Chapter Twenty-Three
“Thank ye, Ridge.” Kitty fluttered her lashes at him. “Ye always were good with yer hands.Are ye sure I can’t entice ye t’ stay awhile?”
Ridge smiled, but he didn’t engageherany further than a distant politeness. In the past he might have been inclined to take the lady up on her offer of payment for his help in fixing a loose knob on her wardrobe door, butIsabellahad changed all of that and there was no turning back.“Although it is a tempting offer,I must regretfullydecline.”
She pouted delicately. “I’ope she knows’ow lucky she is t’ have a man like ye.”
Ridgesmiled, butdidn’t reply as heheld out his arm. “Shall I escort you downstairs to the parlor? It would be a shame for that lovely plum gown to go to waste.”
Kitty tossed her long, brown hair and threaded her arm through his, her generous breasts pressing against him in a familiar manner. “That’s very gallant o’ye, Ridge.”
Theywerehalfway down the staircase when Ridge spied Montgomery’s tall countenance. He clenched his jaw, trying to decipher what his purpose could possibly be for standingthere when he was supposed to be watching over Isabella.
But just as he was about toaddressLogan, another figure shifted and brought a lady’s profile into view.His lungs caught, forwhenshe turned her head,he locked eyes with the woman who had taken hold of his very soul and refused to let go. Butasher gaze shifted to Kitty,herentireexpressionshowed her hurt and betrayalbeforeshequickly glancedaway.She’d obviously arrived at the wrong conclusion, and that wouldn’t do. Butbefore he spoke with Isabella,he had to find outexactlywhat the hell was going on.
“Ah, there you are, Ridge.” Millicent’s red lips curved upwardas he joined the trio in the foyer. “We were just discussing you.”
“I’m sure you were,” he returned flatly. Kittywas still clinging to him, so he gently disengaged himself from her andturned his focus on Loganwith a dark frown. “What are you doing here?” He paused. “Has Simon returned?” He clenched his fists at the very thought, hoping that was the case, so he could finally unleash his anger on the bastard.
It was Isabella who answered. “Actually, Mr. Montgomery was kind enough toescort me to London. I intend ontravelingto America as soon as the arrangements can be made.” For the first time, Ridgenoticed the valisesheheld tightly in her grasp. “Unfortunately, my contact in London appears to have been delayed.”
“America? Gor, I should like t’ see it someday.”
Isabella’s cold glance lit on Kitty before dartingaway. In turn, Ridge sent Millicent aspeakinglook that shehastilyinterpreted. She threaded her arm through Kitty’s and said, “Come dear, let’s giveourfriends some privacy and head to the parlor where the entertainment is still quite young.”
As they left, Isabella crossed her arms over her chest and muttered, “That certainly didn’t take long.”
Ridge glared at her. “Pardon?”
She sniffed. “It seems we interrupted your latest assignation.”
In spite of her haughty manner, he didn’t know whether to throttle her or kiss her, because it was obvious she was jealous.“We’re not speaking of meat the moment, but your plansto travel to anothercontinent.What made you think you could even consider something so drastic?”
Her dark eyes flashed fire as they lit on him. “I will not remain here and become some man’s chattel purely for the sake of my reputation.”
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic. You’re not getting married tomorrow.”
“No,” she gritted out. “But if my parents have their way, I will become Lady Barnaby by the end of the week. The arrangements have already been made.” She lifted her chin. “I have no time to waste. I willbe on a ship bythis afternoon, just as soon as I can secure passage.”
He took a step toward her. “You aren’t going anywhere.Iforbidit.”
“You forbid it?” She laughed. “Youcan’t stop me, Mr. Claymoore.”
He snorted. “You don’t think so? Then how about we put that theory to the test.”He swept his gaze over her, hunger for her surging as he moved one step closer.
Her eyes widened momentarilyand her body tensed as though preparing to run.
“Claymoore—”
Ridge whipped his head around to pinLoganwith a hard expression. “What were you thinking of inbringingher here?”
“Would you have preferred I took her to my lodgings?”theother manreturned dryly.
Ridge consideredwherethe other agentkept residence during his brief tenures in London and,with a sigh,came to the conclusionthatMillicent’s was, in fact,thebestplace for Isabella to be. At leastthe men who frequented thisestablishment were occupied, but at a gaming hell that was notorious for its bad reputation, where cutthroats and thieves liked to barter everything from money to women,Ridge didn’t want Isabella’s hemto besullied by their ilk.
“Youmake a valid point, Montgomery, butI’ll take over from here.”
Ridgestarted to reach for Isabella’s arm, but she took a step out of his reach. “Don’t I have a say in this?” she said hotly. “I think anywhere else would be preferable to this house of iniquity where I have to be surrounded by your numerous paramours!”
