The Reluctant Reformer by Lynsay Sands

will still be here when I finish? If not for my sake, then as a favor to my brother?”
    â€œOf course,” Robert said quickly, his shoulders drawn up. “I shall be here when you return, and I shall help you in any way I can.”
    Satisfied with that, she delayed only long enough to toss a half-triumphant, half-furious glare in James’s direction, then spun away to take her bath.
    James watched her go, then glanced at Webster. The butler promptly straightened, a staunch look coming to his face. “Annie was told not to let Lady Margaret out of her sight until she retired. Also, the dogs were released at night as you requested.”
    â€œThe dogs released?” Lord Mullin echoed in dismay.
    Ignoring him, James rubbed his hands through the back of his hair with frustration. “If Annie was sitting outside her door, Margaret must have climbed off the balcony.”
    â€œThe balcony?” Robert was goggling at the idea, but James continued to ignore him.
    â€œHave the dogs released after you arrange for herbath, Webster. And tell Annie not to let her out of her sight for a minute.”
    â€œYes, my lord. Shall I arrange a bath for you, as well?”
    The butler’s question drew James’s attention to the fact that a good deal of the mud originally on Lady Margaret had rubbed off on him. He grimaced, but shook his head. “Not right away; I need to talk to Lord Mullin first. We will be in the library. Send Lady Margaret there when she is ready.”
    Gesturing for his friend to follow, James led the way into the study, heading first for the sideboard and the liquor that waited there; he had little doubt that this was going to be at least a two-drink conversation. Fortunately, Robert followed him in silence, accepting the drink James poured and taking a seat to patiently await an explanation.
    James paced between the chair Robert had chosen and the fireplace, searching for a way to begin his exposition, but nothing came to mind. At last he paused, turned to face his friend, and blurted, “Gerald’s sister is Lady X.”
    The silence that followed was complete. Robert gaped at him and James waited, silently counting to twenty-three before the other man blurted, “ Lady X? ”
    He certainly understood his friend’s horrified disbelief, for he had felt much the same way when Johnstone had revealed the information to him. It was unbelievable. Gerald’s innocent little sister, a prostitute? If James were to be entirely honest, he hadn’t even believed the runner until he had actually captured Margaret leaving that room in the brothel in a mask—and then he’d had to see her without the mask to be fully convinced it was the right woman. The idea of Gerald’ssainted sister behaving so scandalously was untenable.
    And yet he had seen the proof with his own eyes. Lady Margaret Wentworth, the sister of their late friend, was none other than Lady X. He doubted Lord Mullin would believe him out of hand any more than he himself had believed Johnstone.
    â€œBut—”
    James raised a hand to interrupt his friend. “Let me explain before you start speaking your doubts—and I know you doubt me. I doubted this myself.” Much to his relief the other lord fell silent and took a drink. Tugging at his cravat, James settled into the seat across from Robert, his gaze moving to the cold hearth before them. He supposed he should light a fire, or at least call a servant to do so, but he was feeling too weary at the moment to be bothered. Besides, the servants would be busy preparing Margaret’s bath, not to mention preparing the evening meal. It was growing late in the day.
    â€œAs you know, Gerald’s last request was that I watch after his sister,” he finally began.
    Lord Mullin nodded solemnly. “I was there both when he saved your life and when he gasped those words.”
    â€œYes, well…as you remember, we were not