Chapter 9

9

Later that night,Jane and four men huddled around the drawing room table, engrossed in a monthly tradition of a game of whist.

The faint scent of beeswax and sandalwood permeated the space, and candlelight cast a golden glow over the elegant furnishings and rich, noble red wall panels. Cream upholstery covered the sofas, settees, and chairs, and paintings of delicate sunrises brightened the space further. Thorne had asked Jane to furnish it to her taste when she’d first moved here. No expense was too high, he had said. The warm colors she chose were vastly different from the those of Eaglestone and Rosewood, both of which were decorated in tones of white, gray, and blue to accommodate Papa’s strict taste.

Sitting across from Jane, Thorne considered her and his three closest friends with an air of dominance and power. His immaculate dark coat made him appear all the more brooding.

On either side of him were the Nightshade brothers, Tristan and Morgan. Thorne passed the deck of cards to Tristan, whose strong, rugged hands shuffled the deck with a familiar ease.

With a one-sided smirk to his identical twin, Morgan, Tristan began to distribute the cards, one at a time, their corners flicking against the wooden surface of the table.

Both twins were very athletically built with broad shoulders. Wavy, chestnut-brown hair fell just above their shoulders, framing their sharp, intelligent hazel eyes. Tristan distinguished himself from his brother by wearing light gray, almost white, clothes. His strong, chiseled features were softened by a playful, mischievous smile that hinted at the charming rogue beneath the surface. Morgan, who wore a dispassionate expression, was dressed in the exact same clothes, only black. The two were like bishops on a chess board—exactly the same and yet exact opposites.

“Jane, darling, I hear congratulations are in order,” Tristan said as he turned the last card up. “You’ll be wed in thirteen days?”

The glinting king of hearts stared back at them, marking the suit of hearts as the trump for the game.

Thorne, seated to Tristan’s left, was the first to play, tossing a lowly three of diamonds onto the table.

Next was Brace Sterling, who followed suit with a five of diamonds, his gaze unwavering.

“As well as I know Jane, I do not think there’s anything to celebrate,” said Brace. “Is there, darling?”

Brace’s muscular build was accented by his casual attire, his blond hair tied back in a short tail. His strong jawline and high cheekbones added to his rugged handsomeness. His piercing blue eyes held a unique intensity, often unsettling for those unacquainted with him. He had a silent authority about him, his demeanor calm and collected.

Thorne, Brace, Morgan, and Tristan shared a strange, intense friendship Jane had always felt an acute envy of, and yet she worried about its origins. Individually, they were dangerous, powerful men. Together, they were deadly.

An occasional pop and crackle filled the air, the fireplace alive with a blazing fire, the scent of burning cedarwood lazily curling up the chimney. Real firewood, and not coal, was an opulent choice. Thorne imported it all the way from Norway, as he told Jane he wanted her to have everything.

Sweeping draperies in a rich shade of crimson framed two large windows, the moonlight cast through them, painting silhouettes on the thick carpet woven with beautiful, intricate patterns. A polished mahogany harpsichord rested in one corner, its ivory keys gleaming under the chandelier’s glow.

“Quite right, Brace.” Jane, sitting beside him, neatly placed the nine of diamonds onto the pile. Thorne picked up his glass of brandy and drank. “I am not to be congratulated.”

Brace hemmed as he lifted his teacup and took a sip. Unlike the other three men, Brace never drank.

Morgan’s stern expression was unwavering as he placed a two of diamonds down. Lastly, Tristan followed with the ten of diamonds, claiming the first trick. A murmur of surprise rippled around the table as Tristan, with a sardonic grin, played the queen of hearts to start the second round.

“We already discussed it, and it is done,” said Thorne as he followed suit by playing the four of hearts. Morgan and Tristan exchanged a long glance.

Brace, probably not having any hearts in his hand, discarded the six of clubs. Jane followed by playing the two of hearts. When Morgan played the eight of hearts, it was clear who won.

“Trick is mine,” said Tristan as he cleaned up the cards.

“Who’s the man?” asked Morgan.

Tristan took a sip from his glass, then laid down the king of spades for the third round. “I already investigated his background. His name is Lord Richard Seaton. A known rake. Sleeps around. Drinks. Debauches. But from a good family. His brother the duke is a pain in my arse. Pretty interesting sister… And his older brother that disapp—”

“Tristan.” One word from Thorne, and Tristan stopped talking with a grin and a nod.

Ruby appeared in the door and asked if Jane and Brace wanted more tea. Jane asked her to please bring it.

“Right,” Tristan said when Ruby disappeared behind the door.

“Knowing you, I am sure you have your reasons,” said Morgan. “But if you’re aware Lord Richard sleeps around, why would you agree to marry Jane to someone with no honor?”

Jane crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Thorne. “Yes, Thorne. Why?”

“I would not say Lord Richard has no honor,” said Tristan, watching Thorne laid down the seven of spades. “He certainly does. He hasn’t been known to offend any of his lovers, all of whom were widows and deeply unhappy wives. Whores, of course, but only the most exclusive ones. On the contrary, he seems to deeply care about his family and is as protective of them as you are of Jane, Thorne. From what I know of men like him, I believe he would protect his wife and children as much.”

Thorne nodded and looked at Jane. “And I will cut the organ off his body that allows him to debauch the moment he does a single thing that makes you sad, sister.”

Brace followed suit with the nine of spades. “And so will we. Gladly.”

Morgan chuckled. “You have all the sharpest scalpels.”

Brace cocked his eyebrow. “And I know how to use them.”

Brace Sterling was a skilled, albeit unlicensed, physician who catered to the underworld of London. As far as Jane knew, Brace had saved Thorne’s and the twins’ lives on more than one occasion. He had gained medical training at the university and continued learning later by unconventional means, which he never discussed. He’d taught Jane how to clean and suture wounds and apply first aid to broken limbs. Besides helping Thorne, he also cared for the people of Whitechapel free of charge.

Jane, having no spades, discarded the three of clubs, hiding a smile at Brace’s comment.

Thorne looked at Jane, and his eyes were soft. “You’re the single good thing in my life, Jane. God knows, I’m a horrible man, and I’ve done horrible things. And my life is such that I will keep doing them. The only bright thing in my dark world is you—will always be you. And no matter how much it pains me to let you go, it is for your own good to return to the safety of Mayfair, where you can have the future you deserve.”

Morgan added his two of spades, and Tristan chuckled with satisfaction. “Trick is mine.”

“You lucky bastard,” mumbled Morgan.

“I really am,” said Tristan as he collected the cards. “And I wear it like a badge of honor.”

Jane’s chest tingled and tightened at Thorne’s loving words. “Thank you, brother, I know you wish me the best.”

She remembered her happy childhood where her older, dark, and always serious brother was present in their home at Rosewood Hall. The times he’d snuck her out of the schoolroom and the two of them hid in the woods, giggling, watching the nanny calling for Jane with terrified eyes. How he taught her to swim in the pond and ride the pony using a regular saddle, despite Papa forbidding that. Thorne brought freedom, joy, and mischief into her life of strict rules and easy punishment. Her fingers often ached after the governess struck her for making mistakes in French and math.

And when Thorne suddenly disappeared, her life was devoid of all that made her happy. Her only friend who cared about her and brought her happiness was gone, and she was so, so lonely. Her world had forever changed. No longer had she had a protective older brother to talk to, to make mischief with. And with Papa always absent, all she had was her governess.

Then Papa had died, and Thorne had suddenly come back. But he was a different person than the one she had known. His three loyal friends had come into her life then, too—loyal, intense, mysterious, and dangerous. Thorne gave her anything she wanted. Hercules. Freedom to move around. Her school.

And now that she could teach and would have all those children in her life, she really didn’t need or want a husband who’d uproot her existence once again take her away from all that mattered. The judgment and the rejection of the ton would be a bitter substitute for the love and friendship she now felt in her Whitechapel home.

“How’s the school going?” asked Morgan. “Have you started them on math?”

Ruby came in, brought tea, and left with a nod.

“No,” Jane said as she poured fresh tea for herself and Brace, “I’m afraid your favorite subject will have to wait. They don’t want to be there. If Thorne hadn’t compensated their parents, basically paying them to come to the school, they’d never be there. I thought I had finally gotten through to their parents. I was proud of myself for a moment.”

Tristan led the fourth round with the eight of clubs, making it the leading suit.

Thorne looked guilty for a split moment. He played the jack of clubs. “You found out… You were not supposed to.”

Brace followed by playing the five of clubs.

Jane looked at the cards in her hand, pursed her lips, and decided to play her nine of clubs.

The other three men stifled amused grins.

“How typical, Thorne,” said Tristan. “Suffocating your sister.”

“How about letting her find her own path?” asked Morgan as he added the seven of clubs. “Looks like Thorne has the trick.”

“Perhaps,” said Tristan. “But the game is not over.”

Thorne sighed, patting Hercules, who eyed him with his adoring brown eyes. “Her own path would have led to an empty classroom and shattered dreams. It was just a little help. It would break my heart if you’re disappointed in your school endeavor, sister. I know how hard you worked for it. I’d lay the whole world down for you if I could.”

Jane sipped her tea and looked at him. As Thorne met her eyes, warmth spilled through her veins. She gave him a smile full of all the love she felt for her brother. How could she ever leave the only family she had for a man she didn’t know and a world that would never care for her as much as Thorne’s little world did?

Guilt weighed on her at the thought of going behind Thorne’s back.

But it was for the best. The sooner Lord Richard was out of her and Thorne’s lives, the better.