Orendel merely nodded and turned for the exit, his footsteps swift as he made his way back through the dreary hallway and out into the London street.
“Hopefully this will prove more helpful,” Orendel said after jotting down several names. He’d been understandably disappointed by the lack of information gleaned from the murder weapon.
“It gives me a way in which to continue my hunt,” Adrian told him. He dropped Orendel off at his home first before continuing to White’s, the list of names carefully tucked away in his jacket pocket.
The club wasn’t too busy when he arrived. Most of its members would likely stop by a bit later. Especially if they were family men expected to eat their suppers at home with their wives.
Well aware of his reputation – made all the worseby Lawrence’s story about him having caught Newton – Adrian settled into a quiet corner from which he was granted a wide angled view of the lounge. A servant brought him a cup of coffee and a plate containing two ham and cheese sandwiches. He picked one up and proceeded to eat while pretending to read that day’s paper.
Attention sharp, he registered those who came and went, all the while waiting for someone with dark brown hair who also limped. Or if not that, then a regular patron with dark brown hair who failed to put in an appearance at all, due to an injured leg or foot.
“Terrible business regarding Orendel’s daughter, wouldn’t you say?”
Adrian glanced up in response to the voice that addressed him. While he generally enjoyed the Duke of Eldridge’s company, he’d hoped to avoid him this evening. Partly because he wanted to concentrate on helping Orendel solve his daughter’s murder, but mostly because the duke wasn’t alone. He was accompanied by the Dukes of Moorland and Wrengate, the former far more pleasant than the latter.
“Indeed.” A brief response and a bland expression that didn’t invite them to fall into conversation with him.
And yet, Eldrige continued. “Seems like we can’t quite rid ourselves of evil monsters. As soon as one is brought down another one rises.”
“Perhaps you can help catch him too?” The question, brought by Moorland, was spoken in a hushed tone.
Adrian’s posture went rigid. To offer even a partial hint pertaining to his involvement could send him straight to the gallows. So he kept his expression neutral and reached for his coffee, took a slow sip. “You must have mistaken me for the chief constable. I don’t get involved with that sort of thing.”
Eldridge smirked. “Of course not.”
“We never suggested you did,” Moorland told him, a conspiratorial gleam in his eyes.
Eldridge dipped his head. “I do hope to see both you and your lovely wife again soon.”
Adrian forced a smile. “I’m sure an occasion will present itself.”
“Well,” Moorland said, “We’ll not take up more of your time. Good evening, Mr. Croft.”
He and Eldridge began walking away but Wrengate lingered. Adrian sent him a hard stare, demanding he either say what was on his mind or get lost.
The duke narrowed his gaze. “I want your wife and the rest of the women she brought into Reed’s gone from there. Several other members share my opinion.”
An unsurprising demand. The duke had made no secret of being opposed to the boxing club allowing the fairer sex to attend. An initiative Samantha had encouraged and achieved with Adrian’s support.
“Had you started by congratulating me on my wedding I might have been willing to take your request into consideration.” A wide smile intended only to annoy his opponent. “Looks like my wife was correct in her assumption. You do lack manners.”
“Croft.” A dangerous note clung to the name.
Adrian hardened his jaw. “My position remains unchanged. Those women need to know how to defend themselves if that is their wish. The room they use is private enough that it ought not disturb you or anyone else.”
“I’ll end my membership if you don’t make this change.”
While the boxing club wasn’t technically Adrian’s, he had provided the funding for it and was therefore free to make all the decisions. He considered Wrengate. Considered Samantha too. He wasn’t on great terms with either one but between the two there was no question as to whose side he would choose, if only to preserve the outward appearance of a happy and trouble-free marriage.
“Go ahead,” he told Wrengate, returning his attention to the paper. “There are others who would welcome the chance to take over your membership.”
“Damn you to hell and beyond, Croft.”
Adrian gripped the paper so hard the edges fluttered. He wanted to shove the duke’s teeth down his throat for his lack of respect. Instead, he pretended his attention was gripped by a riveting piece of news and waited until Wrengate was gone before requesting a large glass of brandy.
Honestly, he hoped the man kept his membership at Reed’s since this would allow him to punch the bastard without anyone thinking twice about it.
He shook his head, annoyed by the distraction thethree men had caused. Any number of gentlemen could have come and gone while they’d blocked his view. Rising, he made a show of stretching his legs, which allowed him to give the room a quick sweep with his gaze.
