Page 33 of Rogue Lyon

His Meredith?

His heart squeezed at the thought of her being solely his and at his side all day, every day.

“Your reputation precedes you,” the duke was saying. “Always up to no good, dodgy deals. Illegal gambling and goodness knows what else.” He nodded at the Turner.

“I say, old chap.” Jules set back his shoulders. “I could have you for slander. You have no proof of anything untoward.”

“There is no smoke without fire and the ton gossip is lit with flames whenever your name is mentioned.”

Jules suppressed a smile. He would quite like to be a fly on the wall during these gossip sessions that included him as a topic. “I see, well, none of it is true, I can assure you.”

“That is just as well because you will have to marry my daughter. That, unfortunately, is the only way to fix this mess.”

“I really don’t think so.” The idea was preposterous. Unthinkable.

“You, young man, do not have a say in this.” The duke wagged his finger.

Jules felt his anger sparking to life. Who on earth did this man think he was? Did he forget Jules was a Habsburg? His ancestors didn’t take kindly to being ordered around and neither would he. “Your Grace,” he said in his calmest voice, “much as I hate to disappoint you, I won’t be walking down the aisle with your daughter. Lovely as she is, we have no reason to marry.”

“You have every reason to marry. Her reputation is ruined.” Spittle had gathered at the corners of his mouth and his ruddy cheeks were now a deep mauve.

“A reputation that will be restored as soon as there is another scandal and another ball.” Jules sucked in a breath, keen to be on his way now. “So if you’ll excuse me.”

“You think I want this?” the duke asked.

“No, not at all, so let’s leave this madness here and move on with life. I’m sure your little Lady Eloise will find someone who enjoys her tales of embroidery and rare birds, but it is not I.”

“You insult her too?”

“Hardly an insult to say we have different interests.” Jules stepped away. “I must be on my way, but I bid you good day.”

“Why, you fiend!”

Jules quickly turned and strode up the street. He could still hear the duke puffing and muttering as he turned the corner. The poor chap really was in the dudgeons over this matter.

And Jules had a nasty feeling he wouldn’t hear the end of it for some time. But he had other things to worry about now. Drake wouldn’t be pleased to see him, at least not initially, but hopefully, Jules would win him around with the new Turner and that would be one less thing to worry about.

Jules checked his pocket watch. It was nine-thirty and his evening chess lesson was about to begin. Yesterday, he’d visited Drake and settled his debts. The thugs would move onto other victims and he felt lighter for it.

He nodded to Theseus and Egeus, the guards who kept charge over the Lyon’s Den, and strode inside the exclusive establishment. He held an umbrella but didn’t pause to set it in the stand. Instead, he walked straight to the private gaming room.

He was just about to knock when the door pulled open. A tall, blond man stood there clutching a book. He was very handsome and Jules instantly bristled, his stomach coiling into a knot.

The Duke of Newgale had been with Meredith this last hour, that much was clear. If he’d tried to kiss her…so much as looked at her with desire in his eyes, Jules would…

“Ah, Mr. Habsburg, how are you?” The duke smiled broadly.

“Very good, Your Grace. And yourself?” Jules’s voice was tight and his smile strained.

“Excellent, and I’m looking forward to the chess tournament in a few weeks’ time, though I have to say I’d rather not share my teacher if you are one of my opponents. She is incredibly knowledgeable, skilled, and fast thinking.”

“Strategic, I think is the word when it comes to chess.” Jules had to make an effort not to clench his teeth as he spoke.

“Yes, of course. Strategy, that’s the most important thing, or so I have been told.”

Jules nodded. “I wish you a pleasant evening.”

“Thank you. I am going to read up on my game.” He tapped the book. “It really would be jolly exciting to win Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s chess tournament. Quite the achievement.”