The Reluctant Reformer by Lynsay Sands Page B

smuggled her out of Dubarry’s, got her in my carriage, and brought her here. Unfortunately, they convened the House of Lords this morning, so I had to turn around and head right back to London. I left Margaret here while I did. I headed back again directly after.”
    â€œNo wonder you look exhausted,” his friend commented.
    â€œYes.”
    They were both quiet for a moment; then Robert asked, “Did you hire someone to guard her?”
    James shook his head. “I didn’t think it was necessary. I told the staff that no one was to aid her in leaving, and that I would return as soon as possible. I ordered Webster to have Annie stick with Margaret all day, not to let her out of her sight until she retired. And I assumed the dogs loosed at night would discourage her from trying anything then. I even wrote her a note explaining that no one would abet her escape, and that we would discuss alternate career choices when I returned. I thought such a note would assure her she would not be harmed. I never imagined for a moment that she would still run.”
    â€œNo. Most ladies would simply have awaited your return,” Robert sympathized. Then he added, “Of course, most women in her situation would never have taken up the career she did.”
    Ramsey frowned. “You sound almost admiring.”
    â€œWell…” The fellow shrugged and smiled slightly. “I guess I do admire her a bit. You have to give her credit for at least attempting to take care of matters rather than sit about and cry.”
    James was scandalized. “Taking up as Lady X ishardly an honorable way of ‘taking care of matters,’ he snapped. He scowled at the other man for even suggesting the thought, but Lord Mullin merely shrugged.
    â€œWell, it is better than the poorhouse perhaps. Anyway, what was she supposed to do—marry? Most marriages these days are a form of prostitution, anyway. At least she is honest about it.” Robert laughed.
    Though James shook his head at his friend’s argument, he had to admit he’d indulged a thought or two along those lines himself. Certainly every mistress he’d ever had had been like a wife: he’d paid for her home, her clothes, her entertainment, and her servants—at least for as long as they’d been involved. He supposed the only difference was that his mistresses were short-term. Of course, Lady X’s customers did not bother with manors or servants; they had only to hand over cold, hard coin for services rendered.
    He didn’t admit any of this to Robert, though. He would never allude to anything but dismay at her profession. This was Gerald Wentworth’s sister, after all!
    â€œSo? What do you plan to do with her?”
    James glanced up at that question and grimaced. He had been pondering little else since smuggling her out of the brothel. What was he to do with her? His promise to her brother would not allow him simply to let her go about her business as a notorious demimondaine. At the very least he had to offer her options, to attempt to talk Margaret into giving up this life of shattered morals. But how?
    He was saved from admitting his bafflement by the crash of the study door slamming open and banging against the wall. Both men glanced with startled surprise at the woman now standing in the doorway glaring atthem. She was a sight to behold. Bathed, powdered, and dressed in a fresh gown that almost fit, her fiery eyes snapped from James to Lord Mullin and settled on the latter with relief. She promptly pushed away from the door and rushed to Robert as he stood.
    â€œThank God you are still here, my lord! I was so afraid that you might leave.”
    â€œOf course I am still here,” Lord Mullin assured her, looking terribly uncomfortable as he did. “I said I would wait.”
    â€œYes, you did.” She beamed at him, then clasped his hands. “I wish to leave. Surely you will see me rid of this