Page 88 of A Deal with her Forbidden Duke
One man let out a triumphant whoop as the dice landed in his favor, and the rest of the group erupted into cheers and playful insults.
“Let them enjoy it. We have business to attend to,” Alexander told Horace, who nodded and led them away from the cheerful scene, and into his office upstairs.
“Can I just say, my lord, by the looks of it, you and the missus have been having a good time,” Horace threw a wink at Alexander.
“She is the Duchess to you,” Alexander growled. He paused, shaking his head. “Forgive me, Horace. I am fine but I am on edge. I have been running from the danger of my wife discovering this.”
He jerked his chin at the gambling hell beyond the office door. Alexander released a deep sigh.
“She sounds like a smart girl.”
“She is,” Alexander muttered, accepting the drink Horace pressed into his hand. “Too smart. And yet I have told her half-truths. I think a part of me is hoping she will figure it out so I do not have to keep it from her any longer.”
“Why can’t you just tell her?” Horace shrugged as he dropped into the chair opposite Alexander. His hands spread to cover the desk.
“This is a prosperous business, Alexander. Your main financial revenue comes from this place. Why shouldn’t she know?”
“You do know her former husband is our deceased Lord Kinsfeld?” Alexander said.
“’Course I do.”
“That is why I cannot tell her, Horace. What if she somehow blames me for his death when she finds out I own the place upon which his heaviest debts lay?”
“Heaviest, yes, but that was his own dug grave. We were nowhere near his greatest danger. He was found dead because he owed money to bad people. You can’t be takin’ on that burden.”
Alexander sighed, pressing his fingertips to his temples.
“We have had a wonderful time together.”
“I can tell. You’re looking a lot more… refreshed, shall we say?” Horace said with a smile.
“Look, Alexander, I knew you when you were a lad, running around at your governess’s skirts. I knew you after the former Duchess died. I knew you when you dragged the scraps of your father’s legacy from the grave he buried himself in and all, and you rose above it. I’ve seen you fight for what you have, and I’ve seen you almost lose yourself to grief and anger.
“But look at this place. You provide employment and an escape from men’s troubles. Your wife deserves to know, and you deserve to not have to hide such a thing. You ain’t to blame if late Lord Kinsfeld had loose pockets when it came to gambling and owing money, much like she ain’t, either. Gambling can be violent and it can get messy, but that is not all it is.”
Alexander pursed his lips, taking Horace’s words in.
“You have to make her see that. At the very least, let her see the life it has given me. You took me from the Silverton stables to managing this place. You promoted me, saw somethin’ in me worth sprucing up and put behind this desk, overseeing the Raven’s Den. She’s only ever known gambling to be bad. Sure, it ain’t completely good either, but it has helped some people. Show her the good it has done here.”
Alexander still could not decide, and he nodded still, mulling over his friend’s words.
“You were a brilliant stable hand,” Alexander joked. “I recall you always being there whenever my father hopped off his horse, always ready to take the reins.”
“I still am,” Horace said, his double meaning not lost on Alexander.
He could not have run the Raven’s Den as a duke, and Horace managing the establishment meant he could have such a prosperous venture.
“I meant to tell you that the new Lord Kinsfeld is steering very clear of the Raven’s Den. He likely doesn’t want to get his fingers sticky with us like his brother did. He refuses to meet with me or the collectors to discuss Donald’s debts.”
Alexander sighed. “I am not surprised. Would you like me to try to speak with him?”
“I have it covered, don’t you worry. All I want you to do is spend time with your wife. She is good for you, Alexander. I can see it in your face. I witnessed you vehemently against marriage, and yet here you are, enjoying yourself. In many ways, I imagine.”
Alexander let out a rough laugh, downing his drink in one and pouring another. “I am happy. It is why I doubt telling her so intensely. I am afraid of ruining that happiness.”
“Let time tell you that,” Horace said.
But before Alexander could answer, a crash from below interrupted him. Horace growled under his breath. “I preached about the good things in this place and yet more and more fights are breaking out.”
