Chapter Nineteen

H olly hadn't planned on following Gavin and Derek when they passed her in a rush, unaware that she had been standing behind one of the archways. In fact, she had only wanted a bit of fresh air, to collect her thoughts. But when she saw them rush past her and enter a hired hackney, a sudden need to follow them took over. Perhaps Jasper had run off to White's again, and they were pursuing him? Or maybe they would go to the apartments where Jasper was staying. Either way, she was going to follow them and find her brother so that she might give him a piece of her mind.

Holly found her carriage, thankfully loitering down the line, close to the street. Their driver, Mr. Hoss, was leaning against the vehicle, speaking to another driver when he saw her approaching.

He quickly straightened up.

"My lady?" he asked, concerned.

"Follow that hackney that just pulled off," she said with an authority she hadn't believed she possessed. He opened the door and helped her in. "And please, make haste."

Evidently when one spoke with conviction, people didn't ask questions, for the driver nodded and quickly climbed into his seat. They were on the road in mere seconds.

Holly held her hands tightly entwined on her lap. Perhaps she was being foolish chasing after them, but indignation swallowed her along with the need to demand answers. Felton Manor may not belong to her, but she wouldn't let it go without a fight. Jasper and Gavin owed her an explanation.

A small, annoying voice sounded in the back of her mind, though. It asked what she was holding on to so desperately—and why? It was Jasper's inheritance after all, not hers, and if he was fool enough to sell it, no doubt for half of what it was worth, perhaps she should simply stand aside and let him. He clearly did not care one way or the other about the property, so what did she hope to gain by forcing him to hold on to it? He'd been dying to get it off his hands for years. She thought it was foolish to give up a farm that could easily support him for the rest of his life, but if he made the decision to run through his inheritance, he'd only have himself to blame. Besides, she had plenty of resources to help Katrina. She didn't need Felton Manor. So what was she holding on to?

A former life? The reminiscences of her mother and father? Of a time where she hadn't been so burdened? She shook her head. It wasn't as if Jasper was selling her memories. She would never forget her mother or the simple, sweet life she had once upon a time.

Perhaps, if she allowed herself to let go, she'd find an equally sweet and peaceful future. With Gavin.

Still, the sting of finding out that it had all happened without warning… well, it hurt much worse than she would have expected. Had Holly kept Gavin at a distance, she might not have been surprised at his betrayal, but she hadn't. She let him into her heart and now she'd been forced to realize that it had been a mistake to do so. It was her fault for believing in him.

Despondent as the carriage turned down this road and that at a brisk pace, Holly was barely aware that they had come to a stop when the door opened, revealing Mr. Hoss.

"My lady, I fear we're not in the best of neighborhoods," he said tensely, peering over his shoulder. "I think it would be best if we returned to Bairnsdale Terrace."

"Where are we?" she asked, peering over his shoulders. "This isn't White's, is it?"

"No, my lady. The baron and the earl came down this way and entered that house," he said, pointing a finger across the way to a fairly normal looking brick building. "I watched them go in, not moments ago. But it is not a kind place. Pickpockets don't even come down this way, my lady. It's unsafe."

"Well, if there are no pickpockets, then I'm sure we'll fare just fine," she said, moving towards the door.

The driver blanched at her determination but stepped aside to let her out. It was a dark road with a decidedly eerie stillness, but Holly would not be deterred. If Jasper was in the brick house, she would go there, pull him out, and set everything to rights herself.

She took a deep breath and stalked forward, followed by Mr. Hoss, who refused to leave her.

"If you insist on going in there, my lady, I'm afraid I must accompany you."

"Very well," she said stiffly, though deep down, she was grateful not to be left alone.

Coming up to the house, Holly realized a tall man dressed all in black was standing in the shadows, blocking the door. As she approached, the bright orange circle of his cheroot illuminated the tip of his broken nose, the edge of his cheekbones, and the glassiness of his eyes.

Holly swallowed back her fear and cleared her throat.

"Sir—"

"Piss off."

Holly's mouth dropped at the vulgarity while her driver hissed.

"How dare you speak to a lady like that," he said, puffing out his chest. "I have half a mind to teach you a lesson." The tall man unfolded his arms, stepped forward, and glared down at the both of them. Holly heard the gulp in her driver's throat. "But I wouldn't want to insult the lady further by displaying such brutality in her presence," Mr. Hoss added, a little shakily.

The man chuckled evilly.

"Ain't no way you're getting in."

She frowned.

"Then would it be possible for you to bring someone out?"

He took a drag from his cheroot and blew it out above her head.

"No."

Silent tension followed as she tried not to inhale. Holly needed, at the very least, to get Jasper out of the house, but there would be no way to get around the guard. If only there was a way to get them to come out.

He took another inhale of his tobacco, and Holly got an idea.

"Might I have one of your cigars?"

He stared at her, as did the driver.

"Why?"

"Because I'd like to see one."

"Go away," he said, turning his back on her.

But Holly would not give up. Turning behind him, she reached for the doorknob, only to be gripped by his painful grasp.

"I said, get gone!"

"I will not," she said firmly, hitting the door with her other hand. "I demand to be let in at once!"

"Unhand her!" Mr. Hoss yelled as he lunged for the bully of a man.

Temporarily distracted, Holly took her chance as the guard turned his attention on the driver, but just as he fell into the front door, she was gripped by a pair of vise-like hands.

"Now, now, now, what do we have here?" a slick, dangerous voice sounded in her ear as she was put back on her feet. The man was tall, with a long, wrinkled face, an ornate vest, and a top hat, and he appeared mildly interested as he stared down at Holly. "A lady? Finkle, unhand this woman's driver," he barked over his shoulder, causing her to wince. Glancing back down at her, the man smiled, though Holly felt ill at the sight. "Now, my lady, how may I be of service to you?"

"I… I was hoping to have a word with one of your patrons. I know you mustn't permit women, but I insist."

"Ah, but I welcome all sexes to Clemet Club. Coin is coin, after all. But no one who enters this house who isn't themselves a patron. And if you can afford the two hundred pound entry, you are now one."

"But I don't have two hundred pounds."

"By the style of your dress, I say you've got plenty, but let's not stand out in this drafty hallway while we discuss it."

He held out his arm to her, and Holly felt she had no choice. She was now indebted at least two hundred pounds simply for entering. Giving him a tight smile, she barely rested her hand on his forearm as she squared her shoulders. He led her into a somewhat brighter room, though it was still very dark, filled with a thick layer of smoke and the scent of gin.

Several tables filled with several men were scattered around the room. No one appeared to be particularly interested in her arrival except a man in the center of the room. His hazel eyes locked on hers and the tension in his shoulders made her insides tighten.

Gavin.

He stared at her like she was some sort of apparition, but he didn't get up. In fact, Derek, who sat next to him, seemed purposely trying to ignore her. Something was very wrong, indeed.

"We were just starting a new game, my lady," the older man in the top hat said, escorting her to the table where her husband sat. He pulled out a wooden chair, and she sat as her nerves began to buzz. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Mr. Kilmann."

"V-very nice to meet you," she said softly, trying to keep her eyes off Gavin, whose expression was barely controlled. A slight vein pulsing at his temple told her that he was struggling to contain himself. She had never seen him so upset. "What game are we playing?"

"Faro," Kilmann said, turning to Gavin as he began to deal out the cards. "Now tell me, Bairnsdale, what do you want? You know everyone who comes here is good for their coin."

"I am aware," Gavin said stiffly, trying not to look at Holly. "We were just searching for a friend. He insulted the Duke of Gloucester tonight, and unfortunately, he may be called out. We didn't want to see him killed before morning."

"Is that so?" Kilmann said, obviously uninterested. "Well, that is a situation. And you said Smyth was his name?"

"Yes."

"Hmm. Well, I don't know anyone by that name here," Kilmann said, his head turning to face the other table. Holly tried to follow his gaze without detection. She saw her brother, eyes down on a set of cards as a stream of sweat dropped from the side of his forehead. "But I do know someone who claims to be a cousin of yours, Bairnsdale. It's how he gained access here."

Kilmann dealt out several cards around the table.

"A cousin?" Gavin said as Holly picked up her cards. "Is that so?"

"But you don't have any cousins, isn't that correct?"

It would be foolish to try to deny it. Everyone knew that Gavin Winscombe was the sole heir to his uncle—the last of his line.

"Correct."

"So, I've been lied to."

Noting the dangerous turn in conversation, Holly opted to distract the man named Kilmann. She brought her forearms to the edge of the table and leaned forward. Heaven help her . She might die of embarrassment, but it would be better to die by her own humiliation than by a bunch of cutthroats. Pressing her upper arms against the sides of her chest, she tried to accentuate her breasts as she fanned out her cards and made her voice sweetly high-pitched.

"Goodness, is four kings the best hand you can get?" she asked, leaning towards Kilmann. "I always forget what beats what."

Kilmann gave her a double take, noticing the deep cut of her neckline, and her eyes flashed to Gavin, whose face darkened as his eyes flashed murderously. If humiliation didn't kill her, Gavin might.

"Is that what you have, my dear?" Kilmann asked, his tone suddenly flirtatious.

"Well, I can't tell you that, can I?" she said with forced lightness. "You might hold it against me."

"There are a number of things I'd like to hold against you."

"Play. The. Hand," Gavin's soft, furious voice bit out from across the table.

"Now, now, Bairnsdale. I'm sure the lady here is a reasonable creature," Kilmann said, turning back to Holly. "You know, at first I thought you were someone from the first ranks of society. But I think you've fooled us."

"Oh?" Her tone went slightly higher.

"Yes. I think you must be a very well-practiced courtesan, although you must be new to London." He tilted his head as he watched her, as if trying to remember her. "I've never seen you before."

"I'm out. If you'll excuse me," Derek said, standing up, dropping his cards. "I must visit the necessary. Excuse me."

Kilmann waved him off, waiting for Holly to continue.

"Yes, I am fairly new to town," she said, noting that Derek was heading towards the door. At least someone was thinking about their exit. "I've just come from Paris."

"Really?" Kilmann said. "What is your name? Surely I would have heard about someone of your beauty through my connection there."

"Oh, it's Madam Downs," she lied, placing two cards on the table. "You know, like in horseracing."

"I'm well versed in the term. Calling the turn," he said smoothly as he flipped over the cards before them. His eyes flashed with delight. "Ah, I'm afraid you won't win this hand, my dear. Lady Luck has blessed me yet again."

Laying down his cards, Holly realized this man had barely even looked at his hand but had still won with ease. Despite outward appearances, Holly had been taught many card games, but faro was not one of them. She followed Gavin's lead and dropped her cards in the middle to be dealt again.

For two more rounds, the same measured playing occurrence, and by the third round of losses, Holly felt herself begin to sweat. Derek returned and fared no better. The room was uncomfortably warm, and a footman kept bringing them whiskey but had no water available, which Holly found suspicious.

She realized they were losing a great deal of money. If they continued, surely they would lose a small fortune before the night was over. Especially if they included Jasper's losses, as well. All that money could have been used for something worthwhile instead of lining the pockets of a crook.

Trying to catch Gavin's eye to signal her desire to leave, she saw that his gaze was locked on the cards, the slight crease between his brow more prominent against the shadows that played across his face in the dark room. He appeared deep in thought.

"Lord Trembley, I expected better from you," Kilmann said, laying the cards out again. "I've only ever heard what a great player you are."

"I must be having an off night," he said lowly, displeasure cast all over his face. He turned to Holly fully and leaned towards her. "How goes it, my lady?"

Confused, Holly gazed down at her cards, unsure what she was seeing, but when she tilted her head up, she realized Derek was staring at her intently. The barest lift of one of his brows told Holly to play her part as a sultry courtesan.

She gave Kilmann her most seductive smile.

"I would say my luck has long run out, but I don't think I ever had any," she said softly. "Would that you could share some of yours with me, sir? I'd be very much obliged."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a movement on the table. It must have caught Kilmann's eye too, for he frowned and was about to turn back to look when she reached across the table and touched his arm to distract him.

"My, for a cardplayer you've an exceedingly muscular arm," she said earnestly, earning a somewhat sloppy smile from the man. "Oh, but I should refrain from saying such things."

"Are we to play or are we to hear this babble all night long?" Gavin said, his tone low and furious.

Kilmann began flipping the cards once more.

"I win, again," he said, but quick as a shot, Gavin's hand came over the pot.

"Not so fast. Check again."

Kilmann's face scrunched with puzzlement for a moment. Then he turned several shades of red as he stood up, nearly knocking the table over.

"You've cheated!" he yelled, his chair kicking to the floor as everyone around them stood.

"Says the man stacking the bloody deck," Gavin accused. "This whole operation is a scam."

"One you'll pay for," Kilmann said, producing a knife from his pocket.

Holly froze with fear as the man lunged at Gavin, surprisingly agile for his age. She cried out when they collided and fell to the ground, rolling together on the floor. Before she knew it, she was pushed off into Jasper's arms by Derek.

"Get her out of here, now!" Derek yelled as he narrowly missed being tackled to the ground by a man who seemed to have come out of nowhere.

The entire house abruptly descended into chaos. Fights broke out at every table and the sickening sound of knuckles slamming into skin turned Holly's stomach as Jasper grabbed her and tried to drag her away. But she fought against him.

"I can't leave him!"

"You'll only distract him! We have to go now," Jasper yelled over the grunts and screams from the others.

Hating that he was probably right, Holly hesitated for only another moment before letting her brother lead her away as a chair flew across the room, splintering against a wall. They rushed out of the brick house to find Holly's coachman standing near the carriage as they came running up.

"My lady! Oh, thank goodness," the driver cried, helping her and Jasper into the coach. "Let us be away from this place at once."

"We're not going anywhere," Holly said firmly. "Not until Gavin comes out of that house."

"But Holly—"

"Jasper, if you ever cared an ounce for me in your entire life, you will not move this carriage," she said, her gaze locked on the brick house. "I will not leave him."

Jasper gave her a contrite look before conceding to her wishes. Nodding to the coachman, he waited with her as they watched the flood of people leaving the house. Holly thought they looked like mice trying to escape a burning barn. The men scurried away in every direction. After several long moments, Jasper spoke, his tone remorseful.

"I do care about you, Holly. I know it doesn't seem like it. I know I'm constantly disappointing you, but it's difficult. You don't understand what it's like, not ever having a choice or a say in one's own life. It's infuriating."

Holly turned to her brother.

"You think I have ever had a choice? Jasper, I've only ever done what was expected of me. Never did I even dream about my own life."

"No one asked you to give your life up."

"No, because it was never a question as to whether I would or not," she said. "Mama and Papa only asked that I watch over you and Katrina. I tried my best, Jasper, I have, but if you are set on ruining your life, then so be it. All I ask is that you have a care for Katrina. When you go about insulting dukes and running up debts, you give us nothing but heartache. I'm not asking you to be a saint, Jasper. Only that you be considerate. Katrina is a good girl and deserves to have a chance at a life without hardships and drama. Your reputation is ruining that."

Jasper bowed his head, seemingly unsure what to say in response. Holly turned her attention back to the brick building. It seemed the house had nearly emptied when two shadowy forms raced out. Feeling it in her soul that Gavin was one of the two men, Holly opened to door to the carriage and shouted.

"Here!"

Both figures stopped and turned in her direction. Then they came running. Within seconds Gavin and Derek were in the carriage. Derek fell into the seat next to Jasper while Gavin sat down next to Holly just as the carriage took off. Her husband was breathing heavily as he rested his head against the padded backboard while they charged forward, full speed ahead.

"My goodness, I didn't know…What?" Holly's hand reached for Gavin's arm, but he winced. Peering down at her fingers, she saw a dark, sticky liquid shining beneath the carriage lamps. Her stomach dropped. "Gavin?"

"It's only a scratch," he said, but Holly did not believe him.

"Take off your coat."

"No—"

"Take it off at once. I demand to see what's going on," she said before hitting the wall with her fist. "We need a doctor!"

"We don't need a doctor; the housekeeper can stitch this up."

"Gavin, I swear—"

"And don't you dare turn this carriage around. I refuse to go back in the direction of that hell hole. And also, I'm furious with you."

"With me?" she snapped, barely caring that Derek and her brother were in the coach with them, witnessing this spousal spat. "What did I do?"

"You practically crawled into the murder's lap for one."

"I did not—"

"Um, pardon," Derek said, causing Holly and Gavin to turn on him.

"What?" they said in unison.

"If you aren't going to die, might I suggest dropping me off. I've never had a stomach for marital fights."