Page 55 of The Duke's Jilted Bride

“I might.” Loughton’s fingers tapped the desk thoughtfully. “But why should I help you?”

Rowan placed a third envelope beside the others. “Because I can be a valuable friend or a dangerous enemy.”

Felix cleared his throat. “He’s terribly dramatic, isn’t he? Must be all that sea air he’s been breathing lately.”

Loughton’s gaze flicked to Felix, then back to Rowan. After a moment’s consideration, he gathered the envelopes and tucked them into his desk drawer.

“Captain Elias Veer,” he said. “Retired naval officer. Used to come in with your father quite regularly. They quarreled badly not long before your father’s death.”

Rowan kept his expression neutral, though his pulse quickened. “Quarreled about what?”

“I don’t know the specifics,” Loughton replied. “But it was heated enough that my doormen had to separate them. Something about payment and services rendered.”

“Where can I find him now?”

“Last I heard, he’d purchased a property in Cornwall. Retired on sudden wealth.” Loughton’s emphasis was subtle but clear. “Hasn’t been seen in London for some time.”

“Cornwall,” Rowan repeated. “Interesting.”

“Isn’t it just?” Loughton’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Now, if our business is concluded, I have a gaming hall to oversee.”

“Thank you for your cooperation,” Rowan said, rising. “I trust our transaction remains confidential.”

“Naturally.” Loughton stood as well. “Though I suggest you settle with Burke before leaving. He has a long memory for slights.”

Outside Loughton’s office, the gaming hall had resumed its normal activity. Rowan scanned the room and located the brute, Burke, nursing his injuries and a glass of spirits in a corner.

“Wait here,” he told Felix, then crossed the room with purposeful strides.

Burke tensed as Rowan approached, his hand reaching for something beneath the table.

“You claimed my father owed you fifty pounds,” Rowan said without preamble.

“Plus interest for the wait,” Burke growled.

“How much?”

“Seventy-five.”

Rowan withdrew a banknote for one hundred pounds and placed it on the table. “This settles the debt in full. You will speak of neither my father nor this encounter to anyone.”

Burke’s eyes widened at the amount. “Right you are, Your Grace.”

“If I learn you’ve mentioned this meeting, I’ll return. Next time, I won’t be so generous.”

The implied threat hung between them. Burke nodded, tucking the banknote away quickly before anyone else noticed.

Rowan rejoined Felix, and they made their way toward the exit, drawing considerably less attention than on their arrival.

Outside, the night air felt cleansing after the smoke-filled den. Felix released a theatrical sigh of relief.

“Well, that was invigorating. Though I must say, your negotiation skills lack a certain finesse. Is punching now your opening gambit in all discussions?”

“Only when necessary.” Rowan glanced around, ensuring they weren’t followed. “We need to find this Captain Veer.”

“Cornwall’s a large county,” Felix remarked. “And the good Captain may not welcome visitors.”

“He’ll see me.” Rowan’s voice hardened. “One way or another.”

---