Rescued by a Wicked Baron by Scarlett Osborne

Author:Scarlett Osborne [Osborne, Scarlett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-15T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 26

“T he Lady’s Grace,” said Edmund as they walked. “What do you imagine it is?” His eyes were wide. “A bawdy house?”

Patrick caught his eye and gave him a short smile. “There seems to be little else in these parts. Bawdy houses and gin shops.”

Edmund pointed at a two-story brick building on the opposite side of the road. “There. It’s that one.”

A large crowd was gathered on the street outside the building. Drunken men stumbled against each other, while women in colorful, low-cut gowns huddled together beside the door. The hum of anxious voices filled the air.

“A bawdy house and with a tavern attached by the looks of things,” said Simon, frowning. “What do you imagine is going on? Why are all the customers outside?”

“A fire?” Edmund suggested.

“No. Look.” Patrick pointed at the uniformed men pushing through the crowd. “Soldiers.”

Simon craned his neck, trying to see. “Soldiers? I thought the authorities didn’t bother with this place. Thought they’d decided it was easier to pretend Seven Dials didn’t exist.”

“Seems they’ve had a change of heart,” said Patrick. The thought brought a faint flicker of optimism.

“Any sign of Thorne?” asked Edmund, scanning the crowd outside the tavern.

Patrick shook his head. “If he was here tonight he would have run the moment the soldiers showed themselves, I’m sure of it.” He rubbed his hands together against the cold. “Perhaps I’ll wait. He may show himself once this trouble has died down.”

“Don’t be foolish, Ramshay,” said Simon brusquely. “He’s not going to show himself tonight. This place may not even open their doors again.”

“He’s right,” Edmund agreed. “There’s no point waiting around here.” He met Patrick’s eye reassuringly. “We’ll come back. Tomorrow.”

Patrick nodded. Tomorrow. Yes, he could do that.

Heads down, the men walked quickly through Seven Dials, heaving a collective sigh of relief when they emerged into the relative sanity of the theatre district.

“Well,” said Simon, rubbing his eyes. “Being friends with you gentlemen is always an adventure.”

“The Red Queen,” Edmund said suddenly. “I’ve just remembered where I’ve heard that name. At my cousin Robert’s trial.”

Patrick’s eyebrows shot up. “Robert Barnet? Catherine’s brother.”

Speaking her name set his heart quickening.

Edmund nodded. “He confessed to helping store and deliver contraband with the crime syndicate he became embroiled in. The Red Queen was one of their biggest buyers.”

“Perhaps he knows who owns the place,” said Patrick, his impatience beginning to rise again. “Perhaps he can tell us who Thorne is working for.”

Edmund nodded again. “Indeed. Looks like we’ll be paying a visit to Newgate prison.”

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