Read Regency: Rakes & Reputations (Mills & Boon M&B) for Free Online Page A

soon have his own niche at St. Paul’s.
    After a long drink, Devlin answered their unasked question. “No sign of them, but I’ve confirmed they are still in the vicinity. Tell the secretary his information is wrong.”
    “We suspected as much.” Charlie sat a bit straighter, as if he had suddenly shaken off the effects of the whiskey. “And is there, indeed, a price on Jamie’s head?”
    “A rather large one.”
    Jamie grinned. “How much am I worth?”
    “Ten thousand pounds.”
    Charlie whistled and rolled his eyes. “There should be at least a dozen takers at that price.”
    “At least,” Devlin agreed. “But common cutthroats do not have the finesse to take our Jamie by surprise.”
    Ten thousand pounds was, nevertheless, a daunting sum. Jamie shifted uneasily in his chair, taking the threat seriouslyfor the first time. Who would come after him first? He held Devlin’s gaze. “Will it be the Gibbons brothers?”
    The corners of Devlin’s mouth quirked. “They’re mean as snakes and will turn on you in a trice, but blast if they aren’t sometimes useful. They’ll do anything for money, though I don’t know what they do with it once it’s in their hands.”
    “Wish they’d get a bath,” Charlie muttered. “Or buy some manners.”
    “It’s a mystery.” Devlin shrugged. “They live in a hovel, never invest in a bar of soap, pick their clothes out of rag piles, eat garbage and even share their whores so they only have to pay for one. They must have a fortune amassed somewhere.”
    “Two more pathetic creatures I’ve never seen.”
    “Oh, I don’t know….” Devlin’s right eyebrow shot up as he glanced between Jamie and Charlie.
    Jamie and Charlie burst out laughing and toasted each other as if to confirm Devlin’s analysis.
    Devlin sat back in his chair and his expression sobered. “In view of the risk to you, Jamie, I’d like you to accept a bodyguard or two. I know just the men, and—”
    “They’d get in the way. Make me conspicuous. And do not think to set them on me without my knowledge. I’d mistake them for bounty hunters and have to kill them.”
    Devlin did not look happy. “I might have a lead for you. If you handle it with your usual skill, you could end this thing quickly.”
    Jamie sat forward and lowered his voice. “What do you have up your sleeve, Devlin? “
    “That night, at the ritual, when the charleys arrived and the brotherhood scattered down the tunnels, I recognized a few men. Some, you already know about. But I haven’t mentioned that I saw Stanley Metcalfe and Adam Booth. They looked confused and frightened and, unless I miss my guess, that wastheir first time at a ritual, and is the reason I did not pursue them. They’ve kept their noses clean since, though.”
    How like Devlin to keep that information to himself until it was needed. Until Metcalfe or Booth could prove useful. “And?”
    “As the last men on the periphery of the brotherhood still free, they might be useful to you. Might have some information. One of them could be in touch with Henley. They might know his family and have knowledge of…Well, you can imagine how helpful they might be.”
    If they could be trusted. And if they were still alive.
    Jamie dropped some coins on the table and stood. “Get home to Lilly. And thanks for the tip. I’ll be looking for them tomorrow.”
    Massive crystal chandeliers glittered multicolored shards of light across the room, laughter was shrill and the wine was free-flowing. The evening promised to be a huge success. Alas, Lord Auberville hadn’t been able to tell him who, precisely, had been invited to the ball, so Jamie concluded he’d just have to see for himself. Charlie left him at the door to find the card room and a game of whist, leaving Jamie free to wander the perimeter of the dance floor. With a nod here and a smile there, he acknowledged a few friends and acquaintances, but nary a sign of Stanley Metcalfe or Adam Booth. Had someone