Alcroft smiled. “Always wanting the upper hand, never wanting to be the one to owe. Nothing changes. I do have a favor I can bring due with the Home Office head, Casenton. Do you want it?”
Noble nodded and relaxed a bit more into his chair, swirling the Madeira. “That would be perfect. Is it enough of a recompense for the favor owed?”
“Yes. And I was wondering if it was ever going to be used. He doesn’t deal in the horses I love, and a favor from him is by far closer to your area than mine. Frankly, I will be well rid of the tie to him. He is keeping it hidden well, but his creditors are knocking. He will be more than willing to pay a debt without having to draw a draft.”
“I suppose you want the Newmarket favor?”
Alcroft tapped his fingers together. “You know I do.”
“Excellent. I was going to gift it to you the next holiday anyway. As if I care about the races.”
“You bastard.”
“Yes. Wonderful, isn’t it?” Noble gave a cheeky grin, which Alcroft returned. Marietta felt as if she had stepped into another country where she didn’t speak the language.
“You will let me know what Casenton says?”
“Of course.”
“The quirks and quillets will be out for this one.”
“Yes.” Alcroft shot Marietta a speculative glance. “It should prove entertaining at the very least.”
She didn’t see anything entertaining about the situation, and it must have shown on her face.
“No offense meant to you or your brother, Miss Winters. I refer to the game of manipulating the law and enforcers of such until such time that Gabriel can absolve your brother.” He tilted his head. “Gabriel always finishes the tasks set before him. Do not despair.”
She looked between them. “How long have the two of you known each other?” Alcroft was part of society, and though Noble seemed able to hold his own, he hadn’t been born to it, that much was obvious. It seemed likely they had met through business, no matter the easy friendship between them.
“Oh, we have known each other for what now, twenty years?”
Noble agreed to her right, but she didn’t look his way. Alcroft seemed amused, and she couldn’t understand why.
“Quite the puzzle, is it not, Miss Winters? I will leave you to suss it out.”
She looked to her right. Noble seemed equally amused, but there was a fine line of tension about him.
Alcroft’s eyes changed. Noble tensed even further. She hungered to know what was behind that look. “Did I ever tell you that I begged Lord Dentry to allow you to attend Eton?”
Noble snorted. “I’m sure that was a scene you’d like to re-create.”
“No, no I would not.”
Noble looked to the long case clock at the side, tension visibly strumming through him. “We’ve kept you too long.” He rose and started retying the strings on his mask. “Let me know about Casenton. We are staying on the row.”
Alcroft rose too and rounded the desk, bowing to Marietta and shaking Noble’s hand, his mask held loosely between his other fingers. “I will. Perhaps I’ll drop by sometime this week as well. I admit that Jeremy has infected me with his excitement about the case. I will send a note first. But there might be something further I can do.”
Noble nodded and they exited the room, leaving Alcroft behind.
Noble slipped his hand around her waist as they walked down the hall, bypassing the ballroom and heading straight for the door.
“And now, my dear, it is time for you to become my wench.”
Chapter 8
Marietta removed her mask in the carriage. Utilizing the light from the gas lamps and her small pocket mirror, she attempted to smooth away the smudges beneath her eyes.
“The extra kohl is perfect. You look smoky and sensual.” Noble leaned languidly against the back of the seat across from her.
