Chapter 5 #3
Jane sat opposite the duke, her gloved hands folded tightly in her lap.
The duke broke the silence first.
“There is something we could do tonight. My man heard about a rumor, though I confess it is unverified.”
Jane leaned in slightly before she could stop herself. “What rumor?”
He hesitated just long enough to irritate her. “A special gaming hell, not unlike the one we were at the other evening.”
Jane’s breath caught. “And you think Colin used it as well?”
“I think Evan might have,” he corrected. “And, perhaps, your brother followed.”
Jane’s pulse quickened. “Then we go,” she said immediately.
The duke finally looked at her. “Tonight.”
There was no question in it. She was in. He was not taking her home. Something fluttered in her stomach at the thought that he might be starting to trust her, but she didn’t let herself linger too long on it.
They did not go as themselves. The second carriage was more discreet, older, and unmarked. The kind that belonged to men who preferred not to be remembered.
Jane adjusted her cloak as they stopped near a narrower street. The building ahead seemed quieter than the last, but something about it felt worse for that silence.
The duke stepped down first, then offered his hand. Jane hesitated only briefly before taking it. His grip was firm. Steady. She told herself not to notice that.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted immediately. This place was rougher and less polished. The air felt denser; it was filled with sweat, smoke, and the kind of shady confidence that came from men who had stopped believing in consequences.
The duke leaned slightly toward her. “Stay by me,” he murmured.
Jane frowned. “I wasn’t planning on going anywhere else.”
He placed a hand at her waist and guided her forward anyway. The contact sent a jolt through her that was so sharp, she nearly forgot what she was about to say.
“What are you doing?” she hissed under her breath.
“Blending in,” he said calmly.
Her cheeks warmed, though she refused to acknowledge why. They were led to a table. Cards were dealt. Chips pushed forward. Eyes flicked toward Jane immediately, too interested, too lingering.
One man smiled at her as if she were part of the wager. The duke did not look at him.
“Again,” he said flatly.
The man chuckled.
The duke leaned forward slightly. “If you look at her like that again, you will lose more than your stake.”
The tone was quiet. The effect was not. The men stiffened. Even the dealer paused, unimpressed but aware. This was not unusual here. Jane swallowed.
The game began. The duke played like someone who already knew the outcome. Jane watched more than she played, though she tried to embody an air of confidence.
He won. Cleanly.
The table shifted. The men muttered. Someone cursed. The duke collected his winnings without celebration.
Jane leaned slightly closer. “That was fast.”
“I do not like to waste time,” he said.
Something in his tone made her look at him longer than necessary. Then he stood. “We’re done here.”
Jane frowned. “Already?”
He gave her a look she couldn’t quite read. “We are waiting.”
“For what?”
He did not answer. Instead, he reached out, lightly tapping the dealer’s arm as they passed—a gesture so casual she almost missed it. Then they left.
Outside, Jane turned sharply. “What was that?”
The duke didn’t stop walking. “A message.”
“You bribed him,” she said immediately.
“Yes.”
“And now we wait.”
“No,” he corrected. “Now we confirm.”
He stopped at a narrow alley between two buildings. “Here.”
Jane frowned. “Why here?”
He glanced at her. “Because if I am correct, he will come.”
Jane realized suddenly that he was not guessing. He was expecting. Moments passed. Then footsteps. The dealer appeared from the shadows, glancing around quickly.
“I cannot stay long,” he said immediately. “If I’m seen, there will be trouble.”
“You won’t be,” the duke said.
The dealer looked at him warily. Jane studied the man carefully now. The duke had arranged this. Not just the game. All of it.
“You signaled him,” she murmured.
The duke didn’t deny it.
The dealer shifted. “What do you want?”
The duke’s voice sharpened. “Evan Lockwood. And a man who may have been with him who has a similar complexion to this lady.”
The dealer glanced at Jane briefly, then nodded. “I know the man you mean,” he said.
Jane’s breath caught.
The duke went still. “Evan.”
“Yes,” the dealer said. “He came here often. Good player. Very good.”
Jane’s heart tightened.
“And?” the duke pressed.
The dealer hesitated. “He was moved up. Advanced tables. Higher stakes.”
Jane swallowed.
The duke’s jaw flexed. “And Foxglove?”
The dealer shook his head. “Never saw that name here.”
Jane exhaled slowly, half with frustration and disappointment.
“A month ago,” the dealer added, “he played at a high table with a man called Phineas Strachan.”
The duke’s expression changed instantly. “Repeat that,” he said quietly.
“Strachan,” the dealer confirmed. “Everyone knew his name, even if they pretended not to.”
Jane frowned. “Who is that?”
The duke’s voice was flat. “A crime lord. Political circles have been trying to build a case against him for years.”
Jane felt something cold settle in her stomach. “And Evan played with him?” she asked.
The dealer nodded.
“Did they interact?” the duke asked sharply.
“No,” the dealer said quickly. “Just played at the same table.”
“And afterward?” Jane asked.
The dealer hesitated again. “That night, Evan won a large sum,” he said. “Strachan was not pleased when he left.”
Jane’s pulse quickened.
“And Evan?” the duke asked.
“He stopped coming.”
The duke exhaled slowly through his nose. “He was being watched.”
Jane’s voice softened. “And he knew it.”
The duke looked at her. Something unspoken passed between them. Then suddenly there were footsteps behind them.
Jane turned just in time. Three men stepped into the alley. They weren’t gamblers or staff. The dealer made a hasty retreat into the shadows.
The duke moved instantly. “Behind me,” he said sharply.
Jane obeyed without hesitation. The men closed in.
One of them spoke. “You should stop digging where you don’t belong.”