“The chit certainly has no fear consorting with you,” Knox said before emptying a quarter of his glass and letting out a belch, patting his chest.
Dare shook his head. Could he argue with that? The little temptress possessed a bold quality that was infused with a bit of oddness. How else to explain her fearless interactions with him? “If she were a man, her reputation might even be more infamous than mine.”
Drake took a slow swig from his beer. “Seems to me like the girl enjoys playing with fire.”
More like shewasthe fire.
“Don’t go too far if you don’t want to end up leg-shackled,” Knox advised.
“Lord, no.” Dare relaxed into his seat, trailing a thumb over his glass. “There are some lines even I won’t cross.”
“You should stop flirting with the chit altogether,” Knox said. “It’s dangerous territory you are venturing into, my friend.”
“I shall try my best.” Like hell he would. But that didn’t mean he would be too reckless about it, either. He studied Drake for a moment. “What about you? What’s your excuse for sending Knox to me as a messenger? You didn’t even send word you were in Town.”
Drake shrugged. “I have business with Knox.”
“But you want to do business with me, too? Do you still want my help?” His attitude toward being involved in his cousin’s venture had quite changed over the last few hours. He was more than happy to help now that Leonora had questions about the duchess as well. He couldn’t deny he was curious—about her business if not Drake’s.
“I’m looking into something first,” Drake murmured, removing another cheroot from the inner pocket of his jacket and dragging it beneath his nose.
Dare took a swallow from his ale, pulling a face. As bad as the first one he hadn’t finished. “Let me know when you require my aid, and I shall consider it. But I am curious, why not ask her directly for what you want? You’re her late husband’s son, after all.”
Drake shrugged. “We’ve had a disagreement or two.”
“You know there is this thing called apologizing,” Dare pointed out.
“And grovelling,” Knox suppled.
“It’s not that simple.” Drake cracked his neck. “The argument is one that spilled over from my father to his wife.”
“In that case, feuds should be buried with their masters,” Knox said. “Why drag it down the family line? Just talk with the current duke. He is your half-brother, after all.”
“Blood only matters when you acknowledge it,” Drake said. “And the man is holed up somewhere in a darkened castle on an unknown moat. I have no way and no time to approach him.”
“He sounds like a charming fellow,” Dare murmured.
Should he tell his cousin about the meeting he and Leonora witnessed earlier this morning? No. It didn’t seem very likely that it would have anything to do with his cousin’s situation. And he’d rather not have Leonora dragged into Drake’s matters in any way. The man might look relaxed at the moment, sipping on ale and smelling an unlit cheroot, but he was a ruthless human being. If he thought Leonora could help him get what he wanted, he wouldn’t hesitate to use her.
His thoughts trailed back to Leonora and their morning race. What was she up to right this moment? Causing more mischief, perhaps? With whom?
Ah, hell.
Would he run into her if he went riding tomorrow morning as well? Probably not. He’d glimpsed her brother peeking through the window when he passed her house. The man’sanimosity had practically stabbed through the walls of the townhouse to pierce him. She would have gotten a scolding and likely not be permitted any morning rides anytime soon.
The corner of his mouth pulled upward. Somehow, he couldn’t imagine Lady Leonora taking a scolding from her brother without a few choice words of her own.
Drake kicked his chair. “Why the devil are you grinning like a fool? It’s a terrifying look on you.”
“Nothing you would ever be able to understand.”
“Meaning it’s about her,” Knox said.
Drake laughed, yet his tone mocked, “Could this be the seedling of love? A rake reformed?”
Dare’s smile slipped. “What love and what reform? Impossible for a man like me.”
“That hardened, are you?”
