“What theory?” Jamie demanded.
“Why, it’s for you, my friend. After all, you are not showing progress with the names on that list, so they feel it is time to move things along by holding a dinner party,” Anthony said.
“You cannot be serious? They would go to all this trouble just to ensure I spend time with the three women on that list?” Jamie felt a sinking feeling at the prospect that this evening was all about him.
“You do know my aunts, don’t you?” Anthony asked. “They didn’t want to put me to the trouble of hosting a dinner party because of Evie’s delicate condition, so they asked their dear friend Lord Redfern is my understanding.”
“What names were on that list anyway?” Toby added.
Jamie thought seriously about leaving, but as the carriage was stopping outside Lord Redfern’s house, he didn’t think he’d get the chance. Mind you, he could outrun his friends.
“I’m not telling you the names,” Jamie said.
If his friends were right, then Lady Alice would be inside. He’d only seen her once in the past few weeks, from a distance at a ball. When he’d finally worked up the nerve to approach, she’d turned and walked away. Jamie didn’t know why he’d taken that as deliberate—but he had.
He’d even sent her a note the next day, asking to speak with her. Her reply had been polite, stating she was unavailable. Something about it didn’t sit right. There was more to her refusal than courtesy; he could feel it.
He pushed aside the flicker of guilt that he hadn’t told her what he’d discovered. It was for the best. A woman like Lady Alice had no place in a brothel. He’d tell her about the ledger when the time was right.
You’re doing this to keep her safe, he reminded himself. What she didn’t know couldn’t hurt her.
They stepped from the carriage and then took the stairs up and into Lord Redfern’s townhouse.
Lady Petunia appeared to be waiting for them in the front entrance, elegant in lavender. “I could not hold them off much longer. Where have you been?” she demanded.
“Surely we are not that late, Aunt,” Anthony said, kissing her cheek. “And where is Lord Redfern as we are in his townhouse?”
She made a tsking sound. “We are hosting, and he merely offered a larger dining room. In fact, he was excited, as since his wife passed, he’s not hosted a ball or dinner.”
“Well then, how kind of you to help him with that,” Anthony said solemnly.
“Yes, well, your aunts and I thought it time to revive his flagging spirits.”
“A whopping untruth,” Toby whispered to Jamie. “Now I need to find my wife.”
“You’re pathetic,” Jamie muttered as his friend smiled at the thought of seeing Liberty.
Anthony clapped his hands together. “This is going to be an excellent evening. I can feel it.”
He could simply turn and walk out the door; no one would be able to stop him.
“Jamie, you will stop dragging your feet!”
Except maybe her. “Coming, Lady Petunia.”
Was Lady Alice here? The thought made his pulse pick up speed. What was it about that woman other than she had lush, soft, and kissable lips?
The townhouse was hushed save for the muted clink of crystal and the faint murmur of voices carrying from somewhere ahead. A footman, immaculate in black, led the way. Candles flickered in polished brackets, their light showingJamie portraits and cabinets filled with expensive porcelain and crystal.
“Do you know, I don’t think I’ve ever been here,” Toby said.
Jamie couldn’t remember a time he had either. His father perhaps, but not him.
As they slowed, he put his social smile in place as the glow of the parlor spilled into the hall, accompanied by a swell of laughter and the rustle of silk. The doors were open and he stepped through. The guests all turned their heads as the new arrivals were announced. Jamie wasn’t sure why he tensed suddenly, as this was something he’d done more times than he could remember, but he did. When he studied the guests, he instantly realized why.
Lady Alice was here and standing against the far wall from where he’d entered. The look on her face told Jamie she was no happier to be in this place than he was. Yet, despite himself, a surge of something dangerously close to happiness stirred in him at the sight of her. He’d think about that later.
As if sensing his presence, she turned, and the look she gave him was through narrowed eyes. Her mouth tightened, and then she looked away.
