Fortunately, before he could answer, Hugh approached the table and held up a hand in greeting. “Good evening,” he said before he pulled a chair out.
Hawthorne turned his attention towards his brother. “Are you not gambling this evening?”
“The night is still young,” Hugh said with a smirk. “I stopped by White’s in hopes that one of you would accompany me.”
“I would rather spend time with my wife,” Hawthorne responded.
“You are no fun,” Hugh said. “You have become even more boring since you married.”
Hawthorne shrugged. “Married life agrees with me.”
Hugh turned his attention towards William. “Grenton?” he asked. “Are you in?”
With a shake of his head, William replied, “I have no desire to attend a gambling hall and lose money at cards.”
“Nor I,” Haddington said.
Hugh didn’t appear offended by their refusals, but instead seemed to find it amusing. “Your loss,” he said, “but I shall think of you all when I have a winning hand.”
A server placed a glass down in front of Hugh and collected the empty glasses before departing.
Hugh picked up the glass and glanced between them, a curious look on his features. “Did I interrupt something?”
“No,” William said. “You came at the perfect time.”
Haddington smiled. “Grenton was just sharing how enjoyable it has been to work with his headmistress.”
“That doesn’t sound like Grenton,” Hugh remarked.
William shoved back his chair and rose. “On that note, I shall bid you a good night. I have work that I need to see to, and it is of upmost importance.”
Holding up his glass, Hugh encouraged, “Stay for one more round.”
“I’m afraid not,” William said as he pushed his chair in. “Good evening, gentlemen.”
Georgie awoke to a calloused hand covering her mouth. Her eyes flew open, and immediately recognized the stocky Bow Street Runner from the market in the moonlight. His face was just inches from hers, and as he spoke, she could feel his hot, foul breath on her cheeks.
“If you scream, I will have no choice but to hurt you,” the man whispered harshly. “Do you understand?”
She slowly nodded.
This seemed to appease the man, and he removed his hand from her mouth. “I want you to follow my directions precisely.” When she didn’t object, he continued. “Get out of bed.”
Georgie waited until he took a step back before she put her legs over the side of the bed and rose. She glanced over at the mattress in the corner and saw that Alice was not there. Where was her lady’s maid at this hour?
The Bow Street Runner followed her gaze and asked, “Where is your companion?”
“I don’t know.”
“It is a good thing that she wasn’t here, or else I would have had no choice but to tie her up.”
Georgie met the Runner’s gaze and asked, “Why are you doing this?”
“I already told you at the market,” he said. “Your brother is paying for me to return you home.”
“I will double what he is paying,” she attempted.
The man huffed. “With what money?” he asked. “You are living like a pauper in an orphanage.”
