The Rakehell of Roth (Everleigh Sisters #2) - Amalie Howard Page 0,90

looking for me?”

Violet’s eyes widened. “He received a note, Izzy, that said you had fallen and needed him to come to you.”

“But I didn’t send any note. And as you can see, I’m perfectly well.”

Clarissa let out a breath. “Clearly. Though he rushed out of here like a beast the moment he had an inkling you might be hurt. If I were a betting girl, I’d wager that man has feelings for you. Told Oliver to get Westmore and the Runners if he doesn’t come back in an hour.”

“It would reflect badly on the duke if anything were to happen to me,” Isobel said automatically. “He was motivated by duty, nothing more.”

“You didn’t see his expression. We did.” Clarissa ignored Isobel’s skeptical look even as the twins nodded. “In any case, I read the note. Number twelve Russell Street. That’s near Seven Dials, I heard him say, right before he took off at a breakneck pace on his horse.”

Isobel felt a beat of shame for leaving as she had without a word to anyone. He was probably out of his mind with worry, out there searching for her. She gathered her skirts. “I have to find him.”

But Clarissa grabbed her by the arm. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she hissed. “You can’t just waltz into Covent Garden. It’s dark and it’s rife with criminals and prostitutes.”

“And if it’s a trap, then you should tell the duke and let the men deal with it,” Violet put in, her face worried, but Isobel shook her head, her mind already made up.

“You’re going to go no matter what we say, aren’t you?” Clarissa asked.

Isobel set her jaw. “I can go as Iz. I won’t be recognized.”

“You’re still a lady venturing into a literal cesspool of sin and vice,” Molly said.

“I’ve been there before,” Isobel admitted. “It’s not so bad.”

During the day, a voice reminded her. It was well past dark now.

“What?” Clarissa bellowed. “When?”

She bit her lip. “I followed Winter there after that time we went to his house on Audley Street, when you went for an ice with Oliver. I was in the coach and was quite safe,” she added, when she caught sight of her scandalized expression. “Roth saw me home himself.”

It was a lie. She’d fled her husband’s presence after he’d basically given her leave to take a lover if she so wished. Even now, the memory of his cruel words and the sting of rejection caused her chest to burn. But of course, Clarissa knew her well enough to see right through her fib. She shot her a narrow-eyed stare. “You only call him Roth when you’re anxious about something.”

Isobel didn’t have time to argue. “Yes, I’m anxious that he’s walking into a snare of someone else’s making and that he’s going to be in trouble because of me.”

“Winter is a grown man, Isobel,” she said. “What are you going to do? If you want to help him, it is best to stay here and safe for when he returns. Oliver and the duke will send for the police.”

“I’m not going to sit here and do nothing!”

“We are women, that’s what we do.”

Isobel scowled. “Bite your tongue.”

With that, she marched upstairs and started disrobing, calling for her maids to unbutton the long row of fastenings at the back of the riding habit. Clarissa and the twins followed, relief on their faces. But it was short-lived when Isobel shot them a look filled with stubborn determination and called for her breeches. Her lady’s maid fetched the garment without comment.

Violet let out a cry. “If anyone discovers you’re not a man, what do you think will happen? I’ll tell you what. Nothing good!”

“I’ll be careful.” Isobel tried for a reassuring smile.

Clarissa cursed. “Good God, Izzy! Violet’s right. You can get hurt if you put one foot wrong. You think you can hide that face and body with some dirt and rags? Those people are born swindlers—they’ll see right through that flimsy disguise of yours. And it’s not just women—men there take a fancy to young boys, too.” She broke off, her chest rising and falling in agitation, and made a visible effort to calm herself.

Isobel was sure Clarissa was right to err on the side of caution, but there was no way she was going to sit back and do nothing while the police mucked around, figuring out what to do, and with every second that passed, Winter could be in danger. She knew it was risky, but she was well-versed in the