“There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t…”
But the door had opened to reveal Snug and the young woman with wisps of auburn hair that framed her face, and their conversation ended. And now here he was, hands on the waxed wooden banister as he overlooked the gaming hall below.
The crowd was larger than usual tonight, or at least there seemed to be more people than there usually were when he visited. Fenwick Park was a two-day trip north and he only came to London a handful of times a year. Still, the air was thick with anticipation, like a fog of electrically charged excitement had settled over the Lyon’s Den and Rhys knew why.
Tonight, the infamous Marked Swan game was to be played.
It was a game where rich, well-born ladies came to be paired up with impoverished, titled gentlemen. At least two dozen marriages in the peerage had been started at Bessie’s gambling tables this way, and there would be three more tonight, if everything went according to plan.
Rhys shook his head as he eyed the people below.
“Unsuspecting fools,” he muttered to himself as he turned back, only to see Bessie’s office doors opened. Now he was face to face with the pretty Louisa. Or was it, Louise? Although he had become proficient in lip reading, he still struggled with some words.
Her gray eyes widened as her gaze landed on him. It was just an insignificant thing, but for some reason it caused his heart to pound. He had always had a preference for redheads, and he wondered if he was reacting to her auburn hair, or the way it framed her heart-shaped face.
Rhys cleared his throat, as a light of foot Bessie exited the room behind her visitor. Rhys knew this bounce in her step and instantly was on guard. She came forward and leaned close to his left side. It was difficult to hear in a gambling hell, what with the constant background noise of laughter, music, arguments, and chatter.
“Just the man I was hoping to see,” Bessie said. “Rhys, this is Miss Louisa May Babcock.” Bessie leaned back but continued to face Rhys so that he could hear out of his left ear. “Miss Babcock, may I introduce Lieutenant Rhys Carlyle.”
So, it was Louisa. Taking a step forward, he bowed ever so slightly and spoke.
“How do you do?”
He hated speaking aloud. He was never certain if he was being too loud or too low, and really, he preferred not to speak at all.
“Very well, thank you,” she said, or at least that’s what he read on her lips.
Once again, Bessie moved close to him and leaned into his left ear.
“Miss Babcock has agreed to humor me by joining in the festivities tonight. Isn’t that wonderful?”
No, it most certainly wasn’t wonderful. The Lyon’s Den was well known for being one of the most dangerous gambling hells in all of London. People didn’t merely lose money at faro tables here. It was where uncommon games were played, where people bet more than money—they bet their lives—and while Rhys had always respected Bessie’s handle on things, this seemed beneathher. There was absolutely no way this woman understood what it was to play a game in this establishment, let alone know about the Marked Swan, which was why there were so many people here tonight.
“No,” he said, though Bessie’s chin dipped slightly at his disapproval.
“Yes,” Bessie said as she waved to someone across the balcony. “Ah, there’s Snug.” She waved her man over and he hurried towards them. “Snug, take Miss Babcock to my private rooms and see to it she changes into something a little more, acceptable, hm? The canary-yellow silk, perhaps.”
“Er, yes, ma’am,” Snug said as he held out his arm for the young woman.
They were halfway down the mezzanine when Rhys turned on Bessie.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“What I always do.”
“She obviously didn’t come here for whatever it is you have planned. Did you see how she was dressed? It’s as plain as day that she has no money.”
“Yes, I could tell that.”
“Then what are you doing?”
Bessie sighed and rolled her eyes.
“Really, Rhys, I don’t see how this woman is a concern to you.”
“The Marked Swan involves monied ladies, Bessie. Monied ladies in search of husbands.”
“Yes, that’s how it’s usually played.”
