I'd been here before, with Grenville. I'd kept my bets modest and so had Grenville-modest for Grenville, that is-but we'd watched a young man lose seven thousand pounds on one throw of dice and be turned out of the house, ruined.

The doorman let me in from the darkening street without question and ushered me upstairs to Mr. Bates's private office. I knew that Bates admitted me and greeted me courteously not only because of my connection with Grenville but because of my growing connection with Viscountess Breckenridge. Feet firmly under the table, was a phrase I'd heard used about me. Bates was marking me as a person to fleece in future.

"I never saw Summerville with a walking stick," Bates said. Bates was such a tall, healthy-looking man that one would never imagine he spent most of his waking hours indoors, bent over gaming tables or counting money from said tables.

"With a gold head, you say?" he asked. "I'd have taken it from him if he'd brought such a thing. Summerville slipped out last night without paying what he owed-close to three hundred pounds it was. If he does not return with the money, I'll have the bailiffs on him."

The haze surrounding my memories of Summerville cleared still further, to remind me that Summerville had been good at losing money and equally skilled at touching others for more. He'd been ingenuous, warm, and laughing about it, but never once during those years had he paid the money back.

"Mr. Summerville is about to be married," I said. "To a young lady heiress. Perhaps he will pay his debts after that."

Bates gave me an aggrieved look. "Her father might not be foolish enough untangle the money for Mr. Summerville's use. Marriage settlements can be tricky. Please tell Mr. Summerville that if he continues to be careless, he'll spend his wedding night in the Fleet."

I thanked Bates for his time and took my leave. Outside, what light had touched the evening had gone, the rain poured down, and wind gusts sent the cold straight through me. I pulled my greatcoat closed against the weather and climbed into yet another hackney.