Page 4 of A Game of Scandal

I’d been there for several minutes, sinking luxuriously into the many tales of derring-do, when I was interrupted by the sound of the door being pushed open.

I froze, coming out of the chair, reminding myself that I couldn’t be seen, and hoping that whoever it was would turn and go away. Instead, I heard a heated voice and a heavy tread.

“You mean to tell me you won’t accept the responsibility?” The voice was full of angry bluster. “You are a hair’s breadth from becoming the next in line for the title!”

A second voice came then, and something about it made my pulse leap.. It was soft, amused, with a touch of gravel. “I am well aware, thank you. We’re both unhappy about the development, but unless you’ve fathered any other sons I don’t know about, then we are where we are. I shall have to hope for Perry’s swift recovery. As you know, I have no interest in your title.”

“You shouldn’t speak so disrespectfully! Your brother may die!”

The drawling shiver of a voice hardened. “I’m not going to pretend affection for the man. I’m no hypocrite. I don’t want Perry to die. I hope he lives – as much for my sake as for his, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s a cold-hearted, cruel scoundrel and always has been.”

These words were met with a choking splutter, a sound of obvious rage.

“Don’t go having an apoplexy,” the bored voice only said. “The last thing we need is the both of you dropping dead. Think how inconvenient it would be.”

“You! You … ungrateful cur! Your brother is worth a hundred of you.”

The amusement deepened. “No, he’s not. That’s the whole problem, isn’t it?”

“So pleased with yourself.” The angry voice held a sneer. “Running your shabby gaming hell. A disgrace to the family name! I’m ashamed of you.”

“Well, I’m ashamed of you, so it runs both ways, Father. And the Lucky Penny isn’t a hell. It’s a business. I would have thought that my situation was preferable to Perry’s – bankrupting the family with his debts, and getting himself shot thanks to his shady dealings.”

“Your brother was attacked by a madman in the street!” the older man roared. “And you would impugn his honour?”

“I thought the gossipmongers were doing a good enough job of that. Or are the rumours of his unsavoury connections exaggerated? Flashing his money about before it happened, wasn’t he? Very interesting. I wonder where all those funds have got to.”

There was another huff of outrage. “Stuff and nonsense! I’ve put a stop to all that foolish gossip. I won’t have a scandal attached to this family. Besides, it was all a misunderstanding. Your brother is a gentleman. Not that I’d expect you to understand that. I know all about that hole you run in Whitechapel. Whitechapel! A son of mine! Involved in a den of iniquity!”

“A den of iniquity.” The words sounded seductive. I imagined the curl of a smile. “I like that.”

“You would.” There was a gobbling sound like a turkey might make, and I was forced to press my lips together to avoid laughing. “I understand you even allow women to gamble there. Women! It’s unnatural.”

I perked up at these words. A gambling den that allowed women? I hadn’t heard anything about such a place … but then again nightclubs in Whitechapel were firmly outside my social circle. Unfortunately.

“You didn’t seem so squeamish when you were tapping me for money,” the younger voice said mildly, snapping my attention back to the conversation.

“All I asked was that you settle some of your brother’s outstanding expenses. I see now that I was wasting my breath. You have no sense of family loyalty, no brotherly duty.”

“I’m glad we understand one another.”

“And it’s clear to me you haven’t got two pennies to rub together. You are nothing but a … a … careless wastrel. Spending all your time gambling and drinking and doing God knows what!”

“Mmm. That sounds like an extremely good use of a person’s time to me.”

“My only consolation is that hardly anyone knows of the connection between us,” the older man continued, as though his son had not spoken. “You had the good sense at least not to use the family name. But if your brother dies… If you inherit…” The older man’s voice dropped, and it seemed he was talking more to himself. “The title must be beyond reproach. Ensuring the succession is crucial. I’m thwarted at every turn. It’s beginning to feel as though there is a curse on this family, and left in your hands … well, this behaviour cannot continue to be tolerated.”

“And by this behaviour, you mean my life?” the silky voice asked mildly.

“That’s enough of your cheek! This is an important event with important people. You will behave accordingly.”

“Nothing less would have dragged you from Perry’s side, I’m sure.” The wry amusement was back, and it was clear to me that the more relaxed the son was, the more irate the father became. It was a tactic I could admire. “I think the time is long past where you dictate my behaviour, Father, but you have nothing to fear. I have no intention of behaving badly. I have more friends here than you do. Quite a lot of them frequent my … den of iniquity. Including the groom. And the bride too. They consider it the height of fashion. You’ll find that I am well liked by these important people, despite my lack of family connections.”

On this note, the older man gave a loud groan of frustration and stomped across the floor. I heard the door being pulled open rather forcefully. “I have nothing more to say to you.” The door slammed.

The air stilled, and a heavy silence fell. I stood, unmoving as a statue, barely daring to breathe. On the other side of the curtain, I knew that the younger man was now alone. I hoped that, with the family disagreement concluded, he would be on his way.

Instead, the curtain rippled in front of my face, as though someone had run their fingers over it, and it was as if I felt the touch running up and down my spine.