Dom watched the Runner shuffle his feet. Could it be that the place was a bawdy house? He slid a glance at the major who mouthed, “Whorehouse.”
Hell.All it needed was this. Somehow Dom would have to stop them. He could not allow his mother and Thea to consort with ladybirds or worse, and he couldn’t take his coach, which was emblazoned with his coat of arms, to a place like that. He raked his hand through his hair. The real question was could he stop them? He had not been successful at thwarting their activities thus far.
“If the major will accompany me, I shall go. First I want to take Miss Stern back to Stanwood House.” He addressed her. “You are going to be late for dinner, and you wouldn’t want to worry Grace.”
Thea shook her head thoughtfully. “You might scare the ladies. It will be better if your mother and I go alone.”
The major cleared his throat. “My lord, Worthington might be more useful to you, and I would prefer not to leave my family at the moment.”
“No, no, my love.” Mrs. Horton laid a hand on her husband’s arm. “I’m sure we will be fine. You must help save those poor women. While you are gone I shall make the other rooms ready, unless you think the ladies should go to a hospital.”
He looked at his wife as if she’d lost her mind. “I still think we need Worthington’s advice.”
Thea glanced at the watch pinned to her bodice. “We have at least an hour until dinner. Surely we can accomplish our task before then.”
“I agree. Come, Dominic.” His mother turned to the door. “If we are to take Worthington with us, there is no time to lose.”
Good God. None of the ladies seemed to have the faintest clue what Miss Betsy’s was and how bad it could be. Somehow he’d have to stop them. His cousin might have an idea how to accomplish what was turning into a Sisyphean task.
“Roger, stay here until we return.” Dom took Thea’s arm and, followed by his mother and the major, strode to the coach.
The short ride to Berkeley Square was made in silence. Dom assumed it was due to the events of the day being too horrific to discuss.
Until, that was, Thea glanced at him quizzically. “I do not understand why someone would pay for sick women.”
Lord help him. He had to keep her from discovering the truth. She might know more about some of the horrible things that happened to people, but he was damn sure she didn’t know much about brothels.
The carriage drew up in front of Stanwood House, and the door was open before he’d assisted Thea and his mother down from the coach.
Grace met them on the steps. “I was beginning to worry.” Her gaze searched their faces. “What is wrong?”
Dom’s mother bussed Grace’s cheek. “Is Worthington at home?”
“Not to anyone else, but he will be for you. He is in my study.”
They followed her into the hall and down a corridor. He stood when they entered the room. “Horton! I haven’t seen you in a month of Sundays. What brings you here?”
Grace rang for tea and once it arrived Thea told them what they had discovered about Tom, Mrs. White, and Thea and Dom’s mother’s plan to find the missing women.
Worthington leaned back in his chair, regarding Thea. “Do you know what kind of establishment Miss Betsy’s is?”
She shook her head.
Blast it all to hell!“She doesn’t need to know. There is no reason you, Major Horton, and I cannot see to it.”
Grace’s lips firmed. “Merton, you cannot keep Dotty or your mother in ignorance. She will learn about those types of establishments soon enough after you are married.”
Was Grace implying he would visit a bawdy house?
“Dominic, do not scowl,” his mother said. “What Grace means is that once you are married, Dorothea will hear the kinds of things not discussed around innocents.”
He swallowed and almost choked. “Ladiesdiscuss . . .”
Grace grinned. “You would be surprised what we talk about. You will need at least one female with you, otherwise your help might be taken the wrong way.” She turned to her husband. “I shall go.”
Thea’s jaw took on a mulish cast. “If Grace is going, I will as well.”
Worthington closed his eyes for a moment, before uttering, “Dotty, it’s a brothel.”
