After a few moments of quiet negotiation, the woman leaned closer, her voice dropping to a secretive whisper.
And what she revealed left Heath quite pleased.
Approaching the noblemen, Heath noted with satisfaction how their expressions shifted—first from surprise, then to mild discomfort, though they masked it well.
These were arrogant men, accustomed to wielding power, dismissing those who did not suit their interests.
Heath had never been one to cower before them.
“Your Graces,” greeted the Lord Chancellor. His nasal voice dripped with condescension.
Heath inclined his head, his smile practiced, polite—insincere. “What remarkable fortune to encounter you here,” he lied smoothly.
Lord Chancellor smirked, settling into his usual air of superiority. “All men must occasionally indulge in fleshly comforts,” he remarked, his disdainful gaze lingering on Percy’s rumpled cravat. “Some more frequently than others.”
Percy, ever unfazed, merely adjusted his collar with deliberate laziness.
Heath, however, did not engage in their hollow amusement.
“Just as all men harbor secrets,” he countered coolly, swirling his drink. “Gambling debts, for instance. Or innocent men imprisoned over wagers gone wrong. Matters I might feel compelled to mention during my upcoming audience with the Prince Regent.”
Silence.
Percy inhaled sharply, widening his eyes in exaggerated shock.
“Good heavens, Heath,” he murmured, leaning in as if they were sharing some scandalous gossip. “Surely you don’t mean tosuggest that such distinguished gentlemen could be involved in such… unfortunate affairs?”
Heath smirked, taking a slow sip of his scotch.
“Oh, I would never suggest such a thing outright, Percy.” He set his glass down with deliberate ease. “But one does hear whispers.”
Percy hummed thoughtfully, tapping his fingers against the table.
“Whispers, indeed. Why, just last week, wasn’t there talk of a certain marquess whose debts had grown so alarmingly that even his most loyal creditors began to withdraw their support?”
Lord Chancellor stiffened, though his expression remained carefully neutral.
“And wasn’t there mention,” Heath continued smoothly, “of a rather unfortunate incident involving a wager gone terribly wrong? A wager that resulted in a man’s imprisonment—though, curiously, the true culprit walked away free?”
Percy sighed dramatically, shaking his head. “Tragic, truly. One wonders how such matters remain unresolved.”
A flicker of unease passed over Lord Chancellor’s pale features, though he recovered quickly, forcing a smirk. “Rumors only,” hesaid, giving Heath what he intended to be a sort of fatherly look. “Nothing for two gentlemen to worry about.”
“Perhaps, though I am sure they would be matters of interest to the prince,” said Heath, to which Lord Chancellor added,
“They may be settled long before your visit to the Prince Regent… You would do better to focus on securing yourself a proper wife. Leave the affairs of the Lords to men who understand them.”
Heath inhaled slowly, allowing a moment of weighted silence to settle between them. Then, with meticulous calm, he set his glass down.
“What a fortunate coincidence,” he mused, tilting his head. “I am already engaged.”
Lord Chancellor blinked, caught off guard. Percy nearly choked on his drink.
“Engaged?”
Heath smiled faintly, savoring the reaction. “Indeed.”
Lord Chancellor recovered swiftly, his gaze sharpening. “And who, pray tell, is the lady?”
