Rogue in Red Velvet by Lynne Connolly Page A

covered by a fashionable wig.
    Julius took the seat next to Alex and grimaced when he saw the sight opposite them. The dance floor was well illuminated, so when the promenading couples moved away the view was as clear as day.
    Dankworth sat in a booth opposite them, in the company of some decidedly raffish individuals.
    Alex had seen condemned men celebrate their execution day with the same kind of feverish exuberance. Was it because he was marrying Connie soon? Alex would have been anticipating the day with eagerness, not dread. Alex shuddered. “He’s affianced to Lady Downholland’s niece. It could mean trouble.” The bastard didn’t deserve her.
    He couldn’t hear Jasper Dankworth and his cronies, but they were chortling, their mouths wide with amusement. Several empty wine bottles stood outside the booth, waiting to be collected, and the elegant supper Vauxhall served to its patrons was scattered around, bits of wafer-thin ham dotted over the yellow and green paint.
    Julius frowned. “Why is that trouble? What is Lady Downholland’s niece to you?”
    Oh hell, Julius had noticed the extra venom in Alex’s tone. His cousin knew him too well.
    He’d better pay attention to what he said.
    Alex chose to tell the truth. If he couldn’t trust Julius, he couldn’t trust anyone. “I met her at the Downholland’s. At first I asked her to help me avoid Miss Stobart, but our acquaintance became much more than that. She wasn’t officially affianced, but I could offer her nothing. Or I thought I could not. After a few days? Her future was waiting for her. I came away. I like the woman a little too much. Now she’s signed her marriage contract, so I can’t lay claim, or even stake an interest.”
    He shrugged, making light of the matter that weighed his heart down worse every day. “It was a passing flirtation.” If he said it often enough, perhaps he’d eventually believe it. “I don’t want to see her married to someone who’ll treat her with less than respect.”
    Julius fixed him with a look far too perceptive, his blue gaze glittering with speculation. He turned back to the scene in front of him. “Alex, what do you see?”
    “A man disporting himself before tying the knot.” Alex curled his lip at the sight of the booth opposite.
    Dankworth had his hand down the bodice of the nearest woman, who was undoubtedly a tart, although dressed in the highest kick of fashion and not cheaply either. He was laughing uproariously at something one of his friends was saying,
    “I see desperation.” Julius was right. Dankworth was celebrating too hard, too feverishly, as if he had little time left. Despite his determination to keep his distance, Alex had learned some depressing facts about Dankworth. He had no right to interfere, but he wished he had.
    Alex grimaced, acknowledging the truth and reached for his wineglass. He took a sip and replaced it carefully. “He’s been playing too deep. He’s a regular player at Hell in Whites, and God knows how many more places. He’ll have to work hard to right his losses. He’s living on expectation. He’s a man of modest means, but as Downholland’s heir he can call on new lines of credit.”
    “I’ll investigate, shall I? Ask a few questions?” Julius leaned back and crossed his legs, the picture of elegance.
    “I already have. I asked Fox, who only leaves White’s to go to the House. Dankworth is consorting with the kind of man who’ll wager on anything, including if Lady Barrett’s next child is finally a boy.”
    “I had fifty on that one myself,” Julius shot his cousin a shamefaced grin. “After five girls, I doubt her ability to produce a son. I saw some bets of upwards of a thousand in the book.”
    “One of them might be his.” Alex jerked his chin in Dankworth’s direction. “He’s down far too much for a man of modest fortune. One more night and he’ll have lost most of what he has left then he’ll be punting on the expectation. He will gain