The Casanova Code Read Free Page A

Sarah exclaimed. “What would your family think?”
    “I can,” Edwina protested. By far this would be the most daring feat she’d ever attempted. Jim Hawkins from
Treasure Island
must have felt a similar twinge of anticipation before boarding that ship. The lure of adventure was just too tempting to resist. “My father is so involved with the Perkins case, he won’t know that I’m not about. My mother is barely home as it is with all her clubs and organizations. I could be Trewelyn’s shadow, and he won’t even know I’m there.” Given that she escaped his notice at the ball two years ago, she could state this last with an air of confidence.
    “What about your Mr. Thomas?” Faith asked. “Won’t he disapprove?”
    “I don’t know,” Edwina replied, defiance in her voice. But she did know. Walter would not approve of anything that involved risk or adventure. Handpicked by her father from among his employees to squire her around town, he thought of himself as her beau. And why not? She hadn’t a host of other men competing for her attention. If it weren’t for the fact that being in Walter’s company allowed her a certain measure of freedom, she would have ended their relationship. “I do know that Mr. Thomas has binoculars that he uses to watch birds. I’m certain he will let me borrow them.”
    Sarah’s skepticism showed in her eyes.
    “I’ll watch him from afar, Sarah. No harm will come of it.”
    “She could try,” Faith said. “What is there to lose?”
    “I don’t know, Edwina.” Sarah gave voice to her uncertainty. “I’m not certain this will work, and it could prove dangerous. Besides, your actions could anger Mr. Thomas. While you may not appreciate it now, a potential husband is nothing to gamble away. One never appreciates security until they have none.”
    Edwina took her hand. “If we save one woman from the fate of your sister, it would be worth the risk.” Admittedly she had her doubts that her secret observations would lead to such results, but if they did, London would most assuredly be a safer place. Still, reluctance registered in Sarah’s eyes. “I won’t do anything foolish, Sarah. I promise.”
    Edwina held her friend’s gaze until skepticism reluctantly turned to acceptance.
    “And if we’re successful, as I’m certain we will be,” Claire said, “we can do this for other questionable personal ads as well. We’ll protect innocent women.”
    “We’ll be the Rake Patrol,” Faith whispered.
    “The Rake Patrol,” Sarah said softly, testing the sound.
    Edwina lifted her teacup, inviting the others to do the same. “To the Rake Patrol.”
    The four carefully clinked their cups, then grinned as their pact was formed. After each took a dutiful sip of the cold tea, Edwina replaced her cup on the saucer. “Now, ladies, let us plan how this is to be done . . .”
    • • •
    T HE BASE OF HIS NECK TINGLED , A WARNING NOT FELT since his service with the fourth battalion of the King’s Rifles. Ashton looked about the stark environs of the
Mayfair Messenger
’s office. He suspected he was under unfriendly scrutiny, and by someone in addition to the woman clerk behind the wooden counter, who kept glancing his way when she thought he wouldn’t notice. He remembered her from when he’d initially placed the ad. Based on her reaction to his appearance then, one would have thought that he crawled unbathed from a sewer to place an advertisement in the newspaper. Under the circumstances, he decided to wait patiently for a well-attired young lady to conclude her business before he subjected himself again to the clerk’s overt disapproval. The
Mayfair Messenger
had become known for its personal ads, just as the
Pall Mall Gazette
was known for its coverage of social issues, or
The Illustrated London News
for its woodcuts. They each had their specialty, but Ashton had to admit, the
Messenger
’s niche appeared to be a lucrative one.
    The young woman turned away from