The Lyon and His Promise (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)
Chapter One
The Lyon’s Den
London, England 1817
G yles Hawley, Marquis of Wickes, looked down at his hand of cards making every attempt not to smirk. Holding onto a winning hand that many would not be able to beat allowed him to mentally count the coins sitting in the middle of the table that would soon belong to him. He shouldn’t be so confident considering this was the first hand of the evening, but he was feeling lucky tonight.
He folded the cards, tapping them on the velvet table before throwing in several coins to up his bet. A groan followed from a couple of the gentlemen at the table. His friends Lucius, Earl of Blackthorn and Asher Tyler, Earl of Rowley both chuckled and tossed aside their cards knowing they had nothing to show the dealer.
“Gentlemen, do you wish to continue your play against his lordship?” Oberon asked the remaining players in a silky voice. Her face, concealed by a mask, turned to each man waiting for their reply. Gyles had always been curious about this woman’s story and how she happened to become a dealer at the Lyon’s Den… not th at any of the dealers gave away such information readily. Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the elusive Black Widow of Whitehall, only hired the best, which meant they were also the most discreet.
One man with bleary eyes who clearly had too much to drink tossed in his bet. “You’s gonna loose this one, mate,” he slurred.
The other remaining player decided to fold.
“My lord,” Oberon said with a nod in Gyles’s direction to show his hand.
Gyles fanned out his cards causing the other man to curse once he saw he had lost.
“You’s cheated,” he bellowed making a lunge for Gyles. He never got far as one of the bouncers who stood nearby took the man by the arms and began escorting him from the room. His obscenities continued to rise above the normal noise of the crowd until they dwindled as he left. He would most likely be banned from ever returning to the establishment again. Such conduct and rudeness of another guest and player was never acceptable.
Gyles began to scoop up his winnings. “Well, that made for an interesting game,” he commented dryly.
Lucius pulled on the chain at this waist and opened his watch with a soft click. “Plenty of time left to the evening. We’ve barely arrived. What game should we try next?”
Asher sighed as he began collecting what remained of his money. “I’ve already lost a small fortune. I think I’m done for the night, gents. Same time tomorrow?” he asked with a knowing grin.
Gyles shook his head. “I have a previous engagement so will call off for tomorrow but count me in for the next night if you wish to come here again. Send word to my townhouse on the time.”
They bid goodnight when Asher left leaving Gyles and Lucius to make their way to the side of the room to survey which table to sit at next. With a brandy in hand, Gyles searched the room and was surprised to see an old neighbor of his that he hadn’t talked to in years. They had been the best of friends until they had a falling out but maybe it was time to make amends… or at least an attempt at one. Gyles excused himself from Lucius and began making his way across the room as memories flooded his mind from his past.
Simon, Earl of Rockliffe, had grown up with him, their families living on neighboring country estates. He and Gyles had done everything together and at one point had been as close as brothers. But when Simon’s younger sister Josephine had run away with a commoner, Simon had sworn she would never set foot on their estate again. Gyles had argued with Simon that he should be more concerned with trying to go after his sister instead of allowing her to run away with a man they did not know. But Simon could be a stubborn lout and had pushed back saying if Josephine wanted to ruin her life it wasn’t any of Gyles’s business to interfere.
Those words were like a punch to the gut. Gyles had argued that if nothing else then it was Simon’s responsibility to ensure that Josephine was safe—for her sake and also for the sake of his family’s reputation. Yet Simon, for some unknown reason, didn’t want to hear anything Gyles had to say on the matter, and when Gyles had continued to press the matter, his persistence had caused their friendship to shatter. Gyles felt lost without his oldest friend. But what of Josephine?
Josephine had been always treated like the little sister he never had—or at least, that was what Gyles had always told Simon. He remembered the last time Josephine had stood before him seven years ago. Her soft brown eyes gazed up at him as though he were some object on a pedestal. This was the point when she told him that she cared for him far deeper than just as a brother. She was in love with him and had asked for his love in return—but that had been something Gyles couldn’t give her. Afterall, she was his best friend’s sister, and he had made a promise.
Her last whispered words to him still echoed in his mind after all these years. “Tell me you care for me, Gyles.” For years he had held back the deepening affection he had felt for Josephine. He would not have breached the line that had been invisibly drawn between them. So on that day when Josephine made her plea, his reply had been curt. He’d watched as tears quickly formed in those eyes that for a brief moment had held hope. He had watched her retreat from his side, attempting to cover the sobs that were wretched from her mouth. He had learned she had run away with some unknown man shortly thereafter. Regret had consumed him ever since.
He tore himself out of the memories when he reached his old friend. Simon appeared as if he had been waiting for him.
“Wickes,” Simon said dryly, reaching for his glass and raising it to his lips.
“Simon,” Gyles replied coming to stand next to the man. “Any luck this evening?”
Simon shrugged. “Not much. I’ve won a hand or two, but my purse is the lighter for my efforts. You?”
“I’ve been holding my own fairly well,” he said while he gazed around the room. “It’s been a long time since we’ve talked. I’d like to settle the rift between us if you’re willing.”
One of Simon’s brows lifted. “You were the one who constantly picked fights with me after… the incident ,” Simon reminded him. He took another sip of his drink.
A snort left Gyles. “If you recall, you were being unreasonable. Your sister’s reputation was in danger, and you didn’t give a fig about stopping Josephine from what clearly became her downfall.”
Simon began to sputter a reply before he composed himself. “I see we are still at a crossroad. Besides, this is hardly the place to have a private conversation.”
“Then let us meet again either at my place or yours.”
“Will it make any sort of difference?” Simon asked before heaving a heavy sigh.
“Yes. You were my best friend in our youth. I would like to have you back in my life again. After so many years, we should let the past remain where it belongs and renew our friendship,” Gyles suggested.
Simon peered at him over his glass, downed the contents and then put the crystal on the table he stood next to. “Very well. Send word to my townhouse. I’ll agree to talk the matter over.”
Gyles wasn’t given any time to reply for Simon abruptly left. At least he agreed to meet with him. Gyles would send word in the morning and prayed he could repair the damage that had kept him and his friend apart. Gyles had missed Simon’s friendship and those bygone days when the two would hunt and fish together when they were at their country homes. Mayhap, if he could mend the rift between them, he could also find a way to bring Josephine back home where she truly belonged. He wanted to bring their family back together not only for their sake but for his own.