Page 11 of The Devil Himself
“Discreetly. I have no wish to see you shot like Owen was.” If he dragged Julian into things, and he got hurt, Luc would never forgive himself.
That surprised a laugh out of Jules. “No, neither do I. I rather like myself as I am.”
Luc pulled out his watch. “I must go. I appreciate your help, Jules.”
“He was my friend too, and Hannah is a good woman.” Jules toasted with his snifter. “To Owen.”
“To Owen.” But it wasn’t Owen, former Marquess of Hallowarren, he was thinking of. It was Rys Grey, instead.
"Angelsey,this is Joseph Wright, otherwise known as Sauce Box Joe.” Rys made the introduction, and Luc held out a hand to shake.
“Mr. Wright.”
Joe shook his hand. “Joe is fine, my lord.”
“Sauce Box, hmm?” Luc mused. “A pugilist, are you?”
“Yes, sir. And I can be mouthy in the ring, but I’m quiet as a mouse on a job.”
“I appreciate that. And Lord Grey has explained the job to you?”
“He has, sir. The only thing unsettled is me wages and expenses.”
Luc cut his gaze to Rys, who nodded. “Sit down, gents.” They were in a sitting room Rys used at the club when he preferred not to use his office. It had leather chairs and a long chesterfield sofa, along with dark, heavy, masculine furniture and a drink cabinet. “Would you care for a drink, Angelsey?”
“I’m afraid I had two brandies with Warrington.”
“Ah. We haven’t seen him in a while, I fear.” Rys’s lips curved into an enigmatic grin. Julian was a recovering hedonist, he supposed.
Luc gave him a rather curious look, frowning.
“He’s been rather busy with his estates. Just got back to Town. Now, about Mr. Wright. Joe.”
“Indeed.” Rys sat, steepling his fingers. “In general, gentlemen like Joe here work on a retainer. Joe is asking five pounds for a month, and another two pounds for expenses.”
That seemed like a good bargain to him, honestly.
“And Joe, you’re content with that?” Luc asked.
“I am, my lord.”
“I understand it’s customary to offer a bonus at the completion of a job?”
“I’ll handle that.” Rys glanced at Joe, then back at Luc. “But I would appreciate it if you paid his wages. It will be easier for you to bury it in an expense.”
“Of course.” Luc looked back to Joe. “Do you need the full monthly amount up front?”
“If ye don’t mind, my lord. I’ll need it for the traveling and the setting up a living situation.”
“Of course.” Luc pulled out his wallet, tugging out a ten-pound note. “The extra is to outfit yourself in case you need a certain kind of clothing to blend in.”
He wouldn’t smile. Luc was generous to a fault, but he knew the man had a head for business and managed his estates well, so clearly no one took advantage of him.
“And when will the young master go back to school, sir?” Joe asked.
“Now that you’ve been engaged, I shall send him back on Sunday.”
“Very good, sir. Lord Grey here has given me his direction. I’ll watch the house and such until he leaves.”
