“Yes. Indeed. So you can see that this leaves us in a quandary. Do we call the bet, or do we allow the gentleman to . . . tie his own noose . . . should he lose?”
Lucas twisted his lips. “He’s not going to lose,” he answered, then thought it over. So many sensations filtered through him as he spoke the words out loud. The words seemed innocuous enough, yet they threatened to shake him to his core.
The bet on Meyer and Lady Liliah’s marriage would certainly be won because, inadvertently, Lucas had played an instrumental role in ensuring the marriage took place.
Greywick would win.
Would clean up.
And the house would lose.
Rather, Lucas would lose.
“How much would it cost us?” Lucas asked, not caring but unable to resist the curiosity.
“The odds are for the event happening, so the payoff wouldn’t be overly substantial, but those betting against the event would lose mightily,” Ramsey answered in a calculating tone.
“I see. And . . . what would happen if the marriage didn’t take place?” Lucas asked, his body warming at the very thought.
“With the amount that Greywick bet, he would face ruin.”
Lucas nodded. “I see. And this knowledge that he is in financial trouble, this is not well known, yes?”
“It took quite a lot of digging to uncover. He’s hidden it well.”
Lucas leaned back on the sofa, thinking. His instincts told him he was on the cusp of something larger.
But was it his battle? No. Liliah had released him from the need to uncover any further information when she made her choice. But while he was able to rationally grasp the concept that he didn’t need to act on the knowledge—let the chips fall where they may—he found he couldn’t let it go.
“That’s quite an odd expression on your face, Lucas. Are you quite all right?” Ramsey asked, his tone dubious.
“I think . . . I’m about to do something quite foolish,” Lucas answered honestly.
Ramsey paused, his eyes narrowing. “Is it something I need to not be aware of, should I be questioned later?” he asked in a wary tone, always looking out for his reputation.
“I think not, but to preserve my reputation, I think I’ll keep my plans to myself.”
“Your reputation,” Ramsey said wryly. “Because it’s quite pristine,” he added with heavy sarcasm as he stood.
“You misunderstand my implication. Rather, my tarnished reputation is indeed the reputation I wish to keep.”
“So you’re going to be valiant, is that it?” Ramsey chuckled. “Then I commend you in your insanity, and I hope it is not folly that follows you, but courage. I dare say you’ll need it,” he joked, then took his leave.
Lucas’s brow pinched as he considered his next step. As he rose from the sofa, he noted the soft dust floating about in the air, dancing like sparkling light. It was oddly lovely.
His stomach growled with hunger as he considered his abandoned breakfast.
Odd how one decision could change everything.
From darkness to light.
From anger to determination.
He didn’t want to consider the reasons behind his abrupt change in outlook. They certainly would be quite damning to his bachelor status.
Yet he found he cared not a fig.
Rather, for the first time since waking up at two this morning, he was at peace with himself.
