Page 46 of A Rogue to Forget

Once they toasted, he and Evan were pushed aside, the women going to the opposite side of the room to discuss matters that they deemed them not needed for.

“We are expected at my parents’ home this evening. Do not forget,” Henry said to Hannah who looked over and nodded.

“How do you expect that to go?” Evan asked.

“Honestly, I do not know. Father likes Hannah and I am sure my sister will adore her. Mother on the other hand worries more about the social repercussions than whether or not we are in love. As you can imagine, if she does not approve, Father will follow suit.”

They waited a few moments, Evan looking over to the women, who were engrossed in conversation. Hannah seemed to be retelling how the proposal happened.

“What about the sponsorship?”

Henry shook his head. “I am not sure. Father is considering loaning me the rest of what I need. However, this may dampen his will to do so. If he uses the fact I am marrying Hannah as a way to not loan me the money, I will have to consider something else.”

“Like what?”

“I have an investment I have not considered. A wager, of sorts.”

Evan looked surprised. “Is it something that could be dangerous? Or unscrupulous?”

“I won a bet five years ago. I never collected upon it.”

Seeming to understand whatever was to be said had to be between them, Evan stood. “Let us go to my study.”

*

The fog wasthick, making it impossible to see even one foot in front of the other. Henry stumbled from the doorway, pulling his cape tight around his body. He’d won a great deal of money, and yet had left empty-handed. The only evidence of his winnings was a rapidly scribbled note.

That it had cost a man’s life made the entire event surreal. Why had he entered into such a game? He’d succumbed so deep into his addiction to gambling that he was willing to wager his life against another. The idea of it, the disgust in himself, grew with each step he took.

After a few steps, he went to the side of a building and threw up. The smell of blood lingering in his nostrils despite the distance he put between him and the gambling den.

The instructions were to take the note to the bank and ask for Mister Billings. The money would be held in his name in a safety deposit box. All he had to do was collect it whenever he wished.

*

Evan blew outa breath. “I didn’t know it had become so bad.”

“It was the last time I gambled.” Henry stared into the glass in his hand. “I could never touch the money. A man died for it. All because of a bad hand.”

“Did you kill him?” Evan met his gaze. It was obvious that no matter the reply, his friend would stand by him. There was nothing that could be done at this juncture as he had no idea who his opponent was.

“No. Someone stood behind each of the players. The last two who remained wagered life. We could fold at any moment. When I saw my hand and knew it was virtually unbeatable, I almost did. Just so the man would not die. But the man behind me nudged me and I realized he saw my hand and would not allow it. If I didn’t show my hand, I would be the one to die.”

“How?”

“Cutting of the throat.”

“Fast and painless,” Evan said. “Still a steep price.”

Henry drank the last of his brandy. “I tried to find out who he was. When I returned to the place where he’d played, it had been abandoned. I wanted to give his family the money.”

“If you use the money for your portion, would you feel badly about it?”

“I don’t know anymore. I suppose there is nothing that can be done about it now. I could give it away to a charitable cause.”

Evan met his gaze. “I think you should take the amount you need. Upon the ship returning and us making our profit, replace it. Leave it there until you figure out what to do with it.”

“A man died…”

“You wagered your life as well. Both of you were idiots. You won the money fairly. One of you had to die that day. Guilt does not change the truth of the matter.”

Henry laughed. “You sound like your father.”

When Evan groaned, they both laughed. It felt good to share the burden he’d carried for so long.