He made to grab the door handle and leave, but his ears caught on a snippet of the conversation.
“You nitwit. Couldn’t control your gambling?”
Curiosity got the better of him, and Robert waited for the man to respond.
“I can stop whenever I wish. But I have no desire to, and I will not let some prissy little girl think she is lord of my actions.”
Robert’s ears perked up, recognizing the voice but unable to place it. Anger burned beneath his skin that a man deigned to speak to a member of his family like that. Or any woman, forthat matter. Robert’s feet propelled him down the hall before he could think better of it. The voice had clicked in his mind. It was Griffith. Their voices grew louder as he neared the room.
“Please,” Jessica said, a mocking tone coloring her voice. “You need me. I know you have debts, and I am your saving grace. Is that not why you came by today?”
Robert followed the voices until he entered the drawing room, where both Jessica and Griffith spun about upon his arrival.
Griffith’s face had been set when Robert entered, but once he made out Robert’s form in the doorway, Griffith’s eyes widened and the red in his cheeks drained.
“Robert,” Jessica gasped. “Whatever are you doing here? Have you not heard of a calling card?”
Robert’s chest heaved as he stared Griffith down. The man’s skin had paled noticeably upon seeing him. “I thought it unnecessary. But what about Griffith? Did he send a card? I did not see one on the entry table.” Nor had Robert even looked. But based upon the impropriety of the situation, he was quite sure there would not be one.
“I was only checking in to see how Lady Jessica fared amongst the rumors. I assumed her connection to you would bring about reporters. And I wasn’t wrong.” He gestured toward the street, hidden by walls and drapes pulled across the windows.
“And why would you feel it necessary? Why not let me,her brother, handle it?” Robert clenched his fist, very much wanting to throw it into Griffith’s face.
“I . . .”
“He needs money,” Jessica said matter-of-factly.
Griffith’s eyes darted toward her, his jaw hardening. “Keep your mouth shut, Jessica.”
“Excuse me,” Robert all but growled. “You may not refer to my sister so informally, nor shall you speak to her with such harsh words.”
Griffith threw his head back with a laugh. “Me, harsh? The woman is a slave driver.”
Jessica rolled her eyes, leaning her forearms on the back of a chair. “You are so dramatic, Griffith. Can you not handle a woman having a mind of her own?”
“That I can handle. But your manipulation—”
“Manipulation?” She smiled as she said the word. “Is that not what your intentions were with me?” She walked around the chair, her steps slow and intentional. “You need money, but you shall have to find it somewhere else.”
Robert glanced between the two of them. “Can someonepleaseexplain to me what is happening here?”
“You do not know?” She glanced over at Griffith, her smile and eyes that of a woman who had lost all respect for a man. In fact, she had a begrudging look of pity in her eyes and in the set of her mouth. “He is the reason your boxing ring was found out. He has been placing bets on the matches, trying to make up for his other losses.”
“Be quiet, I said!” Griffith yelled, spinning on her.
Robert had him by the lapels in a flash, backing him up to the mantle. “If you raise your voice at my sister again, I will make sure you are unable to force words beyond your lips. Do you understand me?”
Griffith gave a reluctant nod, skittering back once Robert released him.
“Why would you do something so stupid, Griffith?” he spat, chest heaving. “Surely you knew word would get out.”
Griffith rubbed his thumb over his lip as he looked to the floor and sighed. “Because I have debts. It seemed an easy way to make up for my loss of funds.”
“Gambling to make money.” Robert shook his head. “That is idiotic.”
“Oh, do shut up, Boroux.” He rolled his head toward him. “Not all of us can live in luxury with an endless supply of funds at our fingertips.”
“I would never do something so careless!” Robert couldn’t believe he had once called this man a friend.
