“Fortunate?” Ice trickled down Jo’s spine. She shivered. “Is she safe now?”
“Yes, it appears they don’t want her.” He moved close, and she drew in an anxious breath, finding his masculine smell reassuring. “Joanna,” he murmured, his use of her first name startling her. “You must be very careful.” His eyes were steely and yet imploring. “Promise me?”
Jo swallowed. “Yes. I wish you’d tell me why they took Sally. You know, don’t you?”
“I am fairly sure someone intended Sally for a brothel. And something made them change their mind.”
Her throat had become tight, and she struggled to speak. “But what could it be, Reade?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it.” He turned away from her and rested his hands on the banister rail, staring out into the dark gardens. “I intend to find out. If anything happens which worries you, send word to me at my rooms at Albany in Piccadilly.”
Jo shivered. Did he expect something bad to happen?
His long fingers curled around hers and gently squeezed. “I’ve frightened you,” he said, his voice low. “You can come to me.” He paused. “Not at Albany. Your presence at a gentleman’s residence would not go unnoticed. We must arrange a suitable meeting place.”
“But…where?” she drew out, still trembling.
“Do you ride?”
“Yes. I hadn’t planned to in London. There’s no reason why I can’t hire a couple of hacks at the Hyde Park stables for Sally and me.”
“If you need my advice, or if something important occurs, send me a feather.”
She stared at him. “A feather?”
“I’m sure your hats can spare one. Best we meet before the fashionable hour. Let’s make it noon at the Brook Street gate.”
“Yes. Thank you, that has put my mind at rest.”
“And should you encounter Virden, or see him with your father, I want to hear about it.”
“My father doesn’t know…”
“We shall see.” He cut her off and took her arm. They returned to the ballroom. Her father was in his chair.
After Reade bowed and left them, her father frowned after him. “What were you doing on the terrace with the baron?”
Jo sank onto the chair, wrung out. “Just taking the air, Papa.”
“I don’t like it. That fellow worries me. He’s an unscrupulous rake, Jo.”
“No, he is not.” While she’d seen Reade flirt with other women, he seemed disinclined to do it with her. It was better he didn’t. He would make a terrible husband. She wondered why her father had such a poor opinion of him.
Jo debated whether to tell her father what she and Reade had discussed. She decided against it. It would only worry him when it wasn’t likely anything untoward would happen. And if she had to meet Reade in the park, her father would never allow it. Riding with him would be so wonderful, she almost hoped something would happen. How foolish she was about Reade. She heaved a sigh and searched the guests for Mr. Ollerton. She’d expected him to be here tonight. It appeared his interest in her had cooled. The possibility failed to disappoint her.
At Whitehall, thenext day, Reade discussed the matter with Cartwright.
“It makes sense,” Cartwright said. “They abandoned the maid because people would make a fuss and hunt for her. Strange, though, that it was the Dalrymple’s maid.”
“That’s what worries me,” Reade said heavily.
“What do you think of Dalrymple? Might he be involved in this business?”
“I very much doubt it, although Virden might have wanted something from him. Running one of his scams, perhaps. We’ll keep an eye on him and step in if we must.”
Cartwright looked surprised. “You haven’t questioned him? Is it because of his daughter?”
Reade scowled. “It’s better not to alert him and possibly Virden that he’s under observation. I’m surprised you’d think I’d allow an attachment to a lady to affect my judgment.”
