The Duke Identity (Game of Dukes #1)(11)

As the cutthroat’s expression darkened, speculation ran through Harry’s head. Who were Black’s enemies? Was the fire at The Gilded Pearl Black’s way of “exterminating” them? Was there a hidden motive that, once uncovered, could pin Black to the crime?

Keep him talking. “Vermin, sir?”

“Ev’rywhere I look. And the worst pestilence o’ all? Peel’s Bloody Gang. More plentiful than lice, those bastards.”

Harry’s gut clenched at Black’s derogatory reference to the police. Does he know I’m one of them? Is this some cat-and-mouse game he’s playing?

“You have trouble with the police, sir?” he said cautiously.

“Peelers ain’t nothing but trouble. They’re the real threat to an Englishman’s liberty.” Black’s beringed hand clenched the arm of his chair. “If I ’ad my way, I’d squeeze every one o’ those nits ’til they bloody popped.”

At least the animosity didn’t seem aimed at Harry.

“Point is, I got my ’ands full,” the cutthroat went on. “I need to know that my Tessie’s out o’ ’arm’s way. I’ve plans to get ’er out o’ my world, to launch ’er into the ton where she belongs.”

Thinking of the naughty card-wielding, trouser-clad mischief maker, Harry doubted that a catapult could accomplish the feat.

“Indeed,” he said in neutral tones.

“Got a nob lined up. Cove’s got a title so mossy it’ll open any door for her. Problem is, Tessie don’t agree with my plan.” Black scratched irritably at his wig. “She’s gotten accustomed to doing as she pleases. Ain’t ’er fault, mind you. ’Er father’s ne’er given a piss ’bout anything but ’is own ’ide, and my daughter Mavis ain’t got the constitution to manage the minx. Result being, Tessie’s always danced to ’er own tune. Now she chafes at the idea o’ marriage—says she wants to stay by my side. As if I’d let ’er rot away on the shelf. That’s why I need you to keep an eye on ’er.”

Harry was no nanny. “Seems to me what she needs is a female companion.”

“One o’ ’em tight-lipped bombazines?” Black’s eyes rolled toward his bushy grey brows. “Tessie ’as ’em calling for smelling salts afore they get in the door. No, my granddaughter needs a firmer hand. That’s why I moved ’er in with me. But I’m a busy man so I got to find a guard who can keep up with ’er. In the past month alone, she’s gone through three.”

Harry lifted his brows. “Gone through?”

“Don’t condone failure.” In a blink, Black went from doting grandfather to menacing criminal king. “I trust you to guard my treasure, you don’t betray my trust. If you do,”—Black stabbed a finger at him—“prepare for consequences.”

Hairs stirred on Harry’s nape. At the same time, the possibility flitted through his head: as Miss Todd’s personal guard, he’d have access to Black’s inner sanctum. He could search for evidence of Black’s guilt in a way the police hadn’t been able to do.

The risks would be many. He decided to play along for now. As long as he survived the night, he could consult with his superior on the best plan of action.

“How do you know I’m the man for the job, sir?” he asked. “You don’t know me—”

“Know your name’s Sam Bennett. Know you’ve the manners o’ a gent, but you ain’t no fribble.” Black jerked his chin at Harry’s hands. “Didn’t get those calluses idling about Brook’s.”

Harry answered Black’s unspoken question. “I was a navvy.”

“Real work. The kind that makes a man.” Black nodded with what might have passed for approval. “Despite the fact that you’re a four-eyes, you gave a fine accounting o’ yourself at the ’Are and ’Ounds. Took down three bastards—could’ve been a prizefighter with that uppercut o’ yours.”

Devil and damn, how does Black know all that?

“Got eyes and ears everywhere, and don’t you forget it.” Black’s warning was unmistakable. “You’ll start on Monday.”

“Yes, sir.” It seemed the safest thing to say.

“One more thing. You guard Tessie with your life. You touch ’er for any other purpose, I’ll string you up and yank your guts out from your throat. That clear?”

Egad. Only a fool would play with that sort of fire. “Very.”

“Good.” Black gave a satisfied nod. “Now take your lumps if you ’ave to, but keep Tessie out o’ trouble. The swell I got lined up for ’er is a bona fide stickler. Got ’im by the balls and purse strings, don’t I, but ’e still won’t marry ’er unless ’er reputation is as white as the driven snow.”

Before Harry could contemplate what Black meant by taking his “lumps,” the door flew open. He rose, an odd stutter in his chest at Miss Todd’s transformation.

Devil take it, she’s…beautiful?

The puckish lad had been replaced by a vibrantly attractive young lady. Miss Todd’s dark, lustrous locks were piled on her head, exposing the graceful curve of her neck. With her disguise removed, her heart-shaped face came into focus. She had a charming retroussé nose, creamy cheeks, a piquant little chin. Her eyes sparkled like a sunlit pond, and that mouth of hers…