Page 36 of The Last Chance
Rothley’s mirthless laugh echoed through the room. “You’d marry a gaming hell owner over a marquess? Don’t be absurd.”
“Mr Chance’s blood is as blue as yours. He values my opinion and doesn’t treat me like a hapless female.”
“We’ve been friends for twelve years,” Rothley countered. “You’ve barely known him twelve minutes.”
“As you know me so well, Gabriel, name my most attractive quality.”
“What?” The marquess found the question confusing. “You have many. Why does it matter? What bearing does it have on our current situation?”
“It matters to me. Name one.”
Rothley shrugged. “You’re a beautiful woman, Joanna. Is that what you want to hear? I imagine you turn heads wherever you go.”
“But not yours.”
“Of course not. We’re friends.”
“What about my character?”
Rothley gave a nonchalant reply. “You’re good-natured.”
Aaron snorted, grateful for Rothley’s apathy. “Neither of those things set her apart from other women.”
Miss Lovelace turned to him. “What does set me apart, Mr Chance? I’m keen to hear your observations.”
Hellfire!
Though he had reservations about voicing his opinion and was not a man of great sentiment, it was essential to show Rothley in a negative light.
“Your eyes remind me of a summer sky. It’s the only place I’ve ever looked and felt past sorrows drift away.” It was not a lie. “Your abiding loyalty strikes such a deep chord in me. It’s like we’re woven from the same cloth.”
Her slow smile had a teasing quality. “I might accuse you ofbeing insincere, but I believe you meant every word.” She turned to Rothley. “I shall remain at Fortune’s Den until the murderer is caught. If you’re a true friend, you will support my decision. If you want to help us in our endeavour, find evidence to show someone else killed Lord Howard.”
Knowing Rothley would never betray her, Aaron extended an olive branch. “Well? Do you care to hear what we’ve uncovered, or will I have the pleasure of throwing you out?”
Rothley narrowed his gaze but said nothing.
Aaron prompted him. “The sooner this matter is resolved, the safer Miss Lovelace will be. We need someone to search Howard’s house.”
“To look for what exactly?” Rothley replied.
“We need to know what social events he attended recently and who visited him at home. I estimate we have a day or two until the world learns he’s dead. Then thetonwill be baying for our blood.”
Rothley looked at the letter in Miss Lovelace’s hand. “Someone informed me of the crime. Similar notes may be in circulation.”
While all of London might know their secret, Miss Lovelace’s suspicions mirrored his own. “The villain wants the blame to rest on Mr Chance’s broad shoulders. You were sent here to drive a wedge between us.”
“All the more reason you should leave now and marry me,” Rothley pressed. “The great Aaron Chance can defend himself.”
Aaron could not argue with Rothley’s logic. Though it pained him, he could not be selfish. “Rothley is right. You’ll be safe if you marry him. He can protect you in ways I cannot.”
Miss Lovelace shook her head. “But they’ll invent lies about you. Find fake evidence. Throw you to the wolves.”
“I have suffered worse and survived.”
“No!” she cried. “You were there in my hour of need. I’ll notforsake you now.” With a defiant glare, she faced Rothley. “I’m staying here. You can help us, or you can leave.”
“Your brother would drag you out and force you to comply.”
