Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,117

do. Of course, like any family, they have their moments, but for the most part they are good people.”

“What are those moments?”

She wanted to be diverted from her thoughts, and he would do that for her, if only for a few minutes.

“Charles is my younger brother and one of those people who have a quip for every occasion.”

“Aunt Beatrice can be like that; it can be vexing at times.”

“Very. Especially if you show him you’re annoyed. He then tries harder.”

She snuffled.

“My eldest brother, Joseph, can be overbearing and pompous, but it comes with being an earl. He has responsibilities, or so he regularly tells us. But the thing is, Ivy, Charles and I share those responsibilities, and still he waxes on about his.”

Her laugh was louder this time and very sweet.

“My sister-in-law is due to have her first child soon, and Joseph is very managing. She told him just yesterday that she would maim him if he forced her to nap again when she had only risen from her bed an hour earlier.”

“They sound wonderful.”

“They are, but I would ask you not to tell them I said that.”

“Very well.”

He talked, she asked questions, and the tension in her face eased slightly, and then the carriage rolled to a halt and suddenly it was back.

“Rory.”

“It will be all right, Ivy.” He took her hands in his. “I promise I will do what I can to find Jackson. Please trust me.”

“But, Rory, now I shall worry for you also. What if there is danger awaiting you in there? You must take Timothy with you. I insist.”

“Timothy the footman? The one who accompanies you and teaches you how to look after yourself?”

“Yes.” Before he could stop her, she’d opened the window and poked her head out. “Timothy, accompany Mr. Haddon, if you please.”

“Ivy, I don’t need a footman with me. Now get back in here at once, and for pity’s sake, keep your voice down.”

She did as he asked, but only, he suspected, because she wanted to.

“I would rather he watched over you,” Rory said.

“I am not leaving the carriage, you are.”

“You’re extremely strong-willed, aren’t you?”

“It’s my most redeeming quality.”

He snorted.

“But you cannot just enter that place, surely. Or knock on the door. What will you say?”

“That my brother did not return home, and this was the last place he was seen,” Rory said.

She frowned. “That’s actually quite a good reason.”

“I believe we’ve already discussed how devilishly clever I am.” He pulled the curtains closed. “Do not look out this window or let anyone see you. Now, if the interrogation is over, I shall be off.”

Chapter Nine

Le Plaisir wasn’t somewhere Rory had ever frequented, but he’d heard about the place, and none of the stories painted it in a good light. The one piece of information that had worked its way to the front of his head was the memory of Squire Paulson’s son. The man had never recovered after his time spent within these walls. His doctor suspected he had ingested something that had addled his mind, but the place had not been shut down and no one was charged. Joseph had discussed it at the time and said the woman known as Madam Layla, who ran Le Plaisir, must have powerful men at her back.

Leaving the carriage, he instructed the driver to move it down the street further. Ivy’s face appeared at the window as they started rolling; thankfully she did not open it to demand what was happening.

Not very appealing from the outside, the building was large, with gray stone walls. He knew all the vices that had men flocking here were through those two black doors, locked and likely not due to open for a while yet. Rory approached with the large footman, Timothy, at his back.

“I think it would be better if you stayed with Miss Redfern.”

He wore a hat, beneath which was a shock of snow-white hair. His face was weathered, his body large, shoulders broad. Rory took him for someone in his late forties.

“If you don’t mind, sir, I’ll stay, as it will make Miss Redfern easy if I do.”

“And that’s important to you?”

“It is.”

Rory rapped on the wooden door.

“Have you been in the Redfern employ for long?”

“Two years.”

“And you like it there?”

“I do. They treat me well, sir.”

“I understand you have been accompanying Miss Redfern lately as she searches for her brother. I’m glad she had your support.”

“She’s not one to be deterred, Mr. Haddon, when set upon a course.”

“I can imagine.” Rory knocked again,