Page 54 of Keeper of Secrets

The Master looked at him, a single brow arched above his mask.“Well, that’s curious, because the Miss Fairchild he kissed at the ball that first night was also a beautiful blonde who had all sorts of potential for twisting a man into knots.”

The Summoner cleared his throat.“D-don’t be daft.She-she-she’s the same w-woman.”

All of them chuckled, but it was the Master who answered.“I got that part.What I’m curious to know is did Helmsworth know before he kissed her.Did you set me up?”

Ryker let out a long, frustrated breath of air.“The amount of trouble that kiss caused, I can assure you that I did not choose her on purpose.”

“This is a story I’d like to hear,” Strongborn said, pushing back in his seat.

“Another time.”Ryker leaned against the mantle.“We have more pressing matters to discuss than my impending marriage.”

“Adam,” the Summoner answered.Ryker still wasn’t used to the sound of his raspy voice.

“That’s right.He kidnapped Chloe from a ball last night.”

Silence fell about the room as Ryker detailed the rescue and how the man had attempted to hurt the woman he loved.“I’ll see him hanged,” Ryker grit through his teeth.“But what matters to you is that after he jumped?—”

“I can’t believe he went out the window like that.Surely he didn’t survive.”

Ryker wasn’t certain Adam was that lucky.“I’d assume he did because a wounded snake is the most dangerous.But in any event, I confiscated every item in his room, including his chest with a great many documents.”He pointed down to the floor where the simple chest sat open.

Strongborn didn’t waste any time, he dove in, pulling out several rolls of paper.“It’s a list of men in the Order of the Righteous.”

Ryker looked down, recognizing several names.“They keep better records than us.”

“They’re not hiding,” Strongborn answered.“They believe they’re in the right.”

“Murdering men is right?”the Master snorted.Then he glanced up at Ryker.“Glad you made it to Miss Fairchild’s side before too much damage had been done.”

He nodded, appreciating the man’s consideration toward Chloe.

“And I’m also grateful you collected all this evidence,” Strongborn added.“This is a great help.”

Ryker nodded.“Let me know if you find anything of significance.I’m sure you understand, but as soon as Chloe and I are wed, we’ll leave London.After what happened, we need a bit of quiet and I want my bride somewhere safe.”

The Master gave him a nod.“I’m almost jealous.”

He quirked a smile.“When you quit the club, come find me in real life.We’ll have dinner.”

“How dreadfully boring,” the Master chuckled.

“I’m going to accept that invitation, even if it wasn’t directed at me.”Strongborn rose from the box he’d been searching.“I’m going to need friends who are on the other side of the club but still understand.”

“The invitation is open.”He swept his hand over the pile of evidence.“My footmen can load all of this into your carriage, though take as long as you’d like to search it here.I hope you’ll forgive me, but I have other business to attend.”

All three of the men gave him a knowing stare.

“Go see your bride.Tell her we send our regards.”The Master saluted him.

Ryker jerked his chin in response, but he would most certainlynotrelay that message.Chloe did not need to know just how interested these men were.She might have told Ryker she loved him, but he was no fool.

Chloe was a treasure that he’d guard closely from now on.

EPILOGUE

The dayof Chloe and Ryker’s wedding dawned bright, sunny, and unusually warm for February.

But truthfully, Chloe wouldn’t have minded if it had been pouring rain.She was marrying Ryker, that was all that mattered.

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