Before Lucas could say anything, his brother had spun and disappeared from the hall. Lucas watched the vacated spot for several long seconds. Should he follow? What had prompted that... that comment? It was uncharacteristic of Charlie, but more than that, it had seemed deeply set in pain.
Pain.
Had Lucas caused Charlie pain? Just by... what? What had it meant that he’d lost a sisteranda brother? Lucas had gone nowhere. He’d made a point to be there for Charlie. Always cleaning up his messes. Always making sure he was safe.
Anger flared. Lucas had devoted his life to his family and his duties and doing the right thing, but his brother clearly did not see that. What did Lucas need to do more? Where was he falling short?
As it had days before, an image of a disappointed Marietta swam before his mind. Great. His sister’s ghost was upset with him too, and he didn’t have any clue what he’d even done!
The anger burned hot in him, and the only way he could seem to diminish it was by doing something physical. Something difficult.
So he pulled his hat low on his head and left the house.
The ride to the club cooled his feelings somewhat. Enough to remind him of the real need for coming today, the men they’dhelped. Yes—he would just focus on helping them and forget everything else for at least an hour or so.
He slid into the back of the crowd, taking in the musky room, noting that even this early in the morning, there were a handful of patrons. He regretted that he could not join them immediately because the door to Colin’s office was open a foot or two. He made his way there, sticking his head in the door before pushing it open.
Colin glanced up. “Good, yer here.”
“Have you learned anything more?”
“It’s the company I told ye about. The Heatherdown Canal group. There’s nothing specific tying them to the attacks, but all of the men that have been hurt left their employ within the last month.”
Lucas paced the office. “That hardly makes sense. Why would a canal company worry so much about losing a few employees?”
Colin shrugged. “I dinnae, but we’ve got to do something about it.”
Lucas nodded. “I’ll find out who heads the group. Ask some of my own questions.”
“Good.”
“How is Patrick?”
A grimace crossed Colin’s face. “Better, but it will be months before he can work again.”
Lucas nodded. “Can we move him? To my father’s estate maybe? We’ve enough tenant farmers; I am sure we can find a cottage for him free of charge until he can work.”
Colin frowned in thought. “I’ll see what we can do.”
Would that he could do more. He nearly growled at the fact that he could not control everything going on. Coupled with his residual emotions from earlier, his agitation was worse than usual.
An atypically loud surge of noise came from the main room of the club. Colin leaned to the side, looking around Lucas, who also turned. Shouts reached them, and they both ran for the door. Unsanctioned fights broke out on occasion, but they were usually de-escalated without much trouble. Still, quick action was necessary.
Lucas’s eyes adjusted to the darker lighting of the big room. If a dispute had been had, things already seemed to have been de-escalated. One of the fights had collapsed into a clump of individuals. Lucas and Colin made for the grouping, pushing to the middle. A man had been knocked down, and his head was bleeding profusely.
Colin reached the group first, dropping to a squat beside the hurt man, inspecting his head.
“What happened?” Lucas asked one of the men.
The man shrugged. “Dunno. Fell down, hit his head funny, and now—”
A sharp intake of breath proceeded Colin’s words. “Luc,” he said, panic edging his tone. Lucas dropped to his side.
“What is—” He’d just caught a look at the man who’d been downed. “Charlie,” he breathed. His brother’s eyelids moved, lifting briefly to meet his eyes. He said nothing before they drooped closed again. Lucas pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, pressing it to the side of Charlie’s head. It was like using a tablecloth to dry a pond. The wound was bleeding heavily.
Panic surged through Lucas. “Help me get him to my carriage,” he demanded of Colin. His friend nodded succinctly, immediately going for Charlie’s legs.
“Make some room, lads,” Colin called, and the crowd pushed back.
