Free Desire Wears Diamonds by Renee Bernard Page B

the Jackal
do this?”
    “No. A four in hand. But…the situation may
have moved things along.”
    “Tell me.”
    “She was there.”
    “She?”
    “The Jackal has a younger sister.” Michael
reached up to run his hand through is hair out of habit and winced
in regret at the gesture, instantly dropping his arm back to where
Rowan had held it. “And don’t look at me like that.”
    “Any other man, I’d be more worried. But
let’s have it.”
    “She’d stumbled into the path of a carriage
and I pulled her back. She’s proclaimed me a hero and her brother
has invited me back for dinner Sunday next.” Michael stood to
retrieve his shirt. “He is eager to discuss our adventures
together in India.”
    “My god! It’s a nightmare!” Rowan shook his
head slowly. “This is insane, Rutherford. You can’t play parlor
games with this man.”
    “I’ll do what I have to. It’s the meeting we
meant to have weeks ago only this time, it’s better. We risk only
one of us. One way or another, he’ll reveal himself. He’s too
frustrated to pass up his chance and too overconfident not to make
his threats and when he does, he’ll tell me what we need to know.
Hell, I’ve already determined so much more of him than we’d ever
hoped.”
    “And if he’s more clever then you give him
credit for and keeps his cards close to his chest? Then what?”
    “Then I’m the one who’ll take advantage of
the chance. His sister has been kind and if I’m a good guest then
perhaps I’ll get invited back again. Maybe I can find a way to
search his study for clues or uncover an advantage to give us the
lever we need to push this son of a bitch into the sea.”
    “A good guest?”
    “Leave it, Rowan.”
    “All he has to do is express disapproval at
what he’ll term an “unacceptable suitor” and you’re on the wrong
side of that door. Game over.”
    “We’ll see. I’m not there as a suitor. I’m a
family friend who saved his sister’s life and has a connection to
the East India’s fighting forces. If he presses me, perhaps I am
looking for a position as a bodyguard.”
    “You’re putting yourself in harm’s way,
Michael. He’s already got his suspicions. My god, this could twist
on you so fast! One moment you’re having tea in his parlor and the
next thing, he’ll be burying you in his back garden.”
    “No. He kills me without a word? And gains
what? Proof that he’s a murderer? I go missing and all you have to
do is call the police. He’ll swing for it and it’s done.” Michael
stood slowly to test his mobility. Rowan’s expert wrap had eased
much of the pain but he knew he wasn’t going to be running up any
stairs anytime soon.
    Rowan began to repack his doctor’s kit.
“Unless the Jackal has handlers and we’re facing the next battle
blindly without you.”
    “Whatever I learn as I go, I’ll convey it to
you as quickly as I can, so there’s less of a chance of me taking
any “revelations” with me. Just don’t share any details with the
others until it’s necessary. I’m not giving up on this. For the
first time, we have an advantage that Sterling doesn’t have.”
    “And exactly what advantage is
that?”
    “He’s the one playing by the rules. I don’t
have to.”
    Rowan shook his head and relatched his case
as it closed. “Michael. If this game is being played indoors and
over dinner tables, I’m worried that you don’t even know all the
rules. And when you don’t know all the rules…”
    “It’s easier to be defeated,” Michael
finished the thought. Rowan had a point. He could hardly boast
about his skills in good society. His friendship with the Jaded had
brought him into the outskirts of more than one gathering but
Michael Rutherford was no polished player. “I know enough to wipe
the mud off of my boots. It’s a simple dinner inside the man’s
home. If I use the wrong fork, I hardly think it matters but if it
goes beyond that and I’m forced to jig before the Queen of