Annoyed that he didn’t see anything wrong, and even more convinced that her brother and his relation were involved in deeper than she’d imagined, Leah was forced to don the garish garment and be present when her escort arrived.
She tried not to cast up her accounts when she descended the stairs and saw Mr. Bernard’s eyes flare with unconcealed lust. She glanced once more at her brother, hoping that she might gain some support, but he merely bid them a fine evening.
“You look just as enchanting as I imagined you would, Miss Lindquist,” Francis murmured, the sound crawling over her skin.
Leah said nothing as she lifted her skirts and climbed into the phaeton. As Mr. Bernard took up the reins and settled himself a bit too closely to her, she clenched her fists in her lap and prayed this night would be over quickly.
“I have been looking forward to our time together,” he said silkily.
Leah said nothing in return but kept her gaze straightforward.
“I can see you are trying your best to ignore me. I thought we discussed this earlier today, that it wouldn’t be a good idea to cross swords with me.”
She could hear the hard edge of his tone, so she swallowed back her pride and said, “I recall our conversation quite vividly.”
“Then perhaps you might start acting a bit more appreciative of my efforts on your behalf.”
It wasn’t phrased as a question, but she responded nevertheless. “Of course, Mr. Bernard.” She bit out. Hoping to dissuade him from bringing up Harlan, she asked, “Where are we going?”
“We shall be traveling outside the sleepy village of Dudley and heading to Birmingham,” he retorted smoothly. “There are some… particular delights in store for us there.”
Leah’s fingers clenched on the side of the carriage as her heart started to thump with warning. “To what sort of delights might you be referring?”
She dared to look directly at him, and she wished she hadn’t done so. His mouth had curved into a smirk that tempted her to jump out of the vehicle as it was moving. “That would ruin all the fun of a surprise, wouldn’t it?”
She had to swallow past the panic rising in her throat. “Is this event something that my brother would disapprove of? You wouldn’t want him to be upset with me, would you?”
“Trust me,” he countered. “He will be content so long as you are with me.” His gaze traveled up and down her entire length. His grin widened. “Sit back and relax, my dear. You will need your strength for what is in store.”
Leah could feel the blood recede from her body.
Harlan, where are you?
Harlan enteredthe doors of the brothel as a muscle pulsed in his jaw. It didn’t take more than a few seconds for one of the ladies to sidle up to him. “Hello, guv’nor.”
Benjamin held out a hand and kept the woman from getting any closer. “We are looking for someone.”
Her heavily painted mouth and cheeks drooped into a faux pout, but when she understood that her ploy wasn’t going to work, she dropped the act and wiped at her teeth with her finger. “It will cost ye.”
Harlan held up a purse that jingled with coins. “We have the blunt if you have the information and exercise the proper discretion.”
Immediately, her greedy eyes were fixated on the offering. She glanced around at the other guests who were already enjoying the festivities. Scantily clad women and men were engaging in all sorts of licentious acts in the parlor and the grand performance had yet to take place. “Come with me.”
Harlan and Benjamin followed her. Lucas had remained behind in London with Hugh. Harlan had decided Benjamin would be good to have around in case he needed some extra… convincing. “Not to mention that I am due some revenge for nearly being shot myself,” Benjamin had added for good measure.
“Already got two on the hook, did ye, Molly?”
“Aye. They knows what I’s got under me petticoats!” she returned with a saucy sashay of her hips, which garnered a round of raucous laughter as they continued on their way.
Once they had made their way down the hall and up the spiral stairs to the second floor, Harlan noticed that there was a third level where amusements could be enjoyed on a more personal level. However, he was more interested in the illicit ball that was being prepared.
Molly glanced about and then ducked into a small anteroom . As she shut the door behind them, she gestured to a large window with a perfect view of the festivities they sought.
Harlan instantly turned to her with a hiss. “I explained earlier that we needed to be somewhere private, without undue attention.”
“It is.” She waved a hand toward the window. “It’s a mirror on the other side.”
Harlan walked over and inspected the glass just as a woman paused on the other side and adjusted her breasts in her bodice before pinching some color into her cheeks. She didn’t scream at the sight of him, so he decided that Molly was telling the truth.
