Page 45 of Only Pleasure Will Do

“The what?” Reginald jerked his head toward Dalbury so quickly it spun.

“There’s a hiding place, a priest hole, behind her armoire. Apparently part of the original architecture of the building. It’s big enough to hold two people, if they’re rather close to one another. I’ve seen it…” he cut his gaze over to his wife, whose brows had risen to alarming heights, “er…once or twice.” He cleared his throat and avoided looking at Katarina. “She could’ve been hiding in there and you would never have known it.”

“The devil you say.” Bounding to his feet, Reginald toppled the chair backward, his heart skipping beat after beat. If Maddy was still there, this nightmare would be over. He barreled around the table, heading for the door.

“What are you doing, Matthews?” Dalbury grabbed a roll, a dark frown on his face.

“I’m going to get her, of course. She’s not safe as long as Redmond’s out there. Even if he believes you’re dead, that’s no guarantee he won’t simply put a ball through her head. He said his intention was for her to be charged with the crime, but I trust him about as much as I would a viper.”

“Madam Vestry is perfectly capable of taking care of herself.” Returning to his breakfast, Dalbury spread black currant jam on his roll.

“No, she’s not.” Dalbury obviously hadn’t seen Maddy’s vulnerable side. “She’s still under the impression that Redmond has her daughter. She’ll do anything to keep her safe, even give up her own life. I’m not letting that happen.”

Dalbury and Katarina exchanged a look then Kat nodded. With a sigh, the marquess stood. “All right. I’ll go with you. Since you and the child are no longer being held hostage, I’m finally free to act without having to disguise myself. Might as well be there to bring this whole escapade to an end.”

Jack and Morley began to rise, but Dalbury waved them back into their chairs.

“Stay, Manning. Enjoy your breakfasts. We’ll likely return before you’ve finished your tea.” Dalbury stalked past Reginald. “Come on, Matthews, if you must rescue this damsel, we’d best get to it.”

Reginald shot a grin at Kat, who blew him a kiss, then he was out the door, trotting behind the marquess, who walked faster than any man Reginald had ever met.

“Don’t dawdle, Matthews,” he called back over his shoulder. “In my experience, this particular damsel will not take it kindly if you are tardy to the rescue.”

* * * *

The House of Pleasure looked much less imposing in broad daylight than it had cloaked in the shadows of the night. Still, Reginald and Dalbury rode directly around to the back of the house rather than stop at the front door. The kitchen maid would likely be the only one stirring this time of day anyway.

They were surprised, therefore, to find another horse tethered in the scruffy yard.

“Do customers usually arrive this early in the day?” Reginald slid quickly off Marlow and wound his reins around a nearby post.

“Not that I’ve ever known.” Dismounting his stallion, Dalbury glanced around then tied the horse to an iron ring sticking out of the boards of the fence. “Amorina always wants her ladies to get as much rest as they can during the day. Makes them livelier at night, she says.”

Reginald snorted. That sounded like the practical side of Maddy. “She’s the most amazing woman.”

Dalbury shot him a keen look. “Are you pursuing Amorina for professional or more personal reasons now, Matthews? Because if it is personal, I tell you, you will surely come to grief from it, just as I did.”

Sobering, Reginald gave his cousin a withering look. “My personal interests are just that, Dalbury—mine. But I will tell you circumstances have altered for Madam Vestry. Events you aren’t currently privy to have occurred, and much in her life may change very shortly. This isn’t the time, but I will explain it to you later.”

Dalbury shrugged, and they started toward the back door of the establishment, Reginald gritting his teeth at the marquess’s callous remarks. If he chose to pursue Maddy, which his heart and his cock were both in agreement he should, they would likely incur the wrath of his friends and family. And he would likely tell said friends and family to go hang. Whatever the cost, he didn’t want to lose her.

Reginald pounded on the door, which was opened immediately by a young girl, not far into her teens, with blond hair straggling from underneath her mobcap. “You from the Runners?” she asked, frowning.

“Yes,” Reginald answered carefully. Why would the girl assume that?

The girl sniffed. “’Bout time you got here.”

A sinking feeling twisted his stomach. “Has there been trouble?”

“Hasn’t there been by half.” The girl opened the door wider to allow them in. “They’re in the red receiving room, just there on the right.” She gestured down the dim corridor and abruptly stalked into the kitchen.

He and Dalbury exchanged a glance. This did not bode well. They continued down the corridor, toward the room Reginald remembered so well from last year. Its décor had hardened him every time he thought of it. Today, however, he approached it with dread.

Voices wafted down the hall, one of which was male, the others female. And one of them was sobbing.

He picked up his pace, Dalbury at his side, and turned into the receiving room. The tableau before them was disturbing.

One of the ladies he hadn’t seen before, older with dark hair, sat on the red satin sofa clutching her bleeding arm and sobbing. The other ladies, most of whom he’d spoken to last night, were gathered around her, apparently trying to comfort her.