Page 56 of The Lady's Last Mistake
Ruth balked. “No, milady, we couldn’t. It wouldn’t be safe—ah!” The maid screamed as a hand pounded on the carriage door, and Cassie practically jumped out of her skin.
“Cassie, is that you in there?”
Her heart re-started when she recognized the voice. “Tobias?”
She reached for the door handle, and Ruth screamed again. Cassie gritted her molars. “It is just my brother,” she told the maid, who didn’t look at all relieved.
“I thought I recognized this carriage. What in Hades are you doing here?” Tobias asked the moment Cassie flung open the door and saw her brother on the pavements. She extended her hand, and he saw her down.
“I’m attending the match, of course,” she said, immediately taking his arm. “With my favorite brother.”
He was more agreeable than Michael, and quite the young blade with his walking stick, skewed top hat, and loose cravat. However, he was no pushover. Tobias peered at her skeptically.
“You had no idea I would be here,” he said.
“Perhaps I did. Maybe I am having you followed,” she replied lightly. “Patrick, stay here with Ruth.”
Her driver bowed his head. “My lady. Lord Tobias.”
“Are you boxing tonight?” she asked him as she tried to begin walking toward the warehouse.
Tobias kept his feet planted. “I don’t box. I bet. And no, you may not come in with me.”
“There are women going inside, Toby. Plenty of them.”
And an increasingly large part of her wanted to be one of them. If Mr. Youngdale was at the boxing match, he might have Isabel with him. If not, it might be possible to follow him afterward. He could very well lead them straight to her.
“These matches are no holds barred,” Tobias said. “They’re quite gruesome at times, and besides, Michael would serve my head on a platter if he found out I’d taken you to one.”
“He won’t find out through me,” she replied. “Though, he might find out how you’re spending your allowance if you do not escort me inside.”
Gracious, now she sounded like Grant Thornton.
Her brother scowled. “Fine. But you will stay right next to me the entire time. Is that clear?”
She promised she would, and at last, they started for the warehouse. Whatever goods the structure had stored in its previous life had been lost beneath its new incarnation. Avast space with high ceilings and worn wooden floors housed four sets of staged seating, all surrounding a raised boxing rink. Lights blazed from lanterns hanging from ceiling beams, and the noise as she and Tobias entered arm in arm stunned her. Men spoke loudly and in teeming throngs. Those they threaded through seemed to be placing bets and discussing the odds of the night’s match. The chaos of the floor brought a smile to Tobias’s lips, and he raised an arm as he caught sight of someone. He pulled her along while Cassie scanned the lively crowds for the two men who would not be at all pleased to see her there.Ifthey had come, that was.
“Forsythe, you’ve met my sister, Lady Cassandra,” Tobias said, and suddenly, she was staring into the face of Mr. Alaric Forsythe. He quickly removed his hat and bowed.
“This is a surprise, my lady. I had no idea you attended boxing matches.”
She gaped, belatedly remembering that he’d sent flowers to her after the opera. And also after Lady Tennenbright’s ball.
“Cassie doesn’t attend boxing matches,” Tobias provided when she continued to stare. “I don’t know why she’s here, but trust me Forsythe, whatever the reason, you likely don’t want to be part of it.”
She longed to tweak her younger brother’s ear but contained herself. Mr. Forsythe ignored Tobias’s advice and animatedly invited them to sit with him. Tobias pounded him on the back, calling him a good chap, and Mr. Forsythe led them toward the far side of the boxing ring.
“I hope you don’t mind the front row,” Mr. Forsythe said as they filed onto the benches.
“I’m not sure what I prefer,” Cassie said honestly. “This is my first match.”
He blinked, his curiosity plain. “What has brought you out?”
She had no ready excuse, and with the crush of viewers near them in the stands, Cassie felt slightly panicked. It was hot and close, smelling of salty brine from the Thames, smoke, and sweat, and her heartbeat was beginning to pick up speed. The noise was overwhelming, and though she darted looks all around, she couldn’t see any sign of Isabel. Or of Grant and Hugh.
“Lady Cassandra?”
She faced Mr. Forsythe. “I’m sorry, this is all rather?—”
