“I tried to only take from those who could afford it.”
“How did you determine my colleague Rice was a pigeon to pluck?”
“That day on Threadneedle Street. I wish I’d never been there.”
“Come on, tell me.” Jack caught the eye of the serving wench and signaled for more drink. He threw more coins on the table.
Lady Charlene followed the gleaming silver with her eyes before swinging them back up to him. “I didn’t know if he had money to spare,” she confessed. “But usually those who have are not careful about it. He kept tossing his heavy purse into the air. He was also a visitor to London so that if he put up a cry, few would listen to him. And he was easily distracted. Any time he saw a woman, well, his attention would wander.”
Jack laughed. “You read him right. He didn’t stand a chance against you.”
“I am rather good,” she admitted.
The serving wench brought their drinks. They waited until she left.
“Where does my brother fit into your schemes?”
“He doesn’t. Lady Baldwin managed to secure an invitation for me to his ball. She and my aunt hoped that he would notice me but I didn’t really think there was a possibility. I was doing it to please them and because I’d never been to a ball before. Sarah believes strongly that I should do what I must to regain my station in life.”
“What is your opinion?” Jack asked, curious.
“I don’t know. It would be good to be able to take care of my aunt the way she has me. If I was to become a duchess I could see her plays were performed... couldn’t I?”
“Mayhap.” Jack didn’t know. He had never heard of a female playwright. He also didn’t want to speculate whether his brother would endorse one. “Then again, you would need to put your days of petty thievery behind you. Can you do so?”
“I don’t know.” The tears threatened again. She took a sip from her cider and then whispered, “I am in so much trouble.”
“Go on, tell me,” Jack said.
She glanced to the front of the tavern as if afraid of being overheard. Then, lowering her voice, she confided, “I ran afoul of this gang called the Seven. They patrol and pick pockets and other small thefts in this area of London. Did you know the criminals have the city divided into territories?”
“I would not be surprised.”
“Well, I was. Furthermore, the Seven may just be boys but there is something sinister about them.”
“They are boys who have grown up quickly.”
“And not well,” she agreed. “They took me aside and informed me I had to pay a ‘tribute’ to them to be in their territory. They said I already owed them a half a guinea but the price keeps rising. And they know everything. They know that I was receiving invitations today to all the best houses and parties. Their leader, Leo, threatened to see me ruined. He wants a hundred pounds from me now. I don’t even have five let alone a hundred. He says he’ll wait until I’m a duchess. But I know what will happen. He’ll demand more for his silence. It will never end. And if Sarah discovers what I’ve done, she will be angry. I fear telling her because she has given up so much to help me.”
Her shame was genuine. She could meet his eye but she was deeply embarrassed.
He sat for a moment, taking her measure. What she had done had been harebrained. He would like a strong conversation with this Lady Baldwin who had pushed Lady Charlene into the scheme.
However, there had been times when he had been desperate in his life. He’d done things of which he was not proud. Leaving his family without a word of warning was possibly one of them.
She placed her elbows on the table and lowered her head into her hands. The action brushed her hat back and Jack could see the white gold of her hair. “I owe so much money. I’m no different than my father.” She looked up at him. “I now understand how inconsolable he must have felt. I feel foolish and backed into a corner. I am the last person who should become a duchess.”
“You have been unwise,” Jack agreed. “The question is are you going to do what the Seven want you to do.”
“No, I can’t. It is impossible. And I don’t know what will happen.”
Jack came to a decision. He liked Charlene Blanchard. He believed she told him the truth. It had called for courage to try to take her life into her own hands. She was fortunate that something worse hadn’t befallen her.
“Take me to meet this Seven,” Jack said. “I would talk to Leo.”
“I won’t. Then you will be involved in this.”
“I already am. My brother’s intentions toward you are serious. You do have a chance of becoming a duchess and you might make a good one.” He would not tell her about the bargain he had struck with his twin. She did not need to know he was motivated by his need for the duke’s help.
