Page 91 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

Luke agreed and they climbed into his carriage after he told his driver their destination.

“It is peculiar that Caroline would ride somewhere with a clerk from Netherby’s,” Evan noted.

“Hopefully, we’ll have some answers soon,” Jeremy said.

They arrived at the bookstore before its opening. Once more, Luke knocked until a clerk came and opened the door.

“We are open for business at ten o’clock,” he said haughtily and started to close the door.

Luke placed his foot in the doorway, preventing it from closing. “We have business with Mr. Netherby.” He pushed the door open and their group swept inside.

“Mr. Netherby hasn’t arrived yet,” the man told them.

“That’s him!” Walton cried and pointed to his left.

Another clerk froze in place and then took off running, disappearing behind the stacks of books. Luke and the others pursued him, catching him as he exited through a door leading into the alley. Luke grabbed the man by the collar and slammed him against the brick wall.

“Where is she?”

“I don’t know!” the clerk cried. “I don’t even know who you’re speaking of.”

Walton stepped between Luke and the man. “You do, you little bastard. I saw you get into a carriage with Lady Caroline yesterday. Where is she?”

The clerk’s eyes darted about and he sagged against the wall, seeing there was no means of escape.

“I only did as I was told,” he said bitterly. “I would have lost my position otherwise.”

“Told what?” Luke asked menacingly.

“Mr. Netherby—old Mr. Netherby—told me to take her to his son’s place in St. James. Across from Mrs. Leach’s on King Street.”

Understanding rippled through Luke. “You mean The Blue Door. Ralph Netherby’s gaming hell.”

“That’s the one,” the clerk agreed nervously. “I was to leave her there. And I did. I don’t know anything beyond that.”

Luke slammed his fist into the man’s face. “You left a lady in a gaming hell. Do you know what might happen to her there?”

He rained a series of blows until Evan pulled him off. “He can’t talk if he’s dead, Luke.”

The clerk, his nose misshapen and his lip split turned his head and spit out blood and a tooth. “It’s not my fault. Old Netherby wanted to be rid of her. Hardly anyone came into the shop Friday or Saturday. He said there wasn’t room for the two of them and their bookstores in Mayfair. That one would have to go—and it wouldn’t be him.”

Jeremy stepped forward. “Go,” he ordered and the clerk fled, running down the alley and turning the corner without a backward glance.

“Why did you let him go?” Luke shouted at his brother.

“Because we have a dire situation on our hands. Do you know anything about The Blue Door?” he asked.

“I’ve been there twice,” Luke admitted. “It was nothing special. I thought the man running the hazard table was cheating the customers the second time I went, which is why I never returned. I wasn’t interested in the women upstairs. God only knows what diseases they carry. It was safer to keep a mistress.” He stopped. “Wait. You don’t think Netherby would force Caroline to prostitute herself?”

“Worse,” Jeremy said. “I’ve heard rumors of a secret auction that occurs every now and then. Where women are sold to the highest bidder. If Netherby truly wanted to eliminate Caroline, he could have asked his son to put her on the block.”

“What?” Luke’s anger exploded. He saw nothing but red. “I’ll kill him!” he swore.

Both Evan and Walton grabbed him and pushed him against the wall.

“Calm down, Brother,” Jeremy said. “If we’re to get Caroline back, we have to be careful.”

He struggled a moment and then stopped, knowing what Jeremy said was true. He slumped, the fight gone out of him, as he worried at what Caroline had already endured.

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