Luck Is No Lady(90)

“Charles,” she said on a whispered breath. The single word was loaded with questions she couldn’t manage to form.

The driver’s expression was tight, but he said nothing. As soon as she was seated in the carriage, Roderick followed immediately behind.

“Wait. What are you doing?”

“I am coming with you.”

“I do not think—”

She caught a glimpse of the hard, determined look on his face as he took the seat opposite her. Then the door was shut and the darkness filled the interior of the carriage.

“I am coming with you, Emma,” he said again. “There is no telling what manner of trouble you may be facing. You do not have to do it alone.”

As the carriage started off, she realized there was no point in arguing when it would only delay her. She couldn’t imagine how he might assist when she still had no idea what had happened. But she had to admit his solid presence helped to keep her from losing herself to a full panic.

The ride to Mayfair took an excruciating amount of time. And in the silence that fell between them, Emma became consumed with speculation on what could have possibly occurred. Had Portia finally done something reckless enough to cause a scandal? Had Lily been taken in by a libertine? Were the Chadwicks once again on the edge of ruin?

She should have known better than to leave her sisters under the dubious chaperonage of Angelique. Though the dowager countess was often quite lucid, at times the dear lady completely lost touch with reality. Emma had believed those eccentric moments to be harmless, but what if it allowed for some nefarious seducer to take advantage?

Oh God, she should have been there.

Instead, she had followed in their father’s steps. She had become engrossed in the thrill of winning, unable to stop even when she had the funds she needed to pay Hale. And then afterward, when she should have gone straight home…

She glanced across the carriage to Roderick’s shadowed form.

The steady yearning she had felt for him from the beginning still hummed through her blood. But the yearning felt different now. It felt heavy and dark and selfish. Because while she had been indulging in the heady sensations she experienced in his arms, her sisters had been left to fend for themselves.

She looked away from him as an ugly weight settled in her stomach.

The carriage came to a stop. Roderick quickly opened the door and leaped to the ground before turning to help Emma. His hand was warm as it held hers, and she was so tempted to hold on to him even after she descended from the vehicle. But guilt drew her hand back and she rushed up the steps to the door of the town house. She could feel Roderick following just a step behind her. With an ache in her heart, she forced him from her awareness.

The hall was quiet and dark, except for a dim glow spilling out from the parlor.

She strode swiftly toward the parlor. Portia was pacing in frantic strides around the room, her hands twisting in front of her. Angelique sat in her usual chair, her gaze lowered but no snore rumbling from her chest.

Emma scanned the expanse of the parlor as cold fear settled into her bones.

Noticing her standing there, Portia stopped her pacing. The young woman said nothing, simply turned to face her, tension and anger tightening her lovely features. Angelique also looked up. Her gaze was clear and direct. Her mouth was drawn into a thin line.

Emma took a heavy breath.

“Where is Lily?”





Thirty


Portia turned a pointed gaze toward Roderick where he stood behind Emma’s shoulder.

He stepped forward to execute a polite bow. “I am Roderick Bentley, your sister’s…employer. I would like to assist in any capacity needed.”

Portia nodded, not seeming to catch the slight hesitation in his introduction. She glanced back to Emma, her brow raised in query. When Emma did not add anything to clarify his presence, the girl gave a barely perceptible roll of her eyes then turned about and started pacing again.

Emma understood her sister was reluctant to speak plainly in front of Roderick, but Emma could not bring herself to ask him to leave, any more than she could turn to look at him.

“You had better sit down, Emma,” Portia suggested as she made a turn across the room. “This is a tale you will not take lightly.”

Emma’s heart sank. Painfully. But she stood her ground.

“I think you should first tell me where Lily is.”

Portia stopped. The girl’s gray eyes were steely when she met Emma’s gaze. “Lily’s exact location is presently unknown, but I can tell you where we know she has been…if you sit down. Trust me,” she continued in a dark tone, “this will not be easy.”

The fear that had been clutching at Emma since the note had been delivered spread through her in an icy wave. What on earth had happened?