Page 116 of A Deal with the Devil

“I thought all ladies danced.”

Kitty just shrugged and let herself inside, lighting one of the lamps. It was just enough light to make the griffins glow and flicker as if they were flying. She wrapped the peace of it around her like a shawl. She had only been away for a few days, barely that, but it was cheering to be back. It was home. She could do anything here.

Even mend her own broken heart.

If she wasn’t careful, she was going to start spouting poetry. The kind she did not care for. Better to turn her attention to the ledgers.

And her strongbox, back on her desk, lock intact. With coins inside, every last one her father had stolen.

And she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had not suddenly found remorse, certainly not enough to return the money. Only one person could have forced his hand like that.

The Devil.

Kitty was smiling as she locked the box back up. She could pay her bills without resorting to unseemly deeds. Such as more stealing.

Probably she did not have the right to be hurt by her father’s theft, as someone currently in possession of several books that belonged to other people. Lord Tadworth and the Campbells would get their books back as soon as possible. Portsmouth would not. Ever. His wives were still murdered or missing. Lady Caroline still deserved to be safe, even after Evie was out of Portsmouth’s clutches. Kitty would find a way to make it right. With the Spinster Society’s help.

Sooner than she would have guessed.

Priya walked through the doors, and Kitty smiled before realizing that was not a good thing. Not a good thing at all.

Her stomach dropped. “Evie?” she asked immediately.

Priya nodded, handing her a folded note. Behind her on the street, Pierce waited for her, ever watchful.

Dear Kitty,

Don’t be angry. I had to go with him or he would have hurt you. I love you. Evie.

“No,” Kitty said softly, then with more force. The force of the sun searing the sky. “No.”

“I kept everyone out,” Priya said apologetically. “It did not occur to me that I should keep her in.”

“Portsmouth,” Kitty said, her tone perfectly even. “I think I might actually kill him now.”

“Oh, do let me help,” Priya said grimly.

Kitty ran through her options, her head spinning, her skin prickling painfully with terror for her sister. She could send word to Devil, but even so, she did not have the time to spend waiting for his help. She had Priya, and likely Pierce, as he went where Priya went. Wulf would help. Samuel was outside with the carriage.

It was enough. It would have to be enough.

Please, let it be enough.

If Portsmouth married her sister, he would have absolute authority and control over her. Legally. Kitty would still find a way to hide her, but it would be that much harder.

When a quiet knock sounded at the back door, Kitty ignored it. She crumpled the note in her fist. “We don’t even know where they are,” she said. “If they are on their way to Gretna Green, I may never catch up in time.”

“I know where he is,” a soft voice said from the darkness of the back room.

Kitty whirled. She recognized the lady from their last book salon. Her hair was not powdered this time, tucked instead into the hood pulled over her head. She stepped forward. “Miss Hastings?”

“That is not Miss Hastings,” Priya said. “That is Lady Caroline Portsmouth.”