The Artist and the Rake (The Merry Misfits of Bath 4)

“If you feel up to it, Lizbeth, I would like to take you to the theater tonight,” Marcus said as he joined them at the entrance hall just as a young maid, who must have been Sybil came down the stairs.

Although Lizbeth was reluctant to appear in public, if she was going to follow through on her plan to seek retribution from the people who ruined her life, she would have to swallow her fears and step out of the house. Also, she loved the theater and hadn’t been to one in years. Marcus studied her while she hesitated. Then she smiled. “Yes. I believe I would like that.”

Marcus grinned at his sister. “I would invite you and Grayson, but I don’t think you would fit in any of the chairs.”

Addie rolled her eyes at him again. “Be off with you. Go find Grayson, enjoy a brandy.” She looked at Lizbeth. “Grayson is Lord Berkshire.”

Sybil introduced herself to Lizbeth and bid her to follow her up the stairs. The second floor was carpeted, making their footsteps silent. The maid kept up a lively chatter as they walked almost to the end of the corridor, where she opened a door and stepped back, allowing Lizbeth to enter. “This is your room, miss, I hope it meets with your approval.”

The room was lovely, and better than anything she’d ever stayed in before. Soft blue and pale green wallpaper gave the room a comfortable feel. The large bed almost took up the entire center of the room.

Along one wall was a fireplace between two long windows, the drapes that matched the bedcover had been drawn back, throwing bright light into the space. Another wall held a beautiful mahogany dresser with a pitcher and bowl sitting on top. A small matching desk and bookcase alongside the south wall completed the coziness of the room.

“This is wonderful.” Lizbeth placed her reticule and gloves on the dresser.

“If you need anything, please ring that bell.” Sybil pointed to a brocade bell pull hanging near the door. “Luncheon is in about fifteen minutes. Once you have freshened up, just return the way we came and pass the drawing room. The first door after that is the dining room.”

“Thank you so much.”

“’Tis my pleasure.” Sybil gave her a dip and left the room.

Lizbeth turned and surveyed the area, trying very hard not to feel the panic slowly making its way up her body to the loud thumping in her heart. The last time she was given a lovely room for free it had ended in disaster.

“I think it was very noble of you to help with Lizbeth’s rescue from that horrible place,” Addie said as she and Marcus sat across from each other in the drawing room. It was evening and he was waiting for Lizbeth to join them to leave for the theater.

Marcus took a sip of brandy as he studied his little sister who had escaped from London to make her own way and ended up exactly where their mother had wanted her. Married with a child on the way. Is that what would happen to him? Was it impossible to thwart one’s parental desires? Would Mother have her way and see him married with a child on the way as well?

Odd that it did not seem so terrifying anymore.

Or maybe only since he met Lizbeth did it seem not so disagreeable, which was ridiculous because most likely the very last thing that poor woman wanted was to be touched by a man. And he was not one for a celibate marriage.

“In all the time I’ve been championing women and children who are snatched off the streets and sold to brothels, it had all seemed almost a fantasy. Names on a piece of paper.” He studied the brown liquid as it swirled in his glass. “Not that I didn’t know for a fact it was happening.”

He looked up at Addie. “Rescuing Lizbeth made it all real. She was a perfectly innocent woman, from a good family. Even without the money and titles prevalent among our set, she was brought up in a manner similar to our class.”

So similar in fact, that it scared him more than all the hours he’d spent researching, interviewing and speaking with the police. If it could happen to Lizbeth, it could have happened to his sister, or to a daughter of his one day.

“Grayson and I are happy to have Lizbeth here, but what of the rest of her life? As unfair as it is, she does carry a stigma. Will she find it difficult to attract suitors? Would she even want one? I don’t think I would.”

Marcus hopped from his seat, startling Addie. “There is nothing wrong with Lizbeth. She carries no stigma. She is still a pure, innocent young woman. Any man who does not see her value is not worthy of her time.”

Addie nodded her agreement as she glanced around his body. The look on her face had him turning to come face to face with Lizbeth.

The slight blush on her face was like a dagger to his heart. Obviously embarrassed, she straightened her shoulders and att

empted a smile. “I’m ready.”

There really wasn’t much more to say—at least at the time—so he gave her a slight bow. “Excellent.” He turned to Addie. “Have a good evening. Where is Grayson, anyway? Shouldn’t he be here with you?”

“Oh, please. Don’t be silly. He spends so much time staring at me and my stomach that I sent him off to his club for the night.”

“Is that a good idea?” He helped Addie up since she seemed to want to stand but was as graceful as a ladybug on her back.

“I’m fine. Please don’t start watching me the way he does. I have people here who can send for help if it is needed.” She waved her fingers. “Now off with you. Enjoy yourselves. I am retiring early.”

Marcus took Lizbeth’s coat from the butler and helped her into it. They made their way down the steps where the carriage awaited them.

Once they settled inside and the carriage entered the traffic, Marcus smiled at her. “You look lovely this evening.” He was once again taken by her countenance. Not just her beauty, but the way she carried herself. She was no shrinking violet. Since he did not know her before the incident, he had no way of assessing what harm had been done to her personality. “Were you able to find enough clothes from my sister’s closet?”