Page 18 of The Earl and the Reluctant Lady
Chapter Five
Fletcher loathed to receive calls at his townhome with the exception of last night’s caller. He’d welcome Agnes and her heated kisses anytime. He should simply rent something away from his damned grandfather, but here he could at least keep his ear to the ground, so to speak, on familial matters. Because of this, though, he spent an extraordinary amount of time at the club, which meant he ran into friends quite often. Today he sat with Malcolm Wheatley, the Duke of Lockwood.
Malcolm sat with complete casualness, his legs stretched out, boots crossed at his ankles, managing to look both relaxed and incredibly arrogant at the same time. “Tell me about the Widow Brooks.”
Fletcher eyed his friend. “What do you want to know?”
“Is she worth the effort?”
“She requires little to no effort.”
Malcolm made a noise of disgust. “Then she is not worth it. Damnation, but I’m bored.”
“Oh, the poor rich duke,” Fletcher said drolly.
“Yes, my life is a terrible waste.” Malcolm scratched the stubble on his cheeks.
Fletcher chuckled. “I was told recently that I must mend my lustful ways. That I’m leaving a trail of broken hearts across London and being a poor example to my dear brother.”
Malcolm scoffed. “Your brother is practically a priest.”
“I said as much.”
“Who told you all of this?”
“It matters not.” He would not tarnish Agnes’s reputation by mentioning her name. He knew that Agnes and Harriet, Malcolm’s sister, were very good friends. Any mention of her name could easily get back to her.
Chris stormed into the room, scanning it until his eyes fell on Fletcher. Did he know Agnes had been in his arms the night before? Chris walked over and didn’t even bother sitting. He merely braced his hands on the table.
“What’s happened?” Fletcher asked.
“Good God, man, you look like the devil himself has been chasing you. Sit,” Malcolm said.
Chris took a deep breath, then sat. He glanced at the room behind them. “I need to leave town for a few days, at the very least.” He leveled his gaze on Fletcher. “Agnes is potentially in danger and I need you to look after her.”
His heart thundered. Agnes in danger? Fletcher shook his head. “How is she in danger? Where is she now?”
“She’s paying a call to a friend of hers.” He looked pointedly at Malcolm. Chris combed his fingers through his hair, then swore. “What I’m about to say does not leave this table. Understood?”
Malcolm and Fletcher both nodded.
“She’s in this ladies’ group.” He leaned forward so he could speak low. “She doesn’t know that I know, but they’re trained with some basic defense skills and have managed to wrangle a handful of pickpockets off the streets. Thus far it has been harmless, and I keep an eye on her.”
“I read about them in the Times,” Malcolm said.
Fletcher had read the article as well, all about these ladies of good breeding wielding hatpins as weapons. “Agnes does all of that?” Damnation! He did not need another reason to find her attractive. But the image of her using a sharp object to take down a pickpocket flashed through his mind and it was so damned sexy.
Malcolm frowned. “Wait a moment. Is Harriet involved in this nonsense?”
“I cannot confirm that,” Chris said.
Malcolm swore.
“It would seem the source from that article is causing trouble,” Chris said. “She has some sort of plan for vengeance and is after the group of ladies. This morning I found a letter that Agnes received directly from the woman.”
Fletcher’s heartbeat sped up. A direct threat to Agnes did not sound good. “You know who this woman is? This source?”
Chris was quiet a moment before inclining his head. “I have my suspicious, but I need to be certain. Which is why I need to leave London.” He looked directly at Fletcher. “I need you to watch over Agnes.”
