Page 56 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“Frankly, we haven’t seen much of him.”

“Do you not frequent The Gutted Fish with him to gamble?”

Mr. Haskett gave her a blank stare. “The Gutted Fish?” he repeated. “I haven’t heard of that gambling hell.”

“It is near the docks,” she shared.

“Why would Oliver go to a gambling hell near the docks?”

“He said it was more lucrative.”

Mr. Haskett leaned forward and placed his teacup onto the table. “I’ll have to ask him about The Gutted Fish the next time we speak.”

“When will that be?”

“I don’t rightly know,” Mr. Haskett replied, “but I hope it will be soon.”

Jane reached for her cup and took a long, lingering sip of her tea. She found it odd that Oliver hadn’t continued his association with his friends. Why would he attend these disreputable gambling hells without them?

“Would you care to go on a carriage ride with me through Hyde Park, Lady Jane?” Mr. Haskett asked.

“I would not.”

Not deterred by her rejection, Mr. Haskett pressed, “A turn around the gardens, then?”

Jane lowered her cup to her lap as she kept her back rigid. “I believe I have already explained why that would be a foolhardy thing to do.”

“Because I am a gambler.”

“And a rake.”

His lips curled into an obnoxious smile. It was evident by his behavior that he was a man who was used to getting what he wanted. “But I am also a man, and you are a very beautiful young woman,” he said, his words sounding entirely too smooth, rehearsed.

She was done with this ridiculous conversation and rose abruptly. “Mr. Haskett,” she started, “I think it would be best if you left.”

He rose in response. “Are you in earnest?”

“I am.”

Mr. Haskett leaned forward and placed his teacup onto the tray. “Then I wish you a good day, Lady Jane.”

After he left the room, Jane dropped onto the settee in an unladylike fashion. That man had some nerve to flirt with her so blatantly, and in her own home, no less.

Pratt stepped into the room. “Lord Brinton is here to call upon you, milady.”

She perked up at that news. “Please send him in.”

“As you wish,” Pratt said before departing.

Rising, she turned towards the door and watched as Lord Brinton entered. He approached her but stopped a short distance away, leaving more than enough distance to be considered proper.

He bowed. “Thank you for agreeing to see me, Jane.”

“It is my pleasure.”

Lord Brinton glanced back at the door before saying, “I couldn’t help but notice Mr. Haskett leaving.”

Jane frowned. “Yes, he decided to call on me again.”

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