Read Online The Importance of Being Wicked by Miranda Neville - Free Book Online Page B

“Castleton, we must leave. The management has summoned the watch.”
    Distracted for a moment, he lowered his guard but was saved by a new ally, a tall, slim, black-haired figure. “Get Caro away,” Denford shouted, planting a right-handed punch squarely on Beefy’s jaw.
    â€œThe striped fellow is mine,” Thomas yelled back.
    Denford ignored him and landed a vicious left in Stripes’s stomach. “Get out. I’ll hold off the watch while you and Caro escape.”
    A glimmer of sanity tempered his frenzy, and it occurred to him that, as the man who’d started the fight, however righteous the cause, he might be taken up by the law. And though he could doubtless argue or buy his way out of trouble, it would be, to say the least, embarrassing to have to do so. Not to mention how the episode would look when it was known he had a lady with him. Caro Townsend tugged at his shoulder. His sense of propriety returning, he firmly placed her hand on his arm and drew her close for protection. For her sake, even more than his, he prayed the fight would be regarded as all in a night’s work at a public masquerade and not draw the attention of Grub Street. Mrs. Townsend’s involvement in a scandal would affect her cousin.
    Her cousin.
    Thomas’s heart sank. He stopped abruptly, jerking Caro to stand with him. He’d never even given a thought to the fact that he’d left Miss Brotherton all alone when he’d thrown himself into the melee. He craned his neck to the spot under the gallery where he’d abandoned the heiress. No sign.
    â€œYour cousin. We must find her.”
    Denford noticed his hesitation. “Go!” he urged.
    â€œI must find Miss Brotherton.” He hated having to shout out her name in this company, but the noise was too loud for discreet communication.
    â€œBream has her,” the other duke yelled back. “They’ll meet us in the street.”
    Thomas still wavered. “Should we help Denford?” he asked Caro.
    She grinned up at him, eyes sparkling. Her white gown was a little creased, but otherwise she appeared unharmed. “Julian can look after himself. He’s been in far worse fixes than this.”
    Thomas could well believe it. “Very well. Let’s go.”
    He thrust his way through a teeming mob, with her clinging to his arm and positively skipping along beside him. “You were absolutely splendid! I wouldn’t have guessed you for a warrior.”
    His chest swelled with pride, struggling with the distressing knowledge that public brawling was no suitable activity for a gentleman, or a lady. Propriety won when he thought of Miss Brotherton.
    â€œLet’s hurry. I don’t have much faith in Bream’s powers of protection.”
    â€œShe’ll be fine. I expect Cynthia is with them too.”
    â€œLady Windermere?”
    â€œShe came with Julian.”
    A married woman, attending such an affair with a man of Denford’s reputation! Thomas’s exhilaration faded speedily, and he was left to coldly face the absolute proof that his hoped-for bride had fallen into most undesirable company.
    â€œI hope, Mrs. Townsend, that this unseemly brawl makes you regret your rash behavior in coming to this place.” They had reached the relative calm of the street.
    She pulled away and faced him, folding her arms in front of her. “That is too much!” Her enchanting face displayed a blend of amusement and annoyance. “Who started the unseemly brawl? Not I! I didn’t hit Sir Bernard Horner.”
    â€œIf you mean the fellow in the striped coat, he was pawing you in the most disgusting fashion. I came to the rescue of a lady.”
    â€œI can take care of myself.”
    â€œYou appeared in distress. Not surprising for a lady alone in such a place.”
    â€œSo it’s my fault?” Amusement had fled, leaving nothing but outrage. “I’d appreciate your keeping