No Good Duke Goes Unpunished (The Rules of Scoundrels #3)(34)

Chase did not respond to the anger. “I don’t trust Knight around you. The two of you have always had a . . . troublesome . . . rapport.”

Cross stood, towering over the desk and his partner. “You did not have me followed.”

Chase rolled the cigar between thumb and finger. “I do wish you had scotch in here.”

“Get out.” Cross had had enough.

Chase did not move. “I didn’t have you followed. But I see now that it would have been edifying had I done.”

Cross swore, brutal and barbaric.

“You have had a bad night, haven’t you? Where did you go?”

“I saw my sister.”

Chase’s golden brows rose. “You went to Needham’s ball?”

I also saw Philippa Marbury. Well, he certainly wasn’t going to tell Chase that. Instead, he said nothing.

“I take it the meeting did not go well,” Chase said.

“She wants nothing to do with me. Even when I told her I would take care of Knight, she had little to say. She didn’t believe me.”

Chase was quiet for a long moment, considering the situation. “Sisters are difficult. They do not always respond well to the dictates of older brothers.”

“You would know that better than anyone.”

“Would you like me to speak with her?”

“You think far too highly of yourself.”

Chase smiled. “Ladies tend to welcome me with open arms. Even ladies like your sister.”

Cross’s gaze narrowed. “I don’t want you near her. It’s bad enough she’s to deal with Digger . . . and with me.”

“You wound me.” Chase savored the cigar. “Will she stay away from him?”

He considered the question, and his sister’s fury earlier in the evening. Lavinia had been seventeen when Baine died, when Cross left. She’d been forced into a marriage with Dunblade because he’d been willing to take her on—despite her imperfections.

Imperfections Cross had caused.

Imperfections that should have been overlooked—would have been if she’d been able to escape their mother’s sorrow and their father’s wrath. If she hadn’t been forced to survive on her own, with no one to help her.

Without a brother to keep her safe.

No wonder she did not believe him when he told her he would repair the damage Knight and her husband had done. Anger and frustration and not a small amount of self-loathing flared. “I don’t know what she’ll do. But I know Knight won’t do anything to jeopardize his daughter’s marriage.”

“We should have ruined him years ago.” When Cross did not reply, Chase added, “You’ve always had too soft a spot for him.”

Cross lifted one shoulder in a small shrug. “Without him . . .”

White teeth flashed. “You wouldn’t have us.”

Cross laughed at that. “When put that way, perhaps I shouldn’t hesitate in ruining him.”

Chase savored a long puff on the cigar, thinking before saying, “You have to keep up the ruse until you’re ready to take him out. To protect Lavinia.” Cross nodded. “Temple said you’re planning to use the ladies? You realize you’ll need me to get the ladies.”

Cross raised a brow. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”

“Are you sure? They like me a great deal.”

“I am sure.”

Chase nodded once. “I wonder what the daughter is like.”

“She’s Knight’s progeny, so I’m guessing either a raving bitch or a poor soul.”

“She’s also a woman, so those are the two most likely options, of course.” A pause. “Perhaps you should marry her. It did wonders for Bourne.”

“I am not Bourne.”

“No. You’re not.” Chase sat up, spinning the globe once more and looking around the room. “It is a wonder you can find anything in here. I’ve half a mind to have the girls come in and clean up.”

“Try it.”

“Not worth your wrath.” Chase tamped out the cigar and stood, coming nearer and tapping one finger on the enormous betting book. “It’s late, and I am for home, but before I go, I thought perhaps you’d like to make a wager.”

“I don’t wager in the book. You know that.”

One of Chase’s golden brows rose. “Are you certain you don’t want to make an exception for this one? You’ve excellent odds.”

Unease settled in Cross’s chest, and he folded his arms, leaning back in his chair to level his partner with a cool look. “What is it?”

“Lady Philippa Marbury,” Chase said.

Unease turned to dread. Chase knew. It was not a surprise. Not really. Chase always knew everything. Still, Cross was not required to admit it. “Who?”

Chase cut him a look. “Is this how it is to be then? You’re going to pretend not to know to what I am referring?”

“No pretending about it,” Cross made a show of leaning back in his chair. “I haven’t any idea what you’re on about.”

“Justin let her in, Cross. Pointed her in the direction of your office. And then he told me about it.”

Goddammit. “Justin is a gossiping female.”