The former pugilist threw back his head with a rowdy burst of laughter. Before Constance knew what was happening, he’d opened the door and had both of his arms around her, crushing her in a bear hug.
She laughed at his apparent enthusiasm, but only when he set her back on her feet and glanced behind her to ask, “Where’s tha’ devil ye ran off wit’?” did her throat truly close up.
“I’m afraid that Bull is no longer with us,” she said somberly.
“Bugger.” Brutus’ expression turned decidedly downtrodden, but he recovered quickly enough. “I know ye was there for ’im until th’ end.”
She nodded her head. “I was.” She would never forget the memory of his large hand in hers as long as she lived, nor the bright light in his eyes. After he’d died, she had never felt more helpless in her life, and there had been plenty of times she had wondered where her next meal might come from.
Pushing all of the unfortunate memories aside, she asked, “Is Mr. Plainview in?”
“Aye. He’s in th’ office. I’d take ye there, but I figure ye know th’ way.”
“That I do,” she concurred. It had been where she’d signed over her share of the gaming hell, with only a slight hesitation as she’d done so.
As she took her leave of Brutus, she walked past the tables where cards, dice, and various other implements of personal damnation were laid out to tempt the downtrodden hoping to turn luck in their favor. Of course, very few ever succeeded.
A twinge of conscious struck Constance, as she had never considered the ramifications of what it meant for those people who had walked away after they had lost everything they had. Granted, she wasn’t the one who had held the door open for them, they had entered her establishment of their own free will, but neither had she paid much heed to the regulars—until they were no longer there. By then, it was too late to offer any sort of advice or aid.
She had slept at night merely because she’d told herself this was a business and to keep it running and her own head above water, she had to distance herself from every patron that stepped foot inside. However, that didn’t mean she hadn’t hated witnessing the destruction when she knew they were headed in that direction.
Climbing the steps to the second floor, she made her way down the hall to a closed door. Not only had she trod these boards beneath her feet countless times in business, it had also been her safe haven, the place where she could go and be alone when the pressures of her second occupation became a bit too much to bear. Not until her partner-in-crime, the other half of Montfree’s, had left his separate set of rooms to embark on a journey of love, and who was now happily married with a growing family, did she realize how lonely she had actually been.
Taking a deep breath, as she had known this path was going to be difficult to traverse, but necessary, she lifted her hand and rapped on the closed door. The brusque command to enter was given, and she walked inside to see a desk that was surprisingly clear of clutter and bookshelves carefully in order. The man with the light brown hair had yet to glance up, busy scribbling something down in a ledger.
She lifted a brow. “This place was never as neat when I sat in that chair. You must divulge your secret in case I decide to offer you some competition.”
His head instantly shot up, and his hazel eyes warmed slightly as they lit on her. Constance had always thought Mr. Drennan Plainview was anything but plain, because even though five years separated them, she could tell that he had kept his physique. With his shirt rolled up past his forearms, she could see the corded strength was still there, as well as those broad shoulders. When he stood up, his waist was still trim, his hips narrow. But while he bestowed a welcoming smile on her as he came around the side of the desk, he sadly didn’t make her heart flutter like Devin Blackmore did.
But then, she doubted that he felt anything toward her but a fond acquaintance either, as she was quite sure that he preferred the company of his own sex.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” He embraced her in a friendly manner, pulling back to look her over. She instantly wondered what he saw. She knew not too much had changed since they had last been in the same proximity but looking at one’s reflection every day compared to the span of several years could wrought many changes. However, he merely grinned broadly. “Still as lovely as ever with that magnificent strawberry-blond hair.” He lifted a brow. “And I’m quite sure just as deadly in her business dealings.”
You have no idea. Over the years, Constance had learned how to deal with problems, with lethal force, if necessary. She hadn’t wanted to resort to such foul means, but if it meant her life, she wasn’t going down without a fight. “Still quite the flattering rogue, I see.” She slid him a saucy glance and walked over to sit down in the chair in front of the desk.
“Ah. So, this isn’t a personal call,” he murmured as he resumed his own seat. He sat back in the leather chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “I admit that my pride is a bit wounded.”
She rolled her eyes. “I have no doubt you find enough bed sport to entertain you.”
He shrugged. “On occasion,” he returned evenly. “But then, you were the one that got away.” He put a hand over his heart. “This shall forever be yours.”
This time she had to laugh. “You really should be on the stage. I know the only person you truly adore is yourself and the money you make off of Montfree’s.”
“I was going over the ledgers just this morning, and I admit it has been a good investment since you sold it to me.” He leaned forward. “My question is, are you here to try to take it back from me?”
She leaned forward as well. “Not at all. I’m here for something even better.”
“And what is that?” he asked, his tone intrigued.
Her smile was slow and steady. “Information. And I know you’re the man who can get it for me.”
Since Constance had reluctantly missed the outing to Almack’s in her concern for Luke, she’d promised Lady Blessington that she would join her for a musicale that evening. So, she’d returned home earlier than usual to prepare for the event.
However, it wasn’t until she was passing the library, that she heard a slight groan coming from inside. Every nerve ending went on alert as she slowly crept to the slightly ajar door.
And that was when she made the mistake of looking inside.
Her blood began to bubble and boil in her veins, as her gaze immediately flashed to Devin, who stood in the middle of the room with nothing on but a pair of trousers. His torso was bare, and she noted that he no longer required a bandage for his wound. Perspiration coated his broad chest. Muscles stood out in stark contrast on his arms as he lifted himself up off of the floor with his hands, while his entire body was suspended above him.
