Law of Attraction by Cooper-Posey Tracy

Author:Cooper-Posey, Tracy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Victorian historical romance
Publisher: Tracy Cooper-Posey
Published: 2018-03-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Present day: The Garrick Club, King Street, St. James, London. February 1867.

“There seems to be some sort of fuss at the door,” Dane said, peering through the carriage window and frowning.

Ben bent to look. “That’s Will. And Peter…and good lord, I think that is Daniel. He’s back from America. Why are they all standing at the door like that?”

Dane met his gaze. “I’m afraid I can guess.”

The carriage halted. Ben gave a soft oath and pushed the door open. “Jenny?”

Dane stepped down behind him and paid the driver. “Let’s see.” He resettled his hat and dropped the cane down so the silver head was in his hand.

They moved down the footpath toward the solid oak doors of the Garrick Club. There were two bright gas lanterns on either side of the doors, illuminating the footpath and the group of well-dressed gentlemen gathered upon it.

The club’s footman, Jessup, a big man with a large mustache and an even larger belly, stood barring the door. His red coat and gold buttons were bright in the gas light.

Pedestrians on the other side of King Street were glancing over and whispering to each other as they passed.

Ben slowed his pace as he got closer.

Dane, though, quickened his. He pushed through the shoulders of the small group of men, moving right up to Jessup. “Jessup, what on earth is the fuss about?” He used a mild tone, as if he didn’t already know exactly why Jessup was refusing to allow any of Ben’s family into the club.

Jessup grew red in the face. “Your Grace,” he acknowledged. “I’ve been given me orders, your Grace. These gentlemen can’t be allowed in.”

“Don’t be silly, Jessup,” Dane replied. “They’re perfectly respectable. They all pay their bills and hold their liquor better than you, which is more than I can say for some members. Open the door, there’s a good chap.”

Ben sidled up next to Daniel. “Welcome home,” he murmured.

Daniel glanced at him, then smiled and shook his hand. “They said you were coming tonight.”

“You’ve picked an interesting night to attend,” Ben said, jerking his chin toward Jessup and Dane.

“This? This is nothing. Try dodging miniballs and musket fire, instead.”

“This is far more personal,” Ben pointed out.

Daniel considered Jessup, who was not moving out of Dane’s way. “That’s Wakefield, then?”

“Dane, yes. I’ll introduce you once we’re inside.”

“I have a feeling even a duke won’t be enough to move the man out of the way,” Daniel said. His smile appeared briefly. “I have been away for five years and nothing has changed. Society is still making storms in teacups.”

“You don’t know Dane,” Ben said with calm certainty.

“I don’t,” Daniel admitted. He settled his gaze upon Dane.

“See here, Jessup,” Dane said calmly. “You and your employers are making a mistake barring these men entry.”

“I’m just following my orders, your Grace,” Jessup said.

“And those orders were?”

“To not allow entry to any member of the Williams, Davies or Wardell families.”

“I am a member of that great family,” Dane replied. “You would deny me?” His voice was very quiet.

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