Page 10 of The Devil Himself
“Yes, well, I have a meeting in just over an hour that I am concerned about.”
Jules’s whisky-brown eyes twinkled. “An assignation with a new paramour?”
“What? No. No, I am hiring a guard for Owen’s son. I must go to the Devil’s Playground.” He realized that Julian had been out of town since Owen’s funeral, and he had no idea what was going on. Luc had been unable to make him aware, as the post was unreliable at best.
Jules blinked rapidly. “You are? Why on earth?”
“Because I think he was killed for his title. And I worry that Gareth will be next.” It felt good to unburden that to someone who was not Hannah or Rys, and Julian would keep his secrets. Especially when it came to Owen, who they’d both admired.
“Good God, man, are you serious?” Jules’s eyes had gone wide. “Owen was killed by a footpad.”
“No.” He shook his head firmly. “He was shot from a distance, not at close range. He was shot with an expensive hunting weapon clearly, as the aim was dead on; that would not be the sort of gun a footpad might obtain. And he was killed on his regular night at the club, so his killer likely knew his whereabouts.”
“I don’t know what to say. I’m gobsmacked.” Jules squinted at him, pausing for a long moment as if mulling things over. “What can I do to help?”
“I don’t know yet, but I intend to continue to look into it.”
“So why the Devil’s Playground?”
“Because it’s owned by Owen’s youngest brother.”
“Never say so.” Now he had finally shocked Jules out of his ironic state. “The Devil himself is one of those Greys? I would never have known. Though I suppose in retrospect, he looks like them, if harder and far more handsome.”
“The youngest. He favors his father.” He smiled a bit, remembering. “I knew him when he was but a child. The devil he is not.”
“You do know his reputation, don’t you?” Jules stared at him, his surprise still evident. Jules had become friends with Owen after Rys had been banished, so he had no idea of the gossip.
“I know his club’s reputation, yes.”
“Hmm. It’s not just his club.” Jules smiled, the expression oddly remembering. “He deserves the rumors in many ways.”
“Have you met him?”
“I have frequented his club, yes.”
“I see.” Luc wasn’t sure what to make of that. “How long has it been since you were there?”
“Oh, the better part of a year. I’ve been working hard at being a good little noble because my aunt said I was hurting my family’s reputation. Also, if I stop carousing, my mother harangues me less about marrying. So he intends to aid you?”
“With the guard, yes. He’s loaning me one of his most trusted men.”
“Interesting. And you don’t think him the threat?”
“No.” He waved the hand holding the snifter. “He’s a self-made man, and God knows he rather loathes his family, but he didn’t even know Owen was dead.”
Jules sobered. “God bless his soul.”
“Just so. At any rate, I have nowhere else to turn.”
“I know Owen was our friend, Luc, but this is hardly your burden to bear.”
Luc knew that, but he was not one to stand aside when someone needed help. “Hannah is beside herself, Jules. And I promised Owen I would help them if something happened to him.”
“Damn.” Jules tapped his glass with one finger. “All right then. Again, what can I do?”
“Look into Daffyd and Arthur’s finances? They’ve both been spending recklessly, but I need proof that they’re stealing from the entail. And you have connections within their bank. I can also give you the direction of Hannah’s man of affairs.” Julian would be far better served to do that than he, and dammit, he trusted the man.
“Perfect. I shall inquire tomorrow.”
