Page 28 of Heart of the Hunter (Band of Bastards #3)

Hunter cleared his throat and caught Anora’s attention, then ran his gaze quickly over her body from head to toe, as though telling her to look at herself.

Only then did she realize that she’d lowered herself to the chair to sit with her back ramrod straight, her hands folded neatly in her lap, and her feet flat on the floor and pressed together at the ankles.

She had no idea why she’d done that, other than possibly the fact that Madam Ruby had a superior air about her that made Anora feel like she needed to be on her best behavior.

She’d been fascinated by the woman the few times she’d been face-to-face with her at the shop, but to see her in her own environment was mesmerizing.

She moved with so much grace, yet exuded power and commanded obedience without even saying a word.

Anora coughed to hide her embarrassment, set her feet apart, and smoothed her hands over the breeches covering her thighs, but she could tell by the knowing grin on Madam Ruby’s face that it was too late.

“You look familiar,” Madam Ruby said. “Please remove your cap.” Anora looked to Hunter, who stayed silent, then back to Madam Ruby.

She rose to her feet then as she pulled the coif from her head, letting her hair fall over her shoulders.

Madam Ruby’s smile broadened, but she did not look at all surprised.

“Ah. We have met before. You are Frode’s daughter, from the goldsmith shop. ”

“Anora,” she said. “I helped you a sennight ago when you brought in some pendants and other jewels to trade for coin.”

“Yes, I remember you well. You are quite unforgettable.” Madam Ruby spoke in an even, measured way, and Anora was unsure of how to interpret the comment.

It seemed she choose every word deliberately and controlled with precision every feature in her face and every movement of her body as she spoke.

It made Anora feel completely unsettled and unnerved.

Madam Ruby, Anora concluded, was a woman to study and emulate.

She tried to affect the same commanding countenance as she responded to Madam Ruby in an equally serene voice.

“Then you will remember the pendants I purchased from you—the pendants you said were given to you by Baron Payne to pay his debt.” She surmised that the other woman preferred the direct approach.

“Though I do not make it a habit to reveal the names of the men serviced here, I answered you because you are Frode’s daughter.” The words were said in a polite tone, but the thin set to her lips and the squared shoulders indicated Madam Ruby would not give up more information quite so readily.

Anora swallowed her nerves and stepped closer the older woman and Hunter, who had remained silent but observant to this point.

Madam Ruby was not as old as her father but looked to be a woman in her later years.

She was nearly as tall as Anora, but with a more robust and appealing figure.

Her hair was so dark as to be almost black with strands of silver-gray weaving throughout the thick braids wound about the top of her head.

This was not a woman to be trifled with, and she would quickly see through any pretense.

“I understand that you have been an acquaintance of my father’s for some time.

” Anora blushed as she realized what she said sounded like an insinuation.

“I mean you have conducted business together.” She closed her lips and shook her head.

Her confidence and poise collapsed with her clumsiness.

Madam Ruby let out a little laugh. “I understand what you are trying to say. Your father has always treated me with respect, and I trust his conduct, which is why I have conducted business with him for many years. He is one of the few goldsmiths who pays me a fair price for the jewels.” Her lips curved slightly. “As did you.”

“Then you may recall my mother.”

“I regret I did not know her,” Madam Ruby said with a tip of her head. “I did not make the acquaintance of your father until after your mother was gone.”

“Are you aware she was murdered?” Anora asked.

Her voice shook slightly, but she pressed forward.

“A thief came to our shop thirteen years ago, attacked her and my brother and stole pendants, an emerald ring, and two commissioned altar pieces. My brother recovered from his injuries, but my mother never woke again.”

“I remember hearing of it, and I am sorry for your loss,” Madam Ruby responded, gently. “The thief was never found, as I recall.”

“Nor were the stolen treasures,” Anora confirmed. “There has been no sign of them in all these years…until you brought two of the pendants to my father’s shop to sell.”

Madam Ruby looked from Anora to Hunter. “I noticed you took special interest in them, but I knew nothing of their history. Are you certain they are the same?”

Hunter nodded. “Frode has confirmed they are two of stolen pieces.”

Madam Ruby lifted her chin and took a deep breath. “You are here to ask if Baron Payne has paid me with more jewels. He has not. He has always paid with coin up until recent months. The only jewels I have accepted from him were those two pendants.”

“I have to ask, though I can guess the answer, did he indicate anything about where he got the pendants, or if he had more of them?”

“He did not,” Madam Ruby said. “I do not ask questions, and no explanations are given by the men who frequent my establishment.”

Anora nodded her understanding, though she was disappointed. “Is there anything you can tell us about Baron Payne that may be of use?”

“I do not care for him, but he is a frequent customer. He is indulgent, self-serving, impetuous, and impulsive,” Madam Ruby said, her contempt clear. “The rumors are that he has been spending his coins on vices and foolish endeavors faster than he can earn them. He is not the baron his father was.”

Anora’s eyes widened. “That is my father’s sentiment.”

“I cannot say how the pendants came to be in the baron’s possession, but I can say I do not trust him, and I would believe even the most shocking stories about him.”

Hunter rubbed his knuckles along his jawline. “Castle Whyte is not a large estate, but it was always a prosperous one. How could he possibly have drained the coffers in the two years since his father died?”

Madam Ruby let out a mirthless chuckle. “I’ve seen many a man lose fortunes overnight. Baron Payne spends much of his time and wealth in brothels, and not just mine. He’s also got a penchant for games of chance—has since he was just a young colt.”

“When was the last time the baron was here?” Hunter asked.

“Seven nights ago,” Madam Ruby said, “but he paid with coin on that occasion.”

Anora was not the only one surprised by this news; Hunter’s brows shot up as he asked, “When did he pay with the pendants?”

“The early part of summer.” Madam Ruby shrugged. “I thought they were exceptionally beautiful, so I kept them awhile. But with winter approaching and Eliza’s baby on the way, it was time to turn them to coin.”

“Even when he was younger, did he ever pay with anything other than coins? Perhaps he paid some of his gambling debts with jewels.” Anora was desperate to find something that would answer the question as to whether Edmund had acquired the pendants recently, or if he’d had them all along.

“I don’t recall him ever paying me in anything other than coin, but if he did, I would have sold any jewels to your father. As far as gambling debts, I cannot speak to that.”

“How often do you see him?” Hunter asked.

“Once or twice a month, and often for two or three nights. He always brings companions with him. They are rowdy and demanding, but they make for a prosperous few days.”

“What companions?” Hunter asked.

Madam Ruby slanted her eyes at Hunter and said, “I owe you much because of your kindness to me and my ladies so I will tell you what I know.” It was clear she did not appreciate his questions.

Hunter looked away from Madam Ruby as though embarrassed by what she’d said.

Anora didn’t want to dwell on what those kindnesses were, or how much kindness it took to gain such respect from Madam Ruby.

She had so many questions that she didn’t want to know the answers to, like did all men visit brothels?

And how often? She couldn’t imagine her father in a place like this, but perhaps she fooled herself in thinking only disreputable men frequented houses like Madam Ruby’s.

“The baron is usually accompanied by his commander and handful of guards, but occasionally, he will have a man of some import with him. After he used the pendants to pay for his entertainment, I did not see him for nigh on a month. Then he returned with a man he called Gilbert. He was obviously a man of some wealth and power because Payne pandered to him like he was royalty. They left after two days, and he readily paid what he owed in coin, plus more as a generous gift to the ladies who’d served them.

Edmund’s been back twice since, but only with his men, and he’s paid in coin each time. ”

Hunter scratched his knuckles back and forth over the trimmed whiskers on his jawline, his brow creased in concentration. “Did he say where Gilbert was from?”

Madam Ruby thought a moment. “Not that I recall.”

“Can you tell me what he looks like?”

“He is a fit man. Not tall, but broad and strong. Older than you,” Madam Ruby said tipping her head toward Hunter, “but not as old as me. He had hair like fire and a temperament to match. He scared away the younger girls and even made one of the more seasoned ladies cry. Beatrice was the only one to appeal to him, experienced enough to stroke his ego and still manage his gruff demeanor.”

The man sounded horrible, and Anora cringed at the thought of what Beatrice had to endure with the brute. What sickened her even more was the casual way Madam Ruby spoke about it, as though it was nothing unusual for them.