Page 16 of To Dare the Devil

“What was so damned important, then?”

Kilbane shrugged and waved an elegant hand. “Personal business. It’s all done now.”

“And so must I wait until the next time you want something to have the threat dangled beneath my nose again? Is that why you’re here?”

Kilbane let out a harsh sound of irritation and got to his feet. “No. I told you. Your pretty little secret is safe with me. I’ve no interest in her. I’ll not use that against you again, Max. My word on it. There, satisfied?”

Max stared at him. “You know as well as I do what your word is worth.”

Those violet eyes flashed again and, if he hadn’t known better, Max might have believed he’d hurt the fellow’s feelings, but Ciarán St Just didn’t have feelings like other people.

“What is it you’re doing precisely?” Kilbane demanded, gesturing at the paperwork and ledgers piled up around Max’s desk.

“Putting my life in order like a normal human being, that’s what. I have estates to manage, so do you, if you remember.”

Max got to his feet and stalked to the window. He had better things to do than waste his time on a man he wanted left in his past. Kilbane would not entice him back into the dark place he’d been. No one would.

“It sounds dull,” Kilbane muttered. “And my estate can go up in flames for all I care. Do you care for a drink? There are entertainments at the Orchid House I believe I shall indulge in this evening.”

Max shook his head. There was an itch beneath his skin that reminded him it had been a very long time since he’d had any female companionship, but a visit to an exclusive whorehouse was a bad idea. He knew all too well the vices catered for at the Orchid House, and how easy it was to get drawn in. Besides, he didn’t want the company of some clever, practised courtesan. Miss de Beauvoir’s lovely grey eyes flickered in his mind, and he slammed the door shut on the idea before it could take hold.

“No, thank you. I have plans for this evening.” A small smile flickered at the corner of Max’s mouth as he considered those plans, and what Ciarán would make of them if he knew he was turning down the delights of the Orchid House in favour of distinctly different company.

Kilbane’s sensuous mouth made a small moue of displeasure.

“Well, then, there’s a card game at Grant’s tomorrow night. High stakes. Join me then and take your mind off all this.” He waved a contemptuous hand at Maxwell’s desk. “Whatever it is.”

“I have plans for tomorrow night too, Ciarán,” he said, his voice flat.

“Fine. Suit yourself.” Kilbane got to his feet, his frustration evident. As he made his way to the door, he gave Max a curious, narrow-eyed look. “Come and find me when you grow bored with polishing your halo.”

“Goodbye, Ciarán,” Max replied, and watched as the door closed behind him.

“Evening, Valentine. Come in, come in.”

“Burt, you’re looking well,” Max said, scrutinising the man to whom he owed his life. He was Valentine here, not Lord Vane, not even Max, but another man entirely. A man he liked far more than the one he’d been before.

“Fit as a flea,” Burt said, eyeing the heavy boxes Max’s servants were carrying in. “What’s all this, then? I told you afore, I don’t hold with charity. I do right fine, thank you very much.”

“I know you do, Burt, but not everyone else in the Dials can say the same, can they? You do with it what you think is best, but I should be pleased if you’d take what you need. For the boy’s sake at least, eh?”

“Ah, now, that’s blackmail, is what that is,” Burt replied, but his little currant eyes twinkled with satisfaction.

Max let out a sigh of relief, knowing Burt could take what he needed without denting his blasted pride.

“What’s for supper, then?” Maxwell asked, though the potent scent of frying answered the question easily enough.

“Got a nice bit o’ bacon and some eggs, and I’ll fry some bread in the bacon grease.” Burt smacked his lips and Maxwell laughed.

“A feast. Hurry up, then, old man. I’m famished.”

“Val!” Pike exclaimed, grinning at him from his position guarding the frying pan. “See, I tol’ you he’d come, same as always.”

“You did,” Burt replied, setting out three chipped but clean tin plates on the table. “But sooner or later, he’ll realise he can’t keep coming back ’ere. Got a life of his own to lead, same as us, but in a different world.”

“It’s the same world, Burt, and the only reason I’ve a life at all is down to you. I’m not about to forget that,” Max said, taking his usual place at the table.

“Pfft!” was the only response from Burt, who waved the little matter of saving Max’s skin away as if it was nothing at all.