Game of Iniquity by Miray Kose

Author:Miray Kose [Kose, Miray]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Crime
Published: 2023-04-13T00:00:00+00:00

Granville’s dining room was the grandest Gabriel had ever seen. A thick crystal chandelier hung from the high ceilings, submerging the room in warm candlelight. The long, polished table was covered with various dishes: large plates of veal, filet of beef, roast turkey and an entire boiled leg of lamb. Alongside them, potatoes and vegetables, oysters and various different types of soups. Steam rose from the food, its fresh aroma wrapping itself around Gabriel’s nose. Two servants stood in the corner of the room, ready to serve them whatever they desired.

‘Please, take a seat,’ said Granville. He seated himself at the head of the table. Gabriel sat on the chair to his right, opposite Edgerton and Beaufort, with Robinson beside him. The servants started filling all the guests’ glasses with wine.

As the servants started filling their glasses with wine, Robinson started discussing tax policies with Beaufort. Edgerton remained stiff and quiet as he looked at the contents of the table. Granville spoke to one of the servants regarding the wine.

‘Ah, Mr Ashmore,’ said Robinson, turning to face Gabriel. ‘How lovely to have made your acquaintance.’ He looked Gabriel up and down. ‘Do tell us more about yourself.’

The table went quiet, all men now ready to listen to whatever Gabriel had to say. He cleared his throat. ‘I am afraid I am not quite so interesting, Mr Robinson.’

‘Well, what do you do?’ asked Robinson in a snide tone. ‘Do you work? Study?’

‘I wish to study.’

‘Well, do tell us more, boy,’ said Beaufort. ‘What do you wish to study?’

‘Jurisprudence. At Oxford.’

‘Ah, Oxford is certainly the right choice. How fortunate for you that we are all Oxford alumni here. Well, Robinson here attended Cambridge, but we shall not hold it against him,’ chuckled Beaufort.

Robinson laughed at Beaufort’s joke, but his eyes remained sharp and cold.

‘Well, what are you waiting for, then?’ asked Beaufort. ‘Should you not have finished the course by now?’

‘I had… other matters to attend,’ said Gabriel shortly. Robinson looked at him with a curious expression.

‘When do you wish to start your studies, Gabriel?’ asked Granville, taking a sip of his wine.

‘I wish to do so after the investigation, Lord Granville.’

‘I can certainly make a recommendation,’ stated Granville. Gabriel perked up. ‘Some of the professors do not look so favourably to latecomers, especially those teaching Jurisprudence. But with my support, it should not be a problem.’

Gabriel thanked Granville as the servants started serving the meats. His nerves buzzed with excitement, at an endless prospect of opportunities and new beginnings. Gabriel glanced out the window, noticing the falling flakes of silver and white as the thickening darkness of winter pressed against the glass. He watched Granville carefully cut up the veal upon his plate, his movements almost unnaturally precise.

‘Now, tell us more about this investigation of yours,’ stated Beaufort. ‘Benedict mentioned how much you and your partner had already managed to discover, trumping even the detectives at Scotland Yard.’

Gabriel summarised the case for Beaufort, telling him only what was necessary. Edgerton, who had remained quiet, watched him intently.

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