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Chapter Ten
Ravencroft thrust a cigar in Dracott’s face. “Here, smoke this.” He lit the cigar and forced Dracott to inhale.
Dracott grimaced after taking a puff. “Must I?”
“Yes. Noel is informing her mother why we remain outside. I will not allow you to make a liar out of her,” Ravencroft growled. “’Tis bad enough you mauled her sister.”
Dracott’s lips twisted. “Mauled? Why do you act like an uptight prude?”
Ravencroft threw his hands in the air. “I do not know where to begin with you. And we have little time. Once Noel returns and informs her family of the cigars we smoke, Worth will be upon us, wanting to join in.”
Dracott flicked off the ashes, letting the cigar burn on its own. “Then let me make it simple. I will mention two names and we can start from there. If not, then we must meet later. The actions of others have forced us to make a plan to survive. If not, then your infatuation with Noel will crumble around you,” Dracott threatened.
Ravencroft took a menacing step forward but stopped when he heard footsteps coming in their direction. “Who?”
“Ren,” Dracott said. Ravencroft nodded since he had warned Dracott the night before of his friend’s arrival. “Mother.”
Ravencroft shook his head. “No. Mother would never return to Lady L’s manipulations. We helped her to escape, and she made us a promise.”
Dracott sighed. Even though Ravencroft was older than him, it was Dracott who held a jaded viewpoint toward people. Probably because he had had to endure more years of his mother’s lies and betrayal to help her agenda. Ravencroft still lived in the idealistic period where his mother played at being a devoted wife and mother. Even year after year, when she betrayed him with her broken promises, Ravencroft still didn’t grasp how evil their mother was.
“She offered Ren up as a sacrifice.”
“Damn her.” Ravencroft strode off to pace back and forth. “Where is she?”
Dracott shrugged. He wasn’t able to gather any information from Ren. And when he tried to follow his friend, his search had turned cold.
“I wonder where your loyalties lie, Dracott. I thought you detested the act of smoking cigars,” Worth drawled.
As Ravencroft cursed their mother, Dracott cursed Ravencroft. He had placed him in a predicament by making him smoke the cigar. Dracott had made his dislike for the nasty habit known one night while working late on a case. Ralston had bellowed his annoyance at Worth’s inconsideration, and Worth had defended himself by declaring no clients were present, therefore he could smoke them how he pleased. Ralston had then enlisted Dracott’s opinion, and he had stated how he detested smoking them. Hence why he held the cigar off to the side, letting it burn itself out.
“I forced him to, and of course, he objected. What gentleman does not like to inhale the smooth flavor of a quality cigar?” Ravencroft complained.
“Myself.” Dracott put the cigar out, relieved he could stop the pretense.
“What do you say, gentlemen, shall we visit my club for a round of cards?” Worth asked.
“Sounds like a marvelous plan. The night is still young. Let me wish the ladies a good evening and I will meet you at your carriage,” Ravencroft answered before striding away.
Worth quirked a brow at Dracott’s answer. “Well?”
“I will pass. Today was long, and I must endure a longer one tomorrow. I have a task maker for an employer,” Dracott quipped.
Worth laughed before taking a long drag on the cigar. “Did you have any luck with your search?”
Dracott shook his head. “Nay. She is a mysterious phantom. No one recalls seeing her.”
“Were they all blind?” Worth demanded, distracted by the memory of the mysterious lady. “She was a vision who must have captured someone else’s attention, as she did mine.”
And she would remain so. Dracott already knew the lady’s habits because he had taught them to her. The rest was her talent of blending in where needed while leaving her mark on those who served her purpose. And it would appear Worth was her intended mark.
“Does finding out her identity have anything to do with our case?” Dracott inquired.
“What?” Worth asked.
“The lady I am searching for. Is she involved with the case we are working on?”
“No. No. I just want to know her name.”
