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“They speak of me.” He spread his hands, a small, satisfied gesture. “Never of what happens behind that door, and never, not once in six years, of who else attended alongside them. That is what my clients pay for. Not the women, but discretion. A man may do a great many things in this world and survive it, provided no one can prove he did them.”

Nathaniel let that settle for a moment before speaking again, careful to temper his interest. “How does a man build trust like that? I’d have thought half your clients would sell the other half out for the right price, given the opportunity.”

“Oh, they would. Most certainly.” Alden’s smile thinned as he set down his glass. “Which is precisely why none of them are ever given the opportunity. Every man who walks through that door signs an agreement before he sees a single face in this house. You see, it is his silence in exchange for mine. Break it, and he loses far more than an evening’s amusement. I’ve personally made certain of it on the two occasions it’s been tested.”

A smoothness beneath the words told Nathaniel exactly how those two occasions had ended. But he did not ask more. He had what he needed—confirmation that Alden’s discretion was not merely a courtesy but a threat with teeth.

This meant that whatever business tied him to Cumberlea was not a connection he would surrender easily, nor one he’d admit to a stranger on a single night’s acquaintance. Pushing further now would only sharpen a suspicion that hadn’t yet had cause to form.

So Nathaniel let it go.

“I admire it,” he said instead, draining his wine glass. “I have little use for the auction itself. Tonight was a singular event for me. However, a man in my position occasionally needs the discretion you’re describing. I may have future business worth discussing with you, My Lord. Of a rather different nature.”

Alden raised an eyebrow, a spark flickering in his eyes. Interest, quickly folded back beneath his composure the way he seemed to fold away everything that mattered to him. Tucked away for later, when it would prove lucrative. A duke’s future business was not a thing a man like him turned away lightly.

“I should be most glad to hear of it, whenever you’re ready to discuss it, of course.” He rose, extending a hand. “It isn’t often that I meet a client with both the means and the patience to appreciate what I’ve built here, Your Grace. Most men only want the women,” he added with a casualness that made Nathaniel’s fists tighten.

Nathaniel took the proffered hand, his grip firmer than was friendly. “I hope our paths cross again, My Lord.”

“I’ve no doubt they will.”

He nodded and left the office without hurrying, though every step away from the desk felt like leaving a thread half-pulled.

He still did not know where Cumberlea was. He had learned nothing tonight that pointed directly toward the man he was hunting. But he had gained something nearly as valuable. He had an invitation to return, a reason to be received by a man who very likely knew exactly where Cumberlea had gone to ground.

It was not a victory, but a foothold.

After eleven months of dead ends, Nathaniel had learned to recognize an opportunity when one presented itself, and to be grateful for it.

It is something.

He retied his mask in the corridor and climbed the narrow stairs back to the noise and light of the masquerade above.

Everett found him within minutes, trading his empty glass for a full one from a passing footman before he’d even finished crossing the room.

“There you are,” he said, clapping a hand on his back. “I circled the room twice and thought you’d abandoned me. I had to excuse myself from the matters downstairs once the bidding began.”

“I have been busy.”

“Well, what happened? You look like a man who’s swallowed something whole and hasn’t yet decided if it agrees with him.”

“I spoke with Alden.”

“And?” he prompted when Nathaniel remained silent. “I have been at the mercy of a rather determined widow who wanted my opinion on Corinthian pillars. You must fill me in on what happened.”

“Nothing. Not yet. But he’s invited future business.”

“That is something.”

“I’ll have a reason to return, and a reason to be received when I do.” Nathaniel kept his voice low. “It’s more than I had an hour ago.”

“Good. Excellent, in fact.” Everett studied him over the rim of his glass. “And now, let us speak of the elephant currently loitering somewhere downstairs in a very expensive gown. I saw you bump into her before I made my way up here.”

“I’m going to need another drink.” Nathaniel snatched a flute of champagne from a passing tray.

“Are we simply not discussing that?”

“It seems I have a bride.”