A Little Bit Sinful(32)

“That’s terrible. Explains why his wife was so quiet at the card party the other day,” Clarissa said.

The song ended and he stopped their dancing. He took her arm to lead her back to Ella. “How was your dance with George?”

She stopped abruptly and looked up at him. “It was as enjoyable as that particular dance can be. It’s not one of my favorites.”

His brows rose. “Thank you for being honest with me.”

“I suppose you saw him leave with Miss Cooper as well. Have they returned?”

“She returned sometime during our dance. I have not seen Wilbanks,” he said.

“You notice everything, don’t you?”

“I have to at Rodale’s so it carries over to wherever I am.” He’d been like that as a boy, though. Roe’s mother had always told him it was a good trait and it would serve him well in life.

“Thank you for a lovely dance,” she said.

“You’re welcome. I hope to see you soon.” He bowed to her and walked away. He rolled his eyes. She had taken him off guard, though, with the moony way she’d looked at him, the awe in her voice. He was not some hero to be applauded. He was nothing more than a businessman. A bastard.





Chapter Seven


After he’d left the ball, Justin returned to Rodale’s. The gaming floor was still a little quiet, but people were beginning to arrive. He nodded to the few men gathered at a table playing baccarat, then made his way up the stairs to the offices. He had no sooner entered the room when Clipps cleared his throat.

“I have found out some information on that bloke you wanted me to look into.”

Justin sat and eyed his friend. “Spill it, man.”

“He frequents Rafferty’s.”

So Justin’s instinct had been correct. George had told Clarissa his debts were at Rodale’s because it was the most respectable hell. Rafferty’s was another gaming hell, perhaps equally as popular as Rodale’s, but in a very different part of town, down on the docks of the Thames. “And you’re certain?”

“Yes, I followed him myself. On two separate evenings he left here and went there. I spoke with a handful of workers there that knew him by name and said he came several nights a week. He has a penchant for fighting.”

“Boxing? Well, that explains why he isn’t playing here more often, if that’s his preference for wagering. Does he bet only or does he fight?”

“Oh, he fights. Inside the ring and out, evidently he has quite the temper. He’s quite good though, I’m told, doesn’t owe them money either,” Clipps said.

A temper. So the man liked plenty of women and he had a penchant for hitting things. Not a good combination, and most certainly not a good choice for Clarissa. Justin would never forgive himself it he stood by and allowed her to marry the man and then found out he hit her. He’d kill George Wilbanks himself if that happened. “Thank you, Clipps.” Frequenting Rafferty’s alone would have been enough to prove Wilbanks wasn’t the right man for her. That club had dedicated itself to serving the needs of those who preferred more risky methods of entertainment. “Did he accompany anyone there or did he go alone?” Justin asked.

“Alone, but it did not take him long to find companionship for the evening.”

This was the man that Clarissa said she intended to marry and he’d already lied to her about having debts. But why lie about money owed? Even if the man did prefer a gaming hell on the docks inhabited by opium addicts and high stake games.

Justin needed additional information. She deserved more than a man who would lie to her, let alone one would be unfaithful and strike her in anger.

“What do you want me to do now?” Clipps asked.

“Nothing. I’ll look into matters further.” He nodded to the ledger books on Clipps’s desk.

“How is he doing here?”

“Winning. When he plays. He doesn’t always play. He has a drink, makes a few wagers, and then slips out.”

Justin made a note to check the wager book before he left to see where Clarissa stood that day. If the bets were favoring her, then he would need to move quickly to dissuade her from her plan.

It sounded as if George Wilbanks did not prefer Rodale’s at all; he merely used it as a cover for him to enjoy Rafferty’s. Before Justin said anything to Clarissa, he needed to be certain. He would go there himself and see what Wilbanks was up to.