Bargaining With a Rake (A Whisper of Scandal Novel)

by Johnstone, Julie

  He was just about to tell Peter to shut up when Mallorian alighted from the house and shuffled down the stairs. Alex turned to motion Peter to retrieve the horse tied behind the house, but Peter was already stalking silently in that direction. After a moment, Mallorian’s coach appeared at the same time Peter did with the horse.

  Alex stood and moved through the shadows toward Peter. “Stay close, but not too close.”

  Peter nodded.

  Tension mounted and coiled through Alex. He wanted to follow Mallorian himself, but he also wished to question the man’s ladybird. He had to trust Peter. “Don’t lose him.”

  “Bugger off, Lionhurst,” Peter hissed before mounting his horse. A whistle rang through the silence, and Mallorian’s carriage moved down the road with Peter following a good space behind. Alex waited until they were out of sight before he strode to the front door of Madame Lovelace’s establishment and knocked.

  The door eased open and a cloud of overpowering musky perfume filtered out. He swallowed his distaste and gazed down at the buxom redhead squeezed into the gaudiest creation of silk and lace he had ever seen. A pale blue gaze swept over him, moving from his shoes to what appeared to be his private region, then slowly to his face. Cherry lips parted to display slightly yellowed teeth. If he had been a man with a weak stomach, his evening meal would have departed. Instead, he smiled, slowly and appreciatively.

  The redhead’s eyes rounded with surprise. He bowed slightly to ease her suspicion. Every woman deserved deference no matter her occupation. “I’m Lord Lionhurst. May I come in?”

  He didn’t know what to expect. But he certainly didn’t expect her to reach out and trace a finger across his chest, which was exactly what she did. He stood stock-still. He was prepared to do a lot of things to get his revenge, but sleeping with the madame was not one of them.

  Opening the door wider, she motioned him in. “You are a lion, indeed. So strong.” She squeezed his bicep. “So handsome.” She ran a rough finger down his cheekbone, not stopping until she got to the top of his breeches. “So well-endowed, it would appear.”

  A man could only take so much. He grabbed her hand and pressed it gently back to her side. “You entice me, my dear, but I’m committed at the moment.”

  She winked. “I know. We all know in this trade how generous and cold you can be. Your former lovers talk, you know.”

  He clenched his teeth against the tic in his jaw. “I’ve always been honest about what to expect from a relationship with me.” Was he really standing here defending his honor to a madame?

  “But they fall in love with you anyway, don’t they?”

  “Not that I’m aware of,” he said evenly.

  “Well, let me enlighten you.” She took his arm and pulled him through the door. An aged footman appeared out of nowhere and quietly closed the door behind Alex. He glanced around the dimly lit parlor in case anyone else was lurking in the shadows waiting to materialize. A pianoforte stood in the corner and several settees and some empty chairs were scattered about the sparse room. His eyes stopped abruptly on a girl flanked by two men. She looked young enough to be his sister. Hell, she resembled his sister with her pale blond hair and light blue eyes. His heart sped up.

  Was this the girl Mallorian had come to see? Sick bastard. Bile rose in Alex’s throat. The lady had a black eye along with a swollen, cut lip. This had to be Caprice Mills. “I’m here for the services of Caprice Mills,” he said, aware he was contradicting his previous statement about being otherwise engaged.

  Madame Lovelace raised a questioning eyebrow but pointed at the woman. “She’s there if you still want her after getting a look at her. The blackguard before you has a fiery, mean temper. I’ve warned him. Now I’ll not be letting him back in my establishment, because he can’t heed a warning. No one harms my girls.”

  He had a newfound respect for Madame Lovelace. “I advise you to take care,” Alex warned. From what he could ascertain, Caprice Mills was not the first woman to experience Mallorian’s temper.

  Madame Lovelace chortled with laughter. “Dearie, those two men right there are all the precaution I need.”

  Alex followed her gaze to the two tall men standing next to Caprice. By the bruises on Caprice’s face, it was obvious the men had failed miserably in protecting what was Madame Lovelace’s, but Alex held his peace. Stating his opinion would not gain him an audience with Caprice, and he needed that more than enlightening the madame to the failings of her paid protectors. Alex turned to Caprice. “May I have a moment of your company?” He produced a heavy bag of coins and offered it to her.

  She snatched it from his hands, scuttling backward as her fingers clutched the material of the bag. “Easy,” he said in a soothing tone. “I swear I won’t harm you.”

  She shifted the coins back and forth between her small hands before handing the bag to Madame Lovelace. Alex noted her gaze stayed firmly planted on the money. She’d likely not see a dime of the coin. He’d make sure to compensate her without the madame’s knowledge.

  Madame Lovelace handed the girl a drink, which she promptly downed and then took another. By the third glass full of what looked like whiskey, Alex stepped forward. He’d thought calming her might be a good idea, but he didn’t want the girl so in her cups she couldn’t answer any of his questions. “I think that will do her.”

  Madame Lovelace smiled. “Take the gold room.”

  Caprice took the full cup the madame handed her while gazing at Alex a moment before offering a tentative smile. He smiled back and noted her shoulders sag as she relaxed. Up the stairs and two doors to the right, they entered the gold room. Madame Lovelace had aptly named the room.

  The small space fairly blinded him with the gold coverlet, curtains and pillows. Everything that was not wood was the color of gold. He would have laughed had he still possessed the ability.

  Caprice glanced at him. “You hate it?” Her lower lip quivered.

  Damn it all, he had not meant to embarrass her. “No. It’s lovely.”

  “Yer a terrible liar. Anyone ever told you that?”

  “No.” But he clearly remembered telling Lady Gillian the exact same thing. Blast her green eyes. Caprice gave a shrill laugh before tilting her glass up and draining it. “It’s awful, I know it. Ye know it. The only one who doesn’t seem ta know it is Madame Lovelace, and she’s the only one who counts. I don’t matter a whit, except for when I hand over my money. And as you’ve already paid…”

  She took his hand and led him to the bed. He sat on the edge, but when she reached down to pull up the bottom of her sheer gown, he stilled her hands. “I’m not here for that.” He patted the space beside him. “Will you please sit?”

  Worry etched her face. “You’ve nothing to fear,” he said, trying to reassure her. “I simply want to ask you a few questions.”

  “Ye paid so much blunt only ta ask me some questions?” The disbelief was evident in her tone.

  “They’re important questions.” He pulled her gently onto the bed beside him.

  “Well, you’ve bought me, and so far ye’re the nicest visitor I’ve ever had, so what do ye want ta know?” She hiccupped, and her skin turned a deep shade of red.

  “Can you tell me anything about Mr. Mallorian?”

  She turned her face away from his, but her hands twisted furiously in her lap.

  He touched her shoulder with care. “It’s quite all right,” he reassured her again. “I mean you no harm.”

  “I could tell ye a great deal, sir.” Her worried blue gaze came to his face. “Harrison’s quite the talker. But ye see, he frightens me. I’ve got ta earn a livin’ and this is where I earn it. I don’t doubt he’d come for me if he thought I’d spoken any of his secrets. Unlike Madame, I don’t believe her henchmen are any match for the likes of him.”

  Alex rubbed his chin. What could he do? She was afraid and rightly so. But what if…? Bess would help him. His former mistress would know just how to set Caprice up in her own business.
Bess could do the work, and he would give the girl enough blunt to live on until she got started. He would not miss such a paltry sum. “I can offer you a new life.”

  “As yer mistress?”

  He picked up her hand and squeezed it. “No, but you are very lovely. Unfortunately for us both, you remind me of my sister. So you see―”

  “Gawds, yes.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’ve a brother somewhere out there, and I could never let a man touch me who looked like him.”

  Alex nodded, relieved her feelings were not hurt. “I have a lady friend who can set you up somewhere quietly, and I’ll provide the blunt you need until you get a protector.”

  Tears shimmered in Caprice’s eyes. “You’d do that for me?”

  “I wish I were as nice as that. I’ll do it to obtain your information.”

  “I think you’d do it anyway. I saw the way your face darkened when you saw my bruises and cuts. Yer no man to leave a woman in need. Yer a real nice man.”

  She hugged him fiercely. “Ye could have just beaten my secrets out of me. Many men would. But you’re good. See?”

  Alex untwined her arms. He was not comfortable being on anyone’s pedestal. “Clearly, you have not known many truly virtuous men if you label me so, but I’ll take the gratitude if it means you’ll help me.”

  “Oh, I’ll help you.” Caprice scooted back on the bed and propped up several shimmering gold pillows. “He talked about a good deal of things, probably because no one else would listen. At first I felt sorry for him, almost liked him. Can ye understand?”

  Hell, no, he did not understand, but he nodded anyway. “Did he talk about any women in particular?”

  “One. Some poor girl related ta a man who’d made Harrison mad. Alice? No.” Caprice shook her head. “Agnes?”

  “Allysia?” It was hard to choke the word out past the anger constricting his throat.

  “Yes, Allysia! How’d ye know? Is she why you’re here?”

  He’d come here for proof, and now he had it. He’d thought he was right, but he had wanted to make positively sure before destroying the man. “Yes.” He struggled to keep his voice low and calm. “She’s what brought me to you.”

  Caprice pulled her knees to her chest. She looked so young and innocent, like Lissie. Looking out the window, Caprice sighed. “I can’t tell ye much, simply because he didn’t say too much about her. He used her. I know cause he bragged about how easy she’d been to seduce.”

  Alex jumped off the bed and paced the room. He needed to destroy something or he would find Mallorian tonight and murder the blackguard.

  “He fancies himself irresistible ta women.” Caprice snorted. “But ye know, I think he likes her. I mean ta say liked her. She’s dead now, ye know.” Caprice tilted her head at him. “But ye must know this.”

  Unable to form a suitable inoffensive reply, he nodded. He knew his little sister was dead. He knew nothing else. The room closed in on him. Stalking to the window, he opened it and gulped in some cool air.

  Caprice came up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder. “Ye loved her?”

  “Yes.” He’d been closer to Lissie than any of his siblings. They’d both dreamed of different lives. Her dream included the choice to marry whomever she pleased, and he longed to be free from the title that bound him, to make his own way in the world, so he could put distance between himself and his memories.

  Caprice nodded, as if she understood his heartbreak. “I’m not sure if this will make it better for ye, but he did seem a bit remorseful. Of course, as much remorse as someone as twisted as he is can feel. The sadness lasted,”― Caprice snapped her fingers― “for this long. He’s marrying a duke’s daughter. La-dee-da, was all I could think as he sat on my bed naked as the day he was born and went on and on ’bout how his betrothed was so beautiful, and now he’d be getting the respect he so richly deserved. He was fair ta bursting with glee even with his father just dying.”

  Caprice pointed to a decanter on the nightstand. “Pour me another, would ye?”

  Alex leaned over and filled the glass. So Mallorian was now Baron Westonburt. “Can you remember anything else?” Any small detail could bring down a man.

  “This job makes ye want ta forget,” Caprice said, slurping at the liquor.

  Alex could only imagine all the things Caprice wanted to forget. “I’m sorry for your sadness.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. “Harrison was pleased as punch that he’s now a baron. Imagine the shame, being pleased yer namesake’s died. He’ll rot in hell one day for sure. There’s not much more ta tell.”

  “I can’t thank you enough.” Alex turned to Caprice and raised her hand to his lips. “I’ll make sure Mistress Vicery is here to fetch you tomorrow. She’ll speak to Madame Lovelace and have money for you.”

  “Will I see ye again, do ye think?”

  Finding it hard to concentrate on her any longer, he shook his head. He had the glimmer of a plan, but would it work? “No, I’m sorry to say you probably will not.” With nothing else to say, he strode from the room.

  * * * * *

  Wind whipped his face as he rode Braun to his town house. His anger kept the chill of the night at bay. Upon entering the house, he stalked to his liquor cabinet and poured himself a whiskey, hoping to cool the burn of revenge. He gulped down some of the liquid, strode across the room and dropped into a chair, intent on working out the details of what he should do next. Yet all he could think on was how he would love to wring the life out of Mallorian. If only he could come to terms with killing someone, but he couldn’t, and it was damned frustrating to feel so weak and helpless.

  Anger, frustration and sadness vibrated through him. He’d held himself together to this point, but the strain was too much. With a roar, he reared his arm back and tossed his glass across the room. It shattered against the wall, sending glass and liquor flying through the air in a shimmer of brownish-gold liquid.

  The door to his study flew open, and Peter and Sally appeared in the doorway. Peter looked first at the brown stain on the wall and then at Alex. “Tell me that was not the imported whisky you just wasted.”

  “It was,” Alex said, feeling foolish. He wished he had known they were here.

  “Well, I hope you at least feel better.”

  “I don’t,” he growled as Sally came to sit beside him.

  “Oh, darling.” Sally caressed his cheek with the back of her hand. “You appear to be teetering on madness. You must get hold of yourself. The rumors are already awful, and if anyone sees you like this…” She kissed the back of his hand as a sister or mother would.

  “Sally, do quit mothering him,” Peter said, pulling her to her feet.

  Belatedly registering the fact that Peter was not where he was supposed to be, Alex narrowed his eyes. “Why are you here?”

  “I lost sight of Mallorian.” Peter turned a deep shade of red.

  Alex glanced at Sally, then back to Peter. “That explains half of it.”

  “She was waiting for me when I went home to change,” Peter mumbled. “She insisted on coming. I’m no match for her, Lionhurst.”

  “What did you tell her?” Alex demanded, coming to stand in front of Peter.

  “Do be quiet, Alex,” Sally snapped. “Peter told me nothing. I eavesdropped on your conversation, and I knew exactly what you two were up to. I let you go, because I could tell there was no stopping you.” She shrugged. “Besides, I had an idea of who might be able to tell us a little about Mr. Mallorian as well.”

  “Sally, my dear,” Alex said, “you continue to astonish me even after knowing you since we were in leading strings. But my astonishment does not mean I’m about to let you become involved in this sordid affair. Your husband” ―he motioned toward Peter― “may not be able to say no to you, but I can. Tell me what you know, and then you’re going to go home and tuck yourself into bed where you will be safe, if not sound.”

  Sally raised her eyebrows at him. “I’ll do no such thing. You need m
y help. I loved your sister too. Besides, I’ll not tell you one thing I have learned if you don’t allow me to assist you.”

  “Allow you to assist me?” Alex sputtered. “Mallorian—I mean Lord Westonburt—is dangerous. You could be hurt.”

  Sally crossed her arms over her chest. “You know I’ll help you whether you agree to it or not. If you would simply agree then you will be in a much better position to keep me safe. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to proceed behind your back. Alone. Vulnerable.

  “Fine,” Alex growled. How was he supposed to argue against a woman’s misguided logic? He glanced toward Peter, but Peter refused to meet his gaze. Alex gritted his teeth. Having friends could be a bloody nuisance.

  Sally twined her arm through his and dragged him to the couch, pulling him with her as she fell back into the cushions. Peter was on her other side before Alex’s backside hit the cushion.

  Tears shimmered in Sally’s eyes as she squeezed his hand. “I still can’t believe she’s gone.”

  He pulled his hand away, her concern rankling him. Sorrow would not help him now. He could not dwell on Lissie’s death or he would go mad. His focus must be on his plan. “Tell me what you’ve learned.”

  Sally nodded but sniffed loudly. “I called on my mother after the two of you left this afternoon.”

  “You did what?” he snapped. He couldn’t have heard her correctly. “The whole ton will know now.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry. I didn’t tell her anything about you. Mother detests Lady Westonburt, but she did say a prayer for the woman’s poor departed husband. She says the baroness is a harridan. I once had the unfortunate experience of being seated beside her at a dinner and know this to be the truth. She may be exquisitely dressed, but under all that finery hides a woman who gets great joy from shaming her husband and son.”

  “Is that it?” Alex did not mean to sound so gruff, but he had been expecting something more, something he could use to bring Westonburt low.

  “Darling, do try and be patient. Of course, that’s not everything, but you did interrupt me.”