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Chapter Four
Byron had to stifle back a yawn as the Duke of Dormondton approached him. He used to think spending an entire night watching someone’s residence was boring. This was far worse. How was it possible these people really enjoyed going to balls? All they were doing was wasting time when actual work could be done.
“What do you think?” the duke asked once he reached him.
Byron shrugged. “So far, nothing out of the ordinary has happened, but it’s also too soon to dismiss the possibility someone intends to harm your daughter. You can’t gather much in an hour.”
“That’s true. I hadn’t thought of that. I suppose it will take a good amount of time to figure out who the culprit is.”
“Criminals don’t act when they’re being watched. The benefit of this evening is that I get acquainted with how your daughter is when she’s in a social situation. I haven’t seen her act clumsily.”
“That’s my point, exactly. She’s not clumsy. I know she thinks she is, but, as you see for yourself, she’s graceful.”
Yes, she was. The incident at the stairs was easy to explain since she’d been scared and running from the rat. The theatre, though, was a different matter. “You said she almost fell from the balcony at the theatre?”
The duke nodded. “I went to get something to drink, so I left her in the balcony by herself. While away, I heard ladies screaming. I ran into the house and got there in time to see Eleanor hanging from the rail. She claims no one pushed her. She thinks she tripped on the hem of her gown. To be fair, the gown was a bit longer than the ones she usually wears, but she managed to walk into the theatre without any problems.”
That was strange. Byron crossed his arms and directed his gaze to her. She wasn’t talking with the gentleman she was dancing with. They both seemed to be lost in their own thoughts. Byron let his gaze go to her feet. She seemed adept at moving them. The steps to the dance were fast.
His attention went back to the expression on her face. She looked as uninterested with this gentleman as she had with the other one. “Are you pairing her up with gentlemen you hope will marry her?”
“I thought I’d start her dance card with some gentlemen who aren’t potential suitors in order to ease her into this evening. In the past, I tried setting her up with gentlemen who are looking for a wife right away, and she said it made her more nervous. Once she has a couple of dances, she says she’s more comfortable.”
Perhaps that was why she seemed out of place here.
“You’re due to dance with her after the next gentleman,” her father said. “In the meantime, I just thought of another gentleman who manages money well. It will help us keep up the charade that you’re here to improve your financial standing if you talk with him.”
Byron nodded and followed the duke to a group of three gentlemen who were lounging in chairs to the side of the room. He glanced back at Lady Eleanor. Her gaze was on him. It was curious that she felt the need to keep tabs on where he was all the time. Usually, when someone knew he was there to watch things, they ignored him and let him do his job. He could only hope if anyone noticed the way she kept looking over at him, they would think she was romantically interested in him. Otherwise, his work was in jeopardy.
He directed his attention back to her father. They reached two gentlemen, and her father introduced him to Lord Steinbeck and Lord Worsley.
“I told Mr. Tumilson I would help him with his financial endeavors, and Mr. Jasper referred me to you both,” the Duke of Dormondton said. “I thought you three might have some advice for a novice. Out of everyone at White’s, you are the wealthiest, and I credit that with your investing prowess.”
“I can’t say that we’re wealthier than Lord Edon, but he acquired the bulk of his fortune through wagers,” Lord Steinbeck replied.
Byron noticed the slight frown of disapproval on the duke’s face. Apparently, the duke wasn’t all that enthusiastic about Lord Edon. Byron didn’t know who Lord Edon was, so he had no frame of reference for this disapproval. If he did, it would help him understand the duke better.
“You’re not still upset Lord Edon is still a member of White’s, are you?” Lord Steinbeck asked.
Byron was impressed Lord Steinbeck noticed the duke’s reaction since the duke had been subtle. Most people missed little things like that.
His Grace gave a shake of his head. “I don’t care how he acquired his fortune. I’m just not pleased when people pretend to be something they aren’t. A gentleman ought to have the courage to be who he really is, rather than lying to everyone about it.”
Ah, so that was it. The duke valued honesty. But he wasn’t so honest that he was willing to put his daughter’s life at stake. That was understandable. There were times when it was best to lie. As a Runner, Byron did plenty of lying. It was hard to catch someone by being honest.
“We understand your point,” Mr. Worsley consented, “but what’s done is done. Like it or not, we still have to interact with him at the gentlemen’s club.” He cleared his throat. “But you came to us seeking help on your friend’s behalf. We’re more than happy to offer advice.” He directed his gaze to Byron. “Have you done any investing in the past?”
Now, this was something he could be honest about. “No, I haven’t.” That’s what happened when one barely had enough to cover his expenses from month to month, which was something he doubted anyone in this room understood.
“How much money would you like to invest?” Lord Steinbeck asked.
Thinking over how much discretionary income he might receive from this job after he paid his sister back, he said, “I could probably invest a pound.”
“Only a pound?” Lord Steinbeck asked, not hiding his surprise.
Was that too little? It was a great sum of money to Byron. By the shock on the gentlemen’s faces, it was apparent that this was a pathetic amount to invest.
The duke laughed. “My friend likes to joke. He couldn’t afford to dress in something this fine if he only had a pound to invest with. He will start with fifty pounds. That’s still a small amount, but he wants to make sure he learns how to properly invest before he puts in any real money.”
