The Robber Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

stood from the table. “I do hope you will forgive me, Culver. I’ve an early start tomorrow.”
    “Careful on your way home, my good man,” the duke advised.
    Fin nodded and thanked the man for his hospitality before escaping the smoke-filled room. He’d never taken much interest in cigars, so sitting in a room filled with their smoke was not terribly enjoyable for him. He was halfway down the hall when Tom called after him.
    “Didn’t want to hear more about Lord Culver’s robbery?” Fin asked as his friend approached.
    “God, no. How much of it do you think is truth?”
    “Probably not nearly as much as he might wish. He does love playing the hero, does he not?”
    “Your carriage, milord.” The footman at the door stood aside to allow him onto the sidewalk.
    “I’ll see you tomorrow, Tom,” Fin called back. “And don’t forget to collect your sister before you leave!

Five
     
    “Was that Fin?” Victoria asked as she slipped out of the drawing room into the foyer. “Leaving so soon?”
    “Yes, and so are we,” Tom told her as he accepted his hat and cane from the maid.
    “All right.” That suited Victoria just fine. Lady Beecham had left only minutes ago. Thankfully, the ride home would be quick, and then she would turn around and be on the road again in minutes. Plenty of time to catch up to Lady Beecham’s carriage.
    “Did you see Lady Beecham leave?” Tom asked once they were in motion.
    She wondered why he was asking after that woman, but he was a man after all. They didn’t often see much beyond a pretty face and a willing bed partner. There was that sick feeling again. She really had to stop thinking of her brother as having bed partners.
    “Only shortly before we did,” she replied. “Why do you ask?”
    “No reason.”
    Right. No reason at all.
    Gil pulled the carriage up in the drive and Victoria alighted with her brother. They entered the house and parted ways, headed for their own rooms. But as soon as the latch to his bedroom door clicked, she scurried along the hallway and down the back staircase. Gil was waiting in the alley behind their home, so she didn’t have far to go to climb aboard. And then they were off to find Lady Beecham’s carriage.
    It didn’t take long. Though the carriage bore no emblem, it was most certainly hers. Victoria was sure the woman had insisted her personal transportation be unmarked—that way she could enjoy her affairs with discretion.
    Victoria slipped out of her own unmarked carriage and stalked quietly to the conveyance holding her prey. Wouldn’t Lady Beecham be surprised this evening, to have her precious jewels taken from her? Well, maybe. She clearly had enough to wear a different necklace every day for a year. Victoria doubted she would really miss the ruby ensemble dangling from her neck and wrists tonight. But knowing Lady Beecham as she did, she would probably claim they were her favorites and lament them for years to come, just to have something to complain about.
    She waited until she was sure Gil had taken care of the coachman and then sidled up to Lady Beecham’s carriage. Only she was shocked to hear that the woman was not alone. A man’s voice reached her ears, muffled and impossible to make out.
    Blast! She hadn’t seen anyone else slip into the carriage. When had it happened? Well, it didn’t matter now. She was already here and she had a job to do. Victoria wasn’t about to let down the poor, ailing people at the hospital, so she would just have to handle both Lady Beecham and her mystery gentleman. No doubt it was some dandy who spent his time sitting in the window at Brooks’s . He would be no match for her.
    Now, if it were a man like Finny—a man who spent much of his time at the boxing club—she might have a bit more difficulty. Chances were the man was unarmed, though, and he’d be foolish to challenge a highwayman with a gun.
    Despite the fact she’d thoroughly talked herself into believing she had the