No Good Duke Goes Unpunished (The Rules of Scoundrels #3)(43)

The reference to Pippa’s dog reminded Cross of their conversation the night prior—of Castleton’s request—of her hesitation to name his hound. Of the way her lips curved around the words as she attempted to explain her reticence.

Of the way the entire conversation made him want to steal her away and convince her that marriage to Castleton was absolutely wrong for her.

He did not tell Sally any of that, of course. Instead he said, “I want the fifty biggest gamers in the hell. No one can be missed.”

The woman leveled him with a frank look. “You’ll get them. When have I ever failed you?”

“Never. But there is always time to begin.”

“What’s he got on you?”

Cross shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”

She smiled, small and nearly humorless. “I assume you’ve something to do with the way he’s crowing with pride about marrying his girl off to an earl.”

Cross gave her his darkest look. “I’m not marrying the daughter.”

“So you think. She’ll be here in five days, and when she gets here, he’ll stop at nothing to get you married.” When he did not reply, she added, “You don’t believe it? This is Knight.”

“I am not marrying the girl,” he repeated.

Sally watched him for a long moment before saying, “I shall work the floor that night. If a single deep pocket comes through the door, I’ll slip him an invitation to Pandemonium myself.” She inclined her head toward the door. “Now tell me about the girl.”

He forced himself to sit, and to deliberately misunderstand the question. “I’ve never met Meghan. Ask Knight about her.”

She smiled wryly. “Really, Cross? This silly game?”

He resisted the urge to shove his hands through his hair, instead leaning back in his chair, all control. Pippa Marbury was more than any decent man could handle. And he was far from decent. “She’s someone who should not have come here.”

He should have barred her from entry.

She laughed. “You did not have to tell me that. Yet come here she did.”

“She has a taste for adventure.”

“Well, she’s sniffing round the wrong tree if she wants that.”

He didn’t reply, knowing better.

“You’re trying to keep her away from you?”

God, yes. He didn’t want her here. He didn’t want her touching his things, leaving her mark, tempting him. Didn’t want her threatening his sanctuary. Didn’t want her tainting this dark place with her light. “I’m trying to keep her away in general.”

She leaned forward. “She’s not your lover.”

“Of course not.”

One of her black brows rose. “There’s no of course about it. Perhaps there would have been if I hadn’t seen her face.”

“I may well owe the girl an apology, but that doesn’t make her anything close to my lover.”

Sally smiled at that. “Don’t you see, Cross? It’s because you feel you owe her an apology that makes her closer to your lover than any of the rest of us.” She paused for a long moment before adding, “And even if you didn’t feel that way, the girl’s face would have been enough.”

“She came to request my assistance in a matter.” A ridiculous matter, but Sally need not know that.

“She may request your assistance in one matter,” the prostitute said with a soft, knowing laugh, “but she wants your assistance with something else entirely.”

Cross’s gaze narrowed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sex,” she said, plainly, as though she were talking to a child. A child wise beyond his years. “The woman saw what I am. She knows what I do. And she was jealous.”

Cross met her dark eyes, seeing only Pippa’s large, shocked blue ones, made massive by the lenses of her spectacles. “There’s no reason for her to be jealous.”

“Sadly, that is true.” Sally’s mouth pursed in a perfect moue, and she leaned back in the chair. “But she doesn’t know that.”

Frustration coursed through him. “I mean, she wasn’t jealous.”

Sally smiled. “Of course she was. She wants you.”

“No. She wants my assistance with some”—he hesitated on the word—“research.”

Sally laughed, long and loud. “I’ve no doubt she does.”

Cross turned away, reaching blindly for a file he did not need. “We are finished.”

Sally sighed and stood, approaching the desk. “Just tell me, does she know?”

He closed his eyes, frustrated. “Does she know what?”

“Does she know that she’ll never have you?”

“She’s marrying a lord in just over a week.” And even if she weren’t, she’s legions too good for me.

“Engagements are made to be broken.”

“I forget how cynical you can be.”

“It’s a hazard of the occupation.” She moved to the door, turning back before she opened it. “You should tell her. Before the poor thing becomes sick with unrequited love.”

He did not reply.

After a long moment, she said, “I’ll see you tomorrow with your list.”