“Good question,” Selena said. “Let’s go find a seat.” They sauntered over to a table and settled in. “Did Dare mention anything else about the crest?”
“If I’d known you were so interested in the topic I would have dug deeper. Should we send a missive for him to meet us here?”
“No.The fewer people know about who and what I’m searching for the better. We are already not supposed to be here. Let’s not tempt fate by adding a rake to the mix.”
“A handsome rake.”
That remained debatable.
A big, bulky man with a scar down the outer corner of his left eye approached them. “What can I get ye, ladies?”
Selena glanced at Leonora, who nodded with eagerness. She turned to the man. “Two pints of your finest ale.”
He gave them each a silent look-over before nodding and heading back to the bar.
“Heavens,” Leonora whispered. “That is one scary-looking man. Do we dare ask outright about the symbol?”
“Wait a bit. It’s best to scout the place and the people first. The barman might look frightening, but he doesn’t seem hostile.”
“I suppose you cannot judge a man by his scars. Did you see the way he looked at us? Are the cloaks too much? We should have borrowed clothes from our maids.”
“It’s too late now.” Selena’s gaze flicked over the few customers scattered in various spots throughout the place, her eyes skimming over a man in a shadowed corner of the room. He seemed to be looking in their direction, but his face and eyes were half obscured by a cap, so she couldn’t be sure.
How eerie.
She suddenly wished she’d brought along that jackal, Warrick. She hadn’t realized up until this very moment, but while she had thought it annoying to a certain degree, Warrick tailing her around London had provided a level of reassurance which she certainly didn’t feel at present.
“Say, if you started your own secret club, where would you hold your gatherings?” Leonora asked, her curious gaze sweeping the room.
Selena tapped her chin in thought. A good question. White’s and Boodles were private clubs but not secret, so they had their own fine establishments set up. But if you were to host a secret one... “I suppose I would hold them under the guise of a charity. That way, my members and I could hide in the open.”
“Perhaps this club is doing the same,” Leonora suggested.
“Seems reasonable.”
“Then what charity gatherings do you suppose are held at an alehouse?”
“Injured war veterans?” Selena proposed. The scarred man brought over their ale. “Excuse me,” Selena asked while reaching for her beer. “Are there any charities that gather at your establishment?”
Sharp eyes met hers, and a chill slithered down her spine.
“No,” he said bluntly before turning and walking away.
Selena blinked at his back.
“Such direct rejection,” Leonora murmured. “Do you think he’s lying?”
“I truly cannot say.” Selena murmured. “He didn’t hesitate in his answer. Perhaps our assumption is wrong. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Perhaps he shall warm up to us.” Leonora picked up her glass and studied the bubbly content. “I’ve never had beer before.”
Selena took a sip. “Not bad.”
“Rather refreshing,” Leonora agreed. “Even if we don’t find any clues for you, this at least is a novel experience.”
Selena’s gaze moved back to the mysterious man in the corner. He still seemed to be looking in their direction. Was she imagining things? There was something about him that niggled at the back of her mind. Something important.
Other than him, there were only three other people in this place. No one else paid them any mind. She was just being overly suspicious, she decided.
