Page 44 of Only Pleasure Will Do

They were alive. All of them. He gazed at Kat with wonderous eyes. Which meant Maddy had killed no one at all. The relief of this revelation staggered him, rushed through his body like a wave crashing on a shore.

“But how are you come here, Reginald? Reginald? Are you quite well?”

They sat, and Reginald quickly sketched out his story. Tea arrived, a welcome fortification while reciting the events of yesterday. He, of course, omitted any reference to his and Maddy’s tryst. He must keep that secret until it was safe for them to continue to explore the passion they’d expressed in that poor excuse for a bed. “So I’ve been looking for Madam Vestry to tell her that her daughter is safe at Bow Street. Do you know where she is?”

Kat shrugged. “I assumed she would go back to her home, to the House of Pleasure. But you say she isn’t there?”

“Perhaps she had relations who might’ve taken her in for the night?” Stirring her tea, Alethea spoke up. “Had she anywhere else she might’ve gone?”

“No.” Reginald shook his head sadly. “She has no relatives save her daughter. No one to turn to.” Except him. And now he’d discovered her innocence in the matter, he could wholeheartedly attempt her rescue. “Are your husbands at the park where she’s to meet Redmond?”

“Jack, Amiable, and Duncan, in disguise no less, rode very early this morning to Kent,” Kat made a face, “much against my wishes—you know I have married the most stubborn man in Christendom for he simply insisted on going with them—to search the house where you and Pearl were being held. Their intent was to free you from the prison or, if possible, capture Redmond as he came to kill you.” Kat sipped her tea nonchalantly. “This blend is very good, Alethea. You must tell me what you put in it.” She turned back to Reginald. “And Tris has gone to Berkeley Square to intercept Redmond there if he decides to double deal Madam Vestry. So you see, we’ve thought of everything.”

“You do seem to have at that.” Reginald’s head was reeling. “Except for finding the whereabouts of Madam Vestry.”

“You are certain you looked everywhere at the House of Pleasure?”

Certainly he hadn’t been as thorough as he should’ve been, but he’d been exhausted and heart sore over Katarina’s death. Perhaps another visit to the establishment would not be amiss. He rose, new hope in his heart. “I will return this morning and give it a more thorough search.”

“You must stay to breakfast first.” Alethea set her cup down with a decisive clink. “It will do you no good to collapse from hunger in the middle of the morning. Come.” The authority in her voice could not be gainsaid. “Cook’s rolls are divine. You cannot miss them. Afterward, you can go about your duties.” She led them down the corridor to the breakfast room. “It is perplexing that Madam Vestry has not been found, but surely she will turn up at the park before noon.”

“I wish to find her well before that.” Reginald seated himself and almost immediately the footman placed a plate filled with eggs, bacon, kippers, sausages, and the promised rolls, hot and light. His stomach growled at the delectable smells. “Now that her daughter and I are out of danger, there’s no reason she should expose herself to further risk.” He popped a huge bite of egg, kipper, and sausage into his mouth, savored the glorious taste—he really was starving, it seemed—then washed it all down with a large sip of tea. Relief to have this unfortunate adventure behind him flowed through him with each bite.

Not completely unfortunate, since it had brought him into Maddy’s life. He must begin to think of what to do about her. What would she want to do with her life now, and would it involve him in any way? Contemplating that very important question, he picked up a roll and was slathering it copiously with butter, when a commotion began somewhere down the corridor.

He looked inquiringly at his hostess, who frowned and rose just as the door burst open, admitting Dalbury, Morley, and Manning. All three men stopped dead when they saw Reginald calmly biting into a roll.

“Matthews!”

“Reginald?”

“Sir Reginald.”

The surprise on their faces made him laugh, which turned into a cough as he almost choked on the food in his mouth. He sipped some tea and rose.

“What are you doing here, Matthews?” Dalbury stalked over to him, pounding him on the back until Reginald had to fend him off.

“I came to condole with Jack and instead found reason for celebration.” He clapped the marquess on the shoulder. “Glad to see you and my cousin are both alive and well. I was sure you’d been killed.”

“We hope Redmond thinks the same thing.” Jack came around the table to shake his hand. “I’m glad to see you looking so well. Madam Vestry gave us to believe you were being detained in Kent.”

“She was correct. However, a little skill in picking locks goes a long way with the proper tools—or improper ones, if used with imagination. Madam Vestry’s daughter and I have been free since early yesterday afternoon.” Reginald resumed his seat and the other gentlemen followed suit. The footman brought their plates and breakfast continued with a hearty appetite.

“Kat tells me you went to Kent this morning. Did you find anything?” Reginald took a long sip of tea, sated at last.

“The estate was empty save for a few servants.” Dalbury speared a sausage and cut a bite with military precision. “It belongs to Redmond’s father, my godfather, Lord Edgemont. He’s been in Scotland for some months, I’m told. So Tommy’s been making the most of various properties apparently.”

“We didn’t know what to think when we saw the door to the basement standing open.” Jack stirred his tea, his gaze on Reginald. “Although I’ll admit I was very relieved not to find your body there.”

“Does Redmond know you escaped?” Morley took a knife to butter one of the rolls.

Reginald shrugged. He’d not even thought about whether his captor was aware his leverage had disappeared. “I suspect he does not. His plan was likely to simply leave me and the girl locked up there until we died from lack of water and food. With Dalbury here dead and the town in an uproar, no one would be the wiser. He expects to get off free as a bird.” He dropped his napkin onto his empty plate. “Well, I intend to put a crimp in that plan as soon as we can find Madam Vestry. I don’t want to move against Redmond until I know she’s safe.”

“She was supposed to stay the night at the House of Pleasure.” Dalbury frowned. “Did you check there?”

“I did last night.” Reginald scowled. Had something gone awry? He’d swear Maddy hadn’t been there. “None of her ladies seemed to have seen her, and I think I believe them. I even broke into her room, but there was no sign she’d been there recently.”

Narrowing his eyes, Dalbury set his fork down with a clank. “Do you know about the priest hole?”