An icy chill crawled up her spine. Was Drake so distrusting of Flavian? And what sort of list was this? Was it connected to the fire that had sent his house up in flames? Granted, Flavian had more motivation to cause Drake harm than anyone else she could think of at the moment, considering his hatred in spite of her, but Drake himself had explained he had made several enemies through the years.
The only person she knew that Drake had ever hesitated around was Avalon. Was he also considered a suspect?
Tossing the paper back into the fire, Fleur’s mind began to race. She was starting to wonder if she could really trust Drake if he wanted to paint her brother as such a villain. Perhaps instead of Avalon, Drake was the one she needed to fear. Sometimes the most obvious choice was the correct one.
It was certainly something to ponder as she waited for Drake to return.
As the ormolu clock noted the two o’clock hour, she curled her legs beneath her and hugged herself and prayed she was wrong.
Where are you?
* * *
Not wantingto give away his identity just yet, Drake hung to the back of the entertainment as Avalon and Flavian moved forward. The crowd of people parted for them as if Avalon was Moses commanding the Red Sea. Drake wasn’t surprised, for if there was anyone that held a fiercer reputation than Drake, it was the king of the Blue Boys.
“Do you have room for my good friend?” Avalon clapped Flavian on the back and urged him forward. “He tells me he has what it takes to take home tonight’s winnings.”
There were a few chuckles that resounded, and then a burly man with unruly red hair kicked out a chair toward them. “By all means, I could learn a thing or two about the game.”
Flavian sat down and Drake could almost see him salivating as the cards were slid in his direction. Next to him, Avalon set down a small coin purse that clanked with awareness as he moved away from the table.
Drake moved forward swiftly. Now was the time for him to learn what Avalon’s deeper purpose was for Fleur’s errant brother.
“I thought you were more inclined to play Hazard rather than Faro,” Drake murmured dryly next to Avalon.
The dark-haired man smiled before he turned his head to peer at Drake. “I do. But I agreed to introduce young Mr. Davies to some of the more delightful clubs this fair city has to offer.”
“Is that so? Are you sure you weren’t coerced by Miss Wilson for some other reason?”
Avalon looked at him with the same crooked smile, but his dark eyes foretold that Drake was wading in deeper waters. “Let’s have a drink, shall we?”
He led the way over to a table and two chairs at the edge of the room. While the rest of the pub was rather crowded that evening, they were served with two pints of ale as soon as they sat down. “Such service,” Avalon complimented the wench as she offered a sly wink and strode off. He took a drink, and then peered firmly at Drake. “I have the feeling you are accusing me of something rather unsavory. I am not sure that I approve.”
Drake shrugged. “Take it as you will, but you must be aware that Miss Davies is very protective of her brother. And it surely can’t be a secret that it is Flavian’s penchant for gambling that set them on the path to London in the first place. I know you are well informed about anything of interest that takes place in the city.”
“That I am,” Avalon said evenly. “But in this regard, I did not know about Mr. Davies weakness for the tables. I was merely trying to perform a good deed.”
Drake narrowed his eyes, not believing a word that the man uttered. “I find that difficult to believe. I feel that there is some sort of understanding between you and Miss Wilson you wish to keep silent.”
“If that were true, then surely you can’t expect me to confide in you.” He tilted his head to the side. “Unless, of course, you are willing to make a trade. Mr. Davies for your lovely Fleur.”
His hands clenching into fists beneath the table, Drake uttered a soft growl of warning, “I fear the lady is not up for bargaining.”
“Pity.” Avalon sighed heavily. “I was rather hoping to deepen our acquaintance. Instead, it could be that young Flavian is beholden to me.”
“So, it’s come to this. An ultimatum.” Drake shook his head. He should have seen this coming but he had imagined Avalon interested in more than Miss Davies.
“That is such a crass definition,” the other man murmured as he took a long draught of his ale. “I prefer to think of it as more of a mutual understanding. I fear that Harriette is already tiring of her latest plaything. It’s the least I can do to see he isn’t forced to beg on the streets.”
“I can accommodate him at any number of places,” Drake countered.
Avalon tapped a finger on his chin thoughtfully. “And yet, I was under the impression that you were two less than your previous holdings. How many does that leave?”
“More than enough,” Drake snapped.
A pair of dark brows lifted. “I didn’t mean to cause offense. It is all that everyone has been discussing of late. They wonder if you are still the same Mr. Porter you’ve always been, or if you have become… weak.”
It was all Drake could do not to pound the scarred wood of the table with both of his fists. “I would dare any man to test my patience and they shall quickly find out which is true.” Deciding he’d had enough baiting for one evening, he got up and drained the nearly full glass of ale before he slammed the empty tankard down. He leaned toward Avalon and said in a smooth, deep voice, “Fleur is mine. Flavian is not to be harmed. And if any further holdings are damaged following our conversation, I shall personally see to it that there is another body being pulled out of the Thames.”
