“Of course not, Your Grace.”
“Damn it all, what is Isabella playing at?”
“You think she has a hand in it, Your Grace?”
“Both hands. Damnation.”
“Is it such a danger?” When Hart glared up at Wilfred, the man flushed. “I mean, sir, that if her ladyship likes this Mrs. Ackerley, approves of her, perhaps all is well? If your brother, his lordship, enjoys her company . . . well, he is getting to be of an age where he should think about settling down.” Hart watched him steadily until Wilfred trailed off. “You’ve been in my employ ten years, Wilfred. You know Ian, and you know what he’s capable of.” “I do, Your Grace.”
“Isabella isn’t aware of certain facts. Neither are you.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Trust me when I say Ian must be kept away from this woman, whoever she is.” Hart studied the drawing, the woman’s round, pretty face and dark curls on top of her head. She looked innocent and harmless, but Hart knew better than anyone how much looks could deceive. This was the fifth time a Parisian newspaper had chosen to print such a tidbit about Ian and this Mrs. Ackerley. “Whatever her motives are. they can’t be good.”
“No, Your Grace.”
“Have a packed valise standing by for me at all times, Wilfred. I want to be able to leave at a moment’s notice.” “Of course, Your Grace. Shall I dispose of the newspaper?”
“Not yet.” Hart put his hand on it. “Not yet.” Wilfred bowed and left him. Hart studied the picture again, noting the way Ian was half turned to look at Mrs. Ackerley. An artist’s interpretation, yes, but it likely wasn’t far off the mark. Mrs. Ackerley must know Ian’s history by now, his eccentricities, his headaches, his nightmares. The latter depended on whether she’d yet wormed her way into his bed. Hart clenched his fists and rested them on the newspaper. Ian wasn’t even supposed to be in Paris. Ian was to stay in London, returning to Scotland when Hart finished his business on the Continent. There had been no mention of Ian visiting Mac or Isabella in Paris.
“I don’t know who you are,” Hart said, tracing the outline of the laughing Mrs. Ackerley. “But you have taken one step too far.”
Hart slowly crumpled the page in his hands, then tore it apart in long, ragged strips.
In the week between Ian’s interesting carriage ride with Beth and his next planned encounter with her, he saw nothing of Inspector Fellows. He had Curry watch out for the man, but Curry couldn’t find him either. “ ‘E must ‘ave run off ‘ome,” Curry declared,” ‘is tail between ‘is legs.”
Ian didn’t think so. Inspector Fellows was canny and smart, and he wouldn’t run because Ian threatened him. If he’d returned to London in truth, it would be for a very good reason. Ian wished he knew what the man was planning. Isabella asked Ian to accompany her and Beth to an outing on Wednesday, and though another summer storm had come up to drench Paris, Isabella still insisted on going. “It’s a den of iniquity, darling,” Isabella said to Beth as the three of them descended in front of an ordinary looking house on the edge of Montmartre. “You’ll love it.” Ian had been here before with Mac, but entering the house was much more satisfying with Beth on his arm. She was dressed in dark red taffeta tonight, rosettes at her bosom. Everything she wore shimmered and whispered in some way. He kept her hand tight in the crook of his arm, not letting go when she tried to pull away. He was glad Isabella had been wise enough to ask Ian to escort them, because he’d be damned if he’d let Beth into this place alone. “Den of iniquity?” Beth asked, peering around the dim, dusty shop they entered. “I believe someone’s having you on.”
Isabella laughed. “This way, darling. It’s a dead secret.” She led the way through the shop to an unmarked door at the back. Light and noise and the stench of cigar smoke and perfume poured up a carpeted staircase. Not so secret, Ian thought as he let Beth precede him down the stairs. The Parisian police were aware of this illegal gambling den, but took money to look the other way. The wealthy Parisians thought they were getting away with something, excited like mischievous children. The staircase spilled them into a glittering palace. The room ran the length of several houses upstairs, and crystal chandeliers marched across the ceiling. A rich red carpet covered the floor, and the walls were lined with walnut.
People hovered around tables, talking, laughing, shouting, groaning. The click of dice, the slapping of cards, and the whir of a roulette wheel floated above it all. Too many people pressed around Ian. He didn’t like it. They crushed him, stared at him, talked all at the same time until he couldn’t hear what they were saying. He felt the need to flee winding like an insidious vine, and he looked around for the nearest retreat.