Page 4 of Pride of Lyons

“Lord Danford!” Her raised voice finally penetrated the frantic man’s brain, and he swung around to face the proprietress. “Why are you disturbing the Lyon’s Den in this shameful manner?”

“I’ve got to find her.” Danford leaned toward Mrs. Dove-Lyon, his face contorted as a gargoyle’s. He grasped the woman’s shoulders in a cruel grip. “I know she’s—”

Before he could finish his sentence, Danford was torn away from Mrs. Dove-Lyon by Demetrius, who hoisted him up into the air as though he weighed no more than a ragdoll. “Shall I dispose of him, madam?”

From the man’s tone, Thomas wasn’t quite certain if he intended on merely throwing Danford out of the establishment or actually killing him. The escort was certainly capable of either action.

“A moment, Demetrius.” Mrs. Dove-Lyon held up a finger. “Lord Danford, who is it you are seeking?”

“Honoria Quinn. My mother-in-law’s companion.” Danford dangled from Demetrius’s hand, amazingly unconcerned about his precarious position. “I know she’s here. I saw her. You’re hiding her from me.”

Cocking her head, Mrs. Dove-Lyon appeared perplexed. “And if she were here, what business would it be of yours? As I remember, you already have a wife and therefore have no need of another.”

Danford’s mouth worked comically, opening and closing as he tried to fashion an answer that would be even somewhat acceptable. “We were in conversation about a business proposition.”

“A business proposition?”

Inwardly, Thomas groaned. That could mean only one thing. An offer to become Danford’s mistress. Poor woman. With her name shouted to the rafters here she might have no other choice now. Once Lady Danford heard of the matter, Miss Quinn would be out on her ear and everyone in London would know why. Even if the woman had done nothing wrong, her means of livelihood had just been snatched from her.

Danford twisted, trying to free himself from Demetrius’s grip, but in vain. “Yes, but she must have not understood what I was offering her because she jumped out of the carriage and ran into the Lyon’s Den.”

“I suspect she understood your proposition all too well, my lord.” Mrs. Dove-Lyon shook her head. “I have no knowledge of the woman’s whereabouts, but I will inquire of Hermia and Helena if they have admitted anyone. Meanwhile, my lord, you will await me in my private room.” She nodded to Demetrius, who lowered Lord Danford to the floor and marched him toward the back of the house. “Lord Braeton, you will accompany Lord Danford? I believe your presence may be required.”

“I am sorry, Mrs. Dove-Lyon, but I have nothing to do with Danford or his interest in this Miss Quinn.” Considering how the scene had played out, Thomas had quickly come to regret his attempt to interfere in Danford’s spectacle. The whole affair reeked of scandal, and Thomas had no patience for such things.

“But you did witness Danford’s defamation of the woman.”

“Everyone within earshot of him did, ma’am. That hardly makes me a party to the matter.” More than anything, Thomas wanted to simply turn and exit the Lyon’s Den without a backward look. His previous dealing with Mrs. Dove-Lyon still rankled. If he didn’t miss his guess, the woman was up to the same trick, namely attempting to marry him off to one of her dubious clients. He didn’t see how she planned to entrap him, but something in the back of his head told him to beware.

“Will you turn your back on this woman, Lord Braeton?” Mrs. Dove-Lyon was pulling out all the stops it seemed.

“I’ve never even met the wretched woman.” Here came the pitch he’d been expecting.

“Miss Quinn is in dire need of a champion. She is on the brink of a scandal that could ruin her for the rest of her life.”

Closing his eyes, Thomas clenched his hands into fists. He should have minded his own business, kept his mind on his brother-in-law, and he’d have been free of this debacle by now. But the woman was right. Miss Quinn was in urgent need of someone to salvage her reputation.

When Lady Danford discovered her husband’s transgression…well, no woman wanted it gossiped about that her husband had pursued his mother-in-law’s companion in public—loudly and in a place such as this. The first thing she would do would be to send Miss Quinn packing, quietly at first, to be sure. However, later, in insidious ways, Lady Danford would let her friends and acquaintances know that Miss Quinn was tainted. Thus, would the innocent companion be thoroughly ruined in the eyes of Society.

“What is it you think I could do?”

“Be an advocate for the woman. Persuade Lord Danford to give up his pursuit of Miss Quinn.”

“He seemed more than a little obsessed with her.”

“You are a very persuasive man, Lord Braeton. I have faith in you.” The veiled figure nodded. “Help Miss Quinn leave London quietly. That way there may be little or no scandal attached to Lord Danford and, subsequently, little to Miss Quinn.” Mrs. Dove-Lyon gently touched his arm. “Society might never have to know a thing.”

The devious woman’s softened tones should have sent up a flare of alarm, but Thomas could see some merit in her suggestion. If this whole episode could be downplayed, Miss Quinn might escape with her reputation intact. “Lady Danford will know something is afoot when her companion does not return to the house, although perhaps Danford can spin some sort of plausible tale.” With a sigh of defeat, he nodded. “Very well, I will join him.”

Thomas looked back into the room where the survivors of the breath-holding wager were now all sitting up and talking. A fleeting pang of regret that he hadn’t remained in his place assailed him. But thank God, no damage seemed to have been done to any of the wagerers. He caught Geoffrey’s eye and motioned to him.

“Is everything well, Thomas?” Geoffrey looked askance at the black-draped figure of Mrs. Dove-Lyon.

“It seems so. I must be a mediator for Danford in a delicate matter. Can you put Rochdale in a hack and send him home?”

“Of course.” His friend nodded but paused. “Shall I wait until you have completed your business?”

On the tip of his tongue to say no, Thomas instead nodded. “Please. If it ends quickly enough, we may yet make it to Tattersall’s today.”