Page 53

Oriental Club, London

H e wasn’t certain it was a good idea when he parted ways with Regina that afternoon.

But he couldn’t think of a reason to tell her not to attend tea with his aunt.

She was only going to Mayfair after all, hardly an unsafe part of town.

And if it was reasonable for him to keep his appointment with Bielson surely he had no grounds to deny Regina something she clearly wanted.

Unlike her friends, she was hardly defenseless, especially sporting that new pistol her father had given her after their wedding breakfast. Part of him was almost curious as to what would happen if Harrison tried to take her on himself.

No, his concern was more around what would happen if it wasn’t just Harrison.

Although the night’s endeavors could hardly be called victorious, it hadn’t been a complete loss.

He now knew for a fact that he was working with others.

At least three based on the two at the pub and the one at the house. And two of them he could recognize.

That at least was information he didn’t have previously.

But while his Regina could likely handle herself one on one, he doubted she could take on three grown men on her own. With any luck Bielson would have more information and they would be able to do something other than sit on their spines and wait.

Which was why he was here, at this club.

Regina’s father had been as good as his word, ensuring Leo’s entry, and the title hadn’t hurt anything either.

That being said he wasn’t sure how often he would be here.

The concept of the club as it existed among the ton was strange to Leo.

Even stranger was how easy it was to gain access when one had a title, a military record and a white member to vouch for him. It was almost insulting.

Three years ago for all the assurances that there was only one requirement to enter, they hadn’t even been interested in his record.

But now he was here, lounging in a leather armchair in another suit with yet another fancy waistcoat.

It still felt wrong. The only part of this entire situation that felt right was Regina.

Everything about her suited him down to the ground from her scent and her taste to her choice in fashion and temperament.

If fate allowed it they would have a family of as many children she and The Almighty deigned to give him. His mother would finally have the grandchildren she wanted. He would have her guidance, and she would have his devotion. One last hiccup and they would be free to live as they saw fit.

It took him a moment to notice the footman observing him.

He was a pale skinny little thing, and Leo was almost positive he’d seen him before but he couldn’t place where.

He wasn’t one of the men at the pub last night.

Any other time Leo would have made the decision to ignore him.

But this time… perhaps it was the silk waistcoat, or perhaps it was Regina’s words form the night before, but he just wasn’t in the mood to avoid much.

He leaned his temple against his fist and stared right back until the lad gave up and walked towards Leo with a nervous smile on his face.

“G…good afternoon my lord.”

“Good afternoon,” Leo replied evenly.

He grew paler and glanced around. “We were told to prepare a private room for you, as you are one of our most illustrious members.” He was anxious about something.

“I doubt that very seriously. Who exactly gave you that instruction?”

“Captain M…. Mason.”

Leo raised one incredulous eyebrow at that.

The man was fond of him, but he couldn’t see the captain heaping that sort of nonsense on him.

To what end? It’s not as though he needed to be bought or persuaded to do anything.

Regina’s father was many things but not a sycophant.

“Captain Mason said I was an illustrious member ?”

“No, not exactly. He said you might feel uncomfortable with all the stares, so a private room might be more comfortable for you. But I thought you might be offended.”

“So you opted for flattery instead, because surely I have a high opinion of myself being so above my natural station, is that it?”

The boy floundered, his mouth opening and closing like a dying fish, his eyes blinking rapidly.

Leo had half a mind to leave him in that state, curious as to how long it would take for him to recover or pass out entirely.

The presumption was galling but he was growing tired of him already.

A private room would at the very least make situations like this less likely.

He rose to his feet and nodded at him. “Well, lead on.”

The boy clapped his hand together and bowed, backing away from him, gesturing towards a hallway.

Again his memory was pricked. Who was he?

Why was he so familiar? Not the pub, not the theatre.

He was a servant at the club, so it was unlikely that Leo had seen him at any balls or private society events he’d been roped into.

The young man stopped at a room and gestured for Leo to enter with another half bow.

As he stepped forward it came to him. Scotland Yard.

He had been one of the officers watching him with Locke and Collins.

The first thing that hit Leo when he entered the room was the smell of ether. He froze in the doorway and turned to face him. This little shit was in league with Collins and by extension, Harrison. He saw the boy’s eyes go wide in fear as he realized his game was up.

“Where is he?” he asked. Two arms grabbed him from behind and a rag soaked with ether was placed over his nose and mouth.

He fought against the instinct to breathe in and rammed his elbow backwards into his assailants’ ribs.

He heard the cry of pain and spun around his fists up and ready to fight.

Something hard cracked against his temple, the pain sudden and brilliant then everything went black.

Regina.

*

The day had started off well for Regina.

She had spent the morning lounging in bed with her husband and then the afternoon with Aunt Theo at her tea party.

It had gone off without a fuss. Elodia and her father had been in attendance along with other members of the ton.

She had smiled and laughed with all of them, relaxed and in her element.

She’d finally allowed herself to enjoy the gardens as she’d always wanted to.

Now that the guests had left everything had become a good deal less formal.

She sat with a book, sipping her tea and listening to Aunt Theo and Albert play a game of chess.

From the sound of it Albert was putting his great aunt through her paces.

It was unexpected. It was clear that he was close to the old woman, but the way he teased and scolded her was more reminiscent of Leo than she would have believed before today.

So the last thing she was expecting when footsteps sounded in the hall was to look up and see Edward Harrison standing there.

Her fingers curled around the edges of her book and her heart began to thump in her chest. She had never seen such seething rage in a person.

It was just like the nightmare. How ironic for the nightmares to stop only for him to appear in real life.

He didn’t appear manic, to the contrary his face was utterly composed save for the glittering fury in his eyes.

For a moment she thought she was the only one who had noticed him, then she heard someone clear their throat.

“Edward,” Aunt Theo drawled, “we weren’t expecting you.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’m sure you weren’t, you deceptive old bitch.”

Albert frowned and turned to him. “Edward there are ladies present.”

Two things were clear from their nonchalance. Firstly, they were used to his disgusting language and behavior. Secondly, they had no idea how dangerous he actually was. What was she going to do? Your pistol. Get your pistol .

Slowly she started making her way over to her reticule which lay on the side table at the far end of the sofa. With her pistol inside.

“Where? This half-animated corpse or that mercenary savage.” He glared at Regina and she swallowed past her dry throat.

“Only one of those descriptors are accurate I’m afraid,” Aunt Theo let out a tired sigh. “What do you want boy?”

“I have creditors coming for me because of you.”

Aunt Theo glanced up at the ceiling and shook her head in confusion. “Odd, I normally remember when I do that sort of thing,”

“Because you took my title—”

“—the law of England gave him that title boy.”

“—And my money, and you threw it away to this bitch and her husband!” He jabbed a finger in Regina’s direction.

“The lawyers would have discovered it even if Aunt Theo didn’t.” Albert tried to reason with him.

“The only thing I did was spare her and the estate from your ravages.” Clearly Aunt Theo didn’t care about reasoning with Harrison. She only saw a petulant child throwing a tantrum.

“No one would have known about him if it wasn’t for you!” He pulled out a pistol and Regina’s body went cold. So that was his intention. He wasn’t only here to make threats; he wanted blood and he didn’t care who’s was shed.

Albert went pale as he finally realized the danger they were in. “Here now, Edward.”

“Shut up you mewling little cunt!” he snapped. “All you know how to do is follow a senile old woman’s orders. Where is your loyalty?”

“Loyalty to what?” Albert asked holding his hands up.

“To the social order! To family!” The gun in his hand was swinging back and forth between him and Aunt Theo.

“Whatever your debts are Mr. Harrison I’m certain we can come to some sort of agreement. We can call the lawyer and draw up a settlement for you,” Regina said freezing where she was. She wasn’t close enough to reach for her purse yet.

“You impudent little slut.”