Kettering rarely showed emotion. That was why he was suited for his job, but this time, he raised an eyebrow.
“I’ve ‘eard of it, Your Grace. A proper flash show, that was. You let the bleedin’ vipers see too far inside yer game if you catch my drift. Yer lookin’ a wreck, beggin’ your pardon. And there’s always a rogue lookin’ to climb over a gent wot’s on ‘is knees.”
“It was necessary. I didn’t like how Salthouse thought he could insult my wife just like that. She did not deserve his ridicule or to be publicly censured in such a manner,” the Duke said coldly, now that he could feel the remnants of control being restored.
The only evidence that he was still shaken from Salthouse and from seeing Caleb with Daphne was the trembling of his hands as he lifted the glass to his mouth and finished the contents in one gulp.
Oh yes, and there’s the way that I cannot seem to keep my conflicts to myself this evening.
He had never confided much in Kettering before, but it brought Adrian a modicum of comfort to speak directly what was on his mind.
Before Kettering could say anything, someone knocked three times at the office door.
“Come inside,” Adrian commanded, making sure his voice was not too loud to be heard by anyone outside. For everyone else, he was just an important patron.
“Your Grace, I apologize for the intrusion, but Lord Briarwood is here,” the house steward said, his face drawn and pale.
Adrian knew what it meant. He had to find a way to exit the office and walk out of the establishment through the back. Just for show.
He’d done it so many times before, but this time, it felt different. Briarwood was seeking him, and he was getting nearer his secret.
“All right,” Adrian said in a low voice, meeting Kettering’s eyes before proceeding to the back.
In that quiet glance, an understanding had been passed between them. They had to be alert. The man himself was sniffing around the Obsidian Card, and that meant danger. Adrian left the room with his mask of arrogance and indifference fixed firmly in place.
When he entered the Obsidian Card from the front, he quickly spotted the Earl of Briarwood. The man was impeccably dressed as always and his smile didn’t reach his eyes. Adrian always thought he represented cultured malice.
“Your Grace,” Briarwood greeted, without rising for the Duke. Polite interactions were not quite necessary at the Obsidian. Theonly rule was to keep the peace. “Such a pleasure to see you here, in your element. Thetonis yet to see what you really are like. Have you shown your wife this side of you?”
“Greetings, Briarwood,” Adrian snapped back. “My wife is aware of this side of me.” It was half a lie. She suspected, but she did not know the full extent of his darkness. “I am surprised you chose this establishment. I heard that you prefer the hospitality of other places.”
“’Tis true,” Briarwood purred. “But it has been so long since I frequented this establishment that I could not stay away another minute. As of late, I have heard tremendous things about the Obsidian Card, and want to try playing my games here, perhaps twice a week or more. Of course, I’d heard whispers that you frequented this place. And well, I suppose I had to see for myself if the rumors were true.” He paused and licked his upper lip. “I must confess that now that I have seen you here with my own two eyes, I am confounded still. How can a man who has just married such a beautiful wife play cards and drink spirits almost every night when his Duchess sits at home waiting for him?”
Adrian’s jaw clenched. There was no way he could simply banish this man. It looked like somebody must be set straight. He sat on the chair across from Briarwood.
Because he had been so focused on escaping Daphne, he did not realize that it could seem like this—that there were cracks in their marriage, when admittedly there were. He almost agreed with Briarwood in his head. Why would he, indeed, stay awayfrom such a beautiful, well-mannered wife whose moans could still manage to raise the hair on his arms?
“My wife is not your concern, Briarwood. I believe we were clear about that.”
“But she is, Your Grace. I’ve followed her around for longer than you ever did. It is curious that in a matter of days, you persuaded her to marry you,” Briarwood said, his cunning eyes observing Adrian closely. His smile widened to show all his teeth. “What a delicate thing. I heard you defended her against Salthouse—but then later, instead of spending time with her, your friend Amberwell turned up at your house to visit the Duchess. It seems that you are not taking care of her well enough that you must rely on others who are more capable to tend to her needs for you.”
Adrian felt a chill at his words. He did not know if he should be angry or afraid, or both. Briarwood was a pernicious man. Daphne’s family was right to think that he would never stop because he would not. He was a man obsessed and now, he was showing his cards. He had been listening to every word that was said about Daphne. He had men skulking about the townhouse, watching the entryway, and reporting back the comings and goings.
“I am not surprised you heard about Salthouse,” Adrian said calmly. “I wanted everyone to know that nobody could talk about the Duchess the way he did.”
“Oh, was he merely telling the truth?” Briarwood said lightly, his face taking on a mock-friendly expression.
“The Duchess is blameless. She is lovely, as you may know, given your obsession. When I told her how she had captured my attention and won over my heart, she reciprocated the feeling. There was no need to wait when we already knew what we were feeling.”
“Good for you, then,” Briarwood commented, the underlying malicious current remaining there, ever present. The man knew how to talk to his enemies for sure. Adrian had to hold on to his temper. “I have merely considered her a true prize, beautiful and unsullied in a world of corruption. It is unfortunate that she should be chained to a man who can only offer her darkness and neglect.”
Adrian wanted to protest. He wanted to fight. However, the more he said about the matter, the more advantage he would give Briarwood. The Earl would know how much Daphne made him lose control.
“Ah, I thought so,” Briarwood murmured. He took a swig of his glass before rising from his chair. His gaze lingered on the Duke knowingly. “She is at home, yet you are here. You know not what a treasure you bought when you secured Lady Daphne’s hand.” He smoothed down the creases in his waistcoat. “Ensure you protect her well, Your Grace. Perhaps you will find that people can be worth more than gold or a silly night spent in a hole like this place.”
Briarwood gave him one final, mocking bow before leaving the gaming hell. Adrian waited for a few more minutes, finishing his drink before he sauntered toward the private office. There,he sat on his chair, letting the whole interaction with Briarwood sink it. He was still shaken, but he would be damned and dead if he would admit that to the Earl. It seemed that his rival had discovered that he had a weakness.
“Kettering,” Adrian began.
