Free The Husband Hunt by Lynsay Sands

cook said Morgan packed what she could as quickly as she could and left moments before I arrived.”
    “I’ll say it was in her best interests,” Daniel said grimly.
    “Hmmm.” Richard nodded. “Morgan never was a stupid woman. She must have realized the three of us would not be pleased. We might not have been able to have her arrested without damaging Lisa’s reputation and raising a scandal, but drugging and holding the maid could have been used against her. I doubt she’ll return anytime soon for fear of landing in shackles.” His mouth tightened and he glanced to Robert. “If she left only moments before you arrived—”
    “I did have my driver take me around to try to catch up to her. I even went down to the docks, but there was no sign of her at all,” he said with displeasure. It still irked him that the woman had got away.
    “She could have traveled up the coast to any number of places and caught a boat from there,” Daniel pointed out.
    “Aye,” Robert nodded grimly. “Which is why I didn’t bother to search further on my own. I plan to hire a runner tomorrow morning to track the woman and either get her to reveal who the suitor was, or bring her back for charges. I suspect given that choice she’ll reveal who hired her to drug and hold Lisa for him.”
    “No doubt,” Richard agreed. “I’m just surprised you didn’t hire the runner before coming here tonight.”
    “I would have if there had been time,” Robert assured him. “But it was late when I gave up the search. And I knew Lisa was planning to attend this ball. I thought it best not to leave her on her own until we sort out who this ‘suitor’ was. He might make another attempt to get her.” He frowned and added, “In fact, I don’t like that she is out there right now without anyone to watch over her, but I didn’t dare speak of this out in the ballroom where someone might hear, and you two needed to be apprised of the situation so you could watch for trouble.”
    “Christiana and Suzette will keep an eye on her,” Daniel said reassuringly, and then asked, “So the cook wouldn’t tell you who this supposed suitor was?”
    Robert shook his head solemnly. “She didn’t know. Neither did any of the women I questioned. It seems it was a well-guarded secret.”
    “Or the women are loyal,” Richard suggested dryly.
    Robert gave a dry laugh. “Believe me, none of the women were feeling terribly loyal when I spoke to them. They were all furious with Morgan. It seems she gave them all only until tomorrow morning to get out of the brothel and find themselves a new situation, then someone is coming to close it down and sell it.”
    “Hmmm,” Daniel muttered. “I don’t suppose they would feel very loyal then.”
    Robert shook his head and pointed out to Richard, “You’ll have to hire someone to guard Lisa until this is over. She—”
    “He can’t,” Daniel interrupted.
    Robert blinked in surprise. “Of course he can.”
    “No, he can’t. Christiana is with child and to hire someone he’ll have to explain what’s happened and Richard doesn’t want Christiana upset right now. We were just talking about that before you arrived,” Daniel said easily.
    “What?” Robert’s eyes widened and swung to Richard. “Christiana’s with child?”
    Richard didn’t respond at first. His gaze was on Daniel, but then he smiled faintly and nodded.
    “Well, that’s brilliant!” Robert laughed and moved to slap his shoulder. “How far along is she? And why didn’t she tell me?” he added with a frown.
    “She isn’t far along and doesn’t want anyone to know until it’s a little further on,” Daniel answered for Richard. “So, as you can see, he can’t hire guards and such and put her through all that stress and worry again.”
    “Hmmm. No, Christiana tends to be a worrier. We don’t want her to lose another child,” Robert agreed with a frown. It was the second time Christiana had got with child since their