“I’m getting married to save my estate. Her father is a rich man seeking a way into the peerage. And I am a peer in need of money. Simple as that.”
“Who is she?” Burdington asked.
“A merchant’s daughter from Bristol. Miss Annabel Leonard. Her father owns—”
“Leonard Confectionary,” Burdington said. “He must have hundreds of thousands of pounds at his disposal.”
“I suppose he does. Although, he is only paying me eighty thousand to take his daughter off his hands and give her a title. Perhaps I should ask for more.”
“Eighty thousand pounds! And you think it a good idea to meet your prospective wife smelling like a bawdy house?” Hobsworth said.
“Yes, that way, she’ll think it’s my natural scent and won’t question where I’ve been when I come home smelling of whores.”
“Have you no sense of decency?” Henry snapped.
Hobsworth glanced up at him and gave a slight shake of his head.
“At least I care about my estate. You’re the one that’s a disgrace. I can’t think when I last saw you sober.”
Henry started to get up but was distracted by the sight of Madam Katrina dragging the ginger-haired harlot toward their table.
“What have you done now, Craventhorp?” Burdington asked in a low voice.
“This is going to cost you extra!” Madame Katrina stopped in front of Craventhorp and pointed to a red welt on the woman’s pale cheek. “Tomorrow, her whole face will be swollen purple.”
“Fine.” Craventhorp reached into his pocket and slammed a handful of silver coins onto the table.
“I warned you to stay away from my girls’ faces.” Madame Katrina put her hand over the coins and closed her fist around them. “These girls are my product, and you are damaging the goods.”
“She deserved it,” Craventhorp sneered. “You should teach your whores that when their betters give them a command, they should follow it.” He snatched the harlot’s wrist, and she cried out in obvious pain as he pulled her forward.
Henry leapt to his feet. “Let her go!”
Craventhorp gave the woman’s wrist a sharp twist, and Henry heard a sickening crack.
She shrieked, and Craventhorp released her, laughing.
Several card players turned to see what the commotion was all about.
Anger swelled in Henry’s chest. He reached across the table and grabbed Craventhorp by the cravat.
“Get off me, you bastard!”
Hobsworth and Burdington leapt out of their seats and pulled Henry back.
“Hold him, lads,” Craventhorp said, lunging forward and striking out with his fist. Henry moved his head to the side, and the punch clipped him on the jaw. His two friends immediately released him.
“Bloody hell, we were holding him back from striking you, not so you could thrash him,” Hobsworth said.
“Get out!” Madame Katrina’s voice silenced them. “All of you, get out now and never come back.”
She put her hands to her fingers and whistled. Seconds later, a bald giant emerged from the shadows and came to stand by her side.
“Well,” Craventhorp said, pulling on his jacket and positioning his hat on his head, “I do believe it’s time to leave.” He doffed his hat at Madame Katrina and sauntered away with Hobsworth and Burdington in tow. Henry reached into his pocket, pulled out his winnings for the evening, and handed the money to Madame Katrina.
“I am truly sorry,” he said, glancing at the sobbing woman, who crouched on the floor at the madam’s feet.
“Use this for the doctor’s bill and give her whatever is left. She should rest for a while.”
