Page 14 of Defying the Duke
“But he’s engaged. And a duke. And your employer, Dinah.”
And he was the most handsome man she knew, Dinah thought. He might be about to marry someone else, but she would always have that kiss.
CHAPTER 7
Sutcliffe’s was busy for a Wednesday night. As Jack patrolled the rooms, greeting friends and important guests, he grew confused by their reactions to him.
One of the club’s older members clasped Jack’s hand and squeezed his upper arm. “Well done, old boy. Smart move, I do say.”
“Thank you,” Jack said simply and walked on.
His friend Oliver, Earl of St. Ervin, greeted him from his seat at a vingt et un table. “Have you lost your mind?” he asked before returning to his game.
Jack had no clue what everyone was talking about. While he’d won a good sum at roulette the night before, it wasn’t enough to warrant gossip and congratulations.
He entered the club’s back room, where games requiring furnishings such as the roulette wheel were kept. On the rare occasion of a police raid, large pieces were difficult to hide, but the secret door of the back room could be closed, and the authorities would be none the wiser. Activity in the room hinted at a very profitable night for the club.
A deep but feminine voice called out to him from one of the roulette wheels. “My darling Jack, you have broken my heart,” said Lizzie, more formally known as the widow Lady Elborough.
“The wheel is a fickle mistress, isn’t she?” Jack said when he reached her side.
“Lady Luck has been with me tonight,” Lizzie clarified. “It’s you who’ve wounded me. I suppose this explains why you keep turning down my offers of a bit of sport upstairs.”
Lizzie was known for her enjoyment of bed sports, especially when partnered with a young, handsome man, although rumors existed she’d occasionally entertained a young lady in one of the rooms available at Sutcliffe’s for private gatherings.
“You have me at a loss. Everyone is wishing me well, as though I’ve done something remarkable. And now, you. What is this grand deed I’ve accomplished?” Jack asked.
“Why, your engagement, silly man! Lady Joyce promises to be one of this Season’s Diamonds, and you’ve snatched her up before the others have a chance.” Lizzie offered him a sly wink.
“I’ve done no such thing,” Jack argued. “This is a misunderstanding. I’m not certain who’s spreading this rumor, but could you do me the favor of telling everyone it’s incorrect?”
She shook her head with a pitying expression. “It’s more than a rumor. It was in the papers. Either you lost a wager or gained an enemy. Good luck dealing with the young lady’s father. I hear Greenborough can be harsh.”
Jack groaned. “That’s not the half of it. I suspect he told the tattlers about this supposed engagement, believing he could trap me. If you’ll excuse me, Lizzie, I have some business to take care of.”
Seeing Nomansland in the corner of the room, he signaled to meet him in his office. He found Dainsfield in a card room. “I need to speak to you,” he said.
Dainsfield followed him upstairs.
When all three men were in the office, Jack asked, “Have you heard about my engagement?”
Dainsfield nodded.
“I read it in this morning’s paper and planned to ask you about it. I assume you didn’t change your mind about marrying the girl?” Nomansland asked.
“Nothing has changed. Greenborough still thinks there will be a wedding, and I’m equally certain there won’t be.”
“What did you hear from your solicitor?” Dainsfield asked.
“There’s nothing legally binding. I must simply deny it when people ask, and Greenborough should eventually relent.” Jack sat at his desk, leaned back in his chair, and wiped his hand down his face. “What a mess this is. And that poor girl. Imagine debuting in Society with this sort of scandal already in place.”
“They’d be better off sweeping her back to the country house and putting off her Season for another year.” Dainsfield walked over to the liquor bottles and poured three drinks, handing one to each of his partners, then sat beside Nomansland in front of Jack’s desk.
“Or buying her a husband and skipping the balls and assemblies,” Nomansland said. “What he saves on ball gowns over a few Seasons could probably reimburse the expense of a bribe.”
Jack chuckled and shook his head. “You are such an economist.”
Nomansland laughed, too. “You say that as if it’s a bad thing. Sutcliffe’s is three years ahead of its projected profits because of the suggestions I’ve made.”