The Redemption of a Rogue, стр. 32

Oscar’s cheek twitched. “Of course they only care about that. But in the end, if it shuts down their house of horrors, if it stops the danger Imogen is in, I don’t really care about their motives.”

Joanna gave Imogen a half-smile. Almost conspiratorial again. As if they both knew that wasn’t true. Oscar did care very much. Justice, it seemed, was important to him. And not just for those he knew. Imogen could see now he was frustrated by what ladies such as his mother endured. He must have seen a great deal in his younger life. Enough to make him a defender of those who needed one.

“And I’ve heard your new brother-in-law’s partner has also taken on a related case,” Joanna said. “He has that investigation firm, you know.”

“Selina’s husband?” Oscar asked, his tone suddenly tense. Imogen saw the flicker of interest in his eyes. He had not mentioned his siblings with any specificity before, though it was rumored they were legion, thanks to his father’s ways.

“The very one. Derrick Huntington, I believe his name is. His partner’s name is Barber.”

Oscar’s jaw set, and Imogen fought the urge to cross to him and question him further. He was close-lipped about his past, his family, anything personal at all. She wasn’t likely going to change that by asking him about anything directly in front of his mother.

“I could reach out to them both.”

He stepped toward her. “Mama, is that wise? We don’t know any of these men well enough to trust their intentions. I don’t want to bring Imogen’s safety into question, or your own.”

“No, I suppose you wouldn’t.” Joanna got up and moved to him, doing what Imogen couldn’t let herself do. “What if I spoke to the spies, though? I don’t have to bring up Imogen or anything about her. Just let me feel them out, since I’ve already heard some murmurings about them. Given my past, given my reputation, I’m certain they’d like to hear what the network of courtesans knows.”

Oscar seemed to consider it. “Take Will with you. To be safe.”

“I shall,” she said softly.

“Would you like me to speak to him about it?” Oscar asked.

She shook her head. “No. I can manage that perfectly well on my own. But what about the other interested parties?”

“No,” Oscar said, firmly and loudly. “I don’t want any of my siblings near me. Leave them to their own devices.”

He stepped away and went to the sideboard. Instead of getting more tea, he retrieved a bottle from the table and splashed a hearty dash of liquor into a glass. As he downed it, Imogen noted the white-knuckled grip he kept on the bottle.

All of this was very upsetting to him. She didn’t fully understand why, but she wished so desperately that she could…help him in some way. Erase it somehow.

“When you do speak to them,” Imogen said, “please tell them that the woman who seems to be in charge of things over at the brothel is named Maggie Monroe. She was with the Earl of Roddenbury and the body.”

“Maggie Monroe,” Joanna repeated. “I’ll pass the information along, and do a little asking myself. I have some thoughts about that tidbit.”

“Is that everything then?” Oscar asked. “Is there anything else either of you can think of?”

“Nothing comes to mind,” Joanna said, and then she smiled at Imogen. “I would like to speak to this one by myself for a moment, though.”

Imogen’s eyes widened, but as Oscar stepped forward to argue, she shook her head at him. “I would be pleased to speak to your mother alone. She’s been so kind as to help me, I have nothing else to hide.”

Oscar glanced at her for a long moment, and then he sighed. He moved toward the door, but as he reached it, he turned back. “Be nice, Mama.”

And then he was gone, his parting parlay leaving Imogen a little bit unsure of what she was about to face. Only she wanted this woman to like her. Not just because she was so charming, but also because of Oscar. And that was a dangerous desire, indeed.