sister is very intent on his safety.”
“She sounds overzealous,” Callista said dismissively before tilting her head to eye Mason curiously. “Or is she?”
“No. There’s a true threat to the boy. He’s the one I found with Claire.”
“Interesting.”
“I need to find out who’s behind the threat. The only real suspect so far is the Marquess of Warfield. Know him?”
“Hmmm. I knew of him. Some years ago, there were rumors about a man named Warfield. Sinister rumors,” she added heavily. “The kind women of my profession never forget. If I recall correctly, the man was exiled following a particularly damaging scandal that was very effectively kept from common knowledge. If he’d returned to London, I’d have heard of it.”
“Are you sure?”
A pale brow arced. “Do you doubt me?”
Mason flashed a smile. “Never. I suppose he could be directing things from afar. If you hear anything in regard to the man, could you let me know?”
His sister’s expression tightened. “You know my rules.”
“As Warfield isn’t currently one of your clients, the rules wouldn’t apply.”
“Yes, but any information obtained from a member of Pendragon’s is off-limits. My girls are provided the same protections, Mason. You know that.”
He did. His sister fiercely guarded the privacy of her clientele. He loved his sister. Always would. But the hard-edged determination that had gotten her from the gin shops to the current degree of luxury and influence she currently enjoyed also reminded him time and time again that Callista was now Madam Pendragon. And she never, for any reason, put her exalted livelihood at risk.
With a gruff sound, he rose to his feet. “Then I’d better hope information is available by other means.”
“I’ll share what I can.”
“I know.”
“Since you’re here, I’ve a request for you, as well.”
Mason arched a brow. His sister rarely asked for anything. “What’s that?”
“I’ve recently lost two of my flash men. I’ll need replacements by the end of next month.”
Callista was well-known for being demanding and extremely selective when it came to the people who worked for her. Mason was familiar with her unique and strict requirements for the men she employed, which was why she came to him whenever she was in need of new muscle to keep her establishment secure and her women protected.
“That doesn’t give me much time to ensure they’re trained to your usual specifications.”
Callista’s smile was short and somewhat dismissive. “I’m sure you’ll manage.”
“I will,” he agreed, but then offered a smile of his own as he thought of his shifting business focus. Once the threat to Freddie was resolved, he still needed a new vocation. “Of course, you’ll be happy to spread favorable reports of my services to the many varied establishments in London that might also have need of well-trained men.”
His sister sighed. “Must I? I rather enjoy having a monopoly on the best flash men in town.”
Mason laughed. “You’re the one who taught me never to give without expecting something in return.”
She wrinkled her nose in a way that reminded him of the girl she’d once been. “I did teach you that, didn’t I?” She waved her hand. “Very well. You’ll soon become the most sought-after supplier of muscle this town has ever seen.”
He didn’t doubt it. In many ways, Madam Pendragon held more influence than the Prince Regent.
He left the brothel, anxious to return to the Northmoor mansion. Though he didn’t expect another attack on Freddie so soon after the prior day’s failed attempt, he’d been away long enough, and he wanted to see how Claire was faring in her new surroundings. She’d been so tired the night before after romping around with Freddie in the schoolroom that she’d fallen asleep as soon as he’d tucked the covers beneath her chin and kissed her soft cheek. He’d seen her again this morning, but it had been just a brief visit.
And then there was Lady Katherine. He’d wager a near fortune the woman wouldn’t be happy about his extended absence today.
Blooded heat rushed to his cock and a smile widened his lips. That he was looking forward to a confrontation with the fierce woman said something about his twisted nature. And he didn’t feel the slightest bit of shame for it.
Chapter Thirteen
Katherine was restless and worried and growing angrier by the second.
Hale had been gone for nearly the entire morning. And she’d only just found out about it.
Following their interview the night before, Katherine acknowledged that her anxiety over having hired Hale for the important job of protecting her brother had less to do with her