Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

Chloe stared at him attempting to understand. A duke who didn’t want an heir? It was ridiculous. Absurd.

What would Mildred say if she heard all this? But of course, Mildred had been asked to leave. Ryker didn’t want his aunt to know what he was proposing.

Cad.

But it wasn’t Chloe’s position to judge. She needed this man to finance her future one way or the other.

What would he do if she rejected his proposal? The very idea that he’d still provide her a dowry after she’d told him no…

She nipped at her lip again. She had created this situation. Indulging in that kiss was having the most unimaginable consequences. “You don’t want a physical relationship with your wife?”

“Technically, I don’t want a wife at all. I never have. But as the situation requires it, I can find some benefit in our match.”

“Such as?”

“Well, my aunt will cease playing matchmaker. The King will stop sending me increasingly aggressive missives…”

He was tired of being harangued.

“And if the lady understands what I require, a match of… convenience could work in my favor.”

Chloe blinked at him. In his favor? Worry niggled down her spine. Generally, when something was designed for one person’s convenience, it would be far from convenient for the other.

But he would be meeting her most basic needs. She needed her financial future secured and that, he could provide. And she’d be settled. She’d have Mildred as a permanent family member…

She shook her head, looking at her clasped hands. “I don’t know…”

He moved closer then until he stood next to the settee, close enough that she could reach out and touch his thigh. Her fingers curled tighter together. What was it about this man that provoked such a reaction? This senseless need to touch him?

He ran the pad of his thumb over her cheek, then hooked a finger under her chin, lifting her face. “Chloe. What’s there to decide? This is beneficial for us both.”

It was true. Except… she found him so tempting, she couldn’t deny it, it’s why she’d allowed him the liberty of kissing her last night. And then there was the fact that she wanted companionship. She missed the security a real family had always provided. Not just financial but emotional. “How would it work? Us not being together…”

He withdrew his hand. “You could choose which of my estates you’d like to reside. You’d spend your time there… I would be mostly here…”

She was going to be shunted off like some dirty secret. That knot of dread tightened. “And if no one discovers that we kissed. Would you still want to go forward with this plan, or could I find someone else?”

He stared down at her with unreadable eyes. “The plan is now the plan. Even if I agreed, you know Mildred. She’s decided that she’d like both her adopted children settled. You could marry someone else, but then she’d return to meddling in my affairs. The unique thing about you is that with you, I can be honest with my wishes.”

She shook her head, forcing herself to stand. With the low table in front of the settee, she found herself trapped so that their bodies nearly touched. She still needed to tilt her chin a ridiculous amount to look at him. “You’re a duke. Plenty of women would make all sorts of deals…”

He smiled then, so charming and handsome that her breath stuck in her throat. “Not women that look like you, Chloe. Women of both breeding age and with the correct temperament, who might understand my requirements, are very difficult to find.”

“My temperament?”

His smile broadened. “You know what I mean.” His smile disappeared.

“I’m not certain I do.” She pressed her hands to her stomach, knowing this was her moment to ask for what she needed most. “Which is why I must implore you to fund a modest dowry?—"

“Out of the question.”

His tone left no room for debate as her shoulders curled in. “But…”

“Chloe, it’s marriage to me or find your own future. Those are the choices I’m offering.”

Her breath caught in her lungs as she realized he held all the cards, and he’d use every one to get his way. She hated this deal. But what choice did she have? A shiver ran through her, tears pricking at her eyes. She didn’t have any choice at all. “Fine. I accept.”

“Good girl. I’ll leave you to tell Mildred the good news. As my wife, I’ll expect your confidence. The details of our arrangement are for you and me alone. No one else needs to know.”

“Of course.” She might hate him. Had she kissed him last night? Found him handsome this morning? He was a cold-blooded snake. One who planned to shunt her off to the country to live as a well-paid spinster.

“Good.” He turned away, and her stomach plummeted. She had to do something. She couldn’t lose like this… so completely. Her future and happiness were at stake. So, she attempted to draw herself up, and find some well of confidence inside her that she hardly knew even existed.

“I have one request.” The words fell from her lips in a breathy rush.

He looked back at her then. “You’re hardly in the position?—”

She lifted a finger. If she didn’t stop him, she might never get this out. “It’s been my lifelong dream to travel to London. I’d like to stay for the season.”

“The season?”

“I don’t need to participate in high society. I just want to experience the city a bit. If I do go out, I can go out with you as your charge or some such thing, but I’ve only just arrived. Please don’t send me away yet.” She held her breath, knowing that she wanted more than just to explore London.

She was about to tie herself to this man. She’d learn what she was dealing with before they were formally wed. “And I’d like a fortnight before our ceremony.”

“I’m not posting the banns.”

He wouldn’t. That would be a public announcement. “It’s not about that. I just wish for a bit of time to adjust.”

He grimaced. “Chloe.”

“Please,” she heard the begging in her voice, her gaze surely pleading as she stared back at him.

“Fine. But no more time than that.”

She nodded, relief making her limp again, as he turned, leaving, without so much as a goodbye. Not even a kiss on the hand of the woman he’d just asked to marry.

She had a fortnight to decide if she wished to change her mind, to stay and honor the arrangement or leave, which was good. Because she might have just made a deal with the devil.

* * *

Ryker climbed into his carriage, raking a hand through his hair, surely making the strands stand on end. He had a meeting with the Emperor to share his findings about Adam, and it was the very last thing he wished to do today, especially after everything that had transpired this morning.

Ryker was a man used to keeping private matters private. The idea that he’d just proposed to a woman and planned to marry, had unsettled him. Remaining single was the one absolute in their ranks, even more important than the secret identities they maintained at the club. If any of the men found out about Chloe, he’d be out, no longer allowed among their ranks.

And other than Mildred, the club was all he cared about.

And then there was the matter of Chloe’s request to remain in London. How the hell was he going to manage that? The attraction that crackled between them was palpable. It was a grave detriment to his plan because if he impregnated his wife, he would truly be in danger of becoming his father.

Perhaps Chloe was right. Mayhap he should choose a woman who was less… well… just less.

But the idea rankled. He was a man who had the best of everything and Chloe… she was the best.

He tied on his mask, pushing his hair back once again as the carriage arrived at the club. He exited his unmarked carriage and took the steps two at a time, then pushed open the door.

The interior immediately calmed him, and he drew in a deep breath of the air, which was infused with the scent of expensive liquor and cigar smoke. This was the place he was most free to be himself.

No facades, no pretense of civility. His shoulders relaxed. It would be much easier if he could just send Chloe away, but as it stood… she seemed to understand what he wished to accomplish. She’d said if they went out together, she’d pretend to be only his charge and not his wife.

He’d send Mildred back to Berkshire, saying he and Chloe needed time together or some such thing.

The plan could still work. He’d pacify his aunt and the King while maintaining the life he enjoyed. Simple.

His thoughts straight, he started down the hall and then up the back stairs to where the members usually met.

He found the Emperor and the Summoner sitting at their meeting table, both men masked. In the corner, the Master also lounged, his legs spread out in front of him.

“Cozy,” Ryker rumbled, taking his usual seat.

The Emperor quirked a brow above his mask. “We heard you played the game well last night.”

Hardly. In fact, he’d lost as badly as a man within their world could. Then again, he was the Keeper of Secrets. What was one more?

“We’re not here to discuss that, are we?”

The Emperor shrugged. “We’re here to discuss all things club related.”

He waited for the man to explain, his curiosity piqued.

“I am reaching an age where I may need to retire. You two,” and the Emperor looked back at the Master, “are our most senior members. I was glad to see you paired last night and I think you might consider an even more meaningful pairing.”

“You’re retiring?” Fuck. This place was as important to him as any other. He’d learned to be a man here when his own father had refused to teach him. But could he take the reins of the club when he was secretly married?

Then again, did he want to leave the club? Allow another man to lead? Ryker always took the best from life. And being the Emperor…

The Master scraped his feet along the floor, the noise echoing through the room. “You don’t look that excited, Keeper.”

Ryker rumbled deep in his throat. “I’m wearing a mask. How would you know?”

“Because I saw you excited… also in a mask, last night.” He tapped the Emperor. “You should have seen the lady he caught. Stunning.”

His teeth gnashed together, wanting to tell the other man to shut up. “That was different.”

“We all love the thrill of the chase.” The Master chuckled. “But I’ve seen you on the hunt before and I’ve never seen you so enthralled.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Maybe you want to retire too.” The Master gave him the falsest smile he’d ever seen.

“Fuck off and mind your own damn business.”

The Master didn’t look the least bit put out. “Did you get her name? Is she from a good family? I told you I was interested. But if her father is powerful enough, perhaps the Emperor might like an introduction. You are in the market for a bride, aren’t you, Emperor? She really was exceptional.”

A snarl pulled from his lips. “I don’t share.” And besides, he knew what the Master was doing. He was trying to remove Ryker from the club so that he could take over leadership himself.

The Master let out another chuckle. “This is the man you want me to partner with? Charmed, I’m sure.”

The Emperor looked from one to the other. “Perhaps we should discuss my possible retirement later. I can see there are some details to work out, yet.” He cleared his throat. “Our other topic is the unfortunate incident outside our doors.”

Ryker’s gaze narrowed. “Are the two related? You leaving and the murder?” Ryker asked, knowing that the Master had riled him, and he was being churlish. But he’d had enough bullshit for one day. And besides, he didn’t want leadership of the club if he was just going to inherit a very large problem.

The Master got up from his seat in the corner coming to the table to join the discussion. “You might be a real ass, but you’re a smart ass. That is an excellent point.”

The Emperor let out a long sigh. “This is why we don’t discuss anything beyond games. It never goes well.”

The Summoner grunted. Ryker’s head jerked back in surprise. He’d never heard the man make a single sound. Apparently, he wasn’t completely mute.

He flexed his fingers, forcing them to relax. The Emperor was clearly not going to divulge his motives.

So Ryker was not surprised when the man shifted the topic back to the investigation, “Keeper would you go first, and tell us what you discovered?”

Ryker grimaced. “In terms of my investigation, several of the inn’s workers recognized the man I described. Goes by the name of Adam. He stays occasionally but not with any regularity. I hired a young man to watch out for him and follow him no matter where he goes. Should he travel to the inn again, this boy will take pursuit. Paid the boy a king’s ransom so I sincerely hope he does his job.”

The Emperor nodded. “Excellent. But as it stands, I suspected it might be Adam.”

Another rumble of frustration. “Perhaps you should have traveled to the inn to investigate for yourself.”

“He is extra touchy today,” the Master volunteered, tapping the table as he leaned forward. “What’s the matter, Keeper?”

Ryker ran another hand through his hair, knowing the man had a point. “For our next challenge, I’d like something more physical. Hand-to-hand combat or boxing or…”

“Join another club for that.” The Emperor frowned. “Let’s get back to the subject. Adam is known to me because he is quite close to Lord Severus Whitehouse. A Gothic revivalist whose brother is a bishop. Zealots, the lot of them, though Severus plays more mainstream because he likes to stay in the favor of the King. I happen to know that Severus is having a gathering tomorrow evening, and I would guess that all of us are on the list of invitees. I can’t attend, I have other matters.”

Ryker frowned. He saw where this was going.

“Neither can I.” The Master waved his hand. “I already promised another member I’d be his eyes as proof at the Wilmington ball.”

“Leaves me, does it?” Ryker’s voice dropped low and menacing with his irritation. Today was not the day for him to hand out favors. “What am I supposed to do there?”

The Emperor gave him a rare smile. “Our Keeper is not the friendliest man, Master, but you have to admit, he gets the job done.”

The Master leaned back in his chair. “The yin to my yang? I’m the charm and he’s the whip.”

Ryker ignored the other man, looking back at the Emperor.

“Watch for Adam, of course. He sometimes attends Whitehouse’s events. Listen to whatever private conversations with Lord Whitehouse that you can. Feel free to search his private rooms.”

“I’m searching for…”

The Emperor shrugged. “Anything that might tie Whitehouse, and his gang of zealots, to the murder or the club. It’s not a lot to go on but…”

Ryker let out a long breath. “Ought we hire men who do this professionally?”

“Mayhap. But first I wish to know if we need to involve ourselves at all. If this was all a coincidence, and the death had nothing to do with the club, I’d rather not have any record of our involvement. And that includes putting investigators on the payroll.”

Ryker shook his head. “I’ll go tomorrow night. But that is the end of my involvement with the investigation. I am in danger of tying my name to this thing, and that would be damn hard to explain.”

“What’s the danger there?” the Master asked.

Ryker tapped his finger, resisting the urge to just punch the man. “None of us wish to claim that Maxwell was our friend. It ties us to the murder and endangers the club.” He looked back at the Emperor. “If you’re truly considering retiring, perhaps it would be best if it was you who hired an investigator.”

The Emperor gave a nod. “Fine. But even if he proves Adam did it, without knowing about the club’s existence, no one can prove if it’s related to us. Only we can do that.”

Ryker saw the man’s point. Still. “If you don’t want to hire out, then I suggest you both make time to help. The choice is yours. But I’m not your errand boy. This is my last favor to the investigation.”

Then he rose.

A leader did not take orders, he gave them. And if the club needed a new Emperor, he was up for the challenge.

But he did things his way and no one else’s. Furthermore, the Master was not his friend, he was another man of whom Ryker needed to keep a careful watch.