A Rake by Midnight. Gail Ranstrom

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      She weighed the risk of mentioning Mr. Henley so soon, but she hadn’t much time herself. “You must call me Gina, then. Meeting you has been quite fortuitous. You see, I am actually looking for some of the people in our group that night.”

      The woman shuddered. “Why?”

      “I lost something that night, and I believe one of them might have it, or know where it is.”

      “I cannot recall anyone finding something that night. But I wish you luck of it, Gina, and I must say I admire your courage. For myself, I hope never to see any of them again.”

      “Oh. I understand.” Gina turned away.

      “I did not mean you!” Christina stayed her with a hand on her arm. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

      “Did you know them all—the people in our group?”

      She shook her head and looked down at the floor as if searching her mind. “That was the first time I stole away to go anywhere privately with Stanley. I did not know many of his friends, then, and I have not seen those particular ones since. Most were like you, complete strangers.”

      “Would you ask Mr. Metcalfe if he remembers that night, and who was there? If he would be willing to meet with me, perhaps I could persuade him to help.”

      Christina looked doubtful. “I shall ask him, of course, but I think he’d rather leave that night in the distant past.”

      “Tell him that I urgently and desperately need his help. Tell him that my entire future depends upon it.”

      Christina searched her face and then nodded. “My goodness! What did you lose?”

      “Something irreplaceable. Something I must recover.”

      “But of course I shall tell him, my dear. The very next time I see him.”

      “Tomorrow?” she urged.

      “I… Yes. Are you going to the Albermarle crush Tuesday next?”

      She recalled seeing that name in the calendar and stack of invitations Lady Sarah had given her and nodded.

      “I shall ask him to accompany me there.”

      “Thank you.” Gina squeezed her arm in gratitude.

      Chapter Five

      Jamie seized the reins again and swung up into his saddle. He hadn’t wanted to disturb Devlin Farrell tonight, but now it couldn’t be helped. The brazen attack on his life had raised too many questions that only Farrell could answer.

      The butler left Jamie to cool his heels in Farrell’s study, so he helped himself to a small glass of sherry and took the liberty of pouring one for Devlin. His nerves needed steadying. The warmth from the alcohol had just begun to untwist the knots in his stomach when Devlin entered the study, barefooted, his hair tousled, and still securing his dressing robe.

      Jamie was amused to note the lack of a nightshirt where the robe gaped. From the expression on Devlin’s flushed face, he gathered he hadn’t exactly been sleeping. “Sorry,” he said as Devlin downed the contents of the waiting glass and glowered at him.

      “I gather this is more important than what I was doing?”

      Jamie grinned. “That would depend upon your priorities, I suppose. My life?”

      Devlin looked him up and down. “You seem none the worse for wear.”

      “I was fortunate. Even so, I barely ducked in time.”

      “Ducked? A pistol?”

      “One very good shot.”

      “Not good enough,” Devlin said, filling Jamie’s glass.

      “Oh, it was good enough. But there was something not quite right that put me on my guard just in time.”

      “Thank God for your instincts,” Devlin murmured.

      “So, it seems your intelligence was right. There actually is a price on my head. Though I think we both know the answer, I’d like confirmation of who is behind it. And, if possible, who was foolhardy enough to attempt it.”

      “The Gibbons brothers?”

      Jamie shook his head. “I didn’t smell them.” But he’d been uncertain enough not to follow the shooter down the alley where an accomplice might be waiting. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he must have suspected something of the sort.

      Devlin was silent for a few moments, an expression of concentration on his face. “I can think of a few more who might take that chance, Hunter. But I doubt they’d own it. I know your principles, and I know you’d need proof before you’d take action, and proof will not exist for such a deed. If the man had a partner, we could…convince his partner to talk. But if he is acting alone…”

      “Given the circumstances, I doubt anyone would act alone,” Jamie growled. “Have a word with old Cox, will you? Someone has gotten to him. I don’t know if it was a bribe or a threat, but I’d stake my life that he knew what was afoot.”

      “Cox?” Devlin had stiffened and Jamie knew he was angry. Cox was Devlin’s employee, and he’d be furious that the man would compromise his position. “What makes you think so?”

      “When I went for my horse, he was behaving strangely. Wouldn’t meet my eyes. ’Twas one of the things that warned me that things were not what they should be.”

      Devlin gave a grim nod. “Rest assured, Cox and I will have a chat first thing in the morning. I am certain he will be pleased to share whatever information he has.”

      Jamie could guess how “pleased” Cox would be by the time Devlin was through with him. “And you, Dev? Have you heard anything?”

      “Nothing helpful. One of the lads reported seeing Henley in the rookeries. Said he appeared to have money and was dressed like the fop he is. The lad lost him before he could find out where his quarters are.”

      “Not helpful? To the contrary. That information confirms my suspicions. Henley has not left the country, and he has someone helping him if he has access to money and is well groomed. That means he has decent accommodations somewhere. And if he can lose your ‘lads,’ he hasn’t let his guard down.” He hesitated on his way to the door. The next bit of business was delicate, to say the least. “Dev, if you had a sister…”

      “For God’s sake! Have you got some poor girl in trouble?”

      Jamie laughed. “Never. But your wife has sisters, eh? And if you had reason to think one of them might be in danger, what would you do?”

      He studied Jamie for one long moment. “Miss Eugenia?”

      “Perhaps.”

      “Who else? Your only sister is married to a man more than capable of taking good care of her. Drew would slice the hands off anyone who’d СКАЧАТЬ