The Redemption of a Rogue, стр. 47
Imogen swallowed hard. “I-I’ve heard of it,” she admitted with a quick glance toward Oscar.
He held her gaze evenly, and heat flooded her cheeks with a blush she couldn’t control as she thought of the palpable sexuality the underground club created, even when people just spoke of it. It was known as a den of sin on every level, but was considered a safe haven for those who came there. When her husband’s family had made it clear she would be banished if she made an attempt at such a conspicuous place, she’d been lost.
She wished she could have gone there, sought her protector there instead of making the terrible mistake of going so much lower and endangering herself. But then again, she wouldn’t have met Oscar if she hadn’t, so…it was hard to regret everything that had come out of that terrible position.
“Rivers and his new bride are both decent. He’s always run his club by a very strict set of rules. Because of this, he’s a wonderful resource for knowing who is indecent. I explained your situation—”
Imogen pushed to her feet. “Oh no!” she gasped.
Oscar jolted as if he would move toward her, but Joanna held up a hand to stave his advance. “I didn’t use names,” she promised Imogen as she caught her hand and drew her back down. “I simply explained the basics of the situation. He was troubled. He’s heard rumblings of…”
She trailed off, and this time Oscar did step closer. “What? What could be so terrible that even you would hesitate?”
“Women of my position, women in worse positions, they are always in danger. Men have power, and if a person is judged important, then they can get away with anything.”
“Even murder,” Imogen breathed, her mind spiraling her back to that dead body. That poor woman, snuffed out so cruelly and treated like refuse. Who was she? Did someone look for her? Miss her? Or had her life been like her death…lonely. Empty.
She shivered at the thought and the grief she felt for that woman.
“Yes. I suppose all women walking this earth are somewhat aware of that fact. We walk on guard at all times.” Joanna shifted. “But this is…different. Rivers says that there are rumors of more than just a random killing here and there. They are…forcing women into the trade.”
Imogen drew back. “What?”
“Yes.” Joanna shook her head. “Even kidnapping some of them. Which is why the War Department has become involved. When I mentioned Roddenbury, all the color went out of Rivers’ face. The earl is at the heart of this, it seems. Profiting off the trade of these women both here and on the continent. Apparently he’s been doing so for years, using the power and protection of his title.”
“Why has no one stopped him?” Oscar asked.
Joanna glanced up at him, and her expression softened. “You know why, love. You know why more than most.”
Oscar’s cheek twitched, and Imogen bent her head. Roddenbury was titled. He could get away with anything if he managed it correctly, just as Oscar’s father had done for years.
“Bloody hell,” Oscar growled, and paced off to the fire to stare into the flames. His hands flexed at his sides, his rage barely contained.
Joanna sighed. “In truth, he has been stopped in some ways. The courtesan network, it’s been whispering about him for years. The rumors and warnings about his cruelty and danger are probably why he’s sunk lower, down to women with far fewer resources. Places where he believes he can buy his way out if he gets in trouble.”
Pressure spread through Imogen’s chest and her hands shook as she slowly stood. “But…but these agents of the crown…” she whispered.
“They do seem serious about the pursuit,” Joanna said gently. “But…”
“But what?” Imogen asked, her voice barely carrying.
“It seems one of the agents is titled, as well. It’s rumored a duke,” Will White said, and his gaze cast away from Imogen, as if he couldn’t bear to see her face when he gave that news.
Oscar pivoted away from the fire, and his face was dark with anger and frustration but also…fear. Seeing that fear flicker over his face in that moment nearly dropped Imogen to her knees.
“So they’ll protect each other,” he snapped. “As they always fucking do.”
Imogen stared at him and his words sank in. She had always been on the outer edges of that world. The daughter of a second son, the wife of a third. Far enough to not reap the greatest benefits of title. Close enough to see the damage. To see how those men with title had been allowed to harm others, to lie, to cheat, to get away with anything they wished and have it covered up.
Of course that was what would happen here.
“But…” She was almost unable to form words when her throat was closing up at such a rapid pace. “Is there any way to address this? To make it right again for those women? For…for me?”
The entire room was staring at her. But no one responded, and their hesitation gave the response their voices wouldn’t.
She nodded. She couldn’t stop nodding, like her head was on a hinge, and backed toward the door. “I-I need a moment,” she gasped out, and then ran from the room.
Only it was hopeless. There was nowhere to run to. And the future she’d had the tiniest hopes for seemed to vanish before her eyes, leaving only destruction and terror in its wake.
Oscar had carefully crafted his life so that he no longer had to feel helpless as he had as a boy. But as he watched Imogen stumble from the room, all color gone from her cheeks, her eyes filled with tears and her hands shaking, all those powerless feelings had flooded back.
“God’s teeth, that poor woman,” Will muttered, and crossed to the settee to place a hand