Percy hummed, amusement flickering beneath his scrutiny. “A man who, according to the pretty ladies of Velvet Rose, slipped away in the dead of night—with questionable company, no less.”
“What have you heard? Is there more?”
Percy leaned back in his chair and beckoned a girl over with a flick of his fingers. “Apparently, this one spent a fair amount of time in the man’s company.”
“What do you know?” said Heath, emphasizing each word.
“Let me bring her over for you.”
She was short, her assets swollen and proudly on display, and something about her left a wake of turning heads. “Meet Marta. She’s what some might call a… prodigy,” Percy said.
“Your Grace. I see you’ve brought along a friend. Will it be both of you tonight, then?”
Heath cringed at the sound of her voice.
“My friend here might have a few shillings for you,” Percy crooned, but gently pushed her over to the chair next to Heath. He stood then, shaking his glass. “I’ll return for you shortly, Marta. Don’t forget about me.”
“I would never,” she mewed, and blew him a kiss before squaring her shoulders to Heath. “So, what would you like to know?”
“What can you tell me about these rumors about the Earl of Gooldwer?” Heath slid a stack of coins toward the woman, which she eyed with satisfaction.
“Just what everyone knows, really. He left with a woman.”
“Come now, that coin here is worth more than what you’ve just told me. Out with it, woman.”
The girl’s eyes went wide, now quite acquainted with who, exactly, Heath was. “I—he used to bring her books and trinkets and always called her ‘my darling’. She would tell us he was going to choose her over his ghastly wife.”
“What else?” Heath said, setting another silver piece on the table, but keeping his finger on it. “I need a name.”
“I only know her first name. Clara, was it?”
Heath slid the coin back toward him.
“No! Wait! And… And! She said Richmond Park. That they always talked about it.”
Blanche mentioned Richmond Park…
Percy’s undeniable laugh preceded him as his friend stalked toward their table.
Heath’s jaw tightened imperceptibly as he pulled another stack of coins from his pocket and slid them across the table toward her. “I’ve paid you for this information. It is no longer yours to share. Understood?”
“Yes,” Marta said sharply, almost as if she was getting aroused by his firm nature, but Heath was presently annoyed by her and waved her away.
She gathered the coin without another word and scurried away.
“Oh! Oh! Marta! Come back, dear—” Percy smiled, almost knowingly, but sighed dramatically anyway. “Look what you’ve done now.”
“Enough of that—sit, man. Sit.”
Percy slowly lowered himself into the chair across Heath once more and swirled the contents of his glass. “So?”
“He must be in Richmond Park…”
Percy chuckled, shaking his head. “How can you know for sure?”
Heath exhaled through his nose, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before taking a slow sip. “Never mind that. I know what I know, now. And she will still refuse to believe her father has abandoned them if I share this with her… even if it’s damning information.”
Percy reached for his own drink. “Tell me, Heath, what exactly troubles you more? The fact that she refuses to see the truth, or the fact that you are the one who has to deliver it?”
