AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No. She must learn that one cannot run from their problems because it solves nothing. It only makes them more difficult to deal with,” Worthington disagreed.
“I will see what is taking so long,” Eden offered.
Before Eden left, Evelyn came rushing into the drawing room. The stricken expression on her face confirmed Ravencroft’s suspicions.
“She is not here,” he declared.
Evelyn shook her head. “No, she is not.”
“How do you know that? What have you done with her?” Worthington accused.
“I wish I had her. Then I would’ve kept her safe and out of harm’s way,” Ravencroft growled.
Worthington and Ravencroft advanced on each other. Neither of them trusted the other.
Before any fists could fly, Eden stepped in between them. “Stop! Fighting amongst ourselves will not bring Noel home safely.”
“Where are they keeping her?” Worthington accused again.
Ravencroft gritted his teeth, fighting back his denial in Noel’s disappearance. However, it was his fault she had gone missing. If he had discarded his pride after Dracott confessed, then Noel never would have left the safety of her home. Now she was at the mercy of a lady whose only agenda was revenge. He should’ve followed her immediately and watched her enter the townhome. Instead, he had waited too long, and when he didn’t see Noel, he had assumed she had already returned inside.
He turned his back on the Worthington family, running his hands through his hair in frustration. He thought by refusing to help either party, he could avoid his involvement in capturing Lady L or falling victim to his mother’s schemes. But it appeared it was now out of his hands. He would need to join Lady L’s forces to secure Noel’s release.
“Lord Worthington?” Rogers interrupted from the doorway.
“We are not ready to dine yet,” Evelyn said before Reese unleashed his fury on the servant.
Rogers cleared his throat. “I understand. However, someone has delivered a note, and I thought it urgent to bring it in.”
Worthington held out his hand. “Does someone await a reply?”
Rogers shook his head. “No. He scampered away before he even handed the letter over.”
“Damn. We cannot follow him,” Eden muttered.
“Eden Worthington!” Lady Worthington reprimanded.
“My apologies, Mama, for uttering my frustration.”
Ravencroft would’ve laughed at the proper decorum if he wasn’t worried over Noel’s welfare. He held no clue about Lady L’s state of mind. With each second Noel remained under her capture, she risked becoming a victim to Lady Langdale’s cruelty. And Barbara Langdale enjoyed nothing more than terrorizing someone above her in rank.
“Hand me the letter,” Worthington ordered.
Ravencroft turned and saw the butler’s discomfort. He had learned from Dracott how Worthington kept Rogers employed to watch him after they revealed Rogers’s connection to Dracott. He sympathized with the man because it was why Worthington forced him to stay engaged to Noel. Worthington went by the old saying of keeping your enemies close. While neither man was a threat, they held a past connection to the villain who tormented his family.
“The letter is for Lord Ravencroft.” Rogers walked over to him and handed over the letter before Worthington took possession of it.
Ravencroft peered in confusion at the folded parchment. Then he noticed his mother’s handwriting and ripped it open. However, it wasn’t his mother who penned the missive but Lady L herself. She teased him before making her demand.
Lord Ravencroft,
Your mother gifted me today with a present I threatened to take if you didn’t assist me in my latest caper. Much to my surprise, she thought I would enjoy it, not realizing the impact it would have on her relationship with you. But who is it for me to turn down such a generous offering?
I must say, after spending a few moments alone with the chit, I am quite surprised at your choice for a bride. Oh, I understand all that nonsense of coin and status you will gain with your marriage to a Worthington. I am sure Reese will be most generous with his sister’s dowry. He always was as a lover. But Gregory darling, she has no spirit. She sits all haughty, like she is above me. No passion. No fight. My dear, I fear you will endure a dull marriage. But then, as I informed your fiancée, that is what mistresses are for. Something I have much experience with. In which case I might have elaborated with details to Lady Noel.
Now for what I require of you. Well, you already know. I do not think I need to repeat my request now that I hold the bargaining chip in our negotiations. I expect I will hear from you soon.
Oh, and please send Reese my love. I miss our decadent nights together.
