Page 24 of Lucien's Gamble

“I’m always here at this time.” Marchant sighed at Lucien’s skeptical glance. “You truly have no idea what you pay me for, do you?”

Lucien paused in his pacing and glared. “I’m certain I don’t pay you to harass and insult me, so be on your way.”

“I have something to discuss with you, Lucien.”

“Not now. I’m not in the mood.”

“It is precisely your present mood that necessitates my speaking with you.”

“Bloody hell and damnation!” Lucien leaned against a hazard table and crossed his arms, his head throbbing viciously. “Out with it then. And make haste.”

“I gave you some bad advice the other day.”

Lucien arched a brow. “Not something you want to tell me, Harold. One of the things I pay you for is your advice. If it’s not worth hearing, I may sack you.”

“The employee in me is quaking in his boots,” Marchant said wryly. “But as your friend, I must continue regardless.”

Lucien closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. God help him.

“I don’t think you should allow Lady Julienne to marry any of the men on that list I compiled.”

Lucien’s eyes flew open. “Why? What’s wrong with them?”

“'Tis not what’s wrong with them, but what’s wrong withyou.”Marchant’s eyes were kind behind his spectacles. “You’re lovesick.”

“I am not!”

“You are. You’re barely tolerable. The employees are avoiding you, the customers are steering clear of your company, you’ve been drinking yourself into a stupor every night, and instead of going home, you’ve been staying in your rooms upstairs.”

“I own the damn place!” Lucien growled. “I can spend the night here if I wish.”

“You are staying in the Sapphire Room because of her,” Marchant argued.

Lucien lowered his head. There was no point in denying it. His man-of-affairs was too bright. “You told me to stay away from her, Harold.”

“I thought she was merely a temporary amusement. Now it’s obvious to me, and to everyone else, that she means far more to you than that.”

“My feelings don’t signify. I’m not worthy of her.”

Marchant sighed. “Will you be able to live with yourself knowing she is married to someone else? A man you see regularly here within the walls of your own establishment? Will you be able to hold your tongue, and your fists, when he makes use of the courtesans while the woman you covet waits at home for him? How will you feel when Lord Fontaine comes in to celebrate the birth of their children?”

“That’s enough!”Lucien shouted, his chest tight with fury and misery. To think of Julienne belonging to another man was too much to bear. If he couldn’t have her, he didn’t want anyone else to have her either. But that wasn’t the way it would be. And somehow, he would have to find the strength to live with that.

“There are some mistakes we can live with, and others we can’t. Only you can determine which kind of mistake this is.” Marchant turned to walk away.

“Harold.”

The man-of-affairs paused.

“Thank you.”

“Lucien, darling. Punctual, as always.”

Lucien smiled affectionately at his mother as he was shown into her parlor. Shades of pink and mauve embellished with gilt and satin made the room an entirely feminine retreat. Leaning over her, he kissed both of her cheeks. “You look stunning, Mother.”

She waited until he took the seat opposite her before beginning tea. “You look like hell,” she said bluntly. “Have you lost weight?” She handed Lucien a cup and saucer. “Pining for Lady Julienne La Coeur?”

Startled, Lucien fumbled with his cup, cursing as he spilt the hot liquid. “Beg your pardon?” Setting the saucer down, he stuck his burnt fingers in his mouth.

---