all owe me big for this,” Leopold reluctantly agreed.
“Absolutely, but Beckworth.” Winterhope’s voice cut into Leopold’s plan.
What now?Already, his mind was walking through a strategy to seize last year’s Diamond of the Season: the number of men he’d need, the weapons he’d use, the roads he’d take.
“I know you have your…issues… but don’t forget that she’s a lady.”
“Right.” Leopold nodded slowly, and then again. “Right.” It was as much of a promise as he’d ever make.
The concept of honor was nothing more than an illusion.
With that, the meeting broke up and, filing out of Malum’s office, each went their separate ways.
Leopold wasn’t the one withissues. If not for these Rotten Rakes and theirhonorbusiness, there’d be no reason to pick her up in the first place.
And yet…
Despite the prospect of a dozen or more inconveniences, Leopold couldn’t deny that a part of him relished the challenge. Because he wasn’t the only person who’d suffer a few inconveniences.
