“Because I know you,” Sutton said. “It’s why you’re here, is it not? There’s someone you wish to speak with.”
Julius narrowed his eyes. He shouldn’t be surprised anymore by the baron's intuition. The man had the uncanny ability to read his friends. And his enemies.
Inclining his head towards the far corner of the gymnasium, Julius agreed. “Roswell Audley.”
“The Duke of Roxburn’s son?” Summerset whistled. “It takes a bold man to blackmail anyone in that family. It is said that the duke single-handedly fought off fifteen men in the Siege of Savannah. That it was only because of his blood-thirsty attacks under the cover of night that the rebels failed.”
“His three sons are supposed to be just as deadly,” Sutton added. The three friends watched as the young man stepped into the ring with an opponent. Audley was shorter than the other man, but his well-defined muscles more than evened the match. In less than twenty seconds, Audley was standing over his unconscious adversary. “Four blows. Usually takes him less.” Sutton turned back to Julius. “What’s he being blackmailed over?”
Julius took a last swig of water. “Don’t know.” He stood. “That’s what I’m here to find out.”
His friends trailed him to the ring. “You plan to beat the information out of him?” Summerset asked. “That’s not quite your style.”
“I would hope that beating the victim of blackmail wouldn’t be any of our styles.” Sutton placed his hand on Julius’s shoulder. “What’s your plan?”
“An introduction in the ring. Nothing more for now.”
Sutton looked him up and down, eyeing the bruises on his body. “Perhaps I should be the one introducing myself in the ring. You look a bit worse for wear.”
“I’m fine.” Julius entered the marked-off circle and waited as the unconscious man’s body was dragged out. “Ready for another?” he asked the duke’s son.
The man lifted a hand, palm up, and curled his fingers. Julius met him in the center of the ring and nodded. “Rothchild.”
“Lord Roswell Audley.” He bobbed his head and stepped back. “I hope you can give me a better showing than my last opponent.” The words were pompous, aggressive, but his tone hinted of despair. His hands shook the slightest bit. Lines, much too deep for his age, bracketed Audley’s mouth and the pink tinge to his eyes spoke of sleepless nights. This was a man on the edge, needing to pound out his frustrations.
Julius knew just how he felt.
Audley didn’t waste time circling Julius. Springing forward, he threw three jabs in quick succession, then tried to take off Julius’s head with a roundhouse.
Julius blocked the jabs and ducked under the wide swing. “Audley?” he said conversationally. “You’re Roxburn’s son?”
Audley grunted and landed a body shot to Julius’s ribs.
Julius retaliated with a right cross. Trying to keep the wheeze from his voice, he said, “I saw your father with Prinny and the Marquess of Hanford at White’s last week, placing some bets. The duke seems to have the ear of the Prince Regent.”
Audley clenched his jaw and threw a left hook.
Dropping under the punch, Julius planted his fist in the young man’s ribcage. See how he appreciated the treatment. “You must be pleased with the influence your family wields.”
Eyes narrowed, the young man came down center line, swinging hard.
Julius ducked. The kid didn’t like to be reminded of his relations. A definite sore spot. He needed to see if he could make the sore fester. “Although with that power comes great scrutiny.”
Audley halted his approach, his chest heaving. “What in the blazes are you driving at?”
“I’ve heard rumors.” Wiping his forehead with the back of his wrist, Julius took the man’s measure. Angry. Combative. Most likely unwilling to reveal his predicament when pressed. But perhaps to commiserate with a fellow victim …
Julius stepped close and threw a hook. Audley easily blocked it and grabbed the back of Julius’s neck. The men grappled, heads locked together. “What rumors?” Audley snarled.
Julius tossed an elbow. “You think you’re the only one being drained? There are several of us in the same position. We talk.”
Audley pushed away. “I don’t know what you’re speaking of.”
“Of course, you don’t.” From the corner of his eye, Julius noticed a crowd gathering around their ring. His friends were in the front row, watching him intently. Most likely waiting to see if they’d need to intervene if Julius forgot where he was and began fighting in earnest. He lowered his voice. “But if you did, you should know that not everyone is content to keep paying. Some of us wish to fight back. Remove the threat.”
“That’s absurd.” Audley swung so hard he spun around when he didn’t make contact.
“Is it?” Julius ducked his head and rained blows to the man’s gut. “You struck me as the type of man to take action. Not passively accept his fate.”
