Page 88 of The Baron Takes a Bet
“Piss off.”
Holly’s mouth dropped at the vulgarity while her driver hissed.
“How dare you speak to a lady like that,” he said, puffing out his chest. “I have half a mind to teach you a lesson.” The tall man unfolded his arms, stepped forward, and glared down at the both of them. Holly heard the gulp in her driver’s throat. “But I wouldn’t want to insult the lady further by displaying such brutality in her presence,” Mr. Hoss added, a little shakily.
The man chuckled evilly.
“Ain’t no way you’re getting in.”
She frowned.
“Then would it be possible for you to bring someone out?”
He took a drag from his cheroot and blew it out above her head.
“No.”
Silent tension followed as she tried not to inhale. Holly needed, at the very least, to get Jasper out of the house, but there would be no way to get around the guard. If only there was a way to get them to come out.
He took another inhale of his tobacco, and Holly got an idea.
“Might I have one of your cigars?”
He stared at her, as did the driver.
“Why?”
“Because I’d like to see one.”
“Go away,” he said, turning his back on her.
But Holly would not give up. Turning behind him, she reached for the doorknob, only to be gripped by his painful grasp.
“I said, get gone!”
“I will not,” she said firmly, hitting the door with her other hand. “I demand to be let in at once!”
“Unhand her!” Mr. Hoss yelled as he lunged for the bully of a man.
Temporarily distracted, Holly took her chance as the guard turned his attention on the driver, but just as he fell into the front door, she was gripped by a pair of vise-like hands.
“Now, now, now, what do we have here?” a slick, dangerous voice sounded in her ear as she was put back on her feet. The man was tall, with a long, wrinkled face, an ornate vest, and a top hat, and he appeared mildly interested as he stared down at Holly. “A lady? Finkle, unhand this woman’s driver,” he barked over his shoulder, causing her to wince. Glancing back down at her, the man smiled, though Holly felt ill at the sight. “Now, my lady, how may I be of service to you?”
“I… I was hoping to have a word with one of your patrons. I know you mustn’t permit women, but I insist.”
“Ah, but I welcome all sexes to Clemet Club. Coin is coin, after all. But no one who enters this house who isn’t themselves a patron. And if you can afford the two hundred pound entry, you are now one.”
“But I don’t have two hundred pounds.”
“By the style of your dress, I say you’ve got plenty, but let’s not stand out in this drafty hallway while we discuss it.”
He held out his arm to her, and Holly felt she had no choice. She was now indebted at least two hundred pounds simply for entering. Giving him a tight smile, she barely rested her hand on his forearm as she squared her shoulders. He led her into a somewhat brighter room, though it was still very dark, filled with a thick layer of smoke and the scent of gin.
Several tables filled with several men were scattered around the room. No one appeared to be particularly interested in her arrival except a man in the center of the room. His hazel eyes locked on hers and the tension in his shoulders made her insides tighten.
Gavin.
He stared at her like she was some sort of apparition, but he didn’t get up. In fact, Derek, who sat next to him, seemed purposely trying to ignore her. Something was very wrong, indeed.
