Quinn grinned at her. ‘Here, take this money. If anything happens, if someone recognises you, leave at once, run, and take a hackney back here.’
She was still dizzy from relief at hearing that Makepeace had sold up without difficulty and was on his way to a new life in the East, although Quinn was strangely reluctant to explain why the man had allowed himself to be so easily persuaded. He had been brusque when she had tried to thank him.
He is keeping things from me, she thought. But now her aunt was safe her way was clear to leave London and take advantage of her legacy, just as soon as the sapphire was discovered. She would find herself a cosy home, a few servants and search for Bella and Meg. And in time she would learn to live with the hollow feeling inside her, the knowledge that Quinn was somewhere in the world, living his own life, an adventurous, satisfying life that did not include her. And which would, she was certain, include a large number of other women.
That is another reason for not marrying him, she concluded, curling up in a chair while Gregor and Quinn played a hand of cards, passing time until the hour when Quinn had arranged to meet Reginald Tolhurst in the Pickering Place hell. Could he possibly ever be faithful if he married without love?
They set out at last. St James’s Street was busy with men moving between club and gaming house, chop house and brothel, some alone, more in convivial groups. In amongst them the women moved, some elegant, refined, accompanied by a maid on their way to an appointment. Others were coarser, more obvious as they caught at sleeves and made their offers.
Gregor and Lina remained in the carriage as Quinn got down
, put on his tall hat and sauntered down the passageway next to Berry Brothers and Rudd’s shop. Even this late Lina could smell the coffee wafting from its cellars.
‘Now we wait,’ Gregor said, settling back. They sat in silence for a while, watching the crowd. Lina felt her eyelids droop; even the anticipation of what the evening would hold was not enough to counter inaction and an almost sleepless night.
‘Why will you not marry him?’ Gregor asked suddenly.
‘Because he thinks he should wed me,’ Lina said, startled out of her doze and speaking before she thought. ‘He doesn’t love me.’
‘And you love him?’
‘No, of course not!’ she lied, hating denying how she felt to this man who was so close to Quinn and who must understand him so well. It would be wonderful to talk to Gregor about him, but she knew she could not do so without betraying herself. ‘I am quite unsuitable for a man of his rank, and he knows it. But whether I was or not, I believe in love in marriage and I do not want to end up wed to a man who will feel shackled for ever as a result.’
‘You think you could shackle Quinn?’ Gregor gave a snort of laughter. ‘I would like to see a woman try.’
‘So he would marry me and then carry on doing just what he wants, would he? He would spend most of his time abroad travelling, taking lovers while I sat at home like a good little wife? Forgive me, but I do not call that marriage.’
‘Many women do,’ the Russian pointed out.
‘I am not most women,’ Lina retorted. ‘I would not tolerate infidelity for a start!’
‘He is a man of passion,’ Gregor remarked. In the lights from the street she could see he was amused.
‘Then he could be passionate with me,’ she snapped. ‘He would have to come home if he could not be celibate.’
‘Ah! I would like to be a fly on the bedchamber wall,’ Gregor chucked.
‘Gregor! Of all the outrageous things—’
‘It is time I went in. Are you coming or do you stay here?’
‘I am coming.’ She just hoped her blushes were not visible under the paint on her face.
‘Follow me closely then.’ Gregor strode off into the mouth of the passageway, Lina on his heels.
The courtyard was lit by flambeaux and the door to the gaming club stood open, noise and light spilling out of it. At the doorway Gregor shed his outer garments, snapped his fingers at her and wandered into the room.
It took her a minute to see Quinn, sitting at a table in the middle of the room. Her heart contracted in panic as she saw the man opposite him: Reginald Tolhurst. The last time she had seen him he was shouting that she was a thief, that she would be hanged, that—
The hot, smoky room swam before her eyes. I shouldn’t have come. I can’t do this.
Quinn looked up and saw her and she knew she was about to confirm all his doubts about bringing her. She was not capable of being an equal partner in his adventures, she was just timid Lina again, terrified of her own shadow. She dragged a panicky breath down into her lungs and braced herself to run.
Chapter Nineteen
I must get out of here. Tolhurst will see me, he will know…
Quinn’s eyes held hers, then something changed. She did not understand what, his expression remained aloof, focused, and yet those hard green eyes softened, looked directly into her and she seemed to hear his thoughts. It is all right. You will be all right.