If You Give a Rake a Ruby Read Online Free PDF Page B

breath. “Took you…” She gasped in another breath. “So long?”
    â€œIt didn’t appear that you needed my assistance. Someone has taught you how to defend yourself.”
    She glared at him. “And here I thought… you knew everything about me.”
    So had he. But she’d managed to surprise him—surprise and impress him—and that was not easily done.
    â€œWhat the devil is going on?” one of the men demanded, crawling to his hands and knees. Blood poured from a gash above his nose. “That little bitch cut me.”
    â€œYou’re lucky that’s all that happened.” Warrick set Fallon down and pushed her behind him. “Now get out of here before I have you charged for attacking a lady.”
    â€œAnd who the hell are you?” the other man asked. He was in considerably better condition.
    Warrick disliked questions. He disliked answering them even more. He reached in his pocket and pulled out his pistol. He leveled the weapon at the men. “Any further questions?”
    The men scrambled to their feet and backed away. When they were in the doorway, Warrick closed it, bolted the lock, and turned to Fallon. “Good of you to come.” He checked his pocket watch. “You’re late.”
    â€œI was detained,” she said, her eyebrows coming together.
    â€œExcuses, excuses.” He lifted the lamp he’d hung on a nail next to the door and began to make his way back into the club proper. He scanned what appeared to be a parlor or study. Bow Street had been here. He could see their handiwork everywhere—overturned tables, drawers standing open, papers scattered on the floors. They were clumsy and overlooked more than they found.
    â€œIf you had that pistol with you, why didn’t you threaten those men with it to begin with?”
    He turned to see Fallon standing in the parlor’s doorway. Warrick shrugged. “You seemed to have matters well in hand.”
    She shook her head. “That is no way to treat a lady.”
    â€œThat’s because most ladies are skittish ninnies who faint if a man utters the word damn in their presence. You should hope I don’t treat you like a lady. I have no use for ladies.” He turned back to the room and began conducting his own far more delicate search. He didn’t know what he was looking for—something to do with the Diamonds in the Rough. Something to give him insight into Lucifer.
    But, of course, that’s why Fallon was here.
    He glanced at her and saw she was shaking her head. “ This sentiment on the topic of ladies comes from the son of Lord and Lady Winthorpe?”
    He turned back to the task at hand, lifting a stack of papers and flipping through them. “I take it you know my mother.”
    â€œI know of your mother. She’s one of the most persistent, scheming, marriage-minded mamas I have ever encountered. I apologize if that offends you.”
    He righted an overturned desk. “Why would it offend me? If you ever do meet her, tell her those words exactly. She’ll be flattered.”
    â€œI seriously doubt it.”
    He glanced at her. “You shouldn’t doubt me. After all, it takes a man with considerable convictions and impressive fortitude to resist the manipulations of a mother like mine. I tell you truly, I don’t care for ladies.” He rolled onto his back and peered under the desk he’d set on its feet.
    â€œWhat are you doing?”
    â€œShine the lamp so I can see.” Though her steps were light, he heard her cross the room. A moment later, the lamp’s light illuminated the bottom of the desk. “Nothing,” he muttered.
    â€œDid you expect to find the diamonds? He won’t have them here.”
    He stilled, willing her to go on. He could ask her about her association with Lucifer directly, but he knew she would not be forthcoming. Information she volunteered on her own was worth