Duke of Chance: Lords of Scandal Read online

  Was he that predictable? “I was escorting your aunt and sister home.”

  Hart frowned. “Any progress on that front?”

  Yes. No. “Maybe.”

  Hart’s brows lifted. “You’re not usually such a delicate instrument.”

  “I told your sister that very thing,” he answered with a small smile. Daisy was making him do all sorts of things he wouldn’t normally. “I’m doing my best to be patient.”

  Hart shook his head as though he could hardly believe it. “I hope it pays off.”

  Chance was not going over this with Hart again. “Why were you looking for me?”

  Hart ran a hand through his hair. “It happened again.”

  “What?”

  “I was reviewing yesterday’s count and we’re short.”

  Several curse words bubbled to his lips as he swallowed them back down. He’d like to go say goodbye to Daisy, finish their conversation. But to do so might expose their tryst. He’d have to explain later, but for the moment, he waved Hart forward. “Come on. Let’s go.”

  Within minutes, they were in the carriage, crossing London.

  Chance had expected more information from Hart, but the man sat silently for several long minutes. And when he did finally speak, it wasn’t about the club at all. “Did you really socialize with Edgemere today?”

  Chance stared at his friend. “How could you possibly know that?”

  Hart shrugged. “Easton was at the park this morning too.”

  Chance narrowed his gaze. “When did East get back? And why was he socializing at a picnic?”

  “He is an earl.”

  Chance grimaced, leaning forward. “Don’t fuck with me. Easton wouldn’t be caught drunk at such an event. Why was he there?”

  Hart cocked a brow. “See. This is the Chance I know. Surly. Uncompromising. Dukely.”

  “Why?” he growled out again.

  Hart held out his hands. “I didn’t know you were going to go. I sent him to keep an eye on Daisy.”

  Chance sat back, realizing it was a good plan as far as sisters went. Chance had asked Hart to keep his distance.

  “Which brings us back to the question as to why you were playing nice with him.”

  Chance looked at Hart, his irritation making him bristle. “Repairing the damage to Daisy’s reputation.”

  “Marrying you will do that,” Hart replied.

  Chance knew it. Just as he knew he should press her more. But…he just couldn’t. Something about Daisy turned him into mud in her hands. Did he tell Hart that?

  “I want her to be happy.”

  Hart snorted. “Married to a handsome duke. How miserable.”

  Chance looked down at his lap, the words surprising him. “Hart. I care about her. I think…” He stopped himself. If he were going to confess his feelings it would be to Daisy herself. Not that he felt a great many beyond commitment. He wouldn’t ever give his heart away again. Not after last time.

  He shook his head. How was it Daisy had reduced him to this state?

  “You think what?”

  “She has to choose me, Hart. That’s all there is to it.”

  Hart was silent for several seconds before he let out a long sigh. “Well, you making nice with Edgemere does have one advantage.”

  “What’s that?” His head snapped up.

  “The man’s an experienced gambler.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  Hart waved his hand. “The club. I’ve got an idea to catch the thief, but I need a man who can visit the tables as a customer in order to do it.”

  “No.” Chance bit out through a locked jaw. “Find someone else.”

  “The man needs money. Badly.”

  “No.”

  Hart sat back. “We’ll vote.”

  “Fuck voting.”

  Hart’s eyes narrowed. “I might have to bow to you when it comes to Daisy, but not when it comes to the club.”

  Chance swallowed down any more objections. He’d save them for the others. Because there was no way Edgemere was stepping foot into his club.

  Daisy lay across her bed, wishing that she was still with Chance. They’d been so connected when they’d been intimate just a few hours before.

  And there was so much they still needed to say to each other.

  She’d stolen down the hall to hear him and Hart talking so she knew why he hadn’t returned to say goodbye, but after their intimacy, she’d felt a bit hollow when he’d left.

  Some of her fears that he didn’t see her as a woman had disappeared after their interlude in the study, but her worries about his past, his feelings for his first wife, still bothered her a great deal.

  If he were still in love with Marissa, how could he ever give his heart to her? Did he regret not having a child with her? Was that why he was in such a rush now? Daisy sighed, rolling over. Would he love Marissa and their past marriage always?

  It wasn’t even a fair question.

  How could she demand his heart? She couldn’t. But that left her with precious few options.

  Not marry and risk becoming a spinster. She rested her chin on her fist as she thought of her aunt, who was a best-case scenario in terms of spinsterhood. Aunt Mildred was independently wealthy and had a family to share her life with.

  Would Hart support her if she declined Chance’s suit? Would her aunt?

  Did she even want to live without him? He seemed to be one of the few people who understood what she wished for most besides love. He valued her. But that also held an inherent danger. It would be so easy to love him.

  If she married Chance, how would she feel caring for a man who didn’t return her love? She couldn’t deny her feelings for him any longer.

  No person had ever supported her more than him. Emotionally and physically.

  Even now, she craved his touch, a longing that stole her breath.

  A knock sounded at the door, and she felt a ridiculous hope that it was him. Absurd. Not even he could just knock at her door.

  “Daisy,” Aunt Mildred called.

  “Come in,” she replied, sitting up.

  Aunt Mildred opened the door, stepping into the room with her usual flurry of activity. “What are you doing up here?”

  Daisy shrugged as she rose from the bed, crossing to her aunt. “I didn’t mean to leave you alone tonight. My head is just full.”

  “Full?” her aunt asked as she pulled Daisy into a hug. “Full of your duke or that earl? Edgemere?”

  Daisy shook her head. “I’ve hardly even thought of Edge.”

  “Is that why you disappeared behind a tree with him earlier today?”

  Oh. That. She nibbled at her lip as she looked down toward the floor. “I just needed a moment to say goodbye. I didn’t want there to be any doubt with Lord Edgemere that our relationship was over.”

  Her aunt’s hands fluttered about as she nodded. “I see. And what about your duke?”

  Daisy sighed, settling back on the bed. “He’s the real problem.”

  “Problem?” Aunt Mildred settled next to her. “What’s the problem?”

  “He says that he can’t love me.” Daisy shook her head, tears forming in her eyes. One slipped out down her cheek and she dashed it away. “I believe he is still in love with his first wife.”

  Her aunt’s hands stilled. “Can’t love you?”

  Daisy nodded.

  Her aunt scrunched her brows. “I don’t know about all that, but I can tell you that the man cares for you a great deal.”

  Daisy sighed. “Yes. But. What will I be without love?”

  Aunt Mildred reached for one of her hands. “You’ll be happily married is my guess.”

  Daisy looked at her aunt. “He doesn’t love me, Aunt Mildred. Why would that mean a happy marriage?”

  Mildred sighed. “I waited for love. Years, I waited. I waited for a man who never returned and then I waited for a new sweeping love to find me. There were a few men who offered, and now that
I’m older, I ask myself. Why? Why didn’t I just accept one of them? I’d have a family of my own. A husband to help me keep this place. A partner to walk through life with.”

  Daisy knew her aunt’s words were the truth. She’d heard them before. “I understand. And thank you. That does help. But it’s not as though Chance and I share the same affection. While he doesn’t love me, I’m afraid I might…” Daisy gasped in a breath, the words painful to say.

  “Oh. I see.” Her aunt stood. “Odd considering you were nearly engaged to another man.”

  Daisy cringed. “I know. You’re thinking that I’m fickle. You’ve every right, but the thing I’m realizing is that it might always have been Chance. I just gave up and settled for another and now I don’t—”

  “If you’re not going to settle, then don’t settle,” her aunt said with a smile. “Go out there and make him love you.”

  “Make him?” She shook her head. “Hart. Chance. Arabella. They’ve always been so much older than me. They’ve never taken me seriously.”

  “Daisy.” Her aunt spun on her heel. “He’s asked you to be his wife. He’s taking you very seriously.”

  “For Hart’s benefit. Hart is the one Chance is worried about. They’ve always looked out for one another, but I’ve not been part of…” Her words tapered off, hating the way they sounded.

  “I know you’ve always felt left out of your brother’s life. Maybe Chance’s too. I don’t blame you. But complaining about it won’t make them want you more. You have to prove you’re ready with your actions. Force them to see you as an equal.”

  Daisy nodded. That was true.

  She thought about Arabella. What would she do if she felt left out?

  She’d start breaking down doors.

  Maybe it was time for Daisy to start doing the same.

  She crossed to her desk, penning a note. Who better than Arabella herself to teach Daisy how?

  Chapter Twelve

  Chance stood in a circle of his friends as he listened to each of them in turn, but he didn’t like a word he was hearing. He tightened his fists in irritation, resisting the urge to lash out at something or someone.

  They discussed the possibility of Edgemere helping them.

  A completely ridiculous notion.

  But Hart seemed to be warming to the idea with every word he spoke. “A degenerate gambler himself, what better man to help us find our thief?”

  “How do you know he’s a degenerate gambler?” Chance asked, nearly choking on the words.

  “I heard he killed his wife,” Purewater said, his piercing blue eyes scanning the group. “A gambler and a murderer. That’s who we’re asking for help?”

  “Clubs.” Hart waved his hand, using Purewater’s nickname. “We’re not making him a partner. We just need a man in need of funds who we can hire to assist us in catching the thief. It’ll be a temporary arrangement.”

  “Of all the men who have gambling debts, you chose him? Why?” Chance asked, thumping his thigh with his closed fist.

  “He doesn’t have gambling debts, if we’re being precise. And I’m hiring him because he owes us,” Hart said, tilting up his chin.

  That made Chance relax a bit even if he didn’t completely understand Hart. But still he worried about Daisy’s reaction. “Have you considered how your sister might feel about this arrangement?”

  “What do you mean?” Hart lifted his hands to his sides. “She gave me the idea, parading the two of you around.”

  “That was in front of society. For her benefit. There’s no benefit to bringing him into the club. And meanwhile, she’s going to think we’ve partnered with the very man who wronged her.”

  Hart shook his head. “First of all, she’s not going to find out about it, and secondly, he owes me too. He tried to steal away my sister.”

  Lockton, the giant Scot, gave a deep chuckle. “I’ve seen yer sister. Thought about stealing her away meself.”

  Chance raised his fist, giving the man a hard punch on the arm. He had no patience for anyone even jesting about taking Daisy. He was having a difficult enough time getting her to the altar as it was. “Touch her, and you’ll face my pistol.”

  Lockton held up his hands in mock surrender. “I was jesting. Just making a bit o’ fun. That’s all.”

  Hart waved his hand. “We need help, and we’ve got to start somewhere. Does anyone have a better idea?”

  No one said a word. And that was the problem, Chance reflected as they voted, Clubs siding with Chance not to invite Edgemere in.

  Chance swallowed down the bile rising in his mouth. Yes, he’d managed to remain civil with Edgemere for Daisy’s benefit and with Daisy on his arm. But without her…he wasn’t so certain he could keep from punching the man in the face.

  He didn’t know for certain what had happened with Edgemere’s first wife, but she’d been found on the side of the road after a carriage accident with a great many bruises. And while no one could prove otherwise, the doctor had questions whether or not all those bruises had been from the accident or if the entire scene had been staged.

  What had been clear was that Edge had married her for her dowry and when her father had withheld much of the funds, she’d ended up dead.

  Why were women ever fooled by such men? His own past played out in his thoughts. He’d loved his wife, and Marissa had pretended to love him—for a time. Perhaps she’d even believed it for a while. Though she’d returned to her former lover when she and Chance had been unable to conceive.

  What had hurt worse was that her lover had been successful where he’d failed, and Marissa had attempted to pass the pregnancy off as Chance’s child. He rubbed the back of his neck, turning away from the others as pain lanced through him. What would he do if Daisy couldn’t become pregnant? Would she abandon him too?

  Still, as Hart left to make the proposition to Edgemere, Chance turned to speak with Arabella. Perhaps she could give him some insight into Hart’s stupidity or his feelings for Daisy or… Hell. He just needed a talk with someone. Someone who wasn’t Hart.

  But Arabella wasn’t anywhere in the common room and nor could he find her in the back.

  And as he kicked his feet up on a table, pouring himself a drink, he wondered where she’d gone.

  Lockton and Clubs stepped into the room as well, each pouring a glass of whisky for themselves before they joined him at the table.

  “Just fer reference,” Lockton started, “How worried should we be about Edgemere being at the club?”

  Chance glared at the man. The large Scot was the most intimidating person in their ranks, not that Chance cared. “It’s none of your business.”

  “Actually, as I just plunked down money to invest in this enterprise. It is my business. At least, in part.” And he glanced around the walls.

  Chance grimaced. “You heard Hart. He thinks the man owes us this favor.”

  “And you?” Clubs asked.

  “I don’t want his help. I want his face in a dirt scratch boxing ring for a round or two.” His fingers tightened around his glass.

  Lockton sat back. “I’ll be ready fer trouble then.”

  Chance’s gaze flicked to the other man, an idea taking shape. “Do you have any other business endeavors besides this one?”

  Lockton shrugged. “I did some shipping from Scotland tae here. Hard work, that.”

  “Sailors are a rough bunch.” Chance set his feet back on the floor, giving Lockton a long stare.

  “They are,” the other man answered. “Ye got to bang some heads to keep ‘em in line.”

  Chance turned his head studying the other man. “Perhaps instead of us each taking a shift, we should take you out of rotation and put you in charge of security.”

  Clubs gave his hands a clap. “Scare away the thieves.”

  “Or rule them,” Chance said with a wink. “You can start with Edgemere. Make sure he does what he’s supposed to. In fact, if you’d like to make an example out of him…”

 
Lockton glared back. “Ye want him beat like a piece of meat, do it yerself.”

  Chance nodded. That was fair enough.

  Clubs slapped Lockton’s arms. “We ought to call you the King of the Thieves.”

  Chance nodded his approval as he took another swig of his drink. He was still irritated that Edgemere was coming here and if he were being honest, Hart was really getting under his skin.

  He finished off his drink just as he heard the door open.

  Standing, he peeked through the curtain and watched as Hart and Edgemere entered the room. Pushing the fabric aside, he stepped out, his arms crossed over his chest.

  Edgemere’s gaze caught his as the man straightened, his eyes hardening.

  Good. They were in agreement. Despite their show in the park this morning, they were not friends.

  Hart looked slightly green as he led the man across the room, toward Chance.

  “Just to be clear,” Chance started. “I still think this is a shit idea.”

  Hart frowned. “You were the one who made nice first.”

  “For Daisy,” Chance repeated, his hands clenching and unclenching. “She is the exception to my rule. In any other circumstance, I’d shoot this man rather than hold a conversation.”

  “The feeling is mutual,” Edge ground out.

  “What right do you have to hate me? As far as I can tell, I cleaned up the mess you made out of her life.”

  “How dare you,” Edge snarled, “I’ve far more right than you.”

  “Why is that?” Chance stared at the man, honestly trying to decide what game he was playing.

  “Why?” Edge let out a humorless bark of laughter. “Before I even had a moment to think, to come up with a viable plan, you stole the woman I love right out from under my nose.”

  “Love?” Hart croaked. “You don’t love her.”

  “How the hell would you know?” Edge whipped his head around. “You barely participate in her life.”

  Hart took a stumbling step back and then lunged forward, tackling Edgemere about the middle, both of them crashing to the ground.

  Triumph surged through Chance as he reached down and grabbed Edgemere by the collar, hauling him out from under Hart before he raised his fist and planted it in the man’s gut.