Duke of Decadence (Lords of Scandal 9)

“Good idea,” Infamy said. “I’ll come with you in case you need an extra pair of guns.”

“Thank you.” Bash took a steadying breath. They had a plan. Hopefully one that would begin solving the mysteries swirling about them.

But right now, he just wanted to see Isabella and know that she was all right.

Isabella stared down at the hastily scrawled note in her hand.

“What is it?” Eliza asked, her brows drawing together. “You’ve gone pale.”

“There’s been a fire,” she murmured. “Bash says he wants us to meet him at our home.”

“Oh good,” Emily said as she stood. “I need my embroidery. I can’t stand sitting here doing nothing.”

“It’s just odd,” Isabella murmured as she looked down at the note again. “He said earlier to stay here. And now he wants us to leave?”

Eliza came to stand next to her. “Let me see that.” She scanned the contents. Eliza frowned as she read the words. “I don’t know.”

Abigail cocked her head. “I, for one, could use some of my things, too. We left in such a hurry last night.”

Aunt Mildred walked into the room, finally having roused herself from bed despite the afternoon hour. She’d missed her sleep the night before. “What’s the problem?”

“His Grace told me to stay here this morning, but I received this missive that we should all meet him at the house.”

“Then let’s go.” Aunt Mildred waved her hand, gesturing them forward. “We mustn’t keep His Grace waiting.”

Isabella started forward, ignoring the ill feeling that had settled in her chest. He must need her for some reason. Perhaps just to gather their things so they weren’t lost?

But her unease didn’t lessen as they started toward their Cheapside home. A cold rain began to fall, adding to the gloom of the day. It was like the nights the men were particularly drunk. There was a sizzle of danger in the air that only grew worse as they approached the house.

“This is a mistake,” she whispered.

“He said he wanted us to come,” Abigail said, looking out the window. “And I want to gather my dresses. So many pretty new—”

“We should stop.” Then she reached over her sisters and banged on the wall of the carriage to alert the driver. “Stop.”

“Isabella?” Eliza asked, looking over at her as the carriage slowed. “What is it?”

“This doesn’t feel right,” Isabella answered. “Something is off. I can feel—”

“Who are you and what do you want?” the driver called as the carriage lurched forward again.

The girls gasped and Isabella fell back into her seat even as Emily fell toward her, bracing herself on Isabella’s legs.

“Stop that carriage or we’ll shoot.” a stranger’s voice called.

Emily squeaked out a tiny scream as Abigail ducked down. Aunt Mildred shrank into her seat. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

Isabella didn’t point out that leaving had been the other woman’s idea in the first place. But she made a mental note to tell Bash they needed a new Aunt Mildred. This one wasn’t working.

The carriage turned even as it picked up speed and all the women tried to brace themselves as Eliza cried out when her head hit the wood frame.

Suddenly a shot rang out and the driver gave a cry. A thud followed and Isabella covered her mouth with her hands to keep from making a sound. Had the driver been shot? Had he fallen?

“Come on out, ladies,” the voice called again. “There is someone who’d like to visit with you.”

Aunt Mildred let out a gasp. “This is not part of the job.”

“Aunt Mil—"