“Is that so odd? She hails from your world.”
Yes, but the undercurrent between the two sizzled with tension. And that was with a mere look. Dare had been in the game long enough to recognize the signs of entanglements, even if he avoided them at all costs.
“Do me a favor,” Dare said. “See what you can find out about Heart, will you?”
“Aren’t you a bit too curious about your little bird’s family?”
Dare narrowed his gaze. “You say it as though she is a nuisance.”
“Aren’t all little birds?”
“Still so damn jaded. And stop calling Lady Leonora a little bird.”
“Says one jade to the other.”
“You do know there is a difference between the two words, don’t you?”
Drake shrugged.
Dare leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “Does your mother know that you are trying to retrieve the deed for her?”
“No. She wouldn’t encourage it. But the duke is dead, and I’ll be damned if my mother will be robbed any longer. I’ll get that property back, even if it kills me.”
“It could be with a solicitor and you’re wasting your time with the duchess.”
The veins in Drake’s jaw jumped. “I know for a fact that the duchess has the deed in her possession.”
Dare didn’t ask how he knew. He sat back in his seat. “Very well. I’m sure you’ll do as you see fit. How are the other Furys?”
For the first time that evening, the corner of Drake’s lips lifted. “Causing mayhem as usual.”
Dare nodded. Drake had seven half-brothers, six of them by-blows like him. They had started a family of their own, and they all lived in Brighton. TheyruledBrighton to be more exact.
And they loathed the upper class.
It must be hell for Drake to approach him in London, his discomfort evident by the fact that he’d set himself up in the rookeries rather than a more favorable part of London, which he could very well afford.
“Well.” Drake rose to his feet. “I’ll be off. The perfume of this place is making my stomach churn.”
Dare scowled. “It was your idea to come here.”
“It was yours first. I merely went along with your previous indulgences.”
“Well, stop, or next time I’ll challenge you to a fight.”
Drake grinned at that. “Can you still throw a punch in your old age?”
Dare glared at the man. “I’m not that old.”
“Fine, but for a man who doesn’t like pain, you shouldn’t toss out challenges.”
Dare didn’t deny it. He was made for love, not fighting. Pain wasn’t really his thing. He certainly didn’t like feeling it. Chaosseemed to be more his thing lately. Specifically, the chaos that was her.
And he was consumed.
Chapter Ten
Leonora blinked atthe sight of the man standing before her. Normally, she would smile whenever she saw him. Today, she couldn’t find the motivation. Also, the sight him in her drawing room... utterly disturbing!
