The Art of Taming a Rake (Legendary Lovers 4)

Lisle nodded. “I was livid enough to carve out your spleen, I admit. I was sorely jealous. But Julia and I came to an understanding. She had a change of heart, and I forgave her for her hysterics in the park.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Surely I am not the only enemy you have made. There must be others who have reason to want vengeance. A cuckolded husband, perhaps?”

Quinn let the insult slide, not bothering to explain he had never cuckolded anyone. Instead, he decided to move on to the next line of questioning. “Then you won’t mind telling me how you came by the ruby and diamond pendant you gave her.”

Lisle looked even more puzzled, then narrowed his eyes. “Is this some sort of trick? Or trap?”

“Not at all. How did you acquire the necklace?”

Lisle’s gaze remained suspicious. “Why the devil do you care?”

“I believe it once belonged to my mother’s family. When I saw Lady Dalton wearing it, I recognized the distinctive design as part of a collection, commissioned by the Duc de Chagny in France, before the Revolution.”

“Did Julia know the design was your family’s?” Lisle stopped short. “Of course she did. That is why she coveted it. The moment she saw it, she wanted it. Now I know why.”

Lisle did not look happy with his calculation, and his mind was obviously still whirring. “Was that why you challenged me to a game at Tavistock’s?”

Clearly Lisle was no slow top, and Quinn decided honesty was his best course. “Yes. I hoped to win it from you.”

“I am glad you decided to fold that night. I regularly win, but you have the devil’s own luck.”

He’d ended the game when he’d spied Venetia, Quinn remembered. “Again, would you mind telling me how you came by it?”

Suddenly Lisle’s expression softened as understanding dawned. “Do you mean to tell me there is something of mine that you want?” A slow smile stretched across his mouth. “I never would have expected to be in this position in a hundred years.”

Lisle laughed with genuine amusement, and oddly Quinn liked him the more for it. In fact, he could see what Julia saw in him. Lisle was affable and generous and indeed honorable, with an ironic sense of humor that Quinn would have appreciated under other circumstances.

“I am willing to pay a handsome price for it. It has great sentimental value, since it was my mother’s.”

“The pendant is not mine to sell. I gave it to Julia.”

“I know. But I would like your consent to buy it from her.”

When Lisle hesitated, Quinn added, “Just think of it. I will be in your debt.”

“Yes, you will be in my debt. I think I like the sound of that.”

Lisle was enjoying having the upper hand for once, but then his mouth curled. “I realize you are throwing me a bone, Traherne.”

“Hardly,” Quinn answered at once. “You won Julia fairly.”

After all the humiliation Julia had caused him, Lisle deserved a sop to his pride. Moreover, there was no point in wounding his dignity further, and there were benefits to making him an ally.

“I suppose I could be persuaded to tell you how I came by the pendant,” Lisle said a trifle tauntingly. “Oh, what the devil…” Evidently he decided to relent. “I won it honorably, at Faro.”

“From whom?”

“A chap named Bellamy. George Bellamy.”

Quinn tried to place the name. “I am not acquainted with him. What can you tell me about him?”

“Not much. I am not familiar with him, either. And I haven’t a clue how it came to be in his possession. I play cards for the sport, but gaming is his profession, and I suspect his major source of income.”

“How do I find Bellamy?”

“I believe he lodges in Belgrave, although I am not certain. I do know he frequents Brooks’s Club. You might start there in making inquiries.”

“I will, thank you. As I said, I am in your debt.”

Lisle grinned again, then sobered. “I give you fair warning, Traherne. Julia is mine and I intend to keep her.”