It had only been a day, yet he couldn’t purge her from his mind.
“No need to snap at me, old man. I just remember you and Heathcliff mentioning some innocent deb’s name, and she came up in the betting book tonight.”
Lucas fixated his gaze on Ramsey. “What did you say?”
“Nothing as of yet, for fear of your damn aggression. What is your problem tonight? You’re like a caged tiger.” Ramsey crossed his arms, his spectacles making his eyes appear overly large as he studied his friend.
“Forgive me,” Lucas ground out.
“I didn’t need you to grovel, just back off a bit,” Ramsey replied. “It would seem that the Duke of Chatterwood, bloody pain in the arse—his daughter is betrothed to Greywick’s son. It’s all quite common if you ask me, yet the gentlemen are betting large sums against one another that the marriage will or won’t take place. I tell you, Greywick himself bet that the match will be made, and in two weeks, no less. Which, of course, is likely to be true—given he’s the father and all. Can’t say why anyone would bet against him.” Ramsey shook his head. “Though I shouldn’t be surprised. Last week, Lord Hawthorne placed a bet on whether it would rain for six days in a row. Bloody asinine.”
“You don’t say.” Lucas clipped the words, jealousy pounding through him like a wild and irrational beast. Even though he knew that a marriage to Meyer would be in name only, he loathed the idea of her belonging to the man.
“Indeed. Shockley placed a few thousand pounds on the betrothal going to hell before the altar, and from there it spun out of control like mad.”
“Greywick placed a bet.” Lucas tilted his head slightly, studying his friend, his mind coming back into clarity from the jealous haze.
“Indeed.”
“Of what amount?”
“It was large, substantially so. Ten thousand pounds.” Ramsey whispered the words, likely in reverence for such a mammoth sum.
“Dear Lord.” Lucas frowned. “Is he good for it?” It was a logical question. How often had a lord over-betted his worth and ended up not only penniless but in debt?
“I believe so, but only barely. My guess is that he’d lose his estate in the country, the one in Sussex.”
“Interesting.” Lucas twisted his lips. “Did Chatterwood place a bet?”
Ramsey shook his head. “You know he’s not a member, why ask such a question?”
“Just curious. Did anyone else place a substantial sum on the marriage going through?” Lucas prodded suspiciously.
“A few . . .” Ramsey paused. “I think it would be best if you saw the list for yourself. Perhaps tomorrow when all the bets are placed. Would that satisfy your curiosity?”
Lucas nodded. “And you are checking for validity of the funds that have been wagered, correct? No gentlemen’s pass, verify. Agreed?” Lucas switched gears into business mode.
“I’m quite aware that a gentleman’s word holds as much water as a fishing net. I’m double-checking, Lucas,” Ramsey replied with a hint of irritation.
“Well done.”
“Thanks for the confidence in my abilities,” Ramsey replied with sarcasm and strode away, back toward the betting books.
Lucas frowned as he considered this new information. It was common practice for the men of nobility to place gentlemen’s bets. How often had White’s taken bets on some of the most foolish things? On when the rain would fall, or if a servant would win in fisticuffs against another—yet occasionally, the betting took a different turn. Lucas had his suspicions in this case, yet he dared not speak of them, not till he had proof. He shouldn’t care, he should leave it alone—let the men bet and pay the betting fee and line his pockets. Yet he found he didn’t wish to simply walk away. Rather it gave him the perfect excuse. A prospect that brightened his spirits immensely.
Yet even as he considered it, he tried to ignore his better judgment, which was whisperingdanger. Because any further entanglement with Liliah would certainly be a threat to his sanity.
But if tasting her again meant he forfeited his sound mind—it was almost worth it.
Almost.
Because he’d rather forfeit his mind than his heart.
And that was the danger of which he was most afraid.
She was dangerously close already, and it had been just one night.
Heaven help him if he pursued more.
