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“Right,” Tristan said when Ruby disappeared behind the door.

“Knowing you, I am sure you have your reasons,” said Morgan. “But if you’re aware Lord Richard sleeps around, why would you agree to marry Jane to someone with no honor?”

Jane crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Thorne. “Yes, Thorne. Why?”

“I would not say Lord Richard has no honor,” said Tristan, watching Thorne laid down the seven of spades. “He certainly does. He hasn’t been known to offend any of his lovers, all of whom were widows and deeply unhappy wives. Whores, of course, but only the most exclusive ones. On the contrary, he seems to deeply care about his family and is as protective of them as you are of Jane, Thorne. From what I know of men like him, I believe he would protect his wife and children as much.”

Thorne nodded and looked at Jane. “And I will cut the organ off his body that allows him to debauch the moment he does a single thing that makes you sad, sister.”

Brace followed suit with the nine of spades. “And so will we. Gladly.”

Morgan chuckled. “You have all the sharpest scalpels.”

Brace cocked his eyebrow. “And I know how to use them.”

Brace Sterling was a skilled, albeit unlicensed, physician who catered to the underworld of London. As far as Jane knew, Brace had saved Thorne’s and the twins’ lives on more than one occasion. He had gained medical training at the university and continued learning later by unconventional means, which he never discussed. He’d taught Jane how to clean and suture wounds and apply first aid to broken limbs. Besides helping Thorne, he also cared for the people of Whitechapel free of charge.

Jane, having no spades, discarded the three of clubs, hiding a smile at Brace’s comment.

Thorne looked at Jane, and his eyes were soft. “You’re the single good thing in my life, Jane. God knows, I’m a horrible man, and I’ve done horrible things. And my life is such that I will keep doing them. The only bright thing in my dark world is you—will always be you. And no matter how much it pains me to let you go, it is for your own good to return to the safety of Mayfair, where you can have the future you deserve.”

Morgan added his two of spades, and Tristan chuckled with satisfaction. “Trick is mine.”

“You lucky bastard,” mumbled Morgan.

“I really am,” said Tristan as he collected the cards. “And I wear it like a badge of honor.”

Jane’s chest tingled and tightened at Thorne’s loving words. “Thank you, brother, I know you wish me the best.”

She remembered her happy childhood where her older, dark, and always serious brother was present in their home at Rosewood Hall. The times he’d snuck her out of the schoolroom and the two of them hid in the woods, giggling, watching the nanny calling for Jane with terrified eyes. How he taught her to swim in the pond and ride the pony using a regular saddle, despite Papa forbidding that. Thorne brought freedom, joy, and mischief into her life of strict rules and easy punishment. Her fingers often ached after the governess struck her for making mistakes in French and math.

And when Thorne suddenly disappeared, her life was devoid of all that made her happy. Her only friend who cared about her and brought her happiness was gone, and she was so, so lonely. Her world had forever changed. No longer had she had a protective older brother to talk to, to make mischief with. And with Papa always absent, all she had was her governess.

Then Papa had died, and Thorne had suddenly come back. But he was a different person than the one she had known. His three loyal friends had come into her life then, too—loyal, intense, mysterious, and dangerous. Thorne gave her anything she wanted. Hercules. Freedom to move around. Her school.

And now that she could teach and would have all those children in her life, she really didn’t need or want a husband who’d uproot her existence once again take her away from all that mattered. The judgment and the rejection of the ton would be a bitter substitute for the love and friendship she now felt in her Whitechapel home.

“How’s the school going?” asked Morgan. “Have you started them on math?”

Ruby came in, brought tea, and left with a nod.

“No,” Jane said as she poured fresh tea for herself and Brace, “I’m afraid your favorite subject will have to wait. They don’t want to be there. If Thorne hadn’t compensated their parents, basically paying them to come to the school, they’d never be there. I thought I had finally gotten through to their parents. I was proud of myself for a moment.”

Tristan led the fourth round with the eight of clubs, making it the leading suit.

Thorne looked guilty for a split moment. He played the jack of clubs. “You found out… You were not supposed to.”

Brace followed by playing the five of clubs.

Jane looked at the cards in her hand, pursed her lips, and decided to play her nine of clubs.

The other three men stifled amused grins.

“How typical, Thorne,” said Tristan. “Suffocating your sister.”

“How about letting her find her own path?” asked Morgan as he added the seven of clubs. “Looks like Thorne has the trick.”

“Perhaps,” said Tristan. “But the game is not over.”