Quick, Amanda Read Free

Nellie is in grave danger. I insist that you help me
    locate her."
    "Why should 1 bother to help you track down your runaway maid, Mrs. Deveridge? I'm sure you can
    acquire another readily enough."
    "Nellie did not run away. I told you, she was kidnapped by villains. Her friend Alice saw it all."
    "Alice?"
    "The pair went to see the newest attractions at the Pavilions this evening. When they left the gardens by
    the west gate, two men snatched Nellie. They bundled her into a carriage and drove off before anyone
    realized what had happened."
    "I think it far more probable that your Nellie ran off with a young man," Artemas said bluntly. "And her
    friend concocted the kidnapping story so that if Nellie changes her mind, you'll allow her to return to her
    post."
    "Rubbish. Nellie was seized straight off the street."
    Belatedly he reminded himself that the Wicked Widow was reputed to be mad. "Why would anyone
    kidnap your maid?" he asked, reasonably enough, he thought, under the circumstances.
    "I fear she was taken away by some of those vile men who supply innocent young women to the
    brothels." Madeline picked up a black parasol. "Enough of these explanations. We have not a moment to
    lose."
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    Artemas wondered if she intended to use the point of the parasol to prod him into action. He was
    relieved when she grasped the handle and rapped the tip smartly on the roof of the carriage. The
    coachman had obviously been listening intently for the signal. The vehicle rumbled immediately into
    motion.
    "What the devil do you think you're doing?" Artemas said. "Has it occurred to you that I might object to
    being kidnapped myself?"
    "I do not particularly care about your objections, sir." Madeline settled back into her seat. Her eyes
    glittered through the lace veil. "Finding Nellie is the only thing that matters at the moment. I shall apologize
    to you later, if necessary."
    "I'll look forward to that. Where are we going?"
    "Back to the scene of the kidnapping. The west gate of your pleasure garden, sir."
    Artemas narrowed his eyes. She did not sound mad. She sounded extremely determined. "What,
    precisely, do you expect me to do, Mrs. Deveridge?"
    "You own the Dream Pavilions. And you are Vanza. Between the two, I suspect that you have
    connections in places I do not."
    He considered her for a long while. "Are you implying that I am acquainted with members of the criminal
    class, madam? "
    "I would not presume to guess the extent, let alone the nature, of your web of associates."
    The scorn in her voice was particularly interesting, coming as it did on top of her unsettling knowledge
    concerning his very private business affairs. One thing was certain: He could not get out of the carriage
    and walk away at this juncture. Her knowledge of his ownership of the Pavilions was, on its own, more
    than enough to wreak havoc with his carefully laid plans.
    He was no longer amused by his own curiosity and anticipation. It was imperative that he discover not
    only how much Madeline Deveridge knew, but how she had come to learn such carefully concealed
    facts.
    He lounged in the corner of the black velvet seat and studied her veiled features.
    "Very well, Mrs. Deveridge," he said. "I will do what I can to help you recover your missing maid. But
    do not blame me if it transpires that young Nellie does not wish to be found."
    She reached out to lift a corner of the window curtain and peered into the fogbound street. "I assure
    you, she will want to be rescued."
    His attention was caught and briefly held by the graceful, gloved hand that grasped the edge of the
    curtain. He was unwillingly fascinated by the delicate curve of wrist and palm. He caught the faint,
    tantalizing scent of some flowery herbs she must have used in her bathwater. With an effort he brought his
    attention back to the more pressing issue.
    "Regardless of how this matter is concluded, madam, I had