appeared in front of him. Simon turned to see Harry sipping his drink with a brow raised in question.
Simon took the brandy. “Thank you.”
“What is wrong, Simon? I, and probably most of the people in the ballroom, couldn’t help but notice you storming across the room before heading outside.”
Simon inhaled, trying to invent a lie acceptable to his older brother. A half-truth might work. “I had hoped to proposition Mrs. Ackerman tonight.”
“She’s with Stanton now.”
How did everyone know that except him? He made his living keeping up with the ton. “As I just discovered.”
“Yes, and I might believe your story except for the fact she and Stanton left an hour ago,” Harry commented before sipping his brandy again.
An hour ago? He’s spent an hour of his night spying on a woman and then trapping her in the butler’s pantry. Bloody hell, he was a bastard. “I had been in the card room and brought the topic up to Ainsley, who proceeded to set me straight.”
Harry nodded with a slight grin. “Still seems a drastic reaction to learn a woman was already another man’s mistress.”
“Perhaps it’s been too long since I had a good fuck,” Simon retorted and gulped the rest of his brandy down. “So, I shall take my leave, return to Hell where I belong, and find a willing woman.”
Harry turned around as if to return to the house but stopped and looked over at Simon. “Just stop sniffing around Emma.”
“I have no intention of sniffing around that innocent chit.” No matter what he’d said to her in the pantry. He was done caring what mischief she managed to get herself involved with. From now on, she could do as she liked.
AS SOON HOOD OPENED the door to Hell, Simon knew something was amiss again. The bulky man scowled and shook his head as he closed the door behind Simon.
“What now, Hood?”
“Another one, sir.”
Goddammit! “Did you take care of the problem?”
“Riley is taking him out as now,” Hood replied.
Simon’s hands tightened into fists. “No. Bring him to my office. I want a word with this man.”
“Yes, sir.”
Simon strode to his office overlooking the gaming room. He watched from the window as Riley and Hood removed the cheater. Once again, the man was not of his usual clientele’s manner. He wore ill-fitting clothing and appeared younger than most of his customers. The man didn’t fight with Riley as they plucked him up out of his seat. Instead, he seemed most willing to leave.
Simon moved to the chair behind his desk and waited. Tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair, he listened as footsteps approached, and then Riley shoved the man into the room.
“Here’s your latest cheat, King,” Riley said with a satisfied smile. “Do you want me to stay?”
“Yes.” Slowly, he rose and stared down at the young man. Now that he could see the cheater up closer, he realized just how young the man appeared. Simon doubted the man was even twenty yet.
“How old are you?” Simon asked in a harsh tone, hoping to intimidate the man.
“Ten and eight,” he replied with a shrug as if he weren’t sure of his exact age. “Why?”
“When did you start working for Hardy?”
The man laughed. “I don’t work for no Hardy.”
Simon stared at the man. “Do not lie to me. What is your name?”
“Smith,” he said with a self-assured smile.
“Smith, this is how tonight will go for you. I am going to ask you who you work for and you will tell me. Then I shall let you leave here unscathed. But I am itching for a fight tonight, so if you lie to me, you will crawl out of here. Do you understand me?”
Simon took two steps closer as Smith stepped back, nearer the door where Riley stood arms crossed over his chest. Slowly, Simon removed his jacket and waistcoat before rolling up his sleeves. The boy’s smile faded.
“It was Hardy,” Smith stammered nervously.
Simon moved closer until he could see the fear in Smith’s brown eyes. “Are you lying to me, boy?”
“No, I swear it on my ma’s grave.”
Simon seriously doubted this boy’s mother was even in a grave yet. She was probably down near Covent Gardens with the other doves. “Get out of here, boy.”
“Yes, sir.”
Riley opened the for him to leave. “Do not return, lad.”
“I won’t, sir.” The boy raced past Riley and was out the door in seconds.
Riley returned with a grimace. “What he said doesn’t make sense, King.”
“Hardy.”
“Hardy helped you start Hell.”
“He did at that.”