Page 40 of A Lady’s Dangerous Secret (Scandalous Secrets #1)

James sat in the corner booth of a pub in one of the shadier parts of London.

Jack Doherty sat across from him, dwarfing the seat with his hulking size.

James was a large, well-built man, but the only time he ever felt small was when he was around his best friend.

Even though the establishment was dimly lit, Jack’s fiery hair was unmistakable.

He kept it short because long hair could only be a vulnerability in a fight.

Jack’s whiskey-colored eyes glowed under the flickering light from the single sconce near their table.

“You’re not dressed like a toff,” Jack said.

James glared at him. His friend always knew the best way to rile him up. “I’m more comfortable dressed this way.”

“Thank you, Your Grace , for sparing a commoner like me a moment in your busy schedule.” Jack dramatically bowed from his seated position at the table. James shook his head. He knew Jack jested, but he also knew Jack’s contempt for the ton ran much deeper than his own.

“Since I have graced you with my presence, you’d best make it worth my time,” James retorted.

Jack’s face spread into a wide smile, and he took a gulp of his ale then slammed the mug on the table. “Glad I didn’t lose you!”

“You’re never going to lose me, even if you tried.”

Jack let out a hearty laugh. He leaned back and crossed his arms.

“I know you love to spend time with me, James, but there must be a reason we’re here.”

“There is, but before I start, what are you really doing in London? You didn’t mention this trip before I left Birmingham.”

“After you left, I got word that the owner of Roulette was in money trouble. You know I’ve been looking to expand into London.”

James nodded in acquiescence, despite suspecting there was more to Jack’s motives for coming to Town. “Who’s running everything in Birmingham? Your sister?” James took a sip of his ale and eyed Jack across the rim of the mug.

Jack let out a belch before answering. “You bet. I wouldn’t trust anyone but Helen.”

“She’s well?”

“Well as ever. She has a mouth on her though, even with your mam teaching us our letters and how to talk like toffs. She likes to do everything her own way.” Jack shrugged his shoulders and finished his ale.

He held out the mug to a passing barmaid with his left hand, his second finger visibly absent from a factory accident, and ordered another.

James had had an idyllic childhood compared to Jack, so that was saying something about what his friend had gone through. Helen was the only family Jack had left, and was not his sister by birth, but by circumstance. His friend would kill anyone who touched a hair on her head.

“Enough about what I’m doing here. Tell me what’s going on,” Jack said.

James took a bigger gulp of his drink, then gave Jack the abridged version of all that had happened since coming to London.

Once he was done, Jack eyed him warily. “Bloody hell, James. This is a mess.”

“I know. I don’t think even you could have gotten yourself into as much of a pickle as Charlotte has.”

Jack shook his head. “Maybe as a scamp, but now? Never. I know everything and everyone. She sounds like a tough chit, though.” Jack rapped the fingers of his right hand on the worn table. “Perfect to work for me.”

James narrowed his eyes at Jack. He knew Jack was taunting him again, but he could not suppress the anger that welled up inside him at the thought of Lottie being in danger once more. “You’re lucky we’re in public, so I don’t throttle you.”

Jack chuckled. “You haven’t been able to beat me since I was a scrawny whelp on the streets.”

“I may not be as big as you, but I’m wily and was in the Royal Navy too long to lose.”

Jack appeared amused. He opened and closed his monstrous fists. “Think what you want, you know I’m right. I could beat you with one hand tied behind my back, Jamesy boy,” Jack challenged.

Before James could offer a rebuttal, Jack continued, “Who’s behind these guys?”

“ Le Diable .”

Jack’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?” he said slowly.

“You know him?”

His friend’s face became serious for once. “He was my top competitor in the smuggling market.”

“You smuggled?” James asked.

“Don’t be daft. How else would I get brandy and silks out from underneath Napoleon’s nose?

I figured you would have caught wind of it eventually, but I guess I’m that good at what I do.

” Jack smirked. “You probably don’t know half of my other businesses.

Now that the war is over, I’ve had to look for other ways to make money. ”

James eyed his best friend, not believing he had been that oblivious to Jack’s other dealings. But then again, he may not have wanted to know what else he was doing. James had enough to worry about in his own life.

Jack continued, not noticing James’s dismay.

“You’re too good of a man, too honorable,” he said the last word with chagrin.

“Truthfully, I kept you in the dark because I didn’t want to have you feeling all righteous or guilty or whatever a good man would feel.

I, on the other hand, have no qualms with using underhanded means to get what I want,” Jack finished flippantly.

“What do you know of le Diable ?” James asked. He needed to get to the heart of the matter and help Lottie.

“I’ve never met the bastard, but he fights dirty. He also has something of mine, so I want to take him down.” Jack’s tone became spiteful. “Attacking a lady is just what le Diable would do.”

James ran his hand through his hair. “Charlotte is confined to her aunt’s home while she’s healing, but she should be well soon.

I’m scared for her to leave the house. I have it surrounded night and day with guards.

” Although fear for Lottie’s safety still gripped James, he felt the slightest sense of relief at being able to confide in his friend.

Jack looked at James resolutely. “Leave it up to me. Give me some time and she’ll be able to leave the house without anyone touching her.”

“How?”

“The less you know the better.” Jack signaled to the barmaid, and she brought over another mug of ale. The two men sat in silence, sipping their drinks, each alone in his thoughts.