He leaned his head back and tried his best to clear his mind. Cracking codes was not dangerous—as Dante had asked—but it did take full concentration on his part. The job would only take longer if he was unable to focus. He was anxious to get back to the club and put an end to these questions about Amelia.

It was during the trip that hadn’t taken more than an hour that he decided to do exactly what he’d been dancing around for weeks. Once he returned, he would question Amelia about the money and about her background. In fact, he would demand answers. Their relationship had grown to where they had to trust each other or there would be no moving forward.

And moving forward is exactly what he planned to do.

* * *

The night of the well-known Rose Room Autumn ball was the only day the famous gaming club removed the gaming tables and allowed dancing, drinking, and granted permission to proper ladies to attend the festivities. It had started as a way to build the membership a couple of months after the brothers had bought the business. It had been so successful that they continued it each year.

Paying for the liquor, decorations, music, food, and the lack of gambling did put a dent in the profits, but the return over the following weeks was significant each time they held the ball.

Amelia had learned all of this from her co-workers as they all helped set up the room to resemble a ballroom as fine as any prestigious house in London.

As much as she looked forward to the beautiful gown she was to wear, and the thought of actually attending a real ball, her spirits were dampened by Driscoll’s absence.

She had foolishly hoped his assignment would end before the ball, but she’d heard nothing from him, and was not comfortable asking Dante about it because he seemed to withdraw from her more each day. His friendly, easy banter that she had enjoyed so much when she’d first been hired had changed to a more somber attitude when he was around her. Not sure what to make of that, she focused on her job and waiting for Driscoll’s return.

Although she continued to add to her pile of coins safely hidden in a box under her bed, truth be told she was no longer certain she would escape London when she had enough money. Her feelings for Driscoll had grown over time and now with his absence, she realized it would not be easy to walk away from The Rose Room. And him.

During his absence, she’d decided the time had arrived for her to trust him enough to tell him about Randolph and his plan for her. The obvious possessive mien on Driscoll’s face when they were around other men had convinced her he would never allow her to be handed over to another man as his mistress.

Driscoll was an honorable man. Even though Randolph was legally her guardian, honorable men did not allow innocent, unprotected women to be wagered in a card game. Of that she was certain.

Now with the room set up, her part of the job was finished, and she was enjoying a bath in the bathing room and would soon dress in the lovely gown she’d gotten from the wardrobe. After taking up the hem and removing a few extra ruffles that she thought did nothing to enhance the garment, she carefully pressed it and it now hung in her room.

Margie, Betsy, Mrs. Bannon and Amelia were to meet in the kitchen before they dressed to fix each other’s hair. Because until a couple of years ago Amelia had had her own maid, she wasn’t exactly adept at fixing anything more intricate than a chignon. After the first time Betsy had fixed her hair, Amelia had taken over, not wanting to have Betsy believe that lady’s maid to another employee had been added to her duties. But the ladies were so enthusiastic about the ball she didn’t think her lack of abilities to help out would deter them from having a good time if their hair was simply styled.

In less than an hour after stepping out of her bath, Amelia left her bedroom, fully dressed and with her hair in an intricate design she would never had been able to do herself. It turned out Mrs. Bannon had been a lady’s maid many years before and knew enough to capture some of the newer styles based on her training. She’d used hot irons to persuade her hair to curl, then drew the bulky mass into a lovely, elaborate bun at the back of her head, with flowers intertwined. She felt like a fairy princess.

After fastening the emerald-green satin mask that matched her gown Amelia took one last look in the mirror and made her way downstairs. Some of the club members had already arrived, several with their wives. The musicians, dressed in proper attire, were setting up in the corner. Her stomach was in flutters thinking about her first ball.

If only Driscoll were here, she mused.

“You are looking splendid tonight, Miss Pence.” Dante bowed to her as she took in the transformation from a gaming club to an elegant ballroom. He was dressed in a black domino and a matching mask. Beneath the domino, he wore his usual formal attire.

He was a handsome man, and a favorite of the ladies. From what she’d seen, he spent a great deal of time flirting and teasing the women who visited the club on a regular basis. Amelia was sure he felt comfortable doing so because none of the women who spent time at The Rose Room were of the debutante, looking-for-a-husband ilk. In other words, safe.

From what Driscoll had told her about his brother, as well as what she’d observed herself, Dante had no desire to step into the parson’s noose.

She offered the curtsey she’d spent her childhood perfecting and added, “You look quite dashing yourself, Mr. Rose.”

He smiled at her for the first time in over a week and extended his arm. “Would you care for some champagne?”

“Yes. I would love some. I’ve never had it before.”

“Ah, then we must correct that oversight.” They strolled to the area set up with silver punch bowls filled with both spirited and non-spirited punch, along with a variety of wines, liquors, and champagne. Three extra footmen had been employed for the evening to wander the room with trays of champagne. A fourth temporary employee would be in control of the table holding the liquor.

Dante snatched two glasses and handed one to Amelia. “You certainly look like you belong in such surroundings. Quite comfortable.”

She stiffened at his soft words and slight smirk. Whatever did he mean by that? Confused by his statement, she thought it best to merely smile and sip her champagne. “Will the earl join us tonight?”

Dante nodded. “Yes, Lord Huntington was persuaded to leave their new offspring long enough to at least make an appearance.” He smirked. “I don’t expect to see him for long, however. My sister-in-law is not one who believes anyone but herself can handle the child, and Hunt will want to be right there supporting her.

“Have you seen the baby?” She grimaced as the bubbles from the champagne tickled her nose.

“Ah, yes. Driscoll and I were there when the birthing hysteria began. We felt it best to leave our brother to deal with his wife. However, we did return the next day to bestow our admiration on the urchin.”

“A beautiful child, I am sure.”

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