Eight Hunting Lyons (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

Chapter Seven

“Y ou don’t waste any time, madam.” Glass of cognac in hand, Ambrose settled back into the chair and regarded the mysterious owner of the Lyon’s Den. “At least, I assume you’ve summoned me here to tell me you’ve found a suitable candidate.”

“I believe a suitable candidate has actually presented herself,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon replied. “Furthermore, I suspect Lord Eskdale is already interested in her.”

“Good lord.” Ambrose straightened. “Who is she?”

“I would remind you of the need for discretion, my lord.”

Ambrose frowned. “The reminder is not necessary, madam, I can assure you.”

She nodded. “The lady of whom I speak is also a client. She came to me seeking my services a few days after you and I had spoken. Her name is Harriet Hurst. Her brother was Oliver Hurst, Baron Huxley. He died not quite a year ago.”

“A hunting accident,” Ambrose said, nodding. “Yes, I remember the reports. I actually met him at Tattersall’s some time back. A nice fellow. We were bidding on the same mare, and he took it. I’m not sure I knew he had a sister.”

“She is something of a wallflower who has had several unsuccessful seasons. Hence her appointment with me.”

Ambrose pondered. “How old?”

“Five-and-twenty. An intelligent young woman who is not without means.”

Ambrose shifted in his chair. “Is she pretty?”

“Not overly. She is slender, and her eyes are quite lovely. A rich blue. Her eyesight, however, is very poor, so she is obliged to wear spectacles. She also has an odd aversion to perfume. It makes her sneeze.”

Ambrose grimaced and scratched his jaw. “Forgive me, Mrs. Dove-Lyon, but I’m wondering if you have Lord Eskdale confused with someone else. I cannot, for the life of me, imagine him being remotely interested in the woman you are describing.”

“I agree it seems unlikely.”

“Then what makes you suspect it? And how did they meet?”

“By sheer coincidence. To quote Lord Eskdale, he ‘bumped’ into her in the corridor.” The woman seemed to smile beneath her veil. “But that was not their first meeting, apparently. It seems Lord Eskdale and Lord Huxley were friends at one time.”

“That I did not know,” Ambrose said. “At least, I don’t recall Lord Eskdale ever mentioning it. But I’m still confused. What makes you think there is an attraction between them?”

The lady shook her head. “I cannot speak for Miss Hurst, since their meeting took place after she left my office. But Lord Eskdale came looking for me, specifically to ask if he could be kept informed of any potential suitors. Apparently he wishes to protect her from anyone he deems unsuitable. Said it was a favor being repaid to Lord Huxley. And he asked that Miss Hurst remain unaware of his involvement.”

Ambrose shrugged. “Then surely that’s all it is, madam. A favor being repaid, nothing more. As I said, the man is not as nefarious as his reputation suggests.”

The lady heaved a gentle sigh. “A man does not have to voice his thoughts for others to know what he is thinking, Lord Pendlewood. As the owner of a gambling establishment, I have some experience in reading physical indicators, and I am certain he is attracted to Miss Hurst. Why would he wish to place himself between a woman and any potential suitors? He knows I would not put any of my clients at risk. I believe he wants her for himself. The trouble is, I don’t think he realizes it yet.”

Ambrose still had his doubts but decided to humor the woman. “Very well. Assuming you are correct, where do we go from here? How do we move this forward?”

“Well, since this is the Lyon’s Den, I suggest we play a little game,” she said. “The players will be Miss Hurst, Lord Eskdale, and a carefully chosen decoy.”

“A decoy?” Ambrose frowned. “For what purpose?”

“To court Miss Hurst and make Lord Eskdale jealous. Finding the right person will be your biggest challenge, I fear.”

“ My biggest challenge?” Ambrose gave her an incredulous look. “Forgive me, madam, but I seem to recall paying you a rather large amount of money for your services. I should imagine Miss Hurst handed over a fair bit of blunt as well.”

She regarded him for a moment. “He should be known to Lord Eskdale,” she said. “He should also be someone indebted to you. Someone who can be easily manipulated. Not an unpleasant man but a bit of a scoundrel nonetheless. Someone who can play the part of a reformed ne’er-do-well and an interested suitor. Do you happen to know anyone like that? I’m afraid I do not.”

Ambrose cleared his throat. “Perhaps you did not hear what I said.”

“I heard you quite clearly.” She leaned forward. “If you wish, Lord Pendlewood, we can simply let the dice fall where they may. In that case, I will find a husband for Miss Hurst. A decent man who presents no threat to her. A man Lord Eskdale will not be able to fault. What do you think he’ll do in that case? Will he declare his affection rather than see her wed? Admit his tendre and step up to the altar himself? Or will fear force him to step away and sacrifice Miss Hurst to her faultless suitor? My money is on the latter scenario. When it comes to Miss Hurst, we need to find someone of whom Lord Eskdale does not approve. The balance might then tip the other way.”

Ambrose blinked. “Fear?”

She nodded. “Marriage frightens him, and given his past, it is not difficult to understand why. As unlikely as it seems, he is attracted to Miss Hurst, I’m sure of it. We just need to make him realize how much.”

“By using a decoy.”

“Yes. A man passably acceptable to Miss Hurst while being absolutely unacceptable to Lord Eskdale.”

Ambrose pinched the bridge of his nose. “You present a convincing argument, Mrs. Dove-Lyon, but you are forgetting one thing. What if Miss Hurst has no attraction to Lord Eskdale?”

The woman shrugged. “Why would she not? He said he was a friend of her brother, whom she adored, so that must count for something. He’s also titled, wealthy, and handsome. The odds are very much in his favor. I would bet on him without hesitation.”

“This is all very deceitful,” Ambrose mumbled, as much to himself as to Mrs. Dove-Lyon.

“Deceit is what you paid for, my lord. Whether it is Miss Hurst or another woman, we would be creating a situation through deceit. That being so, we may as well steer Lord Eskdale toward a woman he seems attracted to. Remember, there is no malice involved. Quite the contrary. The outcome, if all goes to plan, will mean a happy ending for all concerned.”

“Hugh Varley,” Ambrose said, rubbing his neck.

“Pardon?”

“The decoy I have in mind. Hugh Varley, Baron Danforth’s son. Do you know him?”

“Yes, I believe he’s played here a time or two. Never has much luck. He is indebted to you in some way?”

“Indeed, he is.” Ambrose steepled his fingers beneath his chin. “He’s no saint, but he’s harmless enough. He can act as well. Puts on airs all the time, in fact.”

“I’ll need to meet with him before I introduce him to Miss Hurst.”

“Of course.” Ambrose frowned. “Miss Hurst may well have heard of him, actually, which may put paid to an introduction.”

“Perfect.”

“How so?”

“Because the introduction will be based on this.” She opened her drawer and took out a paper. “Miss Hurst gave me these for potential suitors to fill out.”

Ambrose read over the questions. “Good lord. Does the woman truly expect these to be answered honestly?”

A chuckle escaped from behind the veil. “Are you saying men lie, Lord Pendlewood?”

“Only whenever they speak,” he said, which drew yet more laughter from the lady.

“Or write, in this case,” she countered. “But it allows Mr. Varley to make a good first impression on Miss Hurst before they’ve even met. Of course, he won’t be answering the questions. I recommend you do that. But Mr. Varley must sign it. May I suggest some creative honesty, some nice touches of humility, as well as an expressed wish for redemption in the way of marriage and family?”

Ambrose tugged at his cravat. “I have to admit, Mrs. Dove-Lyon, that the subterfuge of this entire situation is somewhat…”

“Entertaining?” She rose to her feet. “If you’ll excuse me now, Lord Pendlewood, it’s late, and I have work to do.”

Ambrose stood also. “I was going to say unsettling.”

She regarded him. “Come and see me when you have the list completed, and I’ll take it from there. Are you sure Mr. Varley will agree to this?”

“Yes, he’ll agree.”

“And you trust his discretion?”

“Totally.”

“Hmm.” She cocked her veiled head. “I’m curious to know what it is that you have over him.”

“If this all works out the way it’s supposed to,” Ambrose replied, “I’ll tell you.”