Page 123 of Devil in Her Details

Saint leaned over to look. “Don’t know him.”

Dagger pushed him away. “Of course you don’t bloody know him.” Was he a suitor? The word tasted like shite. No. It couldn’t be. How many days had it been? But then, she was beautiful. She was clever and brave and sunshine. She was Lilly. Why wouldn’t every man in London be lining up outside her door for a chance at her hand?

He pulled at his hair.

Saint’s hand instantly closed around his wrist. Firmly.

Dagger sighed, easing his fingers out of his hair and lowering his hand. If it hadn’t been for his brothers, he might not have a head of hair at the moment. His brothers still remained tight-lipped over specifics, but how could he not notice the way they watched him, prepared to intervene at any time. He really must have concerned them for them to play wet nurse.

But this was not the time for that. “They’re getting into a damn carriage.”

Saint rapped on the roof and ordered, “Follow them.”

Dagger rubbed his temples.

“It’s probably nothing,” his brother said softly.

Even if it was nothing, Dagger was following that carriage to the ends of the earth. The mission, he decided, could sort itself out. Deveraux would surface when Deveraux surfaced, and they’d deal with the traitor then. Right now, there was a carriage rolling through London containing the woman he’d spent a week trying to stop thinking about, and he was not about to let it out of his sight.

“Keep up,” he called to the driver.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Lilly entered the Avondale ballroom and inhaled the brightness. She’d always loved the merriment of these events. The music. The laughter. The mischief of drinking too much punch or waltzing across the dance floor a fraction too close with your partner. Balls were where all a lady’s dreams felt possible.

Beside her, Merrick, the Duke of Northgard and Allie’s brother, chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Lilly asked. “We haven’t even greeted the hosts, and you’re already thinking of mischief, aren’t you?”

“You know me so well.”

Allie and Leo had sent Merrick to fetch her after they got delayed. Lilly wasn’t even going to begin to delve into this delay and why Merrick had been thrown into the mix. Those two had more mischievous bones in their bodies than all of the guests here combined.

“Not asking?” he murmured playfully.

“Ask not, fret not.” This man might appear sportful, but she felt pity for anyone who was fooled by his appearance. He was a rogue of first order. Fortunately, he was also a good friend, otherwise she’d never have braved a ball on his arm.

They made their way to the Earl and Countess of Avondale where they were receiving guests at the far end of the entrance hall. The couple were a spectacular vision standing beside each other. The picture of a dream pair.

“Lord and Lady Avondale,” Merrick said smoothly, performing the greetings with an easy charm.

“Northgard, old chap,” Avondale greeted. “Lady Lilly. We’re pleased you could attend our humble event.”

“As am I,” Lilly murmured, but she got no further than that, because Lady Ophelia’s hand had already found her elbow in a gentle but unmistakable grip.

“Forgive me,” Lady Ophelia said to the men, already steering Lilly off to the side. “I simply must borrow Lady Lilly for a moment.”

Merrick’s brow arched, catching Lilly’s eye.

She gave him a small shrug, equal parts apology and amusement, and let herself be borrowed.

“I’m so glad you were able to come,” Lady Ophelia said. “All us scandalous ladies should stick together.”

“My scandals hardly rival your scandals, Lady Avondale.”

The woman laughed. “Please call me Ophelia, and all scandals are alike in the eyes of the ton, my dear. But that is not why I pulled you aside. I’ve heard something disturbing that I must tell you. If you hadn’t come tonight, I would have called on you tomorrow.”

Apprehension filled Lilly. Had Calvington escaped the dungeon and made a ruckus they didn’t know about yet? “Oh? Then do tell.”