“It’s called Pickering Place. A little off the main path, but easy enough to find if you know it’s here.”
Annabel gave Devon a puzzled look. “So dark and quiet. It looks far too respectable to be a gaming hell.”
He chuckled. “It was notorious enough at one time, but we’ll have a quiet game this evening. It’s private, by invitation only.”
Charlotte twinkled up at Devon. Her uneasiness was fading the farther they got from Drury Lane and that odd scene with Julian. Annabel was right, of course. He’d come to her box this evening, yes, but what of it? He had a scheme in hand, certainly, but the widows weren’t a pack of cork-brained schoolgirls. They weren’t likely to be seduced by a few smooth lies and a handsome face.
She gave Devon a flirtatious smile, determined to relax and enjoy his attentions, Julian be damned. “And are we invited, my lord?”
He looked down at her, his gaze lingering on her eyes, and a slow smile drifted across his face. “You are. By me.”
“That’s good enough for me.” Lissie slipped one arm through Devon’s and linked her other with Annabel’s. “Shall we?”
Charlotte linked arms with Aurelie to follow them, but the Comtesse dragged her feet with every step until they fell behind. “What’s wrong, Aurelie? Don’t you fancy a game? I’m sure they’ll have faro.”
Aurelie’s gaze darted around the courtyard as if she expected someone to leap from the shadows. “Oh, Charlotte. You’re going to be dreadfully angry with me, I’m afraid.”
Charlotte gave her friend a playful frown. “Why? Do you plan to take all my money at the tables?”
“Non, it’s just that—”
“Is something amiss, ladies?” Devon turned and held out a hand to Charlotte. “Lady Tallant and Lady Smythe are waiting.”
Charlotte tugged on Aurelie’s hand. “No, nothing’s amiss, my lord. Come along, Aurelie. We’ll set to rights whatever is troubling you when we get inside.”
Much later that evening Charlotte would remember those words, and marvel at her own blithe unconcern. If only she’d listened to Aurelie, she might have been prepared for what awaited her inside.
But she hadn’t listened. Instead she’d entered the drawing room on Devon’s arm, half her attention on some pleasant nonsense he was whispering in her ear and the other half on a perusal of the room—three dozen people or so, most of them gathered around the hazard table—when a dark gaze caught hers and refused to let go.
By then it was too late.
“Lady Hadley? You’ve gone rather pale.” Devon followed her gaze. “What, is it the tall, dark-haired gentleman? Who is he?”
Charlotte moistened suddenly dry lips. “He’s…West. Captain Julian West.”
“Indeed? I’ve heard of him.” Much to her relief Devon didn’t fall into raptures over Julian’s heroism, but said only, “Is he here for you?”
It was obvious by this point Julian was here for her, as he hadn’t taken his eyes off her once since she stepped through the door, unless it was to turn his lethal scowl on Devon. “Yes, I’m afraid so. My sister is married to his cousin. He’s…family of a sort.”
Devon shook his head, and Charlotte saw with surprise he actually looked amused. “Ah. Your brother-in-law has sent for the cavalry, quite literally. Will you introduce me, my lady?”
She hadn’t much choice, had she? Charlotte let Devon lead her across the room to Julian. “Captain West,” she muttered as they joined him. “What a surprise to seeyouhere. Were you invited?”
Julian raised an eyebrow at her accusing tone. “Good evening to you as well, Lady Hadley.”
“Good, Captain? That’s not quite the word I’d choose to describe it. May I present Lord Devon? My lord, this is Captain Julian West. His regiment is lately returned to London from Paris.”
Julian didn’t bow, but instead gave Devon a nearly imperceptible nod. “Devon. I used your name to gain entrance this evening. Worked as well as if I’d had a key to the door. I expect that’s the case with every gaming hell in London, isn’t it?”
Charlotte gasped. Julian’s address was so inexcusably rude she half expected Devon to call him out, but his lordship only chuckled and offered Julian a careless bow. “Good evening, Captain West. Of course all of London recognizes your name. What an unexpected pleasure to make your acquaintance this evening.”
Julian’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment the two men took each other’s measure. They were of a height, but the similarity ended there. Every inch of Devon was golden hair and languid ease, whereas Julian was dark and formidable, his lean, muscled body vibrating with tension.
Charlotte held her breath, but after a moment Devon turned to her, all casual solicitousness. “What do you fancy tonight, Lady Hadley?”
Charlotte stared at him for a moment, uncomprehending, but then her mouth fell open in horror. Who did she fancy? Why, what in the world would make Devon ask such a question? Surely he didn’t mean to imply she fancied Captain West? Because that was sheer nonsense. Other ladies might sigh over his dark eyes and wide shoulders, but she knew better than to be taken in by—
“Lady Hadley?” Devon frowned down at her. “Your game?”
