Page 12 of Lady Isla and the Lord of Rogue (Merry Spinsters, Charming Rogues #6)

“It doesn’t sound like she does,” the voice said pensively.

“Be quiet,” she replied, crossly. “Of course I do. Otherwise, I wouldn’t marry him.

I could have married anyone, you know, but I didn’t want to.

I care very dearly for him, and if you as much as hurt a hair on his body, I shall…

I shall…personally make sure you swing at Newgate, and I’ll be there, watching.

” The moment the words were out of her mouth, she knew they were true.

The thought that he could hurt Teddy filled her with an unanticipated fury.

“Ah. The lady does seem to have developed some feelings for the dimwit lord. Very well. What about the other one? Jem Fawe? Does Linwood know you’re so desperately looking for him? I gather not. What would he say if he were to find out?”

Isla bit on her lip. He did not know, and she wanted to keep it that way. “Jem is a childhood friend whom I care for dearly. I am certain Linwood would understand that I would want to find him again.”

“Then why not ask him to help you find him? Why the secrecy?”

Why, indeed?

Suddenly, a confusion seized her that she couldn’t explain. “I simply wish it to be so,” she said lamely. “I suppose I would tell Linwood. Eventually.” Or not.

Why couldn’t she bear to tell him about Jem?

Because she truly loved Jem?

Always had, always would…

There was a momentary silence.

“Very well, Lady Isla.” His voice sounded cold and business-like. “I am fairly certain I can find this Jem for you. But my terms remained unchanged. I want my three ‘firsts’.”

Isla stood up, with a lifted chin. He expected her to back out of it. She knew it. He expected her to refuse his outrageous, scandalous proposal. Maybe he wanted her to get cold feet. Maybe he did not want her to find Jem.

Yet again…why?

“Very well. I agree.”

“You agree to my terms?” His voice sounded surprised, which confirmed that he’d wanted to scare her away.

“I can tell you did not really expect me to acquiesce to your terms, but I will. Should we not be signing some sort of contract? After all, verbal agreements on their own are not sufficient when conducting serious business.” She took a step forward into the darkness, towards what she suspected was a desk .

“Stop,” the voice shot out.

Ah. He felt threatened.

“I confess I am surprised. Lady Isla doesn’t shy away from the most heinous business terms if it means that she will find her childhood love. I wonder what her husband would say to this matter.”

“He is never to find out,” Isla responded immediately. “Include that in the contract. I insist on absolute discretion.”

“That you shall have. I shall make certain that a contract will be forwarded on to you in the next few days. Make sure you sign it.”

“How will you reach me?”

“I have my ways. Await my instructions. Now, Lady Isla. I suggest you make your way back to the gaming room and rejoin your bridegroom. He must have fleeced half of the gentlemen in the card room already. How does he do it? Counting cards?”

“He uses his mind and the probability of mathematics,” Isla responded.

“Ah. How exceedingly clever. It goes without saying, he will never show his face in these premises again, and neither will you.”

Isla nodded. She would be glad to never set foot there again.

She wanted to turn around to say a final word to Lucian Night, but the door opened, and Holborn appeared to take her back to the gaming salon.

The room was, if possible, even fuller than it was before, the air thicker, and the people more drunk.

Teddy threw down his final card when she entered and retook her place right behind him. She was breathless and her hand shook as she stabilised herself at the back of Teddy’s chair.

He turned his cards, and a collective groan filled the room. “I won again. I think, gentlemen, that was my last game.” He collected his vowels, which had been thrown on the table, and turned to meet Isla’s gaze.

He smiled.

“Well done.” Isla’s tongue ran over her lips. It appeared he had been so engrossed in his game that he hadn’t noticed that she’d been absent.

Teddy promptly began discussing the game and analysing where his opponents had gone wrong, and how he had been able to hold the upper hand. Isla nodded. “Tell me all about it on the way home? I confess I have had quite enough. It is sticky and hot in here.”

Teddy agreed.

She was quiet in the carriage on the way home, while Teddy talked, until he, too, fell quiet.

“You appear worried,” he eventually said.

Isla looked up sharply. “Not at all. I’m merely tired. I must say, my curiosity regarding gaming hells is satisfied, and I shall be more than happy if I never set foot in one, ever again. They are horrid places, particularly this one.” She repressed a shudder.

He grinned. “Excellent. I share that sentiment. Shall we attempt something entirely different in the next few days?”

The carriage came to a halt in front of the Wynthorpe town house. The lights were on. Algie was clearly in his study, working .

“Such as what?”

“Seeking a house.” His smile grew as she stared at him.

“Seeking a house?”

“Why, yes? I could hardly bring my wife to live with me in the Albany. It’s strictly bachelor’s lodgings.”

She looked at him, perplexed. “I see.” The thought of going house-hunting had never crossed her mind.

“We can look at several houses and then choose which one is most to your liking. After all, it shall be your new home soon.”

Isla had difficulty wrapping her head around that notion. “Home.” She would have to move out of the Wynthorpe town house.

She collected herself. “You are quite right. Yes, let us do that.”