Page 15 of Defying the Duke
“He’s right,” Dainsfield said. “About the profits. I have no idea what a lady’s gown costs nor why she needs so many of them.”
“I’m just glad none of this scandal should affect the club. No one cares about us. It’s the pleasure they want. The gambling, the sex.” Jack took a sip of his drink, savoring the whisky burn.
“Just as long as the girl doesn’t show up here,” Dainsfield muttered.
Nomansland scowled at him.
“What? It’s a possibility. These girls have no common sense about them. They’re schooled in mind-numbing, useless activities like needlework and left to their own devices when navigating Society.”
Jack nodded. “I’m hoping Lady Joyce’s mother guides her daughter through the mess her father creates. It’s good that I don’t intend to accept any invitations over the next few months, so I don’t have to worry about the backlash I might face. I’ll let Greenborough spin the details however he wishes if it will allow Lady Joyce some dignity.”
He swallowed the last of his drink and stood. “I have an early appointment in the morning, so I am for home. Will you do me the favor of sharing the fact that I’m not engaged?”
“Of course,” said Dainsfield. “It goes without saying.”
On his way down the staircase, Jack crossed paths with one of the men he’d hired to guard the door of Miss Westfall’s office. He paused, and the man stopped a step below him. “Nothing to report, I assume?” He honestly thought whoever stole from them had moved on to a different place.
“No, Your Grace. I was on my way up to tell you your brother came by just after the start of my shift. He asked for you. I told him you’d be in your office if you were here at all,” the burly young man explained.
“Thank you. You’re sure he was my brother? Did he give his name?”
“No. I know of him from friends at Gentleman Jackson’s, you see. He’s got that scar above his eye.” He motioned above his right eyebrow, the spot where Jack had landed a blow when they were boys fighting over some stupid game.
“Thank you. No one else has been by, even to walk past?” Jack asked.
“Not on my watch.”
“Good. Let’s hope no one does.”
Jack continued down to the ground floor, questions whirling in his head. Why had Peter returned after being told explicitly he was banned from entering the club? If he had honestly sought Jack, he would have come to Jack’s office upstairs first and then looked in the gaming rooms. There was only one reason to go to Miss Westfall’s office.
Well, two reasons, but he doubted his brother had any interest in Miss Westfall. Peter must be the one stealing money.
CHAPTER 8
When Dinah heard a key in the lock of the office door, she expected Mr. Bickley had come early to make his deposit. Her eyes widened when she saw Abingdon enter. He hadn’t come to the office since he’d finished documenting the discrepancies the week before. Her belly warmed at the sight of him, which should have flustered her, but for some reason, it didn’t. She stood. “Good afternoon, Your Grace.”
“Good afternoon. Sit, please. I don’t wish to interrupt your work.”
“And yet you know that by coming here, you’ll be doing exactly that,” she said, smoothing her skirts and sliding back under the desk. She picked up her pen but watched him rather than returning to her task.
He strolled to her side and looked down at the ledger and papers neatly stacked beside it. “Have you found any more entries of concern?”
“No. Having the guard positioned at the door around the clock has solved the problem.”
“Yes, well, it might also prevent us from catching the thief if it keeps him from coming here. And I really don’t like the idea of having a man there indefinitely.”
She nodded. “It’s quite the dilemma.” Watching his expression, she wondered why he was there. The missing money didn’t seem to be the real reason.
Abingdon looked different today. She noticed that his waistcoat was a deep brown, making his hazel eyes greener than normal. The tension lines around his mouth had softened as if he had less to worry about lately. Obviously, he hadn’t learned the thief’s identity, or he wouldn’t ask about more thefts. What had changed?
He settled against the edge of the desk, his thigh nearly touching hers, and folded his arms across his chest. “I trust you’ve been well?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Good. And your sister and grandmother? They are well?”
“Yes, we are all in good health, Your Grace. Thank you for asking.” She found his behavior very odd. He never exchanged niceties with her.