Roderick happened to know otherwise.
Fallbrook also had a rather rabid obsession with the hazard tables at Bentley’s and could be found at the club most nights of the week, gambling with money he borrowed from a long line of credit.
The lord gestured for the dancer to move on, then pinned Roderick with a disdainful look. “Get to it then.”
Despite the man’s sneer, Roderick sensed his unease.
“Were you here earlier tonight for a special occurrence? The offering of a particular sort of woman?”
A disturbing gleam entered Fallbrook’s eyes. “What do you know of it?”
“Only that such an event could have disastrous repercussions for the young lady involved.”
Fallbrook’s expression lit with curiosity. “How do you know the chit was a real lady? You weren’t even there. The others all thought she was some poor country maid dressed in fine togs.”
Roderick did not reply. Could that be possible? Was Lily Chadwick’s identity unknown to those who had bid on her?
Fallbrook slouched further in his seat. His mouth curved into a smile that seriously had Roderick considering a more violent tactic than the one he had planned for the arrogant lord.
“Of course, none of the others have much interest in debutantes. I, on the other hand, recognized the girl right away.”
Roderick took a step forward. “I demand your assurance that you will not breathe a word of the lady’s involvement in what happened tonight.”
“Damn me, Bentley.” Fallbrook sneered. “Do you think I’m stupid?”
Roderick again decided it best not to reply.
“Obviously, you are not familiar with the contract Pendragon insists we all sign. She’s got every one of us tethered securely to her lovely wrist. Nothing that happens here can ever be discussed outside this building.”
Roderick smiled—a cold, measured curve of his lips. “Then you are fortunate they allowed me in. Tell me who claimed the girl.”
But Fallbrook, it seemed, intended to be difficult.
“I am not telling you a thing, and neither will anyone else. If it’s the lady’s reputation you are concerned with, don’t bother. Pendragon has it well secured. Even if the other sots happen to realize who they almost had in their beds—not that they ever would, the blind old fools—they’d never let on.”
The look in Fallbrook’s eyes turned Roderick’s stomach. “And I can certainly keep a secret. I can be content to wait it out for the sweet thing to become available again. I do prefer that first blush of innocence, but there is something about a young girl who has been well broken.”
Roderick fisted his hands tight at his sides to keep from sending them both into the gentleman’s smug face.
“Allow me to give you a bit of advice, Fallbrook.” Despite the fury and disgust rolling through him, Roderick kept his tone even, almost friendly.
The other man lifted his brows in question, though he was only half listening, his attention already being drawn to the dancer who was making her way back to him.
Roderick continued, “You will stay away from the young lady, you will not even look her way, because if you do—if I even hear the whisper of her name from your mouth—I will see to it that your debts are called immediately.”
The other man scoffed. “I have more than enough to cover my balance at Bentley’s.”
“Perhaps, but I happen to know the exact amount of your yearly allowance.” Fallbrook whipped his attention back to Roderick, who answered the lord’s wary gaze with another smile. “I also know the conditions under which your father affords you that spending money. You may be able to pay my club, but you haven’t nearly enough to cover the debts you have incurred around town. Think of what would happen when your father learns of your extensive gambling habits.”
“You cannot possibly possess the influence to have all my debts called in at once.” Though his words were full of derision, Fallbrook’s tone was not nearly so confident.
Roderick laughed and the sound carried a genuine note of amusement. “I almost hope you will call my bluff on that, Fallbrook, I really do.” Roderick started to leave, confident he had made his point, but then couldn’t resist turning back for one last jab. “By the way, did you know your father comes to the club every week for a private game? No. I can see you did not. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Fallbrook.”
Roderick left Pendragon’s, torn between relief that any gossip regarding Lily’s sojourn to the brothel was extremely unlikely and frustration at still not knowing where she was now. Until Lily was found, far more than her reputation was at risk.