Page 69 of The Gift of Patience
He quickly turned towards her, blessedly experienced enough with the reins not to let it affect the horses. “Did you get a good glimpse?”
“Unfortunately, no. I only saw them from behind and through a hedge, at that. The only thing I could say is it was not a large person.”
“A child? Or a woman perhaps?”
“I suppose either could be the case. I’m sorry I did not see better.”
“You were stunned from being thrown, Patience.” She could hear the worry in his voice. They had thought the threat was gone, at least temporarily. It must mean that the ruse had not worked.
“Do you think it means they are on to us?”
“Perhaps, but it definitely means we need to remain vigilant.”
“I do not thinkI can sit here and wait,” Manners said after only ten minutes.
Ashley blew out a breath of frustration. Neither of them excelled at waiting. “But do we risk catching our man if it is one of them?”
“Possibly, but it also might goad them into making a mistake. Many clever criminals like toying with their prey.”
“Then I think we should toy back. If we hurry, we can catch him.”
Neither of them needed convincing. They tossed some coins on the table, placed their hats on their heads, and hurried out into the night towards Inferno.
Neither of them had ever been there, but most everyone had heard of it. Masked in a location of respectability, the gaming hell was just off St. James’s Street.
They barely caught up to Carew as he reached the door. His look of surprise quickly turned to a scowl of displeasure.
“Ye don’ trust me?” His Irish brogue broke through his normally perfect Etonian English.
“It is more that we cannot be idle. We mean to toy with the boys. If one of them is our man and they know who we are, then they will either be so arrogant that they might give us a clue, or be so nervous by our presence that they crack.”
“Or assassinate you as they did windbag Fagge. I can see I will not talk you out of it regardless. Let’s go.”
From the outside, it appeared as any other residence along the street. A small panel in the door slid open as they approached, and Carew held up an engraved gold coin with theirinsignia to show as proof to the doorman. If he could be called something so mundane. Even through the panel, the beefy hand that took the coin and the slight bit of face that surveyed them looked like a giant ogre from a storybook.
“Who’s with you?” he growled.
“Two of my associates. I vouch for them.”
They heard a grunt of disapproval, but the bolt slid back and the door opened to admit them.
“Anyone here worth my time?” Carew asked the man, likely to diffuse his interest from Ashley and Manners.
“Not many worth your ilk here, my lord. The night is young yet.”
Carew really had perfected the art of appearing unaffected. They went on through down to the cellar of the house where a large room was arranged with multiple gaming tables and booths surrounding them for watching and drinking. It was not as luxurious a setting as White’s or Brooks’s, despite the usual dark panel walls and leather chairs. It appeared to be there solely for the gambling.
A couple of tables had games of cards proceeding, but there was not much of interest.
“We are early yet. Do either of you play? It would help if we looked to be amusing ourselves.”
A buxom waitress sauntered over towards them, wearing a short skirt and tiny bodice which left little to the imagination.
“What can I offer you fellas?” the dark-haired seductress asked with a practiced smile as she perched on Carew’s lap and put one arm around his shoulder. “It’s been too long, my lord. What brings you back at last?”
“Boredom.” He shrugged a shoulder carelessly. “Is there anyone new that can offer me a challenge?”
She looked thoughtful for a moment and shook her head. “No one of your skill, but there are some new faces that you might enjoy toying with.”
