“No. The Runners I hired to watch everything claim that all is quiet and there has been nothing untoward since the incident that night.” He frowned. “What keeps unsettling me is the Earl of Lindley. There is something that doesn’t sit right about him and his refusal to accept defeat of Miss Givenwald’s hand to me. But again, as yet, there has been no alarming report.”
“Perhaps we should do some investigation of the earl on our own.”
Dominic’s brow rose slightly. “I’m intrigued. What do you have in mind?”
“You mentioned that he appeared to have a favorite gaming hell he liked to frequent. Perhaps we need to become devoted patrons of the establishment. If Lindley isn’t who you are looking for, then perhaps he is aware of who is.”
Mulling this possibility over for a bit, Dominic nodded. “I agree.” He started to head for the door and then paused and glanced at Amos. “How do you imagine you will blend in to the rest of the assemblage? That eyepatch will be easily recognizable.”
“Not if I wear a hat and keep it pulled down low.” He offered a wink. “You are not the only one who is familiar with being covert. There are many times when the color of my skin does notendear me to others, but with the right number of shadows, I am capable of moving about wherever I wish.”
A grin stretched over Dominic’s face, and he clapped Amos on the shoulder. “I see why Mr. Porter trusted you like no other. Your fortitude is what has always made you such a valuable asset to me.” He started for the door. “Let’s win some blunt, shall we?”
Avalon strodeinto the gaming establishment, Amos following a short time later with the subservient demeanor of a lower-class man looking to improve his current circumstances.
Dominic took a seat at the faro table while Amos lurked about the edges of the room as though uncertain where he wanted to throw the small amount of coin that he couldn’t afford to lose. Dominic had to admit that he played the part of the miserable wretch quite well, and while Dominic retained the air of intimidation befitting his reputation in the East End, they had yet to encounter Lord Lindley.
As the minutes ticked past, Dominic was about to fold, regardless that he’d had a hand sure to win the growing pot before him, when he overheard a particularly interesting conversation nearby that caused his ears to perk up and the fine hairs on the back of his neck to rise on end. “Poor Alfie. Blasted fool was pulled from th’ Thames this morning. I ’eard ’e was almost unrecognizable.”
“It was only a matter o’ time before ’e succumbed to th’ drink an’ fell into th’ bloody river,” his companion muttered.
“That’s no’ what ’appened. I ’eard ’e was stabbed and then tossed into th’ water like yesterday’s refuse.”
“Harrumph. That doesn’t surprise me. ’E always kept terrible company, like tha’ toff whot was always paying ’im. ’E should ’ave been more careful.”
The rest of the conversation faded, but Dominic had heard enough. He tossed down his cards and headed for the front doorwith purpose. He got into the hired hack and waited for a few moments until Amos joined him. The only explanation he offered was, “We’re going to the morgue.”
Lexie awokeas the coach lurched slightly. She blinked away the sudden confusion and glanced out the window where dusk was starting to take form. Dominic had told her that his estate was a day’s ride from London, so there would be no need to stay the night at an inn, for which she was grateful. She wasn’t eager to stay by herself with no further protection, not even her maid, who had stayed behind at her aunt’s house. Jane would surely not have been allowed to join her, but again, Dominic assured her that there was no need for concern, that all her needs would be met when she arrived at Greenlawn.
She wondered how they had adopted such a simple name for a powerful ducal estate. It sounded pleasant enough, but not nearly as intimidating as she might have imagined it could be. Dominic’s family was cousin to George IV, as well as all the monarchs who had come before the current king.
Nevertheless, she was filled with apprehension about the imposing structure she would soon see, because it was imperative that she make a good impression on, not just the servants, but Dominic’s mother. She didn’t want to make a misstep that could jeopardize her connection to the duke.
Glancing out the window, she was thankful to see that any further autumn rain had decided to hold off. English roads could be questionable at best, but when they were filled with rivulets of water, the journey could be rather difficult.
However, as the carriage started to slow, she had to wonder at the reason for the delay. Perhaps a broken wheel or loose harness around one of the horses might have impeded their journey. Shewaited patiently as they rolled to a stop, thinking that the driver would soon apprise her of the issue. But when the door opened and it was another’s intense expression that she saw, her mouth gaped open in surprise. “Lord Lindley. What on earth are you doing here?”
“Saving you from a grave error,” he noted, and then proceeded to climb inside with her.
By this point, Lexie had to admit that his insistence was starting to get ridiculous. It was frustrating enough that he couldn’t seem to accept her at her word, but when he had to chase her down when she had made it perfectly clear whom she had chosen, her patience was wearing thin. She no longer decided that she could be the biddable lady that her aunt expected of her.
Pointing toward the door, she ordered firmly. “You need to leave, sir. I daresay I will not say it again, but you must desist with your suit. It is futile, and I will not endure it any longer.”
He reached out to grasp her hands. “Miss Givenwald, you must allow me to beg your reconsideration. I love?—”
She withdrew her palms. “I am seriously given to wonder about the state of your mental health at this point, as well as that of my aunt, for I have no doubt she rushed to you with the express purpose of bringing me back home. But I shall not be browbeat in this manner. I will marry the duke regardless of what either of you say to the contrary. Do I make myself understood?"
He stilled and sat back calmly. His expression became a mask of indifference, although he spoke with perfect clarity. “I explained to her that there are other suitable ladies who would be overjoyed to accept my suit, but she will not listen.”
Lexie shook her head, truly perplexed now. “I cannot understand why you do not stand up to my aunt, but I know she can be quite tenacious. But trust me when I say you are free to choose another. I will certainly speak to her on your behalf, althoughsince most of my arguments have fallen on deaf ears, I have to wonder if it will do either of us any good.”
His focus turned distant. “She is set on the match and no one else will do.”
She started to feel the prickles of unease crawl up her spine. She couldn’t say why that was, as Lord Lindley was perfectly amenable. He hadn’t raised his voice or begged her to run away with him and elope. In truth, he seemed resigned to his fate, but the reason for his devotion to her aunt’s wishes was something she could not fathom. It was as if he was beholden to her in some manner, and the only way to placate her was to do whatever she wished.
“Can you tell me what my aunt has done to earn such dedication from you? There must be a reason, as I cannot believe that you truly love me when I have not done anything to garner the same emotions.”
His gaze lifted to her and he sighed, his shoulders slumping, as if he had failed some monumental task. “I owe her everything.”
