There was an odd collection of men loitering around the vast house’s front entryway, though. Ellen didn’t think much of them at first, but when those men straightened from where they’d been leaning against the wall or loitering along the sidewalk, a chill passed down her spine. They were all rough sorts, but dressed in a way that made it easy for one’s eyes to pass right over them.
“What is that all about, do you suppose?” Ellen asked as she and Joseph were escorted into Grosvenor House.
Mr. Long was waiting for them in the foyer, looking as though he’d just arrived himself. Lord Cathraiche and, of all people, Prince Petrus of Aegiria were waiting farther down the hall, but they came over to greet Ellen and Joseph.
“What, the toughs outside?” Mr. Long asked as if he saw that sort of thing every day. “They escorted Montrose here this evening.”
Ellen and Joseph both gaped at the answer. Mr. Long smiled as though he’d already won the game.
“They’re Montrose’s creditors,” Lord Cathraiche explained as he and Prince Petrus came close.
“His creditors?” Joseph flinched as the butler finished taking his coat.
“As I understand it,” Lord Cathraiche went on, “Montrose was ready to dismiss the idea of a poker game to settle accounts. But one of those men happened to be with him when the invitation was delivered, and he latched onto the idea of doubling the money Montrose owes him. He spread the word to Montrose’s other creditors, and there they all are.”
Ellen gasped for breath at the exciting story, clutching a hand to her chest. “So Montrose has to go through with it,” she said. “He has been forced to play, and if he loses, those men will….” Ellen swallowed, uncertain she wanted to think about what they would do.
“Luck is on our side tonight,” Mr. Long said with a wink.
Westminster’s butler stepped forward. “If you would all care to accompany me,” he said in a stately voice, “I will show you to the room His Grace has prepared for tonight’s pleasantries.”
It was clear from the way the man spoke and the curl of his lip that he didn’t think much of either the activities planned for the evening or for the company that had been invited to partake in them. He seemed only willing to give his attention to Lord Cathraiche and Prince Petrus. Everyone else was beneath his notice.
“Forgive me,” Joseph said as their group made its way down the long hallway, “but why is Prince Petrus joining us tonight? This is an exceedingly private matter.”
Lord Cathraiche glanced back over his shoulder at Joseph as the butler led them around a corner. Grosvenor House was massive. It might as well have been a palace. Their journey could end up being a long one, if Westminster had them set up in a secluded spot in the house.
“If you hadn’t run off at the ball a few days ago, and if you hadn’t been so preoccupied with this mission of yours, I would have explained,” Lord Cathraiche told Joseph. “Prince Petrus is Father’s greatest secret.”
Joseph frowned in confusion. “I beg your pardon? I do not understand.”
Prince Petrus hung back a bit, smiling sheepishly at Joseph. “What Lord Cathraiche is trying to say is that I am your half-brother. Your father had a dalliance with my mother many years ago.”
Joseph stumbled to a stop, stunned.
Ellen gasped in shock as well, but for an entirely different reason. They were deep in the private part of the house, and just as Prince Petrus made his revelation, Lady Margaret stepped out from one of the side rooms, a book in her hand. The moment she spotted Ellen, she yelped in surprise.
A moment later, Lady Margaret scowled and demanded, “What are you doing here?”
“I—” Ellen had no idea how to answer. The truth would require much more of an explanation, and if Montrose had already arrived for the game, he could be somewhere close enough to overhear.
“Never mind,” Lady Margaret said, taking a few steps toward Ellen that seemed to be designed to intimidate. “I do not want you here. If any of my friends were to learn of your presence here tonight, they might think I had invited you. I refuse to heap that sort of scorn on my shoulders. You must leave at once.”
Ellen blinked and reeled back. She hadn’t exactly expected to be welcomed at Grosvenor House with open arms, but neither had she expected to be insulted by Lady Margaret in such a way.
Ellen was spared from having to defend herself—or from having Mr. Long defend her, which it looked as though the unpredictable man was about to do—when Westminster himself stepped out of a room several yards farther along the hallway.
“Margaret, what are you doing down here at such an hour?” the duke asked.
“I could ask the same of her,” Lady Margaret replied, sneering at Ellen.
Westminster blew out a breath through his nose and marched closer to his daughter. “Miss Garrett is here at my invitation,” he said quietly, as though, like Lady Margaret, he was afraid someone would overhear and his reputation would be damaged because of it. “She is here for a particular purpose.”
“Father!” Lady Margaret gasped in shock. “I did not think you capable of such wickedness!” She glanced to Ellen. “Her, on the other hand—”
“For shame, Margaret,” the duke hissed at her. “The very fact that you could have such thoughts in your head is astounding.” He plucked the book from her hand, causing Lady Margaret to squeak, and glanced at the title. “I should forbid you to read such drivel as it has clearly sullied your mind. Go back into the library and choose a more suitable, improving book, then go to your room and read it.” And as if that weren’t enough, he added, “Miss Garrett is here as part of a business deal.”
“Why should Miss Garrett be allowed to partake of a business deal when I am being sent to my room to read improving books?” Lady Margaret whined.