Nonetheless, she felt a prick of satisfaction when Cherise began to snore. Loudly.
I hope she drools too,Livy thought darkly.
“How was your show?” a male voice asked.
Livy had been so absorbed with Ben that she’d forgotten the stranger who’d led her into this hidden passageway behind the rooms. He’d kept his distance, standing a few feet away and peering through a squint into another room, where the occupants were clearly still at it, their moans and groans leaking into the passageway.
The stranger had seemed harmless enough, but now the wall sconces revealed a menacing glint in his eyes. Before Livy could move, he backed her against the wall, his hands pinning her shoulders.
“Get off me,” she hissed.
He smirked. “Didn’t I tell you this is the price of admission?”
He ground himself against her. She felt his member poking against her…Ew.
“I saidno.” She shoved at his shoulders.“Get away from me.”
“Not until I get what I want.”
Enough was enough. Livy jerked her knee upward. Her attacker doubled over, emitting a howl of pain.
“You bitch,” he groaned.
She stomped on his foot for good measure. “Remember this the next time a lady saysno.”
His curses followed her as she exited the passageway. She saw doors open along the corridor, Ben emerging from one of them.
Zounds.She kept her face averted, walking away from him, panic buzzing through her.Did he hear me in the passageway? See me just now?
She didn’t dare look back. She moved as quickly as she could without drawing attention, pushing through the crowded seraglio toward the stairs. Her nape tingled; dash it, she couldfeelBen giving chase. As soon as she made it to the stairwell and out of his sight, she broke into a run, racing down the steps. She made it to the first floor—and a hand closed around her arm.
Her heart shot into her throat, but it was Charlie.Thank God.
“This way,” her mentor said.
Charlie led her to an open panel in the wall: a servant’s passage. The two hastened into the tunnel, closing the door behind them. Charlie spoke as they raced along.
“This will take you to the exit at the back. Hawker’s waiting one block east. Once you get back to the house, dispose of your disguise and go to bed.At once.”
“Why the rush?”
“Because Hadleigh saw you and will no doubt pay you a visit.”
Livy didn’t know if her shiver was one of fear or anticipation. “What should I do?”
“Keep the truth from him however you can.” Charlie shoved open a door, pushing Livy out into the foggy night. In the holes of her mask, Charlie’s grey eyes shone with urgency. “I’ve picked up critical information tonight, and I must stay to learn more. Your assignment is now to protect the secrecy of our mission: the safety of the man you love depends upon it. Nowgo.”
31
Propelled by grim determination, Ben scaled the tree in Lady Fayne’s garden. As Livy had once described, one of its sturdy branches conveniently extended toward a second-floor window, which had to be her bedchamber. At the windowsill, he reached for the double glass panels; he’d been prepared to break in if need be, but the panels opened smoothly.
The damned chit didn’t even bother to lock her windows on the way out,he thought with simmering rage.
Climbing through the window, he landed in the room, which was faintly lit by a fire in the hearth. He was certain the chamber was unoccupied, for he had no doubt that he’d spotted Livy at the Hellfire Club tonight. In disguiseagain, in a place more disreputable than the Black Lion Inn and Cremorne Gardens combined. After she’d given him the slip, he’d made an excuse to the Horsemen and headed straight over to Lady Fayne’s.
If Livy had snuck off to go to the club, then she would need to hail a hackney to get back, not the easiest thing on a busy Saturday night in Mayfair. He reckoned she wouldn’t be home for another half hour. When she arrived, he would confront her. He would not let her get away with lying to him…with risking her goddamned neck. Not to mention her virtue.
He couldn’t allow himself to imagine what Livy had been exposed to on her little jaunt through an orgy. If he did, he might plow his fist through the nearest wall.
