She never stopped asking. “Not tonight, ma’am. I’m looking for a quiet game of cards somewhere the ambitious mamas can’t get at me.”
She guffawed, her laugh echoing around the entrance hall. “They won’t come ’ere, sir.”
She was in her best London madam mood tonight. Later, she’d come over the schoolma’am. That was one of her talents; she became whatever the occasion called for. “Ever trod the boards, Mrs. D?”
“That’d be tellin’” she said with a mighty nudge and a wink as subtle as a sledgehammer. “My girls are clean, you know that. All in fun.”
“You hardly need me to crowd out your room, do you?”
“Right enough. Meeting anyone tonight? There’s a fair few gentlemen here you’ll know.”
“There always are. I’ll take my chances.” Although, he knew Dankworth planned to come to the house tonight. A mutual friend had arranged to meet him here, a friend who wouldn’t be turning up. He’d merely done Alex a favor.
Julius had wanted to come as a witness but Alex remained adamant that he wouldn’t allow Julius a part in his decidedly risky scheme. He didn’t want anyone else involved. He saw tonight as a duel. One that didn’t need seconds.
As he stood poised to climb the stairs, Dankworth entered the house. Instead of turning away, Alex confronted him. Right there, under the madam’s jaundiced eyes. “Good evening,” he offered.
Dankworth stared at him, pale blue eyes startled then he nodded. “Evening.”
Alex could act when the occasion demanded it and now he put his best skills to use. “I must tell you that something I attributed to your offices has been discovered to be the act of someone else. My apologies.”
Dankworth found his voice after a few seconds of pregnant silence. “You have?” He frowned, puzzled as well he might be because Alex hardly understood himself. However, he had the man under his gaze and he’d watch every twitch.
He addressed Mrs. Dawkins. “Have they found a new tenant for next door yet?”
“No and not likely to, the state they left that ’ouse in. I’m tempted to take it on myself but not at the price the landlord wants. I could knock through and make this house a bit bigger. But I want cheaper than he’s arsking. And I want a lease, not rent.”
Alex thought he could help there but he wasn’t sure he wanted his name associated with the house. He’d look into it. In order to become independent of his father and the estate he was to inherit one day, he’d made a number of shrewd investments and was, as a result, well known in the City. And wealthy in his own right.
He addressed Dankworth again, forcing himself to affability. “I wanted to say that the slights I assumed you inflicted are, in fact, better placed at another’s door.” This had to be the best acting he’d ever done.
Alex offered his hand and Dankworth shook it, after a moment’s hesitation. “It was an easy mistake to make,” Dankworth said.
Alex let his anger evaporate for now, retaining his expression of lazy insouciance with an effort. “An understandable mistake, especially since we had a mutual interest. But it seems you don’t want her, either.”
Dankworth picked up on that quickly. “Either?”
Alex shrugged. “The world knows how fickle I am. I found the lady not as irresistible as I’d thought.”
Dankworth didn’t hide his surprise. His eyebrows rose and a slight smile quirked his lips. “The last time I saw you, you attended her with great care.”
“That was yesterday.” He kept Dankworth’s gaze and then clapped him on the shoulder. “Did you come for the academy, or do you have time for a friendly game of piquet first and perhaps a bottle or two?”
Dankworth was no fool but this turn of events had to make him wonder. Alex wasn’t unaware of his own worth and standing. If Dankworth made an ally of him, he could probably cozen a few more creditors into letting him punt on tick.
He gave a gracious nod. “Very well.”
Alex had won the first round, even if Dankworth wasn’t aware of it yet.
Alex led the way upstairs and took care to select a small table by the windows where few people would pass. He ordered a bottle of the house’s best red, which was to say, a moderate wine rebottled to look better. Mother Dawkins was too canny to use really cheap wine and her discerning clients didn’t mention her little subterfuge, which probably earned her a few hundred every year.
A woman had to make a living. One day she’d go too far with someone who cared enough to do something about it. Until then, she remained queen of Covent Garden.
They sat and a waiter brought them two sealed packs of cards and their wine. Alex allowed Dankworth to break the packs open and shuffle them. It wouldn’t make any difference to the outcome. He poured the wine and while seeming not to watch, kept a close eye on Dankworth’s actions.
Dankworth separated the packs, because in piquet they only wanted the higher cards. Then he dumped the rest on the floor instead of putting them aside. A prince of courtesy.
Alex lounged back and watched Dankworth deal. “Have you received your invitation for the Kirkburton ball?”
Dankworth smirked. “They can hardly leave me out. I’m the Downholland heir. I may get the title, you know. They’re petitioning Parliament to allow a new creation when his lordship dies.”
Alex wasn’t supposed to know about the details in the contract. He feigned surprise. “So you may have that without the lady?”
“I can have a sweeter prize.” Dankworth gave him a knowing leer that made Alex shudder for Louisa Stobart. It passed Alex’s understanding how Jasper Dankworth could reject the gorgeous Connie Rattigan in favor of the rapacious Louisa Stobart. He’d take Connie with nothing.
With steady hands, Alex picked up his cards and fanned them out. He selected two to discard and took two from the talon, the pack in the center of the table. They played the first hand at a desultory pace, as if they had all the time in the world but they were gauging each other’s capabilities, as good card players do.
Alex played in a casual way but used enough concentration to win that hand, because the person who had first choice of the talon generally won and to lose at this stage might look suspicious. He gave Dankworth an easy smile. “We are getting through the wine rather quickly. Another?”
Dankworth nodded his acceptance. Alex signaled the waiter who brought a fresh bottle promptly. Since Dankworth didn’t offer, he paid for it, as he had for the first one. He preferred not to keep a tally tonight. He’d leave as soon as he’d finished his work.
Alex let his opponent win the first rubber. Dankworth won a hundred guineas, give or take a couple. The money should go to his tailor but it wouldn’t, because Alex intended to have it back from him before the night ended. He won the next one and made sure he won less than Dankworth.
And he drank. Alex had chosen wine because he had a good tolerance for it and he’d heard that Dankworth did not. In fact, two things he could do better than his cousin were drink and play cards, although Julius was reasonably proficient at both.
While the occasional beau strolled over to exchange the time of day and several men glanced curiously in their direction, they couldn’t deal anyone in. Which was just as well. Alex would have his work cut out explaining to his usual circle why he decided to play cards with a man like Jasper Dankworth. And cheat flagrantly.
When the rubber ended, they celebrated with a glass of wine and Dankworth became visibly more relaxed. He loosened his cravat and tucked his lace ruffles away up the sleeves of his coat.
Alex didn’t bother. The only things he’d removed were his sword and his hat at the door.
“You’re not pursuing Mrs. Rattigan any more, then?”
Bad show to name a lady in a place like this. Alex responded with a raised brow and a glance at his newly dealt hand. “Her virtue grew tedious. I prefer a widow who finally gives in. She gave every sign of doing so and then failed me. Will you take her back?” Over his dead body and that wasn’t likely to happen before
he had Dankworth dead at his feet.
Dankworth sniggered.
Fascinated, Alex observed the man’s nose quivering in mirth. A rare sight and one he’d take care to recount to selected company in the near future, if they hadn’t noticed it themselves already.
“Take her back? Not if she begged me but I intend to keep her dangling a while longer, just to teach her a lesson. She has little fortune to speak of and she’s an unappealing piece, compared with the little morsel I have under my care at present.”
Inwardly, Alex breathed a sigh of relief. Connie was safe, as long as Dankworth had the other girl on a string. “You know my father wanted me to court her?” He glanced up, smiled tightly. “She’s a charming girl, but not for me.”
In a few years, the empty-headed Louisa Stobart might have learned enough to make a man a tolerable wife. Not him, but it was only fair to give her those years.
“A tempting wench, you must admit. I’m surprised you didn’t take her while she was willing. Took her into a private room, I heard.”
Alex wanted to hit him. He had no love for Miss Stobart but disliked hearing the woman discussed as if she was meat. One day, he promised himself. His time would come. Now, if he didn’t play Dankworth’s game, he’d lose the bigger stake.
Alex played a card, retaining commendable control over his temper. “With a society woman, that’s playing with fire. She is nominally pure, not a widow, so out of consideration. Whoever you are, if you upset enough members of society, you’re finished.”
“Society isn’t the center of the universe.”
You are about to find out how much it means to you, my bully. “It’s the center of our world. You’d be surprised how many doors will close if society decides to turn its collective back on you. Not that it happens very often. After all, society isn’t a homogenous whole but a collection of people. However, the highest and most exclusive part is a little more connected.” He took the hand and gathered the cards to deal again. That was such a gentle threat he doubted Dankworth understood. Hoped not, because he probably shouldn’t have said so much.
His father had influential relatives and his mother, God rest her soul, was one of five daughters to a duke and the sister of the present duke. Alex’s tentacles spread wide. Take a few more families like the Cavendishes, Howards, and Lennoxes, remember that they were all twined in with each other and society went deep. Lose the approval of one and it might go very hard.
Dankworth took a noisy slurp of his wine and reached for the bottle.
Alex declined a refill but his opponent took one. Dankworth was unwinding. Alex told a few off-color jokes and Dankworth laughed uproariously, gaining a few glances from the others present in the far from quiet room.
The revelry in the main saloon was gaining in volume, which meant the academy must be in full swing. “You’re very wise not to go in there yet. Do you plan to visit later?”
“I’m told it’s one of the imperatives for a man visiting the city. But I don’t want to appear too keen. In any case, I prefer the later events in the proceedings of these places.”
He signaled the waiter for another bottle. Surprisingly, he’d only taken one glass from the last one. It was one glass more than he wanted in this company but it gave Dankworth a good head start. Alex might be able to conclude this earlier than he’d imagined. “You arrived at Mrs. Cratchitt’s house in time for the whole of the auction.”
“Capital fun. That’s more in my line, truthfully. I prefer a little—danger with my females.” He tutted. “No, that’s not the right word.” He glanced up and smiled brightly. “You know what I mean, though, don’t you? If the girls in the salon were truly as young as they pretend to be, I might find some sport in that.”
Sport in tearing young bodies, hurting them, frightening them? Alex thought not. He preferred his pleasures consensual and between adults. He couldn’t live in London without knowing such practices went on but they didn’t appeal to him or anyone he called friend. He avoided them, or combated them when he had the power to do so. After taking a sip of wine he dabbed the corner of his mouth with his handkerchief. Kept it in his hand, in the fashionable mode, to flourish. Although not many of the fashionable ones held a couple of aces. “You plan to return to the country after your marriage? How will you pursue your pleasures then?”
“York and the other larger cities have their own places.” Dankworth glanced up, in the process of dealing. “But I see no reason to molder in the distant north. I like London life. My intended bride does, too.”
Next to him, Alex felt as spotless as an angel. He let Dankworth win the rubber, exclaiming at his bad luck. Five hundred pounds this time. He yawned, delicately hiding his open mouth with his handkerchief. “Shall we add a little spice? How do you feel about doubled points?”
Dankworth shrugged carelessly. “If you wish.”
Now the game really began. Although he didn’t change his position, or his demeanor Alex played in earnest now.
The luck turned, or appeared to. Alex put his skills to work. Tired of conversation, tired of the company, he worked fast and skilfully, using every dirty trick he knew. Dealing from the bottom of the deck, bad shuffles, playing faster to give Dankworth little time to consider his play and he palmed several cards that weren’t to his liking, adding them to the discards on the floor. He wanted a bath to wash away the memory of this venture. But he needed to do this to keep Connie safe. Needed to drive the man into such a deep hole of debt that he would be forced into action.
The points were moving faster and Dankworth’s debt was steadily increasing.
Alex won the next rubber. And lost the next, leaving him evens. As the wine went down, the stakes went up. Alex had him.
At Dankworth’s insistence, they broke out two new packs of cards.
It wouldn’t make any difference. Alex could have told him that.
With the optimism of the compulsive gambler Dankworth raised the stakes again.
It was still relatively early in the evening when Alex decided he’d done enough. Unlike his opponent, he’d kept tally throughout. He’d been the scorer for the game but his own personal arithmetic left him well informed from point to point. Too wise to win anything substantial too early, he’d dangled the temptation of winning before the man, running it close a few times but he never let him win too much. Just enough to bait the hook. He yawned once more. “Don’t know what I’m feeling tonight. Too many nights burning the candle at both ends and that’s a fact. Well, old man, it was good to bury the hatchet. Very decent of you not to take umbrage. We’ll put the events of the house next door behind us. Unless the lady involved has to give evidence, that is.” He wanted to see Dankworth turn pale but unfortunately, the man was too far gone. He waved a careless hand. “You think she will?”
Dankworth shrugged. “What do you care? You’ve had your sport. I imagine she’ll return to the wilds. I couldn’t bear living in the back of beyond forever. Never could. I always looked for a way out and the visit to the Downhollands and meeting dear sweet Louisa provided the opening I needed.” He glanced at the sheet of paper on which Alex was keeping tally of the points. “How much do I owe you?” The muscles in the man’s face had hardened, the lines by the side of his mouth deepened.
“Let’s see, shall we?” Just because he wanted to prolong the torture, Alex took his time adding up, failing to remember his figures once or twice, forcing himself to start again.
Dankworth’s fingers clenched around the stem of his wineglass and fine lines tightened his mouth.
Alex enjoyed watching the increasing tension in the figure opposite him as he realized the enormity of the sums involved. Playing piquet involved putting a few pennies, or shillings, on each point but with thousands of points every game, it was easy to let the overall score slip.
At least, Dankworth had found it easy.
He tossed down the tally. “It appears you owe me twenty thousand, one hundred and sixty pounds—no, guineas.” He glanced up with
a bright smile, feigning lighthearted pleasure, covering his deep satisfaction with the result for entirely different reasons to those Dankworth might suppose. Connie was safe. “Rather more than I thought.”
Dankworth swallowed and his eyes glazed. “Obviously I don’t carry that amount around with me. But I will visit my bank tomorrow.”
Alex should perhaps have stopped at ten thousand but it was too late now. His temper had driven him to it. “Call it twenty thousand. I never handle small change. Do take your time. Would next week suit you?” That would give him time to bolt, or to flush his powerful relative out of the bush and into full view. Bolting would prove enough for Alex, but Julius was after richer game, and Alex would gladly leave Northwich to his cousin’s tender mercies.
“Perfectly.”
If Alex was any judge, Dankworth would either urge Miss Stobart to marry him immediately, which her mother would never allow, because she wanted the ball and the gown and everything else, or he’d try to win the money back, either at White’s or at the hells he’d taken to frequenting.
Alex would grind this man under his heel. He wanted him gone for good.
Chapter 17
Connie hadn’t realized one prospective ball would make her so nervous but a lot lay at stake here. The Downhollands had taken her with them on various visits, she’d accompanied Helena to balls, literary salons and the shops and few people cut her these days. She had won. Nobody cut her any more.
The only time she’d seen Alex recently was in public. He’d made a point of seeking her out, dancing with her or conversing, escorting her generally but more intimate opportunities had, it seemed, gone. She longed to talk to him, really talk as they had in the library at Dankworth Park, touch him. He meant more to her than he should but she was long past denying it now.
Jasper often accompanied his newest fiancée and her mother but they never approached Julius, Helena and their set. “London has gone to Dankworth’s head,” Helena remarked on one occasion, when they were walking in the park, Caroline pattering by her father’s side, her hand firmly in his. “I’ve seen it happen before. People come to town and go mad.”
Rogue in Red Velvet Page 20
