The Raven Prince (Princes #1)(90)

But Anna was already running down the servant’s stair, skidding on the turns as she rounded them. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

If Edward had found the blackmail note…

If he’d gone to confront the blackmailer…

The blackmailer obviously had no sense of honor and was probably dangerous. What would he do when cornered? Surely Edward wouldn’t take on such a man by himself? She whimpered. Oh, yes, he would. If anything happened to him, it would be her fault.

Anna ran flat out through the hall, shoved past Dreary, still dithering, and banged open the door.

“Mum!” Fanny started after her.

Anna did a little spin. “Fanny, stay here. If the earl returns, tell him I’ll be back soon.” She turned again and cupped her hands to bellow at the carriage pulling away from the town house. “Stop!”

The coachman yanked hard on the reins, causing the front horses to half rear. He looked around. “What is it now, mum? Don’t you want to rest a bit now you’re in London? Mrs. Clearwater—”

“I need you to drive me to Aphrodite’s Grotto.”

“But, Mrs. Clearwater—”

“Now.”

The coachman sighed wearily. “Which way is it, then?”

Anna gave succinct directions, then scrambled into the carriage she’d so recently exited. She gripped the leather straps and prayed, Oh, dear God, let me be in time. She couldn’t live with herself if Edward were hurt.

The carriage ride was hellishly interminable, but finally she alighted and ran up the long marble steps. Inside, Aphrodite’s Grotto echoed with the chatter and laughter of London’s denizens of the night. Every young buck, every aging roué, every lady mincing on the fine edge of respectability seemed to be gathered at Aphrodite’s. It was a quarter to nine, and the throng was boisterous, uninhibited, and more than slightly drunk.

Anna drew her cloak tightly about her. The rooms were hot and smelled of burning wax, unwashed bodies, and alcoholic spirits. Nevertheless, she kept the wrap on, a thin barrier between herself and the crowd. Once she glanced up and noticed leering cupids on the ceiling. They were pulling back a painted veil to reveal a voluptuously pink Aphrodite surrounded by a… well, an orgy.

Aphrodite seemed to wink down at her with knowing eyes.

Anna hastily averted her gaze and continued her search. Her plan was simple: find the blackmailer and lure him away from the Grotto before Edward got to him. The problem was that she didn’t know who the blackmailer was. In fact, she didn’t even know if it was a man. Nervously, she kept an eye out for Edward as well. Perhaps if she could find him before the blackmailer appeared, she could convince him to just leave. Although she had a hard time imagining Edward backing away from a fight, even one he might lose.

She entered the main salon. Here couples lounged on settees, and young bucks prowled for their evening’s entertainment. She saw at once that it would be prudent to keep moving, so she perambulated about the room. The classical theme was continued here, with various scenes of Zeus seducing young ladies. The one of Europa and the Bull was particularly graphic.

“I told you to bring a muff.” A peevish voice at Anna’s elbow interrupted her thoughts.

Finally.

“I’m not paying your ridiculous price.” The blackmailer didn’t look that frightening. He was younger than she’d expected, with a familiar, receding chin. Anna frowned. “You’re the macaroni from the lecture.”

The man looked irritated. “Where’s my money?”

“I’ve already told you, I’m not paying. The earl is here, and it’s in your best interest to leave now, before he finds you.”

“But, the money—”

Anna stamped her foot in exasperation. “Look, you pea-brained nit, I haven’t got any money with me, and you really must—”

A large furry form leapt from behind Anna. There was a shout and a horrible, low growling. The blackmailer sprawled on the floor, his body nearly obliterated by Jock. The mastiff’s bared fangs were only inches from the man’s eyes, and a ridge of fur bristled down the dog’s back as he continued his menacing rumbling.

Belatedly, a woman screamed.

“Hold, Jock,” Edward said as he advanced. “Chilton Lillipin. I should’ve guessed. You must have been at your elder brother’s lecture yesterday.”

“Damnation, Swartingham, get this beast off me! What do you care about a sl—”

Jock barked, nearly taking off the man’s nose.

Edward placed a hand on the back of the dog’s neck. “I do, most certainly, care about this lady.”

Lillipin’s eyes narrowed craftily. “Then you’ll no doubt want satisfaction.”

“Naturally.”

“I’ll have my seconds contact—”

“Now.” Although Edward spoke softly, his voice carried over the other man’s.

“Edward, no!” This was exactly what Anna had wanted to avoid.

Edward ignored her. “I have my seconds here.”

Viscount Iddesleigh and a shorter man with watchful green eyes stepped forward. Their faces were intent on this masculine game.

The viscount smiled. “Pick your seconds.”

Lillipin glanced around the room from his prone position. A young man, his shirt untucked, pulled his staggering companion to the front of the crowd. “We’ll second you.”