Undoubtedly, she had had no trouble forgetting him. She would have got her annulment a long time ago. Maybe she was even married again. Even if he had wanted to see her, he didn’t know where to find her. The money he had deposited for her in a New York bank was still there, uncollected. Four months of inquiries had produced no results. The only John Richards to be found was an immigrant hat maker without daughters. There was no Mrs. Hammond that fit her description, no Miss Richards, either.
Henri continued telling Lucas a little something about each person in the room, but Lucas listened only sporadically. They finally parted, Henri going to the Duke’s table.
Lucas continued to watch the dandified Gautier. After a while he quit his table and joined two gentlemen, apparently acquaintances. From their conversation, which soon became animated, and their many covert glances at a pretty dark-haired girl across the room, Lucas imagined a wager taking place.
Curiosity drew him to the bar where the three men were just finishing their conversation. Thank heavens he had learned French well, mostly through Henri.
“Two weeks?”
“A week and a half, Antoine, no more.”
“Agreed.”
Antoine. Was it the same man? It was a common French name, and there were no doubt many men who found it amusing to seduce young girls on a dare. Or a wager.
Gautier seemed well pleased with himself after his two companions left him. He ordered a drink, then turned to stare at the dark-haired girl across the room.
“Allow me.” Lucas paid for the drink and handed it to the shorter man.
Gautier accepted, eyeing Lucas speculatively. “Do I know you,monsieur?”
“No, but I believe I’ve heard of you. Antoine Gautier, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“So I thought, after that interesting wager I just overheard.”
Gautier chuckled, relaxing. “Perhaps you wish to join my friends in losing some money?”
“Not if you already know the girl.” Lucas played along with him.
“No, I have not had the pleasure yet,” the dandy assured him. “Claude has been rebuffed by her, which is why he made the wager.”
“Claude is one of those men who just left?”
“Yes. He hopes to soothe himself by seeing me fail as well. But if you doubt me,monsieur, pick any girl in the room. I would enjoy a double challenge.”
Lucas barely managed to conceal his disgust. The man’s eyes were gleaming in anticipation. With those dimples and that eager look, he was downright pretty. Were women actually attracted to this peacock?
“You seem confident of winning,” Lucas pointed out. “I wonder why.”
“Because I never fail.”
“Never? Ever?”
Antoine flushed. “Ah, yes, you did say you had heard of me. I suppose you have met Jean-Paul and he told you? It has been three years, but he still likes to brag to one and all that he is the only one who has collected from me on a wager like this one.”
“The girl eluded you?” Lucas’s voice turned very casual.
“Yes, she did. She was a sweet innocent. Eighteen. How naive they are at that age. And I almost had her. Just another few moments and my record would not have been broken.”
Eighteen three years ago? That wasn’t Sharisse. Lucas was going to be terribly disappointed if he had no reason to bash the bastard’s face in.
“What happened?” Lucas asked.
Antoine clucked in disgust. “My wife was impatient for my company. She had to walk in and ruin everything, revealing that she was my wife.”
“Your wife doesn’t mind your conquests?”
