Chapter 9
REXFORD
I’d doubted the wisdom of attending this ball, but curiosity had won out. And the event would also give me the opportunity to deliver an important message.
My recent concerns about my sister had weighed heavily on my mind.
Now that Victoria was married to Moreland and safe, the pair away on their wedding trip, my worry had eased.
So when Fairfax had informed me of Kendrick’s latest acquisition and that it had occurred in my club, I couldn’t ignore the insolence.
It also wasn’t outside the realm of possibility that the situation might take an interesting turn. After all, one of our group had recently done the unthinkable and fallen in love.
I watched Kendrick approach the woman in question—Miss Caroline Edwards—who’d been declared the diamond of the season.
Fairfax had assured me that Kendrick hadn’t realized what was happening until it was too late and Weston had written his promissory note.
But there had been witnesses, and I needed to make an example of the man.
King’s wasn’t the type of establishment that disregarded the buying and selling of women.
When Kendrick and the diamond had escaped to the balcony, I turned to the other Legends and tilted my head toward the exit that led to the card room.
Fairfax, Greyson, and Clifton joined me as I went in search of my quarry.
We were causing a stir, but that wasn’t unusual when we were together.
Speculation would be at an all-time high, and I couldn’t help but wonder if our visit would be noted in the gossip column that liked to report on our activities.
That was a situation I would need to deal with soon.
We entered the card room, which was exactly like every other one I’d visited.
Oak-paneled walls, dark leather chairs, and mahogany tables laid out with packs of cards and ivory counters.
The dark interior, heavy with the scent of tobacco smoke and brandy, was a stark contrast to the bright, gleaming ballroom.
I could understand why most of the men here had deposited their wives and daughters in the ballroom and escaped into this welcoming space.
I scanned the occupants of the room. Some of the younger men had been in the ballroom earlier. They’d danced, hurrying to claim their time with the most desirable of the young women newly on the marriage mart before heading into the card room.
But one man hadn’t set foot in the ballroom after arriving with his sister. Baron Weston. The blighter who’d wagered his sister in my club.
A few aimed curious glances our way as we stood just inside the doorway, and I could tell by the way they tensed that they’d correctly interpreted my mood.
I strode to the table where, unsurprisingly, Weston was currently losing. His back was to us, but the other three at the table glanced up when we stopped.
I met each of their gazes and lifted my chin slightly. Without question, they all turned over their cards and stood.
Weston let out a soft crow of delight. “I guess this is my lucky day,” he said as he scooped up his winnings and dragged them to his own meager pile. The smile vanished when the four of us settled into the vacant seats.
I positioned myself directly opposite him, taking pleasure in the way the color drained from his face.
After a hard swallow, he straightened in a too-obvious attempt to hide his fear. “This is unexpected. I should probably leave you to it and see how my sister is doing, but I can indulge you in one hand.” His eyes moved over us, then he stilled. “Is Kendrick not here tonight?”
I kept my gaze pinned on him. “He is otherwise occupied at the moment.”
“Indeed,” Greyson said. “I believe I saw him dancing.”
Fairfax smiled. “I can’t recall the last time I’ve seen him waltz.”
Weston was growing increasingly agitated, especially as Fairfax continued, “But I don’t believe he’s waltzing at the moment.”
“No.” Clifton’s tone was dry. “I believe he was headed out into the gardens with a beautiful young woman. Who was that again?”
I kept my voice even as I said, “I believe it was the young woman he recently won in a card game.”
Weston shot to his feet.
“Sit down,” I said.
He stumbled back into his chair. “But my sister—”
I narrowed my eyes. “Yes, your sister, who you had the audacity to hand over as payment of a debt in my club. The club in which you are no longer welcome.”
His mouth gaped open for a moment. “You should be the last person to criticize me, not after what happened to your own sister.”
I leaned forward, my hand twitching on the card table. “Have a care about what you’re going to say next.”
Weston’s mouth snapped closed.
Clifton glared at the man. “We don’t peddle flesh at King’s.”
Weston shook his head. “That’s not what happened.”
“That is exactly what happened,” Greyson said. “You handed your sister over as payment of a debt.”
“He wasn’t supposed to accept when he called the following day. I had it all planned out.”
I leaned back and folded my arms over my chest. “You’re not going to interfere with what happens next. Do you understand?”
“But she’s my sister,” Weston sputtered.
I’d rarely seen Fairfax angry, but he was angry now. “You should have thought of that before you wrote down her name.”
Weston swallowed. “No one else read that note. No harm was done—”
“Everyone present knew exactly what you did,” Fairfax said.
I’d had enough of this conversation. I stood, the others following suit. “You are no longer welcome at King’s. Whatever happens now to your sister is on your head. Don’t draw me into this again.” I started to turn but stopped. “And you would do well to stay out of Kendrick’s way.”
The Legends joined me as I exited the card room, a silent wall of support I could always count on. I couldn’t remember the last time I was so angry at someone who wasn’t my father.
I had to force my hands to unclench. When we entered the ballroom again, I saw that two women were returning from the balcony. One was the woman who Kendrick now owned, and the other was a young woman I didn’t recognize.
The two moved along the perimeter of the ballroom and made their way to the seating area set up for the ladies not currently dancing.
I made my way to the balcony, the others close behind. Kendrick stepped out of the shadows, and I strode to where he was waiting. “Have you accomplished what you came to do?”
Kendrick shrugged. “You go ahead. I’ll join you at the club soon.”
I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but something about the entire situation had me convinced that tonight was only the beginning.