Page 28 of A Marriage for the Marquess (Barrington’s Brigade #1)
“T hat is a compliment coming from you. Others just call me stubborn.” Juliet’s gaze was unwavering as she faced Duncan in the dim light. “I must go to The Gilded Lily.” The playfulness was gone from her voice.
“Absolutely not.” Duncan countered his Scottish temper flaring. “A gambling den is no place for a lady.”
“That’s not what Lady Ashfield believes.” Juliet stepped closer, her stubbornness shining through. “We had a lovely conversation at Lady Gladstone’s. She mentioned how she enjoys the company of the other ladies in the drawing room while their husbands play. On occasion, she visits the card room to offer her husband encouragement.” Juliet’s expression shifted. The levity drained away as she locked eyes with Duncan. “Bradley’s fate was sealed in that room, and I intend to discover how. That’s where the answers are.”
Duncan’s expression was a tumult of conflict, torn between his loyalty to Ewan and the earnest desperation in Juliet’s plea. “Lass, it’s not just about walking into a viper’s nest. It’s about what Ewan would think—”
She interrupted him, her voice rising with a passion that echoed through the summerhouse walls. “Ewan would want the truth as well! He would leave no stone unturned if our roles were reversed.” Juliet closed the distance between them. “Help me, Duncan. Help me for my brother’s memory and for the peace of Ewan’s family. Come with me to The Gilded Lily.”
Duncan’s resistance crumbled with her plea. His loyalty to Ewan and his family had always been unwavering, but Juliet’s determination was infectious. He knew he couldn’t let her face this alone.
He conceded with a heavy sigh, “Very well. I will accompany you to The Gilded Lily. But we do this carefully, with every precaution.”
A wave of relief washed over her, her gratitude apparent. “You mustn’t tell Ewan. He cannot know.”
Duncan exhaled deeply. “You have my word. I will not speak of your plans or whereabouts to him.”
“Thank you, Duncan. We go this evening.”
“That soon? I understand. The anticipation must be unbearable. We’ll wait until evening; the game you seek doesn’t start until later. Meanwhile, let’s examine your brother’s diary. We need to be thoroughly prepared.”
She handed him the diary with a grateful smile.
Juliet and Duncan studied Bradley’s diary. She turned the pages and found a mosaic of thoughts, fears, and cryptic notes that seemed to dance just beyond comprehension.
Duncan’s hand suddenly pressed against the page, halting Juliet’s fingers mid-turn. “Hold on,” he said, his voice low.
“Have you found something?” Juliet leaned in, her eyes scanning the entry. “It’s about a chess game. Bradley was an avid player.” She gestured toward the mantle where the black king stood. “I’ve been imploring that piece for answers all day.”
Duncan’s finger traced the lines of text. “Here, he mentions ‘Viper’ and a particular opening move.” His eyes widened as he read on. “The King’s Gambit,” he murmured, a spark of realization in his voice. “Sebastian was obsessed with that strategy. He claimed it was the mark of a superior mind.”
Juliet met Duncan’s gaze, a shiver of apprehension coursing through her. “Are you sure? That it’s a signature of Sebastian’s?”
Duncan nodded firmly. “Aye, I’m certain. It was a point of pride for him.” He leaned back, contemplating the diary before shifting his gaze to Juliet. “Your brother’s diary—It’s not merely suggesting Viper is a chess enthusiast. It’s implicating Sebastian directly.”
Juliet’s fingers lingered on the page, her thoughts racing. “There must be more to uncover,” she murmured and began to examine the pages with renewed purpose. “Here is an entry, the day before he died.”
February 20, 1820…The air was filled with the Shadow fragrance of citrus and spice that clung to the room like a whisper. It mingled with the thicker scent of tobacco and secrets tonight. The usual suspects gathered, their faces shadowed, their whispers just as veiled. Fray was there, his cuffs more tattered than his fortune, yet he carried himself with an air of undeserved nobility. Eclipse sat opposite, the dimming light in his eyes reflecting the state of his coffers.
But it was the clandestine exchange I witnessed that has set my mind racing. They spoke in hushed tones, a language of nods and knowing glances. Fray passed a note to Eclipse, who pocketed it with a surreptitious smile. What pact have they forged in the darkness of this den?
I cannot shake the feeling that this meeting was but a piece in a larger game, one that threatens to ensnare us all. I must tread carefully, for the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been.
Duncan’s amusement faded as he absorbed Bradley’s account. “Riddles indeed, but each one could be a piece of this puzzle,” he said, his tone turning serious. “This meeting… it could be trivial, or it could be the key to understanding the whole scheme.”
Juliet’s expression mirrored Duncan’s concern. “We can’t ignore any clue, no matter how small. Bradley was meticulous. He wouldn’t have recorded it if this information wasn’t important.”
Juliet nodded, more determined than ever. “Let’s start with what we know. We’ll map out Bradley’s movements, cross-reference them with these entries, and see where they lead us.”
Her finger lingered on the diary. “Monster’s Mound might be a child’s tale, but in this context, it could mean something more.”
Juliet’s half-smile was touched with a fleeting memory of simpler times. “As children, we dared each other to approach the mound at dusk, claiming it was haunted.” The smile vanished as quickly as it appeared. “What does he say about it?”
Duncan scanned the entry. He speaks about the area “ The tall yew tree is in danger along with the others in the grove.” He’s also exposed your childhood myth. And there’s a mention of Aurington Pond, but nothing more.” Duncan turned the page, then shook his head. “No, there’s nothing else about Monster Mound or Aurington Pond.”
“That’s not the pond’s name.” Juliet read the section again and then snapped the diary shut. “We were on Fairmont land. The Aurington estate was on the other side of the fence and had its own pond. Ours was Mirror Pond.”
“There isn’t anything else in here.” Duncan mused. “Perhaps we overlooked something…”
Juliet’s eyes suddenly widened, a spark of understanding flickering to life. “Blast!” She flipped back to the entry, his eyes scanning the text until his face broke into a wide smile.
“What is it?” Duncan asked, taking the diary from him.
“Bradley always confused juniper trees with yew trees. There are no yew trees on the property.” She stared at Duncan, a chill of disaster stealing her breath away. “Could Bradley be telling us that Ewan and his family are in danger?”
“Or that something is going to happen to the juniper trees,” Duncan smirked.
Juliet’s intuition flared. “Sebastian’s ambitions extend beyond wealth. Sebastian is next in line to the title. He is after Ewan’s legacy. Now, it’s more important that we go to the Gilded Lily tonight.”
They set the diary aside, their focus shifting to the evening’s challenge at The Gilded Lily.
Duncan’s jaw set, his eyes blazing like a Norse berserker. “I agree with you. We need to attend that card game tonight and witness the truth of his cheating with our own eyes. But it’s dangerous. Sebastian is a threat, and he won’t hesitate if he senses we’re aware of his scheme.”
Juliet rose, her decision unwavering. “We’ll arrive early. I want to inspect that table to uncover the deceit Bradley suspected and understand how Sebastian is manipulating the game.”
Duncan nodded, his eyes blazing with determination yet clouded with worry. “We will. But we must be cautious. If things go awry, we retreat immediately. We can’t afford to lose anyone else to Sebastian’s schemes.”
Juliet’s mind was a whirlwind as she sat in the dim light with the diary’s revelations before her like a treasure map. “How can we outmaneuver Sebastian?”
“You won’t be alone. I will be right there with you,” he assured her, his expression grave. “We cannot slip in unnoticed. Sebastian knows us both. Disguises won’t help. We’ll go as we are. He’s unaware of your marriage to Glenraven.”
Juliet nodded, her mind working, seeking a way to obtain her goal. “Once there, I’ll take Viper’s—Sebastian’s—seat. I’ll assess the dealer and the players for any signs of cheating.”
Duncan drummed his fingers on the table. “If you’re challenged, if Sebastian confronts you, remain calm. Question his wins, subtly, enough to unsettle him, but not enough to cause an uproar.”
“And if he becomes suspicious?” Juliet’s voice was steady despite the underlying concern.
“He may question you, but he won’t harm you. Should the situation escalate, I’ll intervene,” Duncan promised. “Remember, our goal is not merely to expose his cheating. It’s to unveil his true intentions towards Ewan.”
Juliet took a deep breath, her gaze meeting Duncan’s. “When the moment arrives, when Sebastian’s arrogance betrays him, we’ll confront him with the evidence from Bradley’s diary and whatever else we uncover.”
Duncan’s nod was a silent pact. “We’ll protect Ewan and vindicate Bradley. Tonight, Sebastian’s reign ends.”
The plan was bold, even dangerous, but Juliet felt a surge of excitement at the thought. She was no longer Bradley’s grieving sister. She was a woman on a mission against a formidable adversary.
“I agree.” Duncan rose. “I must leave before I am missed. You’ve done well. Bradley would be proud. Rest now. I’ll return this evening, and we’ll head to St. James.” He moved toward the door.
“Thank you again, Duncan. Remember, Ewan mustn’t know.”
“My word is my pledge.” He stepped out and gently closed the door behind him.