“And perhaps,” Evelyn continued, tucking her scorched toes beneath her skirts, “it might be more constructive for us to ponder upon this past month. What might we have done differently?”
There, that should steer the conversation to the height of wisdom and level-headed sensibleness that she’d expected upon her arrival.
Silence fell as they all quaffed with considering caps on, the spit and roar of logs a brooding accompaniment as they stared into the flames.
“I’d have stolen the diamonds,” declared Flora. “And run off with that butler and his big Pectoralis Major.”
“I’d have stolen the diamonds,” mumbled Matilda. “And voyaged to the Molucca Islands to study the mating habits of the Paradisea Apoda.”
“I don’t want the diamonds,” sighed Evelyn. “Just Casper.”
Flora snorted. “The duke comes with the diamonds, so no need to be so soddin’ noble.”
They all slumped on the chaise, none the wiser or richer, except in friendship, warmed toes and shared woes.
* * *
“What doyou know of a man named Filgrave?”
Casper quaffed the exceedingly fine whisky – superior to his own – and waited.
Some might have taken His Highness’s lounged aspect upon the leather armchair to be one of disinterest, but Casper observed the hell owner’s fist clench firm.
“Why do you ask?”
“It will be a long night if questions are all we trade. I thought we knew each other better than that.”
The Prince returned a stare black as tar that doubtless quailed most men.
Casper shifted in his seat, but at length, one corner of a royal lip curved.
“Too true,” he at last drawled, leaning forward to fill his glass from the decanter set before them. The Prince inhaled deeply of the liquor. “Is this about your…Miss Pearce?”
Casper snorted. How in the hell did he know… “Indeed. She owes him money. Filgrave sent a thug who attacked her tonight.”
The Prince twisted to stare into the blustering fire set within a grate, but Casper bided his time. After all, he’d already waited a goodly while for His Majesty’s august appearance, the midnight hour having long since passed.
To give the Prince his due, he’d been absent from this Pall Mall gambling hell when Casper had first arrived.
The major-domo had shown him to these private apartments above, where he’d spent the time kicking his heels and perusing the books that lined the many study shelves. A comfortable room, it felt like some gentleman’s country retreat with art upon the walls, a chess board half played in the corner and a hound of pure pedigree lounging beneath the desk.
Uncle Virgil had accompanied Casper, and he’d been glad of his reminiscences, but Uncle had now tottered down to the hell with five guineas and a decanter of whisky by royal decree.
“I know of Filgrave,” the Prince spat, flames reflecting in his coal eyes. “He preys upon women, lures them into debt with low rates and well-mannered accomplices.” The hell owner flexed a fist. “But he soon finds a way to haul in the debt and when they can’t pay, he demands use of the only thing they have left. He owns five brothels down by White Friar’s Dock. And if a woman ends up in one of them…she never leaves.”
“And you’ve never thought to do anything about it?” Casper’s words were an instinctive reaction to the anger within, but he flinched as the Prince’s whisky glass smashed into the fireplace, blue flames venting forth.
The hound stirred, and Casper was reminded he only knew so much about this man.
Yet a lot could be interpreted from an artist’s hand. This Prince of darkness must still hold an inner light to paint with such tender reflection, however shrouded it might be with sinister rumour and deadly reputation.
The Prince unfurled from his chair to pace before a gilt-framed canvas on the wall – a young woman in moss green, book in hand within a forest of bluebells. “He’s always managed to keep his nose clean and the magistrates aren’t interested in sob stories from doxies.” The Prince spun. “But I’ve many eyes and ’tis only a matter of time…”
Casper nodded and rose; the hound opened one eye. “If I can assist you in any way…”
They shook hands in taciturn agreement.
“I’d best make sure my uncle has not impoverished you.”
