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“I can pay it.” Madalene held up her reticule. “I have the amount right here.”
Eddy blinked. “You are carrying thirty pounds around in your reticule?”
“Miss Hardy had previously informed me of the amount she owed for her father’s debts, and I wanted to resolve this matter quickly,” Madalene explained.
Stepping up to the desk, Madalene reached her hand into the reticule and started pulling out handfuls of money, placing them in front of Eddy.
Once she had removed the last pound, Madalene stepped back. “Mrs. Hardy’s debt has been paid, and you will leave her alone,” she demanded.
Eddy’s eyes never left the money as he replied, “Yes, of course. I am relieved that I don’t have to see that insipid widow ever again.”
“By chance, do you have any idea who might have abducted Miss Hardy?” Madalene asked hopefully.
Meeting her gaze, Eddy said, “Women go missing around here all the time. I would just be grateful that it wasn’t you who was abducted.”
“But Miss Hardy is my friend.”
Eddy gave her a look that could be construed as compassion. “My advice is to get a new friend,” he stated. “Wherever Miss Hardy is, she is long gone.”
“I refuse to give up looking for her.”
Eddy shook his head. “It has been my experience that people don’t like when other people start asking too many questions,” he advised. “You don’t want to anger the wrong people.”
Before she could reply, Eddy snapped his fingers and the other man jumped up from his chair. He grabbed her arm, opened the door, and shoved her out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Madalene turned back and stared at the door in astonishment. Never before had she been treated in such a horrendous fashion. But what did I expect, she thought. She wasn’t exactly dealing with gentlemen here.
She had failed to find Edith, but at least she had paid off her father’s gambling debts. Now Mrs. Hardy wouldn’t live in such fear of her creditors.
Turning around, Madalene started walking between the tables as she headed back towards the main door. She had just passed a crowded table when a man’s hand reached out and grabbed her arm.
“Let me go,” Madalene cried out as she yanked back.
The man didn’t relinquish his hold as he turned in his seat to face her. To her surprise, she was staring into the eyes of Lord Hawthorne. And by the furious glint in his eyes, he didn’t look pleased to see her either.
He rose abruptly from his chair and led her towards the corner of the room. Once they arrived, he remained close and asked, “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“It is perfectly acceptable for a gentleman to be at a gambling hall,” he responded curtly. “Whereas, being seen at one could ruin a young lady’s reputation.”
“I am aware of that fact.”
Lord Hawthorne’s eyes wandered over her face. “So, I must beg the question, what are you truly doing here?”
“Gambling,” she lied.
“Yet I didn’t see you place any bets.”
Arching an eyebrow, she asked, “You were watching me?”
“I was,” he replied, unabashed, “and I can’t seem to figure out the game that you are playing.”
“As I have told you before, I am playing no game.”
“Then why are you here, Miss Dowding?” he asked again. “And I want the truth this time.”
Madalene jerked her arm back, successful in freeing it this time. “If you must know, my friend was abducted, and I was trying to buy her release.”
