Hundreds of thousands of pounds traded hands at a single match, and the winner gained not only the prize money, but a share of the bets as well.
Slamming the glass on the table, William turned. “I can handle it. What I need from you is to arrange the matches I need to qualify.”
“No offense.” Silas threw back his drink. “But unless you have been living in a corner of Gentleman Jackson for the past three months to half a year, you are not ready.”
William was getting irritated. “Do me a favor and shelve the condescension and judgment, old boy. I do not need to prove to you that I am ready, I am telling you to prepare the match. I will take care of the rest myself.”
“No,” Silas repeated.
“Well, then I have wasted my time here,” William shrugged and moved to get his jacket and hat. “But mark my words, when Idowin, you’ll rue the day you lost a five-thousand gratuity.”
“The prize money is a hundred thousand pounds,” Silas narrowed his eyes. “And five thousand is all you would hand me?”
“Would you prefer nothing?” William asked, a brow lifted. “Because if I go to another, you will lose it all.”
Scowling, Silas said, “If you do this, if I arrange all of it, you will do everything to make sure you get to the top. You must train from dawn to dusk, cut out all the rich food you lords eat every day—incorporate some healthier options.”
“I see.”
“No wine, no sherry, God forbid Blue Ruin, and if you must drink, brandy and cordials. I know you toffs love the stuff but limit your intake of coffee too, and no liquid or powderenhancementsif you get my meaning,” Silas continued. “As for sparring partners, I can arrange those as well, and if you need them to keep it quiet—”
“I do.”
“—I will arrange that as well,” Silas added. “When the matches come about, I will have a bottle man, a knee man, and a physician lined up. They, too, will need a cut of the profits.”
“From the grand matches,” William negotiated. “Not the matches that lead up to it. I actually need that blunt.”
“But what if you lose?” Silas grunted. “We’d come out with nothing.”
“Alas, there is the crux. I won’t lose,” William replied with a wide grin, thinking back to how long and hard he had been training his entire life. Taking his hat, he fixed it onto his head. “Send notice for my acceptance and the first match as soon as you can arrange it. I will be ready and waiting.”
The carriage trundled through the wrought iron gates of Brookhaven Castle while William was running down a mental list of things he had set out to accomplish that day, and felt satiated knowing he had completed them all.
Alighting from the carriage, he sent the driver off with a good night and headed inside to be met by his valet, Oliver Lane, an impeccable man who had served William’s father before him.
“How are things this fine evening, Lane?” William chimed while handing off his hat and coat.
“You have a visitor, Your Grace,” Lane replied. “Of the female disposition. ALady Rosalind, I believe.”
Although careful with his words, William could tell by his manservant’s tone alone that he disapproved—and he did have a point; Rosa was a gentlewoman who plied her body as currency for favors.
“And where is she located presently?” he asked.
“In your study,” Lane replied. “With a bottle of wine as her companion.”
“I see…” William nodded as he headed to the grand staircase. “Please see to it that we will not be disturbed, this might take a while.”
CHAPTER 4
His study was at the end of the corridor on the first floor, a comfortable space paneled in oak. Leather seats were clustered by the stone fireplace, with bookshelves on both ends of the room, and a massive desk sat by the front window.
A semi-circle of leather chairs was arranged around a coffee table and to the side, a velvet chaise longue—which is where Lady Rosa reclined seductively.
“It’s scandalous to show that amount of stocking,” William greeted her. “Helped yourself to my wine collection, I see.”
“Of course, dear,” she murmured, while drawing a hand up her shapely legs to her garter. “You are such a hospitable host.”
Leaning on the edge of his table, William shed his jacket and fiddled with the cufflinks. “Shall we do away with thepleasantries and get to the reason you decided to visit me so abruptly?”
