Page 26 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke (Regency Beasts #3)

" Y our Grace?" Theo's butler called as he was pouring over the books on his table.

He looked up, taking off his reading spectacles, and shot the man a questioning look. He had specifically asked not to be disturbed and wasn't expecting any visitors so the man's interruption was odd.

Since his encounter with Cecilia three days prior, he had had an uneasy feeling pooling in his blood. The activities he usually used to stave off boredom didn't satisfy. She had bared his deepest scars and he didn't know how to rebuild the walls she had torn down in her attempt to expose him.

He had only found distraction in balancing the books and reading correspondence. The complicated sums and rationalizing how to manage his farmlands gave him less time to think of a pair of hurting green eyes.

He had been tempted to write to her as the days passed, remembering the hurt look in her eyes, but he had quickly quelled the urge each time it arose. He didn't want to end up saying anything he would quickly regret again.

"Mr, Silver is here," his butler answered the unspoken question.

His brow rose even higher and he nodded, pushing the books from him.

"Send him in," he instructed.

He had ordered Mr. Silver, who was his solicitor that also had a private investigation business, to look into Cecilia's suitor because there was something he couldn't quite understand about the man.

While he seemed perfectly charming and kind to her, he couldn't ignore the warning bells in his head telling him that it was all a facade. But for what purpose the man would hide who he was, Theo was yet to think of.

Theo's own mask was to hide the darkness his insecurities had him dabbling in. He couldn't help but wonder what darkness the man was hiding.

That was the only excuse he thought a more reasonable answer than the dark swirl of envy in the pit of his stomach when he had seen them together in the park.

"Your Grace," Mr. Silver greeted with a bow.

While he looked small and unassuming, Richard Silver was a man Theo kept close because of how dangerous he was. They had met while they had been in the army but due to an injury that had the man returning early, he had pursued studies in law while owning a private investigation firm.

Theo had not had use for those services in the past but he needed to ensure neither Cecilia nor Magnus were in danger from this Hector.

"Silver," he answered. "What do you have for me?"

"Questions before offering a drink, Your Grace," Silver said with a sly smile. "He must have ruffled your feathers."

"Nothing more than necessary," Theo answered, rising to pour the man a drink. "Port?"

"Don't hide the good stuff from me, Emerton," he answered. "I see a good whisky over there."

He shook his head and chuckled, pouring the man a healthy serving. When he handed him the glass, he slid back into his seat.

"What do you know about him, Silver?" Theo asked impatiently. "I do not have time for games."

If anyone could find out secrets that someone would prefer hidden, it was Silver. Sly as a fox and stealthy like a panther. His grin was wide but he brought out a folder and handed it to him.

"This is a detailed report of the man's day-to-day life but it has only been three days since you asked me to follow him," he added. "I am still surprised you decided to stoop so low. You used to be so confident on your high horse."

"I see you're still one to kick a man when he is down," Theo mused reading through the report with a frown.

"That is why we are such good friends, is it not?" he asked.

"Sarcasm doesn't become you, Silver," he chided. "Beyond the written report, what do you think of the man?"

The only notable thing in the report had been the man's daily visits to the Devil's Den, a gaming hell in the lower east end of London but while not alarm worthy, he couldn't help but recognize the place.

His Uncle Cuthbert had frequented the establishment before he had ultimately quit gambling and it was a place famous for wringing men dry of their fortunes.

The fact that the man had a gambling habit was a concern for Theo considering Cecilia could be married to the man. If he gambled away her dowry, she would be left penniless. The thought of her not enjoying the fine things she had enjoyed in her brother's home irked him.

Surely that would be enough to have Magnus cancel a possible match between them.

"I think you may be in the right to worry, Your Grace," Silver answered with a serious tone.

"He does seem the perfect gentleman but I cannot help but feel cautious.

Not much is known about him and even without being from a major titled family, he has friends in the upper echelons of society.

No scandals and he doesn't even have debt with any of the banks or creditors.

The only word about him is that he is in search of a wife but there is no information on whether he cares for a large dowry.

What surprised me even more was my man's report. He doesn't even gamble in the den."

Theo's brow quirked.

"But it is reported he frequents the den?"

"Yes. I found it odd too. My man reported they see him meeting someone but he didn't see who."

"Who goes to a gaming den for meetings?"

"Someone who doesn't want to be discovered, that is who," Silver answered. "I do not know why this man interests you so but I advise you to tread with caution, Your Grace. The brightest colors always mean deadlier poison."

Theo frowned but nodded.

He had wished for more solid proof to present to Magnus as a reason to call off the match but considering how it had only been three days, this would have to suffice. Besides, the quicker he dismissed the man, the more information he could garner.

He still didn't know the reason the man had approached him those weeks ago. Him being present at such an establishment sparked concern even if Theo shouldn't judge.

"I thank you for your warning," he told Mr. Silver. "Your payment is with my butler already but I expect regular reports."

He nodded and took his leave.

Theo weighed the report in his mind over again. He had found the man suspicious when he had been approached after his fight but the encounter had faded from his memory in the weeks that passed but seeing the man again with Cecilia, worry picked at him.

The man was hiding something but he didn't know whether it was something dangerous enough to spark concern.

Still, he couldn't very well leave well alone.

He had a duty to report his suspicions to Magnus and allow the man do what he decided with the information. At least, his conscience would be clear then.

Summoning a footman, he asked that his carriage be readied and dressed appropriately for a meeting with his friend who was a stickler for propriety, not knowing why he suddenly cared how the man perceived him.

All through the short ride to the man's estate, he battled his thoughts advising him against his course of action.

It wasn't as though he didn't know one of his justifications for his decision was because Cecilia was involved.

Were she any other maiden, he wouldn't care enough to warn her family but the thought of Cecilia being saddled with someone whose mask was so well placed, set a pool of worry boiling in his stomach.

"Good evening, Your Grace," George, the Blackmore estate's butler, greeted with his familiar stony expression.

"George," he returned the greeting, submitting his cloak. "Where is Blackmore? I must see him at once."

"His Grace is entertaining now." The man answered.

Entertaining?

Could Hector be in their home already?

He took a steadying breath to remind himself to be calm even if he saw the man's smiling face. He had behaved unusually before when he had seen them in the park and could not afford to let the man see how much him being around Cecilia affected him.

No doubt the man would use it to his advantage and flaunt his courting Cecilia in his face.

"That's perfect then," he answered with a smile. "Take me to him."

The butler obliged and led him to the drawing room where he found that indeed, his friend was entertaining Hickling as he had feared. Magnus who usually had a severe look was even smiling and had permitted the man to sit beside Cecilia who appeared to be smiling as well.

The sight of her smile irked him but he remembered he was supposed to act unaffected by the sight of the two of them together.

"I certainly hope I haven't interrupted such a happy occasion with my presence," he said before the butler could announce him.

"Your Grace," Cecilia said in surprise rising from her seat with wide eyes, forgetting she was not supposed to be so familiar or bothered by his arrival.

He raised a brow at her and sent her a playful wink which didn't betray the emotions of how lovely he thought her in her evening wear or how his body heated up at the sight of her lovely cleavage. A cleavage that Hector had no doubt been admiring before he arrived.

He gritted his teeth and turned to the other men in the room with a smile. Hector had risen as well knowing his place.

"Good evening, Your Grace," Hector greeted with a charming smile that set an oily feeling in Theo's stomach. "It is such a pleasant surprise you are here."

"Emerton," Magnus said with an easy smile which was unfamiliar on his face. "I don't recall inviting you today. Were we supposed to have a meeting?"

He cocked his head and lowered himself into the armchair beside his friend.

"Not at all," he answered. "I was in the area and thought I should pay you a visit. It has been sometime since you've had the pleasure of my company."

"I wouldn't exactly call it pleasurable," Magnus joked, which surprised Theo more.

What marvelous change Hector had brought about in his friend.

The Magnus that was always too serious and didn't find humor in anything even if it was markedly funny was now making jokes?

Damn.

He felt even guiltier airing his suspicions now.

"And Lady Cecilia." He smiled, turning to the girl. "Might I say you are a lovely vision this evening."

She lowered her eyes, skin flushing at his comment.

"Thank you, Your Grace."

She lifted her head and tried to meet his eyes but he turned quickly to the other man.

"Hickling," he greeted. "You look rather dashing yourself."

"You seem rather familiar with him, Emerton." Magnus commented with a raised brow.

"His Grace and I have made prior acquaintance with each other," Hector answered with a smile.

"Oh?" Magnus looked intrigued. "How? I didn't get the impression you two were acquainted before."

Theo shot the man a look and noted the hint of smug mischief in the man's gaze. Perhaps he had figured out Magnus was not aware of his hobby.

"We met by chance at an event," Hector answered before he could say anything. "The duke proved himself a most proficient opponent in sports."

Theo placed an unaffected look on his face at the man's words but he saw the dangerous hint in the man's smile then as his foreboding words returned.

"My intuition tells me that you and I will become very good friends and I am yet to be led astray. I believe you and I will be seeing more of each other very soon, Your Grace. Until then, I look forward to your future fights."

"Indeed?" Magnus asked, visibly surprised.

"Indeed and Hickling proved most adept at games as well," he retorted, playing the man's game as well.

He hadn't meant to reveal his prior acquaintance with the man but seeing him so smug and so welcome beside Cecilia had pushed him into forgetting.

The man's smile sharpened even further, incensing Theo further. He wanted to know terribly what would make this man lose his facade even for a moment but it seemed it wouldn't be here.

"I truly must ask what games you two played to have made you so well acquainted with…"

"Dinner will be served now, Your Grace,” a footman announced stepping into the drawing room, interrupting whatever Magnus had been about to say.

"Excellent." Magnus announced, rising to his feet. "Do add an extra place for my friend, the Duke of Emerton."

The footman bowed and left.

"You will join us, will you not, Emerton?" Magnus asked rising.

Cecilia and Hector were quick to do the same with him rising last.

"How could I decline an invitation to dine in your home?" he answered with a smug smile. "After all, I have missed your chef's creations."

It was better that Magnus had invited him to join them rather than him inserting himself into their meal. While he wished to share his suspicions with his friend, he knew it would be better to wait till he had more solid proof and what better way than to catch the man in his act.

He would use this dinner as a good opportunity to find out all he wanted from the man. After all, he had been the one to breach territories first.

He would know that Theo wasn't a man to forgive or forget things so easily.

"Excellent," Magnus said with a smile. "We shall adjourn then."