Free Slave to the Night (The Brotherhood Series, Book 2) by Adele Clee Page A

of her missing sister."
    Evelyn leaned forward and whispered. "We found her sneaking out of the house. Her intention was to return home to Arlington Street to change before making her way here."
    Offering an incredulous glare, Elliot asked, "Does she just expect one of the suspects to hold up their hands and admit to any wrongdoing?"
    "Well, we've had a little breakthrough with the diary." Evelyn actually sounded excited. "And before we—"
    "There's no we about it," Alexander said. "You're not helping her, Eve."
    Evelyn shot him a determined look. "And what if Elliot had refused his assistance? Without the use of his carriage, you would have never reached me in time. Heaven knows what would have happened to me. And what if he had not found me in the forest—" She stopped abruptly and sucked in a deep breath.
    Alexander took her gloved hand and brought it to his lips. "I do not care to be reminded." He turned to Elliot. "We will, of course, help in any way we can."
    Elliot glanced back at the dancers, noting the more dissolute gentlemen hovering around the floor eager for a bit of sport. "I need to get her out of here. From a distance, people will assume she's Caroline, but once they speak to her it's obvious she's not."
    "Her intention this evening is to speak with Mr. Hamilton," Evelyn informed him. "She wonders if the Markham is short for Marcus Hamilton."
    Marcus Hamilton was a renowned rogue, but gambling was his love and Elliot could not imagine him wasting his time or effort on spiriting away a courtesan.
    "Her sister mentioned the gentleman a few times in her diary," Evelyn continued. "Once Grace is convinced he played no part in her sister's disappearance we will move more towards my theory."
    "Your theory?" Elliot asked trying to focus on the conversation. The dancers were leaving the floor, and he needed to keep watch of his quarry.
    "That Caroline often used a few words to represent a time, person and place."
    Elliot noticed Lord Dunn escort Grace over to converse with Marcus Hamilton and the muscles in his abdomen hardened in response.
    "She is not safe here," he suddenly blurted. Guilt delivered another stab to his chest. He should have stayed with her. He should have known she would not snuggle up under the coverlet and leave it all to him. Although solving the mystery of Miss Rosemond's disappearance was not really on his agenda. In truth, Grace Denton was better off without her.
    "Then you will need to persuade her to leave." Alexander took his wife's hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. "I assume you've got your carriage?" When Elliot nodded, he said. "Good. I will take Evelyn outside for a stroll in the garden while you talk to Mrs. Denton. Let's agree to meet at the end of the street in thirty minutes."
    "Agreed," Elliot said. He gave a loud sigh. "Well, I suppose I had better go and round up the wolf."
    Alexander smiled. "I have a feeling she might growl a little and flash her teeth."
    "But mine are sharper," he whispered. "And far more lethal."
    "Just have a care. You have already beaten one gentleman to protect her honour. Let us hope the lady doesn't drive you to massacre a whole ballroom."
    Elliot offered a weak smile. The way he felt at the moment, anything was possible.
    After watching his friends make their way to the terrace, Elliot turned his attention to Grace Denton. Marcus Hamilton laughed at something she said. He knew only too well the look of a man intent on seduction. When the devil's gaze dropped to her spectacular breasts, the burning sensation in Elliot's chest was akin to swallowing a scalding-hot beverage; he exhaled deeply in a bid to rein in his ire.
    When the gentleman touched her arm, Grace almost stumbled in her haste to step back. Jealousy flared, coupled with an overwhelming need to protect her. Elliot clenched his jaw in a bid to prevent his teeth from extending as he strode towards them, feeling a sudden urgency to intervene.
     

 
     
    Chapter 8
     
     
     
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