Chapter Twenty

Selena removed a pistol from waistband and pointed it at the woman before her, who she finally recognized as Lady Ridgeland. Wife to the Earl of Ridgeland and a distinctly unpleasant woman. "Let us see your hands. Any sudden movements, and I shoot."

Lady Ridgeland slowly lifted her hands away from her body, Warrick's body, palms up. "Careful now, you wouldn't wish to act on an impulse you might regret later."

"I assure you, I won't."

Honestly!

Selena had mistakenly thought nothing could surprise her anymore, yet the picture before her had her blinking—inwardly—not once, not twice, not even thrice. If any tipsiness remained, she had completely sobered up at the sight of Warrick, tied to a chair, muscles on display beneath a gaping shirt! Just what had happened here?

All in good time, Selena.

Now was not the time for her curiosity to bloom. Now was the time to stand firm, point a pistol, and wait while the duke made short work of any lingering threats in the establishment. His title alone had been enough to scare nearly everyone witless when they'd entered.

"Selena! You brought a bloody pistol?"

Selena cast a quick glance to her brother. "Of course. How else do you rescue someone?" Her gaze swept over the room. "I must admit, I am quite surprised at the cheap interior. I thought the rooms would be flusher and a bit bawdier." She turned to Lady Ridgeland. "You must be the cloaked woman from the warehouse."

"I am," Lady Ridgeland said. "I see you don't have my book. Is it with this man you spoke of? I'm rather curious as to this man searching for me."

"I'm rather curious too," Warrick muttered.

A figure filled the doorway. "Then allow me to appease your curiosity." He arched a brow at Selena's pistol, and then at Lady Ridgeland, his eyes taking on a steel edge.

"Ah, Duke, you are just in time," Selena said. She patted the duke on the shoulder, eyeing Warrick. "Mortimer offered to help me find the club, and he did."

"Mortimer." Warrick's gaze shifted between the duke and Selena, and for one miniscule second, she rejoiced in the emotion she saw flash across his face. Her gaze flicked briefly to his bare chest before meeting his gaze. Drat her heart. Always skipping beats when their eyes collided.

What on earth was this feeling?

She loved him, she loathed him. She wanted to punch him and hug him. He was both her longest infatuation and her most ardent opponent. Selena was conflicted in so many ways and about so many things. But one thing she was certain about, one thing she had no doubt about.

She wanted Warrick.

In her life.

Her heart.

Her bed.

She would never cut ties with him.

She blinked. Now was not the time to be thinking about such things!

The duke stepped forward. "I'll take the pistol," he said, and expertly transferred the weapon to his hand.

Selena blinked again, stepping aside. That's what you get when you're distracted by a man.

"It's over, Lady Ridgeland," Mortimer announced.

Lady Ridgeland. "Today, perhaps. It's such a shame, as I've been having so much fun." She tapped Warrick's shoulder. "With this one in particular."

Warrick scowled. "It's not what it looks like."

"Oh?" Selena asked, arching a brow. "What does it not look like? Because from where I am standing, you are bound to a chair and bare chested with a woman pawing you." She glanced at her brother. "And with an audience on top of that. Quite the compromising position you find yourself in."

"Not willingly."

Selena bit down on the inside of her lip. Seeing him with her own eyes, though he was a bit disheveled, some of her good spirits returned. And now that the duke was here, he could remove that woman.

"That is enough." Lady Ridgeland said to the duke, "You have no power here, Your Grace. Elias will return any moment now. I suggest you leave before he does." Those eyes settled on Selena. "And I suggest you retrieve that book for me."

"If you are referring to the man with the scar," Mortimer said, "he is already in my custody."

Selena glanced over her shoulder. "He is? When? I thought you said you weren't going to call for Runners."

"Not Runners. My men. They've been following us from the start."

The man left nothing to chance. "Why did I even ask?" Selena muttered. She turned to Lady Ridgeland. "I have a question. What was the goal of the trousers?" She wiggled a leg. "What did you gain from that parade, if you can even call it that?"

Lady Ridgeland let out a huff. "Who are you to ask me questions about things that aren't any of your business?"

A few days ago, Selena would have faltered at the question. She'd started this journey questioning her selfhood. But now, this very moment, she had no hesitation whatsoever.

"Who am I?" She strode up to Lady Ridgeland. "I am Selena Savage. And I have every right to question your business."

"You are nothing but—"

A swift, crisp crack echoed through the room. Lady Ridgeland head jerked to the side; her hand clasped her cheek in shock. Selena's palm burned. But it was a satisfying burn.

The screech came an instant later, "How dare you?"

"You touched my earl. Also kidnapped him. And you lied to me about being his lover." Selena looked at Mortimer. "She's all yours."

Mortimer motioned with his hand and two men strode in.

"The trousers and parade were a distraction," the duke answered her question as his men secured Lady Ridgeland in two firm grips. "Everyone's attention was focused on the misbehaving women of the ton, allowing movement of smuggled goods from the underbelly of London to the upper classes."

"You have no proof." Lady Ridgeland struggled against the two men. "Do not touch me."

"How would you know, madam?" Mortimer asked. Cool words. Utterly chilling.

If ever a woman with a death wish lived, Lady Ridgeland would be that woman today, for she simply glared at Selena and demanded, "Where is the book?"

Ignore a duke? Hah! At your own detriment.

Selena scoffed. "Why do you want it so badly?"

"Their organization has long been employing the betting book to smuggle in the form of wagers." The duke's cold tone dropped to a new degree of chilliness. "The women use their husbands."

"This is worse than I thought," Warrick muttered.

"A damn atrocity," Saville agreed. "Let's see if I don't pick this organization apart until there is nothing left of it!"

"That is why I am here," Mortimer said.

"The wagers in that book have always belonged to us." Lady Ridgeland sneered. "We've been controlling the outcomes for decades now. It's a rather profitable business. One you and your friends ruined when stealing the book and distributing copies all over London."

"So, this is why you didn't want to let me into your little club? Revenge?"

"On the contrary. The reason you never received an invitation is because you do not qualify."

"Because I don't have a husband that you can control, correct?" Selena crossed her arms. "Well, even if I did have a husband, and even if I did have a scandal or two to hold over his head, I would never hand it over to you. So, you are right, I suppose I'll never qualify. But then, who wants to live like you?"

"You mean who would want power and money when they are the driving forces of the world? Honestly, girl. Besides, our husbands are also winning in this situation. The money benefits their pockets as well. That is why they never go against us. That is why you can't do this to me, Duke."

Lord save her.

Had Selena stepped into an alternate world where nothing made sense? She cast a glance to Warrick. He made sense. He made everything worthwhile.

"I can do whatever I please," Mortimer said.

"Not against us," came her sneer. "Our network is too big."

"Just like your mouth," Selena said. "Even if the Duke of Law doesn't have much evidence, you've given him more than enough leads today. And he has your betting book."

The woman's eyes widened. "You gave the book to the duke? I don't believe it!"

"Why not? I arrived with him today." She raised a brow at him. "Although, you are a member of White's. You had access to the book all along."

"That their organization used the book only became known to me a few weeks before it was stolen. I'd been studying who was placing wagers and when they were placed." His gaze raked the two bound men. "Then a list appeared, and the book disappeared."

"And to think that I searched for what I thought was a club because I was searching for meaning."

"What a lousy thing to search for," the lady jabbed.

"Yes, well, as lousy as it may sound, I didn't know how else or onto what else to latch myself. How wrong I was. And shame on you," Selena stabbed back. "Luckily, it has recently occurred to me that I've always been in possession meaning." She'd just been slow in rediscovering hers. I am already all I need to be.

"Take her away," the duke ordered. "And bring me Lord Ridgeland."

"You can't do this to me," Lady Ridgeland screeched, struggling against the two men. "You can't do this to me!"

"You kidnapped two gentlemen of the realm," Mortimer said, dusting off the sleeves of his jacket. "If nothing else, that is a serious offense."

"What a satisfying sight," Saville said with a grin.

"I found these men like this! You have no evidence that I kidnapped them!"

"I have the notes that were sent to Lady Selena. I'll have the testimonies of the staff in the brothel within the hour, but most importantly, Lady Ridgeland, I have ears."

"Yes," Selena piped up. "And the duke's ears are all he needs. The duke is the law." She looked to the duke. "You go, I shall take care of my brother and Warrick."

Mortimer nodded, inclined his head at them, and strode from the room.

Selena turned to the men still tied to the chairs. "Well, this is a sight I'd love to capture in a portrait."

"Are you going to untie us or not? My arse is numb. I cannot believe you did not notice I was missing for two days! What if I had been harmed?" Saville complained.

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Weeds don't perish so easily."

Her brother's face went blank. "Did you just call me a weed?"

"I borrowed a phrase from Theodosia."

His eyes narrowed. "Did she call me a weed?"

"You shall have to take it up with her."

Saville craned his neck to look toward the open door. "Is Theodosia here as well?"

"No, of course not. I would never involve her in matters she has no interest in."

"Good," Saville said. "Now can you please unbind us? I can't feel any part of my body anymore." He paused. "What the devil, are you wearing those Turkish trousers again?"

Selena shrugged and her cloak parted further to reveal a pair of Turkish trousers, covered by the prominent robe she still wore. He hadn't noticed them back at Warrick's house, but he noticed them now? "You should be more worried about your clothing than mine."

He jolted. "Why? Don't tell me you cut up my waistcoats again!"

She shrugged. "Theodosia and I had a spot of fun."

"Selena."

One word, that was all it took to set her heart aflutter. They hadn't seen each other in two days, and she could hardly drag her gaze from him.

Her brother's voice faded into the background.

*

Warrick stared atSelena, unable to tear his gaze away. Anyone who saw her now would think she was a scandalous mess. She was. A glorious, scandalous, mess. And she'd arrived with Mortimer, tall, handsome, and in possession of an amazing head of hair.

He couldn't help but feel a tiny twinge of jealousy.

Just a tiny twinge.

What had Mortimer asked him back at the tavern? Something about whether Warrick would warn him off if he were to approach Selena about the book. He hadn't, since he didn't mind that, but this situation—running about town together dressed in those damn trousers again, entering a brothel together—stabbed at his gut.

Just a little bit . . .

And what was "the duke of law" all about?

"Why are you here with Mortimer?" Warrick asked as though they were the only ones in the chamber.

"He arrived on my doorstep, and with impeccable timing, I might add. We received the note that demanded the book in exchange for you." Her gaze trailed over him.

"Impeccable timing, indeed."

She strode over to him. "Envious?"

"God, yes." A touch. "Interacting as though you've been friends for ages. A pat on the shoulder. A private joke. Smart smiles."

She laughed. "But I am here for you."

The pinch in his chest was replaced by warmth.

"Helloooo," Saville drawled. "We are still tied to chairs!"

Warrick ignored him. "Did you really hand over the betting book to him?"

"I already passed it along to Theodosia at her birthday party," she admitted. "He can claim it at any time to aid his investigations."

"Theodosia has the book now?" Saville perked up.

"Yes," Selena said. "Why are you here with my brother? Did not the two of you have a falling out?"

"Can we discuss this later?" Saville wriggled against his binding. "Untie us."

Warrick glanced at Saville. "We probably shouldn't untie your brother for time being."

Saville's head whipped to him. "Why the hell not?"

Warrick's eyes locked with Selena's. "He wants to throttle us both."

Selena reached over to test Saville's bindings. "How unfortunate that these ropes are bound so tightly. How ever can I, a simple lady, untie them?"

"Selena," Saville said sternly. "Untie us."

She laughed, and Warrick shut his eyes for a moment. A beautiful contrast to the last time they saw each other. He'd never been so thirsty for the sight of her as he had been today. When she had slapped that madwoman across the face, the pride that had swelled in him had rivalled any he'd ever experienced for himself.

"I shall untie you in a moment. I have some matters to settle." She trailed a finger over Warrick's jaw. "Lady Ridgeland seems... preoccupied by you."

"That is no business of mine. I have done nothing to encourage her madness."

A soft, quizzical brow rose.

"Nothing."

"Very well, I believe you."

"I have your trust just like that? You don't doubt me?" God, that felt good.

She pursed her lips before replying thoughtfully. "Nothing is ever without any doubt, but I doubted her more than I doubted you."

"How touching," Saville said. "Now untie me."

"Shall I have charges brought against her?" Warrick asked. He didn't know what plans Mortimer had, but he wanted to see that woman rot in prison or rot in Bedlam. Either would do.

"Don't worry, the duke will handle her."

Warrick's gaze narrowed. "You trust him that much?"

"I have faith in his abilities, and I trust that people kneel to his title." She sent a meaningful glance at the door. "Even when the reverence is slow in coming."

"I have a title, too."

She grinned at him. "Yes, you do." She leaned closer to whisper in his ear. "I might kneel for you."

Warrick groaned. Inside, his heart hammered.

"I can hear you," Saville said, his voice dry as dust. He glared at the two of them. "Untie me. Now. So that I can escape this torture."

"I don't mind if you hear us." She pinched Warrick's chin between her fingers and gave him her full attention. "You said I must take responsibility."

Warrick's whole body erupted in goose flesh. "I did." His voice came out hoarse.

She lowered and fiddled the ropes, slowly undoing that woman's handiwork. The moment his legs were free and she stood up again, he stretched his legs out to capture hers, pulling her to him. With a gasp, she tumbled onto his lap. He grinned. "Reach around me to untie my hands, as well."

"What the hell I am seeing?" Saville muttered.

She laughed. "Why, I am merely untying Warrick."

"You better not untie me at all. God, I've chills all over my body."

Warrick ignored the man, his eyes only on Selena. "You said something about taking responsibility."

She nodded. "Yes, I am taking responsibility for you and, since we now find us in such a compromising position, I demand that we marry."

"What changed your mind?" Warrick asked. Every limb was screaming from being tied for so long, and yet all he wanted to do was pounce on Selena and claim every last breath she had.

"I did." She laughed with a short shake of her head. "Who am I? I am Selena Savage. I'm a woman that follows her heart. It simply occurred to me that I can never be stuck in my brother's shadow as his sister or your shadow as your wife. I am just too brilliant for shadows." She leaned close to him, their lips almost touching. "So, you must marry me. And I will need your answer soon."

"And if I refuse?"

"I'll demand your reason."

"I'm holding out for love." Warrick's voice went gruff. "I'll only marry for love."

"You are in luck. I'll only marry for love, too." She grinned at him, her hands all over his chest. "Riches, titles, the world is mine to claim, Phineas. Will you join me?"

Did she even need to ask? "Hell, yes."

"Thank God," Saville said from the side. "Now can you please untie me so that I can cast up my accounts elsewhere in peace?"

Selena glared at her brother. "You are ruining this moment for me."

"You shouldn't be having this moment here, with us being tied, in a brothel!"

Warrick freed her from his legs so that she could unfasten his hands. The moment they were loose, he slowly rose from the chair, his bones cracking as he stretched out his arms and legs. He didn't waste any time. In one smooth motion, he hoisted her into his arms and strode to the door. "Your brother is right. A brothel is no place for a lady."

"What about me?" Saville called out after them from his chair. "A brothel is no place for a gentleman, either!"

"I'm sorry, old chap, bear it a bit longer."

"You cannot be serious!"

"I will send one of the women of the establishment to you soon," Warrick tossed over his shoulder.

"You blackguard! Who is to say what might happen to me?"

Warrick stepped from the room and quickened his pace to leave that bellowing voice behind.

"He is going to be furious with you," Selena said with a small laugh.

"He'll get over it. I'd rather not have an audience to provide commentary for what comes next."

"Oh? What comes next?"

"Me and you. Alone. Kissing. Loving."

Forever his.