Page 70 of Rules for a Wicked Wager

“No, miss. He’s just otherwise occupied.”

Well, that didn’t answer anything at all. She glanced at Lord Rimbury, who was frowning at the missive. And then he was abruptly overcome by a massive yawn.

“Oh dear Lord,” he grumbled when it was done. “How gauche of me.” Then he gave her a deep bow. “I fear I have been enjoying Society too much these days. London does that to me,” he said with a gleeful twinkle. “I do love this city, but I think I shall take my leave.”

“Of course,” she said, not believing him for a second. Especially as he followed the two footmen out of the ballroom.

Something was up, and Lord Rimbury was going to figure out what. Well, what was sauce for the goose was sauce for the gander. She’d already sent her mother home, claiming she’d be escorted back by one of her friends. That meant this was the perfect time to escape, before the other guests came out of the buffet room.

So while Lord Rimbury and the footmen exited, she ducked out the side door and rushed around to the front. Fortunately, it was a warm night, and she didn’t need a cloak. A moment later, she saw Lord Rimbury climb into a waiting hackney. Now was her chance. Thank God her wild sister had taught her a few things.

She rushed forward as fast as her slippered feet could carry her. She wove between the trees, then dashed between two sitting carriages. And just as the hackney hit the shadows, she leaped onto the boot and let it carry her away too.

Chapter Sixteen

Mari was thoroughly chilled by the time they reached their destination. It was a dockside pub in a dangerous part of London, and she felt fear slide through her bones. She’d never been alone like this. And though her sister had gone on adventure after adventure, Mari was usually more prudent.

But it was too late now. She was here, and for the first time ever, she was grateful for the dark blue of her gown. The quality couldn’t be disguised, but the color hid her from view, especially since she’d stripped off her white gloves. She was still trying to decide what to do when the hackney doors opened. Lord Rimbury’s voice came through clear as day.

“Peter’s in there? Whatever for?”

“Keep your voice down,” said the footman as he stepped out. “He’s looking for a boy named Tie, who knows something about what the earl’s doing.”

“What is the earl doing?” Lord Rimbury asked as he disembarked. “Never mind. If you knew, we wouldn’t be standing out here. Lord, it stinks.”

Mari agreed. Uncoiling her frozen limbs, she jumped off the carriage while Lord Rimbury paid the driver. But then she was standing there in silk slippers and a dark blue gown, with bare arms and feeling rather stupid.

What had she hoped to accomplish by coming along? She slipped into an alleyway, keeping her eyes and ears open, but all she heard was more bickering between Lord Rimbury and the footman.

“Come on. Let’s go see what we can do,” Rimbury said as he headed for the tavern. The footman grabbed his arm.

“You can’t go in there dressed like that! We’ll get knifed for sure.”

“As rough as that?” Lord Rimbury sounded resigned, not shocked.

“Aye,” the footman responded with a thick dock accent. “I grew up nearby. I can fit in, but not in these clothes. And you’ll—”

“I’ll wait outside. In the shadows. You get us clothes.”

The footman was understandably confused. “But I thought we’d wait outside. Safely—”

“I’m not leaving my best friend to die unprotected. We can’t go in dressed as we are, so go get us the right clothes.” Then he headed to the exact same alley where Mari crouched.

Oh no!

Then she heard it. A babe’s fretful cry. The sound came from a broken window a story up in the building that crowded the tavern.

Luck was with her. She quickly found a way inside the building, then up the stairs as she skirted a gin sot sprawled in the hallway. The babe was truly upset now, and she focused on that as a woman’s crooning tried to hush the child. A moment later she was at the door, listening hard. No man’s voice.

She knocked on the door. “Please,” she said through the door. “I don’t mean any harm. I need help.” She swallowed and pitched her voice lower. “I can pay.”

She suspected that last part was what had the woman opening the door, her eyes narrowed with distrust. Goodness, she looked tired. Once the woman would have been beautiful, but it was late at night, and she had a fretful baby in her arms. “Wot?”

Mari smiled in her most coaxing way. “Please, it’s just me. May I come in?”

The woman nodded and stepped back, only to have her eyes widen in surprise when she took in Mari’s elegant clothes.

“Wot you doing out ’ere?”