Mrs. Dilly’s brothel was at the end of a street. A tall, narrow white building with bright flowers lining the front entrance. It looked like any of the places around it, but behind those doors, things were vastly different. They walked to the rear and knocked on the door.
A young man answered in seconds.
“We wish to see Mrs. Dilly, please. Tell her that Lady Samantha, Mrs. Dorset Charlton, and Mrs. Somerset Charlton have called please.”
They did not have long to wait before they were escorted up the stairs to the floor above.
“How wonderful to have you visit,” Mrs. Dilly said when they entered her rooms.
She was a beautiful woman with a curvaceous figure and masses of deep russet hair styled in the current fashion. She always dressed in soft lavenders or pinks, and each garment was trimmed in the most exquisite lace. She wore a large ruby on the middle finger of her left hand and diamonds sparkled at her neck.
Samantha thought she could grace any ballroom and not appear out of place, other than the fact she was the owner of a brothel.
“Such beauties you all are,” she said, waving them to seats. “How is it I have the pleasure of your company?”
“We are having trouble locating a man that we believe owes a great deal of money to someone, Mrs. Dilly,” Somer said.
“What is his name.”
They discussed the case in depth, and Mrs. Dilly was able to tell them some details that would help with locating the man. Somer thrust her pad at Samantha, and she made notes, which had always been her job.
“And you, Lady Samantha. Will you tell me what is bothering you?”
“I-I beg your pardon?” She only just managed not to spit out the mouthful of tea she’d swallowed.
“You seem troubled.”
The twins looked at her, green eyes intent.
“Oh no. I am not troubled.”
“She has had a rough time of it to be fair,” Dorrie said. She explained about the trip back from Ireland and what had occurred.
“How terrifying, but how wonderful that handsome young Mr. Warwick Sinclair was there to save you,” Mrs. Dilly said.
The twins smiled, and Samantha only just refrained from scowling.
“Indeed.”
When it was time to leave, Mrs. Dilly told them to call again soon as she so enjoyed their company. They walked silently, retracing their steps to where the carriage awaited them.
“I wonder why Mrs. Dilly thought something was bothering you, Samantha.”
“Not another word, Somer.”
She harrumphed but stayed silent, as did Dorrie, thankfully.
It did not take long to reach the carriage. Sam was standing beside it as they approached. She felt a tug of guilt when his frown eased as he saw them.
A yell had her turning to find a large group of young boys running her way. She stepped to the left as Dorrie and Somer moved right to let them pass.
“Make a sound, and I shoot your friends,” a voice whispered in her ear.
She felt something press into her side.
“What do you want?”
“You. Now move back the way you came. Fast.”
