The Wicked Widow Meets Her Match A Regency Rogues Novel Read Online Free PDF

laid open feelings that were still raw—and made Langdon further aware of the subtle, sneaking changes in himself. A rumpled appearance was out of character for him, but it was easily remedied. What Carmichael hinted at—that Langdon’s ability to do his job may have been compromised? That would be the end of him.
    “There is no denying that the two are in love,” Carmichael finished for him.
    “This conversation is not necessary,” Langdon assured his superior, tugging at his too-tight cravat one more time. “It is work that will set me right. I am sure of it.”
    Carmichael methodically twisted the gold signet ring on his left hand. “You are rattled—and rightly so. Any man in your position would be. But you are a Corinthian and this case is important to many people.”
    Langdon’s fingers tightened around his glass. “It is all I have left, Carmichael,” he answered with brutal truthfulness. He flicked a quick glance around theroom, relieved when no one appeared to be paying any attention to their quiet conversation. “You cannot assign me elsewhere. Lady Afton’s murderer has always been mine to find. Even though Sophia married Nicholas, not me, that has not changed.”
    Carmichael studied Langdon, his gaze somber as he clearly considered his words. “And if, for whatever reason, you are unable to continue with the investigation,” he asked, “I have your word you will willingly give the case over to another agent?”
    “You have my word.”
    Langdon was not lying. But he knew in his bones he would be the one to solve the case—or die in the attempt.
    “Very well,” Carmichael replied, releasing the ring. “Tell me exactly what Topper revealed.”
    Langdon mentally lowered his hackles and cleared his throat. “According to Topper, the Kingsmen are nervous. The Bishop’s capture forced the gang to realize they are vulnerable. So they’ve sent a message to all who would consider betraying them by eliminating a key advisor to the King. Oddly enough, the man is not anyone we are familiar with, nor is he a highranking member of the gang. He is a doctor.”
    “A doctor?” Carmichael asked, puzzled.
    “Yes, one Robert Crowther. Apparently a distant relative to someone within the peerage.”
    “And husband to Lady Grace Audley,” Carmichael added, disapproval coloring his tone and pinching his features.
    “Audley?” Langdon repeated, letting the name linger on his tongue as he waited for some spark of recognition. “Yes, now I remember. Lord Danvers’schild, correct? I remember hearing rumors about the wastrel gambling his daughter away in a game of cards while I was on the Continent. Are you telling me Crowther was the very man Danvers wagered?”
    Carmichael nodded. “I am. The shame and sorrow killed her mother. And Lord Danvers perished in a riding accident no more than six months after. No one within the ton has seen nor heard from Lady Grace since.”
    “Something we have in common with the London underbelly, apparently,” Langdon replied, searching his mind for a mental image of Lady Grace but drawing a blank. “According to Topper, Lady Grace vanished from Crowther’s house at the time of the doctor’s death. The Kingsmen are intent on finding her.”
    “Then we must find her first,” Carmichael said with deadly certainty.
    “Precisely.”

Langdon reclined back onto the silk-draped bed and rested against the massive mahogany headboard. Waiting for Serena to appear was always interesting and this visit promised to be no exception. Madame Frie’s girls attracted men from all over the city of London, the brothel infamous for catering to the most exotic of tastes. The sounds that seeped through the walls were often recognizable grunts of pleasure and ecstasy. And then there were times when Langdon could not figure out just what sort of act could produce the noises he’d heard.
    Presently, a gong featured prominently in Natasha’s room next door. An Asian motif, perhaps?
    The