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“We had this discussion earlier,” Braden reminded him. “We will marry.” Now more than ever he wanted to marry her.
“Bunworth was at White’s. He told us that Jonathon paid him a visit last night. He said Jonathon attempted to extort some money out of him.”
Braden scowled. “Did he say why?”
“No. Nor did he say if he gave Jonathon the money,” Adams replied.
Braden shook his head. His brother was in a far wo
rse state than he imagined. Why was he trying to extort money from Constance’s husband? Maybe Bunworth was keeping a mistress and Jonathon was trying to protect Constance. “Anything else?”
“Yes, Bunworth said he was supposed to deliver the money tonight at the Edmondsons’ ball.”
“Did he now? Hmm, I believe we are all going to a ball tonight,” Braden said.
Jack shrugged. “Nothing better to do tonight. Are you bringing her along?”
“No, she would only be a distraction.” And Braden didn’t want her to see how low Jonathon had sunk.
“A very lovely distraction,” Adams commented.
“Yes, but a distraction I don’t need when trying to find Jonathon.”
“She won’t take it well,” Jack added.
“She is not to know where I am going. I will tell her that it is a club and women are not invited.” And he hoped she would believe his lie.
Tia sat in the library reading while Braden investigated another potential sighting of Jonathon at another club. She glanced up from her reading and wondered just how many clubs there were in London. Not that it mattered. As a woman, she wouldn’t be allowed entrance to any of them.
She could hear a slight commotion at the front door, but assumed Nelson would handle the issue. What could she do? She had no authority in this house. Footsteps sounded in the hall.
“Miss Featherstone, you have a caller,” Nelson announced as he stepped into the room.
“At this hour?” It was nearly eight.
“Yes, miss. It is Lady Eldridge.”
Emily was here! At this hour! Something must be dreadfully wrong. “Where is she?”
“In the salon.”
Tia rushed past Nelson and ran down the hall to the salon. “Emily, what is wrong?”
Emily sat on the edge of the sofa, wearing a beautiful russet silk gown. “It is just as I thought. You and his lordship haven’t heard the news.”
“Middleton is not at home. What is the news?”
“Mr. Tavers is supposed to be at the Edmondsons’ ball tonight.”
Tia tilted her head up toward the ceiling. Of all the nights that Braden had to leave her alone. “What are we going to do?”
“You are going upstairs right now to dress for a ball.” Emily rose and then yanked on Tia’s arm. “We don’t have much time. The ball has already started and I don’t know how long he will be in attendance.”
“Very well. Help me dress. Mrs. Abbott has the night off.” They both hurried upstairs to Tia’s room. She opened the linen press and stared at her meager gowns. She reached for the blue silk, but Emily brushed her hand away and pulled out the red silk.
“I can’t wear that outside the house,” Tia protested.
“Yes, you can and you will. The Edmondsons’ will allow you entrance because they tend to like to have their balls talked about for a few days. You showing up alone and wearing this dress will shock several people.”
