Page 29 of An Extraordinary Lord

“That doesn’t mean much.”

“This neighborhood is the heart of respectable society, I’ll have you know. Almack’s is just down the street.”

She repeated in a dry mutter, “That doesn’t mean much.”

With a grin, he tossed a coin to the jarvey and sent the hackney away. “You’ll change your opinion once you meet Madame Noir.”

A masculine shout of distress echoed from one of the upstairs rooms, loud enough to drift out into the street. It was followed immediately by the snap of a whip and a woman’s voice. “Do as I tell you!” Another crack of the whip. “Don’t make me use the spurs!”

Veronica silently arched a brow.

“You’ll like her.” He took her arm to lead her toward the door. “She’s…unique.”

But Veronica refused to budge. She hated the bubbling jealousy in her belly that made her ask, “And how do you know Madame Noir and this place?”

“Business only, I assure you.”

Her brow arched higher.

He grimaced. “Notthatkind of business.”

She wasn’t certain she believed him, although a foolish part of her heart desperately wanted to. “Why are we here?”

“Madame lives on the fringe of society. She knows how to move between worlds and behave both among the lower classes and theton.”

The front door opened, and a gentleman left the town house. Before the door closed, Veronica caught a glimpse of the crowded entry hall, heard music coming from the front parlor, and smelled the scent of jasmine, tallow candles, and musk. Beyond that door, the house pulsed with life and debauchery.

“What does any of this have to do with catching rioters?” she muttered.

“Not rioters,” he corrected. “The men behind the riots.”

Well, that was as clear as mud. She cocked her head, waiting for further explanation.

“Madame Noir might be the center of attention here because that’s what this place demands of her. But she also knows how tonotdraw attention to herself while moving among society. If anyone can teach you to do the same, it’s her.” When she looked at him in confusion, he bluntly explained, “She’s going to tutor you.”

Surprise strangled her. “Pardon?”

“If we’re going to find out who was in Malmesbury’s carriage, we’ll have to place you into society and keep you there as long as it takes, all without drawing attention. Madame’s going to teach you how.”

She gaped at him. “You’re mad!”

“Says the woman behind the beard,” he drawled.

“I might be wearing a beard, but I’m not daft enough to step inside a brothel to learn society stuff and nonsense that—”

“Oh yes, you are.”

Without warning, he pulled her floppy hat down low over her ears and grabbed her around the waist. He tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of flour and started toward the front door at a quick pace before her shocked brain could think to fight back.

But when it did, she let loose a volley of kicks and punches. “You rotten son of a—abarrister!”

He smacked her bottom. “Behave.”

The man guarding the door stared wide-eyed at the spectacle they made as they approached the town house.

“We’re here to see Madame Noir,” Merritt informed the man.

Without any questions, the guard opened the door for them and stepped back to let them pass amid shocked looks by the gentlemen gathered in the entry hall and outright laughs by the women.