Page 68 of A Whisper of Desire
The carriage pulled up to the door of the Top Hat and the men disembarked. “Stay in the carriage,” Maitland said. “I hope we will not be long.”
No sooner had the carriage door banged shut behind them, than Marisa unfolded the note Clarence had handed her.
I have talked with my brother. We would both like to leave the club and come with you and His Grace. Help us.
Her heart thumped painfully in her chest. Clarence didn’t know what he was really asking. He had no idea that she was a woman.
What if the boys didn’t want a different life? Clarence might think they would be Maitland’s boys for his bed. She was offering honest work, hoping they’d leave the whoring behind them. Could they leave it behind them?
She sat in the carriage, indecision turning her legs to stone.
She could get out of the carriage and go into the club. Angelo would be busy with the Libertine Scholars. She would never get a more perfect opportunity to rescue the boys.
Blast.She’d promised Maitland she’d stay in the carriage. However, surely he would not mind if she were going inside to rescue the boys, knowing Maitland was engaging Angelo’s time.
Before she could change her mind, she made her way into the club. There was only one guard on the front door and he recognized her, stepping aside to let her enter.
Marisa made herself stand tall as she sauntered into the drawing room, near the gaming room. She spotted Clarence over in the corner of the room, sitting on the lap of a gentleman.
When he saw her across the room, he whispered something in the man’s ear and rose from his lap. He nodded toward the stairwell. She casually turned and moved to where he’d indicated.
Clarence met her at the bottom of the stairs.
“What are you doing here? I thought you’d left. You were hurt.”
“It was only a slight bump. His Grace returned to the club with a friend. They wish to talk with Angelo. I thought this would be the perfect time to collect you both. While Angelo is entertaining His Grace.”
Clarence didn’t look that reassured. “Tonight is not good. They will miss us immediately if we leave. I’m fully booked tonight, and Simon—”
“I’m leaving with Simon, now, tonight. I won’t leave him here a minute longer.”
Clarence looked over his shoulder. “Fine. Get Simon, he’s up in his room, waiting for…” Clarence shrugged. “Just get him out. I’ll follow when I see you have him in the carriage. It will be less suspicious that way.”
“What room is he in?”
“The last door at the far end of the third floor. Take him down the back stairs. Go out through the kitchen and down the side alley.”
He turned to go back to the man sending him “come here” looks from across the room. She grabbed his arm. “How will I find you?”
He gave a sad smile. “I will try and slip away in the early morning.”
She wanted to scream “No, come with us tonight,” but she knew it would be a waste of breath. “Do you know where His Grace lives?”
“No. But I shall find his townhouse. Just get Simon out of here, Your Grace.” At her intake of breath, he added, “I heard Angelo at the door. I’m grateful you came back. You want to help Simon. For that I thank you.”
She grabbed his arm. “I want to help both of you. Please, come with me.”
The arm she held trembled under her fingers. “Thank you. But I am past helping. This is the life I have known since I was five.” He put his hand over hers where it gripped his arm, and peeled off her fingers.
“Don’t you dare say it’s too late. It’snevertoo late.”
She saw the man across the room begin to rise from his chair.
“Go.” He indicated upstairs. “I have a client and he will not let me go quietly.” With that, Clarence turned from her and intercepted the man before he could reach her.
Time was running out. She quickly made her way upstairs and entered Simon’s room. He was standing, staring out of the window. He didn’t even acknowledge her when she entered, he merely sighed and made his way to the bed. He began loosening his trousers.
“I’m not here for that. I’m your brother’s friend. I’m here to take you away from this life.”
