“Geraint is going to be absolutely thrilled about this,” Monty said in his Lord Plunge voice. “Let me be the one to tell him, please.”
The other men laughed, except Zach. He was still scowling at her.
“I cannot believe you have fooled us all these years,” Gabe said. “I apologize for every insult or slight you had at our hands.”
The words were spoken solemnly and with sincerity. Lord Raine then rose and held out his hand to Monty. He did the same. The others followed suit, lastly with Zach.
“And you, young lady,” Gabe said to her, “I am glad you are using that superior intellect for the good of our kingdom.”
Mary hadn’t known what to expect from him but not that. She felt humbled and a little off balance.
“We will adjust, Mary, but I implore you to call upon us should you need us,” Gabe added. “You also, Lord Montgomery. You are no longer alone.”
She looked at the men she’d known for many years. Husbands of women she called friends.
“They can’t know,” she said softly.
“Aye, that we understand,” Nathan said. “Our ladies will not be told by us, and keeping this from them will chafe, but it is best for all concerned.”
She nodded.
“And you will not try to stop me?” This time she focused on Zach. She saw the reluctance to acquiesce to her. But he did nod. Just one jerk of this head.
“Excellent, now that is settled, I must admit I am hungry,” Monty said. “Beaton, bring food!” he roared in a deep voice.
Mary wanted to laugh at the expressions of the other men.
“How is it you can stay in character so well?” Zach asked.
“Years of practice. I enter here, shed my clothes, and don something of a dark color and walk about the place speaking in my natural voice.”
“It will take some getting used to,” Michael said.
“It will be an adjustment for all of us,” Monty said.
“I did miss breakfast,” Nathan said.
“And then we will take you home.” Gabe looked at Mary.
She had left the house in a rush, panic sending her to Monty before the Deville brothers made contact with him. She hadn’t really given much thought to her family’s reaction, but Lord Raine was right. She needed to return home soon and hope her family did not question her too thoroughly.
“Tell the Devilles what you know of the case of the blackmail letter to the king, Mary, as clearly we are working toward the same goal,” Monty then said to her. “Explain what we learned at Madame Bolade’s.”
“I spoke with a lady called Francine at the brothel.” She shot Zach a look, as he’d found her and Monty there. His expression was unreadable now. “She became friends with the woman found dead outside Madame Bolade’s. Before she died, she told Francine she could stay with her and her friends at their lodgings in Leander Lane as there was now a spare bed. She lived there with her four friends and a gentleman.”
“Three of the women are now dead,” Zach added.
“We didn’t know that,” Monty said. “We were aware of two, but where was the third girl found?”
“At the residence in Leander Lane. One of our informants told us about the place, so we went to see it and found her,” Zach said.
“Ottilie, Nita, and Marie are all dead then. It is just Julia that is left. Francine told me her name.”
“Julia?” Nathan raised a brow.
“She is the woman who arrived with the others and then one day never returned after leaving for work,” Mary said.
“How was the third girl killed?” Monty asked.
