Page 81 of Her Scandalous Pursuit

Theo frowned at him. “We don’t ne—”

Desmond met his gaze levelly. “I’m the one who knows what he looks like.”

Theo’s scowl deepened, but Reed said lightly, “Don’t be an ass, Theo.”

“Oh, all right.”

“Wait a moment. You’re not going without me,” Thisbe said.

All three men swung to her. “No.”

She rolled her eyes. “This is my quest, and if you think you’re going to cut me out, you’d best think again.”

“You’re not going,” Theo said flatly.

“It’s too dangerous,” Reed added.

Desmond said mildly, “You’ll stick out like a lighthouse in that sort of place, Thisbe. Remember how it was at the university? Just think what attention you’d garner in a tavern of ruffians. It would ruin any chance of anyone talking to us.”

Thisbe set her jaw, glaring at Desmond for a moment, but then sighed, deflated. “I suppose you’re right.” She added crossly, “But you must promise to come back and tell me as soon as you find out anything.”

“Of course.”

“And be careful.” She looked at her brothers. “You, too. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“Why do you look at me when you say that?” Theo laughed. “You didn’t tell him not to be stupid.” He jerked his thumb toward Desmond.

“I don’t have to tell Desmond,” she retorted.

Theo and Reed left to put on their coats and order the carriage brought round, leaving Thisbe and Desmond alone. Thisbe put her hand on his arm. “You will take care, won’t you? Not do anything rash?”

“I promise.”

“And keep Theo and Reed safe?”

He raised his eyebrows. “I wouldn’t think they’d listen to me.”

“Maybe not. Theo is the kind who likes to run toward danger, not away. Reed is more practical, but he’ll do anything Theo does. He can’t resist the challenge. But they will listen to reason.” She smiled and knocked her knuckles lightly against her head. “You just have to get through that Moreland bullheadedness.”

“You’re not bullheaded.” Desmond moved closer. “You’re beautifully unafraid and passionate.”

Thisbe’s green eyes pulled him in. He wanted to kiss her again, even though it would be irredeemably foolish. The echo of footsteps in the hallway broke his trance, and Desmond released her hand, stepping away.

Thisbe followed the men into the hallway. “How are you planning to find this man? You have no idea who he is or what places he frequents.”

“True.” Reed grinned. “Fortunately, I know someone who will.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

DESMOND FOLLOWED THE other men out of the house and into the waiting carriage. In his opinion, their carriage would stick out as much as Thisbe would, but he said nothing. As long as Thisbe was safely uninvolved, it didn’t matter how little chance they had of succeeding. At least he was doing something, and there was the possibility, however slight, that they might come across Wallace’s man.

Theo took the seat across from Desmond, and Reed sat beside him—the better, Desmond supposed, to keep him under control, though he couldn’t imagine what they thought he might do.

“How did you do that?” Reed asked. He was the friendlier, or at least the less hostile, of Thisbe’s brothers.

“Do what?”

“Persuade Thisbe not to come with us.”