The Duke Identity (Game of Dukes #1)(103)

Harry could not be prouder to stand by her side.

After securing the Prince of Lark’s pledge to help with the siege on O’Toole, Harry and Tessa traveled on without Polly and Sinjin. Earlier, Tessa had sent notes, stamped with her grandfather’s seal, to the other two dukes, Christian Croft and Severin Knight. Apparently, Croft was travelling and would not be back for a fortnight. Knight, however, had sent a prompt reply inviting them to meet at his office.

Their carriage navigated through the crowded, narrow streets of Spitalfields to arrive at a street of terraced houses not far from the Petticoat Lane Market. In the falling dusk, all the buildings looked the same, with plain brick fronts, the most distinguishing thing about them being the massive windows that graced all three storeys.

At Knight’s address, Harry and Tessa were escorted in by a guard, who led them past lower floors that appeared to be dwelling spaces to the uppermost level. There, a vast room was filled with wooden looms presently unattended. The light of sconces flickered over the spindles of silk and unfinished swathes, giving the place a ghostly feel.

Severin Knight approached them, his large shadow sweeping over the abandoned looms.

“Ah, you must be Miss Todd.” He took her hand and kissed it, the gesture unexpectedly suave for a man of his size. When he raised his dark head, there was a gleam of interest in his eyes that Harry did not like. “’Tis a pity we were not brought together by better circumstances.”

“Mr. Knight.” Pulling free of his grasp, Tessa acknowledged his greeting with a regal nod. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but you must know the situation is urgent.”

“Come.” Knight’s casual wave included Harry. “We shall have the discussion in my office.”

As they headed to the back of the room, Tessa said curiously, “I noticed the living quarters are below the workshop. Isn’t that a bit topsy-turvy?”

“Depends on one’s perspective,” Knight said. “A weaver’s work depends on light, so he must follow it where it goes.”

“Hence the upper floor. And the large windows,” Tessa surmised.

“Precisely.” Knight ushered them through a door into an opulent chamber. Huge, intricate tapestries covered three of the walls. The remaining wall was nearly all glass, the clear panes refracting the last fingers of sunset clinging to the sky.

“How beautiful,” Tessa exclaimed.

Smiling faintly, Knight waved them to chairs by his desk, settling behind it. “Now to business.”

“The House of Black is calling all its loyal men to arms,” Tessa began.

“Its leader has been captured.” Knight steepled his hands. “I’d say the battle has been decided.”

“It is far from decided. That coward O’Toole launched a dastardly attack on my grandfather, using the most underhanded of means. He is not fit to be the king.”

“Nonetheless, he holds the current king hostage. And two of the dukes have joined him.” Knight fiddled with the ornate silver wax jack on his blotter. “I do not enjoy conflict, Miss Todd, but I enjoy being on the losing side less. To be frank, what do I care which king I pay my tribute to? O’Toole will take no more of a cut than your grandfather does. In the end, it is all the same to me.”

Seeing Tessa’s face redden with anger, Harry said quietly, “Have you seen the effects of hellfire, sir?”

Knight’s hand dropped from the wax jack. “I have seen Nightingale’s, yes.”

“And do not forget The Gilded Pearl. It’s not just the destruction of property at issue,” Harry said with emphasis, “but the loss of life. Bartholomew Black might not have been a perfect ruler, but in the time that I have worked for him, I’ve seen him grieve for his subjects, care for them, work to make the underworld a safer place. Do you honestly believe a man like O’Toole will do the same? Do you trust O’Toole to rule, with the power of hellfire in his hands?”

A pause.

Knight leaned back in his chair. “Your bodyguard is a convincing fellow, Miss Todd.”

“He’s not just my bodyguard.” The glowing love on her face made Harry’s chest burgeon with pride.

“Ah. Pity.” Knight sighed. “Still, I cannot lead my men into a war they will not win.”

“We will win, Mr. Knight.” Tessa’s voice had the ring of conviction. “Mr. Garrity and the Prince of Larks are on our side.”

The duke sat up straighter. “This is true?”

“Yes,” Harry said, “and Miss Todd will also have the backing of my family.”

Knight’s dark brows lifted. “And who is your family?”

“My brother is Ambrose Kent.”

“I’ve heard of him.” A hint of respect was in the other’s voice. “An investigator, no?”

Harry nodded. “And my sisters have married powerful men with connections and resources to help in this fight.”

“As you see, Mr. Knight,” Tessa said, “there is only one right side to be on. When the House of Black is victorious, we will reward our friends—and woe to all who have crossed us.”

Harry thought she might have gone too far with the threat, but Knight gave a bark of laughter.

“I see why the two of you work well together,” the cutthroat said. “One woos with logic, the other brandishes a big stick. Very well, you have convinced me. You may count the House of Knight amongst your supporters.”