“Threatening murder? Really, Mr. Porter. That is rather unsporting of you.”
But it was the slight flash of uncertainty in Avalon’s dark eyes that made Drake go in for the lethal strike. “It is apromise.Whoever has been responsible for my latest run of bad luck will soon be quite unfortunate as well.”
With that, Drake turned on his heel and left the pub.
* * *
Fleur jerked awake,immediately on the alert, but when she spied the silhouetted figure walking into the study, she was comforted by the sight of Drake. The last dregs of her restless slumber faded quickly as she jumped to her feet and confronted him as he strode purposefully toward the sideboard.
“Where have you been all night?” she demanded. “I have been worried sick!”
She heard the sound of liquid being splashed into a glass. “That brings me such solace,” he sneered.
She blinked, confused by the cruel note of his tone. “What happened tonight? Why are you acting like this?”
He slammed down the tumbler and almost shouted, “Must you pummel me with questions the moment I arrive? You are not my wife, and I am not beholden to explain anything to you.”
This time, a gasp escaped her. Clenching her fists, she returned brusquely, “Very well. If that is how you feel then I shall not bother you any longer. However, I would ensure your cot is in proper working order because you willnotbe sharing a bed with me again!”
She stalked toward the door but it was slammed in her face before she could cross the threshold. Drake’s arm blocked her way and he exhaled heavily, as if he had run a great distance rather than sprinted across the room. “Forgive me. I fear I am not myself this evening.” His hand slid down the frame. “Leave, if you wish. It is probably for the best if you do so.”
As he moved away, Fleur hesitated. She ought to go but something compelled her to stay. Perhaps it was the defeated manner in which he returned to the sideboard, his stiff stance as he stood there, as if contemplating his entire life.
Fleur walked softly across the room and laid a hand on his arm. Giving him a gentle squeeze, she whispered, “Talk to me. Tell me what happened that has upset you so. Was there another fire?”
He didn’t speak for several moments. However, Fleur was grateful that he was no longer so cold, nor did he shrug her off. She hoped that meant he was considering confiding in her.
“I lied to you about where I was going tonight.”
At first, Fleur was taken aback. “Oh.”
He finally turned to face her directly. “I went to see if Flavian would actually make his way to the gaming tables.”
She didn’t want to ask. “Did he?”
“Yes.”
She swallowed hard. “I see.” This time, she was the one who turned away. She had been under the illusion that he might change his mind after their conversation at Vauxhall. She should have known that nothing would change.
She sat back down in the chair she’d vacated earlier. Clasping her hands together she tried to keep her eyes from stinging.
“Drink this.”
She blinked back the moisture as she reached out and accepted the drink in Drake’s hand. “Thank you,” she murmured, and then tipped up the glass and downed it in one burning swallow. Her breath caught and she coughed as the liquid blazed a path down to her stomach. He returned with another and she drank it as well.
Slowly, the heat that swirled in her stomach started to flow out to her limbs and her upset started to fade.
He must have noticed she had calmed slightly, because he moved to the mantel. Leaning against it, he looked at her with that intent silver stare. “There’s more.”
She sighed. “There generally is.”
“He was there with Avalon.”
This revelation caused her to frown. “What were they doing together? I imagined Flavian would still have been hanging on Harriette.”
“I am under the impression that her enthusiasm for him is starting to wane.”
“So, she thrusts Flavian off on a criminal of the underground?” Fleur burst out of her chair and paced the room angrily. “I could strangle that woman with my bare hands for the punishment she has put us through. I believed that I was going to incur sympathy from that woman. Instead, all I received was more misery.” She stopped and put a hand to her forehead. “I shall never forgive myself for this mess. Not only have I ruined myself, but I have ruined Flavian as well. I can’t believe I was so naïve to allow my trust to fully rest on her!”
