Slave to the Night (The Brotherhood 2)

"Of course not. Would you like Mrs. Anderson to bring your dinner up to you?"

Grace forced a smile. "If it's no trouble."

"It's no trouble at all. And if you need anything more don't hesitate to ask."

As she climbed the stairs to her room, her thoughts were drawn back to her rogue of a dead husband. No one had spoken up for her. No one had come to her aid. She had been pushed and cajoled into a situation that had brought nothing but heartache.

Caroline had acted selfishly — Grace refused to let bitterness cloud her judgement and behave the same way.

Henry had acted abominably — never again would she be ignored by a man or be treated as a worthless object, someone unworthy, inferior.

If Elliot Markham expected her to sit at home with her embroidery frame and wait for news, then he was sorely mistaken.

Chapter 7

"I want to hear it all," Leo said as they stared nonchalantly at the hordes of happy couples dancing. "Caroline Rosemond, who would have thought." He gave a drawn-out whistle. "And you said nothing could tempt you to accept an offer from such a celebrated courtesan."

"Nothing did," Elliot remarked cryptically, offering Lady Fortescue a respectful nod as she sauntered by.

For some unfathomable reason, he was tired of their usual antics. Looking for the next conquest had lost its appeal. Leo pointed out a few ladies alerting them to their availability by tapping their fans to their hearts. The irony of the gesture was not lost on him and brought to mind Grace Denton's insistence that lust without sentiment left her cold.

"You should avoid the ones with wigs and powdered faces," Elliot said with some amusement, "as you're sure to find nothing but frogs and toads beneath."

Leo raised a curious brow. "You're in a strange mood this evening." When Elliot didn't bother to reply, he added, "Well. Are you going to tell me why you took Miss Rosemond into your home? Why you have broken two of the rules you so rigidly observe."

"I did not break them both," Elliot said with a sigh. "The lady you saw was not Caroline Rosemond." He did not give Leo a chance to show his surprise as in a stern tone he added, "You're not to say a word of it to anyone. As a brother, I am asking for your discretion in the matter."

"Of course. Although I fear you were either in your cups or may be in dire need of spectacles."

Just as there were similarities between the sisters, the differences were just as striking. As her name suggested, Grace possessed a natural elegance. Everything about Caroline was contrived. Grace's inner beauty shone through, whereas Caroline radiated nothing but conceit.

"The lady you met was Mrs. Denton, Caroline's sister. Miss Rosemond has not been seen for a few days. There's a fear something untoward has occurred."

As expected, Leo made an odd puffing noise. "She's probably off on some jaunt with her latest beau, lounging naked in front of a warm fire whilst being fed exotic fruit. Or perhaps she's in Brighton, frolicking in a bathing machine. But what has it all got to do with you?"

Leo's attention drifted to the luscious lady with honey-gold hair who walked past and brushed seductively against him. The obvious advance would usually rouse Elliot's amusement, and he'd make a merry quip in response. Yet tonight he could not shake the feeling of disdain.

He had left Alexander's house in haste. The need to spend a few uncomplicated hours, where he could ignore the range of newly awakened emotions flooding his mind and body, had proved futile. Talking about Grace Denton caused memories of their stimulating conversation in the carriage to resurface. In comparison, everything else felt so miserably dull and predictable.

"Caroline Rosemond wrote something about me in her diary," Elliot replied, tapping Leo on the arm to refocus his attention. "She'd mentioned meeting a Markham, although Grace believes it may be short for something else."

"Grace?"

"I mean Mrs. Denton."

"I assume if she stayed the night with you then there is no Mr. Denton."

"She's a widow."

Leo placed his hand on Elliot's shoulder. "And so now you've sampled her wares you're out on

the hunt once more."

Anger ignited, the sudden burst of fury causing him to knock Leo's hand away. "Do not speak of her in such base terms. It is nothing like that. She's a friend who needs my help."

Leo took an unsteady step back, his bottom lip practically hitting the floor.

"Close your mouth," Elliot continued in a calmer tone. "Else you'll be gagging on powder and perfume for a month."