Nick snorted. So much for marital fidelity.
“The wealthier men can afford to deflower virgins. In my investigations over the past few months I found there are ‘shopping catalogs’ that those with the means can browse through to find the age and physical description of the various girls and women available. It can run anywhere from two to five pounds to purchase a virgin.”
Nick shifted in his seat, his anger building as he listened to Mallory. So many women and children put into sordid lives against their will. “What of the police?”
Marcus shrugged. “No help there. I contacted someone in the Metropolitan Police, who said they were aware of this place, and had it on their list of brothels they watched, but there were simply too many for them to do much more than keep them on the list.”
“Even if these brothels were getting their women from kidnapping?”
“Sadly, yes.”
They both sat silent for a few moments. If Miss Davenport had been taken to this particular brothel, she would have been there for over a week already. Which meant there was very little chance that she had remained untouched.
Nick blew out a deep breath. “She might be at that one, but if there are so many places that the police have a list, it might take us weeks to find her.”
“I suggest we start there because this same one came up in conversation with all three men. I can’t tell you how dirty I felt even asking about this. It took all my control to keep from plummeting them to the ground.” Mallory glanced over Nick’s shoulder and tensed.
“What is it?” Marcus looked like he was ready to do some plummeting right then.
“I won’t say who, but one of the men with whom I spoke just entered the club. Slapping members on the back, smiling and acting the jovial earl. He is a regular customer of the brothel I mentioned, and he has a wife and seven children.”
Nick let out a low whistle and shook his head. “I wonder how he would feel if one of his children was kidnapped for such purposes.”
“Indeed.” Marcus finished his drink. “So, what do we do next?”
“We?” Surely this gentleman of the ton, a member of the House of Commons wasn’t suggesting he join Nick in re-kidnapping a young lady from a notorious brothel?
“Yes. I am committed to rescuing this young friend of Lady Pamela. I have a sister, too, and the thought of anyone putting their hands on her for nefarious purposes makes my blood boil.”
Nick thought it over for a few minutes. He’d always worked alone when he was involved in dangerous things. From his childhood, he learned to never trust anyone else to back him up. After a minute of swirling the brandy in his glass, not looking up at Marcus, he said “I would prefer doing this myself since I have a background in dealing with thugs.”
Marcus straightened in his chair. “No!”
Nick narrowed his eyes at this man who looked as outraged as if his sister had been the one kidnapped.
Mallory continued. “I will go with you. I am a skilled marksman and can acquit myself quite well in the boxing ring.” He leaned forward. “Two will work better than one. Despite your rescue of the young girls by yourself, you need to understand that while that might work in a shady pub in Bristol, this brothel we’re discussing won’t be as lax. If she is indeed there, you will never get her out by climbing out a window.”
Nick chuckled, but realized Mallory was right. Not being a patron of brothels himself, he really didn’t understand how the workings of the upper class’s decadent places of pleasure worked.
Mallory continued. “We can’t blast our way in, because they will have guards.”
Nick nodded. “Like my club.”
“True. But while your people are guarding money, which the players are willingly losing, these men will be guarding women who were brought there against their will.”
Nick leaned back in his chair glad he’d brought Mallory into this. He never thought he would find himself working hand-in-hand with a member of the ton. “So, what do you suggest?”
“Ask those who frequent the place if they are familiar with this girl. I will need a complete description of her, including anything that would set her apart from others. Once I’m certain there is a good chance she is there, we will enter the debauched world of those seeking perverted entertainment.”
Nick’s stomach roiled at the idea of aligning himself with the degenerates, but with his promise to Pamela, he would do exactly that.
Nick nodded. “I’ll get a description from Lady Pamela today. I’ll send it by messenger and as soon as you know if Miss Davenport is there, send me word and we will go immediately.”
Marcus downed his drink and stood. “I await your missive.”
Pamela paced in the library at Montrose House anxious for Nick to return and relate the information he’d received from Marcus. Curse the fact that ladies were not permitted in gentlemen’s club. Curse even more that Marcus chose that as the place to meet instead of coming to the hou
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