“It’s just a silly nickname, Vicky,” Daphne chided her sister. But even as she made the statement, a recollection flitted through her mind.
Once, not so long ago, her husband had pierced her with his gaze and teased her.
Perhaps you want the Wolf?
She sighed. He had read her correctly then, and, if he could see her now, pining away for him, allowing her every thought to be consumed by her need for him, he surely would come home soon.
It was late in the afternoon when Daphne returned to the Wolfcrest townhouse. Upon her entrance, the butler said that he had another message for her. Her chest tightened. She already knew what it would say.
“Your Grace. The Duke sent word that his business is taking longer than expected and will keep him until late tonight. You are to dine alone.”
Daphne was sincerely disappointed. She had longed for the Duke’s company all day and yet, it was evident he did not miss her one jot.
Adrian was at the Obsidian Card, his secret gaming hell, the one Edward Kettering was managing efficiently. He did have to visit the place regularly to see if things were running all right. Most of the time, he would hide in the private counting room but sometimes, he would be outside, pretending to be another client.
In the private room, Adrian sat with Kettering even as they listened to the sound of dice being rolled and bets being made. The thick walls muffled the sounds but they still had an idea what was going on in the main gaming room.
Kettering was always practical and sharp-witted. That was why Adrian chose him to be in charge. He could also deal with various types of people, lords, and street urchins alike.
“Goin’ on as per, Your Grace,” he reported. “We have more lolly and the hells are running well and clean. Still, I reckon you should be elsewhere. You have just come back to London. Why not take some more time to enjoy your wife? She’s a looker, that one. Let the gaffs run themselves. You can trust me.”
Adrian glared at the man. He didn’t like being told what to do and a sense of possessiveness came over him whenever someone talked about Daphne. He adjusted the cuff of his evening coat. All the while, he continued to stare at Kettering.
“My domestic life is none of your concern, Kettering,” he admonished, his voice lowering. “You will concern yourself only with managing the hells. I will concern myself with my duchess.”
“Fair enough, Your Grace. My mistake! Apologies!” Kettering raised his hands in mock surrender. He knew his master well. He was not cruel to his people, especially if loyalty was proven. “You know me, I speak a bit of froth at times, but I know when to keep my mush shut.”
The Duke narrowed his eyes at his manager and thought back to all the times he had been helpful in his operations. His gaze softened. Kettering was a true ally and might be the only one he could be certain of. He would get a rare pass for insolence.
“Now, to business,” he said, moving on to safer territory.
Business.
It was certainly safer than the woman he left at home.
“Aye, I was just about to say that I’ve been seein’ more of Lord Briarwood, more so than the last time. He’s not playin’ much but talkin’ to the wrong sort,” Kettering said, sounding more serious.
Adrian looked at the space between them and was silent for a moment. He sighed before saying, “I expected that. He will try everything he can to destroy what I have now, especially since he believes my marriage is distracting me.”
“You can rest assured I’ll keep yer ownership of these hells a secret, as always, even though he seems to suspect something. He won’t get a peeper at any ledger that connects Wolfcrest to the Obsidian Card. We are solid here. You are solid, Your Grace,” Kettering said, his words light but his expression grim.
Adrian walked over to where Kettering was seated in front of the table and clapped him hard on the back.
“I know. But we can handle that scoundrel. He wants to find some dirt on me, but he won’t break us. Not our hells. Not our families.”
Suddenly, a massive crash could be heard from the main gaming room. It was soon followed by several loud shouts, some sounding slurred. The two exchanged a look and quickly left the private counting room.
Adrian groaned at the sight of a drunk Lord Ashworth. He had just overturned a gaming table and was yelling at his opponent, who must have won a large sum off him. The other man seemed ready to engage, as well. It was clearly not the best of scenarios at the hell.
The Duke of Wolfcrest did not hesitate. In that moment, he tore off his mask of politeness and became the Wolf. He used his height and agility to move quickly, cutting through the crowd to reach the fighting pair.
“Enough!” he yelled, making everyone freeze in the room.
Ashworth and his opponent, however, were beyond reason. They were swinging at each other. Lord Ashworth was more dangerous with his drunkenness, swinging at Adrian, who he must have thought to be yet another interfering patron of the Obsidian Card.
It was a clumsy attempt that Adrian swiftly ducked. Unfortunately, the other man was also swaying, seemingly just as drunk. The Duke recognized him as a baronet who liked to waste his money on these hells. The baronet also swung at the Duke, and the latter found himself in the middle of the brawl. There were a few punches thrown here and there, mostly toward the other men but some landed on the Duke.
Furious, Adrian grabbed the men by the back of their coats and pushed them away from each other. The action, which took most of his energy, ended the fight between the two drunkards.After they were separated, Kettering’s guards restrained them instantly and effectively.
