A Rogue No More - Lana Williams Page 0,67

He’d soon stalked out of the room and left the ball.

After thanking Granger for his assistance, Thomas had followed Sir Alexander to White’s, an understandable choice as no man wanted to return home when in such a poor frame of mind.

Thomas had kept out of sight for some time, not wanting Sir Alexander to realize he was following him. Plus it gave the man time to have several drinks, making him more likely to converse. After well over an hour, Thomas had stepped into the card room and found him. But the man’s mood had grown worse, as had his luck at cards.

Though Thomas had waited, no one left Sir Alexander’s table so he could join the game. Instead, Thomas had been left with keeping his back to Sir Alexander and listening. Other than swearing at his luck, the cards he held, as well as some of the other men with whom he played, Sir Alexander said little.

The few times Thomas risked watching him, Sir Alexander had glared at Thomas as if the blame for his poor luck lay at Thomas’s feet. No purpose would be served at gaining the man’s notice more than he already had. From the number of drinks he’d witnessed the man down, apparently spirits didn’t cause his tongue to loosen or his mood to improve. Thomas had soon withdrawn to the bar, not wanting to linger in the card room and draw further unwanted attention.

The night had grown late by the time Sir Alexander departed. Thomas had soon done the same, deciding he needed a different plan if he wanted to learn more. But what?

Thomas glanced about, annoyed that no hackney waited outside the club. He walked toward the nearest cab stand, his mind on a different method to uncover Sir Alexander’s strategy. The night was dark, and the temperature had turned brisk. No doubt the fog would roll in soon. He hadn’t walked more than half a block along the quiet street before realizing he was being followed.

He should’ve accepted Granger’s offer to accompany him this evening or reached out to Aberland, but he thought he’d be less noticeable without a companion. Was the person following him a thief who hoped to steal his valuables? If so, he’d be disappointed as Thomas had very little on his person. And he was in no mood to hand them over without a fight.

He considered his surroundings, trying to determine when he should turn to confront his pursuer. Did he wait and hope to reach the hackney stand or face him now?

Before he could decide, a shadow emerged ahead of him from the alleyway and blocked Thomas’s path. It seemed the person following him didn’t work alone.

Thomas paused as unease prickled along his spine. He glanced behind him to see the other man continuing to approach then turned back to the new arrival. “Is there something you wanted?”

“We have a message for you.” The dimly lit street revealed a large man who crossed equally large arms over his chest.

“Oh?” Thomas shifted to keep both men in his line of sight and tensed, prepared to defend himself. He didn’t care for the odds he faced.

The man who’d been following him wasn’t as large as his companion, but his pock-marked face and the grim line to his mouth gave him a fierce appearance.

“Mind your own affairs.” The large man lunged forward, reaching for Thomas’s suit coat.

Thomas struck at his outstretched hands but only managed to knock away one of them. The attacker grasped Thomas’s lapel and shoved him against the brick wall of the building with enough force to push the air from his lungs.

“Leave matters be.”

“What matters?” Blood pounded in Thomas’s ears, a combination of fear and excitement. He was certain he knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it. A warning from the East India Company meant he was on the right track to find the murderer.

The man who’d followed him shook his head. “Ye know well enough, I imagine. Or do ye need Riley here to spell it out for ye?”

Thomas shoved at Riley’s hand to no avail, so he gave him a sharp kick. The movement forced his opponent back, but he didn’t loosen his tight grip on Thomas’s coat.

With a snarl, Riley said, “Stay away from East India if ye know what’s good for ye.” Then he released Thomas only to draw back and punch him in the stomach.

Temper lent Thomas strength, and he quickly straightened despite the pain and returned the blow,