“Exactly.” Simon dropped his hat off on the old oak desk. “I think I’ll stay on the floor tonight. Why don’t you take a well-deserved night off? ”
Riley nodded. “I think I will.”
“Good.”
Riley was his most loyal employee, having been with Simon since he started. While other employees had come and gone, Riley always stayed. As such, Simon considered him the only person in his employ he could trust with the books and any other matter that needed attention. After dropping his coat and hat off in his office, Simon returned to the floor.
Many of his customers greeted him with a nod as he stood in the corner, surveying the room. A sense of peace enveloped him as he watched the crowd. This was where he belonged.
Chapter 7
Emma paced her bedroom the next evening, glancing at the clock every time she walked by it. Where was Susan? It was after seven. She should have been here by now. Without her friend, Emma couldn’t go to the gaming hell tonight. The entire plan hinged on Susan arriving tonight with her brother’s clothing. Emma’s nerves hummed as she continued to cross the room.
After the billiard game with Kingsley last night, she wanted to best him. Not that he would know she entered Hell until a few days from now when she would inform him of the feat. She hadn’t planned on telling anyone what she was doing tonight, but after seeing his superiority at the billiard game, which he wasn’t about to win, she’d had enough of his arrogance.
“Miss Drake, Miss Lancaster has arrived,” a maid said after rapping on the door.
Thank God! “Thank you. Please ask her to come up to my bedchamber. And please ask Davis to order a hackney.”
“Of course, miss.”
Emma tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for Susan’s arrival. What was taking her so long to walk up a flight of steps? Finally, the door opened, and Susan entered the room with a hesitant smile.
“Good evening, Emma.” She walked into the room with a slight frown.
“Are you as excited as I?”
“Not particularly,” Susan said, pacing the room. “I’m very nervous about what we are to do tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because while you will be in disguise, I will not.” Susan plopped down on the bed with a sigh. “My mother will be very displeased that I went to a gaming hell.”
Emma wanted to shake her friend. “You didn’t wish to wear men’s clothing.”
“I know,” she cried.
“Many ladies of the ton attend the gaming hells.” Emma realized Susan was near to backing out of their plan. She had to devise a solution that would appease her friend. “You can wear a mask. Then no one will know it’s you.”
Susan looked up at her with a smile. “Why didn’t I think of that? A mask is a perfect idea.”
Emma opened her linen press and found a domino mask she’d worn to a ball last year. “Here, this will be perfect and cover enough of your face to hide your identity.”
Susan seized the mask and held it up to her face in front of the mirror. “Emma, this is perfect. I feel so much better.”
A light scratch turned her head toward the door. “Yes?”
“Miss Drake, your hackney is waiting,” a footman replied.
“Thank you. We will be down presently.”
They quickly made their way to the awaiting coach. As the hackney pulled away, Emma said, “Please help me dress quickly.”
Susan removed Emma’s dress, s
tays, and shift before helping her into the trousers. She pulled out linen strips.
“What are those for?” Emma asked with a note of unease.