Earl of Gold (Lords of Scandal 7)

“You already have several business ventures. This club is a full-time job in and of itself.”

Logan grimaced, recognizing the truth in the words. He didn’t like them but he understood them, nonetheless. “That is a valid point.”

Daring leaned forward. “And forgive me if I am overstepping, but your reputation lacks a certain…”

“Respectability?” Logan asked, sitting up straighter in his chair. This meeting seemed to be going further off kilter with every passing minute.

“Indeed,” Daring chuckled. “Which doesn’t matter to me.”

Logan let out a long breath, his shoulders hunching. Good. He’d never won a popularity contest and wasn’t likely to start now.

“But,” Daring held up a finger, “A gaming hell will not help you move in the right direction. It won’t gain you any respectability if that’s what you’re searching for.”

Logan gave a low grunt in response. The ton’s opinion of him was far less important than his own pursuit of wealth, but he supposed acceptance by the most elite in society would banish the specter of his past forever. And he could only gain more financial footholds with respectability. “It’s a lesser goal, to be certain. But enlighten me, anyhow. How do partners help with that?”

“Not only do they defray the work but they help protect your identity. Someone might recognize you. We wore masks, but occasionally, a discerning eye would recognize one of us anyway. However, the moment your saboteur tries to brag to his friends that he knows the owner of the Den of Sins, another will pipe up that they saw lord so and so or such and such. The two will argue and in the end, most everyone will believe neither has a clue. In that way, no rumor gains momentum.”

“But it isn’t rumor,” Logan answered. He was being petulant because he didn’t want partners even if all of Daring’s points made a great deal of sense. “And I’m not sure I care who in London knows I own this club.” He cracked his neck again. “And who is so and so and such and such?”

Daring laughed low. “My partners will remain my business. But your partners…” He drew a long, thin cheroot from his pocket and took his time lighting it with a nearby candle. “Are also my business.”

Logan rumbled, deep in his throat. Damn the man. He wasn’t going to sign today after all. He knew Daring was stalling now. “If I don’t care who knows I am the owner then why would I need partners at all?”

Daring passed another cheroot over to Logan without a word. Then he took a long draw off it, holding it in his lungs before he let out a puff of breath. “Camaraderie is part of what makes this place a success. Men feel it when they walk through the door. It isn’t just another place where drunks come to part with their money. It’s a place where men can bond. These walls are infused with brotherhood. In other words, you won’t even come close to our profits without partners.”

Horseshit. That’s what Logan wanted to say. But he drew in a long breath and cooled his heating temper. “How many? Partners that is, so that we can close the deal.”

A haze of smoke was filling the air around Daring’s head. “Three at least.”

Logan’s hand slapped his thigh. Too many. “Is that your only stipulation? That I find partners?” Like finding three men to work with him wasn’t going to be difficult enough. He had a reputation for not playing nice with others.

The duke was silent for so long Logan’s skin began to itch again. By force of will he kept himself from shifting in his seat. Finally, the duke mumbled. “There is one other…”

Damn it all to bloody hell. His muscle in his cheek twitched. “What is it?”

By way of answer, the duke reached into his pocket again. He pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to Logan.

Unfolding the letter, Logan quickly scanned the contents, his brows drawing together. Some do-gooder wished for help with a charity project. “What does an orphanage have to do with a gaming hell?”

Darling drew another lazy puff from his cheroot. “The Den of Sins isn’t just a gaming hell. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. It’s too easy for the Earl of Gold to be discovered as the owner of such a place. Our success is born from our brotherhood and our anonymity. You need to make yourself not just rich, but a pillar of our community. You need to create a veil between the true you and the man that society sees.”

Logan frowned. Perhaps that was why society despised him. Because he was honest in his pursuit of money. Would he actually be more successful if he were less direct? The idea held interest. “This letter is addressed to you. She wants your help.” But Logan was fairly certain he knew what the duke was about to say as dread pooled in his stomach. Logan didn’t do charity. People either sank or swam. Life was that simple.

“Help her,” Daring answered. “And find three partners and the club is yours.”

Logan’s fist dug into his thigh, he didn’t even bother to hide it. “And how do I know you’ll keep your word?”

Daring gave him a grin. “You want a contract before our contract? You’re as shrewd as they say. Trust me, you’re not a man I wish to double cross. You keep up your end of the bargain and I’ll keep up mine.”

His fist relaxed. Many of Daring’s points held merit that Logan wouldn’t mind exploring. If he could gain favor in the ton, would he be even more successful than he’d been?

To find out he only needed to help one little do-gooder start up an orphanage.

He could do that. No problem. Easy.

The Den of Sins would be his.

Chapter One