“A week or two, perhaps.” She looked over her shoulder as if worried whether she should be speaking with him.
“Do you remember your first night here? Do you remember Beatrice?” He swayed slightly to keep up his ruse of drunkenness, careful to keep his expression neutral as at least one of the guards watched him. The task was challenging when he was anxious for Mary’s answer.
Her brow furrowed. “Who?”
“Beatrice. She shared a chamber with you.”
The woman shook her head, dashing his hope that this was the same Mary. Perhaps they were given new names to encourage them to forget their past.
“A chamber?” Mary blinked and darted another look over her shoulder toward the far end of the room. That had been where Finch had stood the night he’d observed through the window. Unfortunately, he still hadn’t made an appearance this evening.
“Beatrice,” he said again quietly. “She’s a friend of mine.”
“She was nice. I should’ve gone with her.”
His heart hammered at her whispered words.
“Mary? Another drink over here.” A woman in a white corset decorated with pink roses gestured her nearer.
Mary studied him for a brief moment then stepped away, her movements clumsy, to do as she was bid.
It took all of Daniel’s fortitude not to take her by the hand and move toward the door. But first, he needed a plan, which included a better understanding of the layout of the building and the number of guards.
He looked around the room, forcing his gaze to linger on the women, many of whom were eager to reveal their attributes. One met his gaze boldly then lifted her foot onto a chair, allowing her robe to fall open to reveal a length of bare leg. Another leaned forward, her ample breasts threatening to overflow the tight corset she wore.
He winked at one and smiled at the other, hoping that was enough to make it appear as if he were truly there for some female companionship. Then he walked farther into the room, hoping to see Finch. But the pale-eyed man still wasn’t visible.
Anne, the woman who’d greeted him, returned to his side. “I found a lovely young woman who is eager to be with a fine gentleman like you.”
“Oh?” He clenched his jaw to hold in his anger.
“She’s thin too. Just the sort you like.”
“Excellent. What’s her name?”
“What do you want her name to be?”
He drew a long slow breath to control his impatience. “I don’t want to name her. Tell me her real name.” He quickly offered a harmless smile when the lady’s eyes widened in alarm.
“Jane.”
“Hmm.” He pretended to drink again. “What if I like Mary?” He gestured with his glass toward where she stood across the room, nearly spilling his drink.
“Mary?” The woman followed his gaze. “Mary is still learning how to please a man.” Anne looked back at him and ran her hand along the fall of his trousers. “Jane knows how though. She’s very good.”
It was all he could do not to thrust her hand away. “I really like the look of Mary.”
The woman scowled and dropped her hand, much to his relief. “Let me ask. But she might give you some trouble.” She suddenly had a sly look in her eyes. “But maybe you’re the sort who likes trouble.”
“Maybe.” He winked over the rim of his glass, earning him a chuckle from her.
“I’ll have a chat with Mrs. Cole and see what we can do for you.”
For good measure, he handed her another coin. She thanked him with an even bigger smile.
While he waited, he staggered to a chair near the window which would provide him a view of the entire area. If Finch appeared, he should be able to see him. Meanwhile, Daniel glanced about, trying to watch everything while not making it look like he was.
The two men he’d entered the room with each had a woman on their lap and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. As he continued his study of the room, his gaze landed on a familiar face, sending a sharp pang of dismay through him.
Viscount Remington stared at him, one brow raised as if he were surprised to see Daniel there.
Daniel nearly groaned as the young lord stood unsteadily and walked toward him to slide into the empty chair beside him.
“Wouldn’t have expected to see you here, Walker. Last I heard, you were involved with a lovely widow.”
“Alas, our time together ended. But a man has needs, you know.”
“Indeed, I do.” Remington chuckled. “Rather have myself a whore than one of those debutantes who want to know how much money I have before agreeing to so much as a dance.”
Rumor had it that Remington’s father was doing his best to spend the family fortune. If that continued, Remington wouldn’t have to worry about ladies wondering how much money he had as his pockets would be empty.
“Terrible, isn’t it?” Daniel shook his head even as he wondered what he could say to get the man to go away.
“Their mothers are looking for the slightest reason to trap a man into marriage, especially one with a title.” Remington glanced at Daniel. “No offense.”
“None taken.”
The viscount took a drink, emptying half his glass. “Come here often?”
“Can’t say as I do. You?”
He shrugged a shoulder. “Once or twice. I don’t mind admitting that I like some of the younger girls they have.”
The remark made Daniel want to grab him by the throat and shake him. “Don’t you prefer experience?”
Remington leaned close as if to tell Daniel a secret. “I like to make a game of it. Reminds me of some of the young maids at home before my father got his hands on them.”
Shock and disgust stole Daniel’s words. The image the man created was disturbing. It was one thing to know it occasionally happened in some households, but quite another for
