Reuben lingered at the edge of the park, hiding in the shadows spread out by a cluster of trees. The grassy expanse lay in the center of the square where the Colbornes and the Gilletts lived. It was dark already, a spray of starlight smattering the velvet sky above. A few clouds rolled by, drifting across the sliver of silvery moon. He pulled his collar closer to his chin to keep out the night’s chill.

He had been watching Adelaide’s house for close to an hour, noting every light in every window. Now and again, a shadowy figure passed by the panes. He imagined each to be Adelaide.

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he thought of her standing on the front step of her home, staring out at his retreating figure. She was proving to be quite the firebrand. He had known she was different to most young ladies, but her defiance and fortitude thrilled him to the core. In truth, a strong affection was forming in his heart for her. Unconventional, yet persistent. If anyone could tolerate the role of being his wife, it was she.

Even so, her unexpected visit to his mother had forced his agenda forwards. There was no way the Dowager would allow him to wriggle free of his promises, nor would he be permitted to play his games much longer. Already, he sensed there would be an announcement in the paper. He had not authorized it, but his mother would undoubtedly do so. She was eager to see him wed. Now that she had met Adelaide, she would stop at nothing until the deal was done.

Perhaps, it is time I put the poor girl out of her misery, he thought with a wry grin. She has proven herself worthy of my affections and has responded well to my little amusements. She has demanded nothing of me, despite my hesitations. I am not likely to find her kind again. And yet… a moment more would be utterly delicious. One more game. One more hurdle to decipher her true character.

There was only one problem—a barb that continued to sting in his side. Jasper, Lord Gillett, the future Earl of Richmond. Already, he had spoiled Reuben’s full enjoyment of the last diversion. He had hoped to delight in seeing Adelaide’s desperation, indulging in her realization that the announcement had not appeared. Indeed, his plan had been to go to her the following day, to make amends and put an end to his play. However, upon seeing Jasper standing on the front step, at Adelaide’s side, the sight had ignited his ire. Not towards Adelaide, but towards the perennial weed who fawned upon her.

That insipid weasel must be taught a lesson. One he cannot so easily forget. I was too lenient on him the last time. I shall not be so generous again. If there was one thing that Reuben could not abide, it was disobedience. Jasper had ignored his warning. Now, Jasper would have to pay for that rebellion.

At that very moment, he knew that Jasper was inside the Colborne house. He did not know why, but that did not matter. The very act of his presence there was a defiance of their agreement.

The plan was to wait until Jasper left, before heading towards the Gillett household and asking for an audience with the upstart. No butler would deny him. He outranked Jasper and his family in every way. All he had to do was wait for the moment to strike.

As fortune would have it, Jasper walked out of the Colborne house ten minutes later. Reuben hung back, watching closely. To his utter delight, Jasper did not head straight for the neighboring townhouse. Instead, he pulled his coat tighter around himself and strode towards the park. The gate squeaked as he entered, while Reuben sunk deeper into the shadows.

I could not have planned it better if I had tried, he mused with satisfaction.

Jasper stalked in his direction, entirely oblivious to his presence. He paused nearby, prompting Reuben to hold his breath. Jasper glanced around suspiciously, his eyes narrowed. Visibly shrugging off his wariness, he continued on down the winding path that led through the park. Reuben waited until Jasper had walked right past, before creeping out behind him.

He followed him to the opposite end of the parkland, before clamping his hand down hard on Jasper’s shoulder. The startled man whirled around. His eyes widened in shock as they fixed on Reuben’s face.

“Your Grace, what are you doing?” he gasped, his tone panicked.

“Did I not warn you, boy? Was I not transparent enough, where Lady Adelaide is concerned?” Reuben hissed, gripping Jasper’s shoulder tighter. He smirked, pressing his thumb against a cut on Jasper’s cheekbone. “Looks like I’m not the only one whose anger you have incited. Was it my beloved, scratching at you like the wildcat she is?”

Jasper lowered his voice to a threatening growl. “Unhand me.”

“There is little chance of that. Not until I am satisfied that you will keep your distance from my betrothed.”

Jasper snorted. “Your betrothed? You are fortunate that she has not smeared your name across this city. Truly, you do not deserve her,” he muttered through gritted teeth. “And I know I am not alone in wishing she would come to her senses about you.”

“She understands what sort of creature I am. She does not judge as simpler minds may do.” His words did little to affect Reuben, who had heard it all before. It had been many years since the slurs of others had troubled him.

“You are despicable,” Jasper spat. “I have known Lady Adelaide since I was a child, and I have rarely seen her brought to tears. The knowledge that you were the cause of such grief—and you deliberately intended to be the cause—sickens me.”

Reuben grinned. “There were tears? How delicious.”

“You belong in an asylum!” Jasper snapped. “You must be quite out of your mind to believe you may treat young ladies in such a cruel manner. You are not worthy of her tears, or of her.”

“She thinks differently. As I say, we have an understanding—one that does not involve your constant meddling.” A dark thread shivered through Reuben’s words. “Do you think I am unaware of your attempts to dissuade her? I am no fool. And yet… who has emerged the victor? She still desires to be my wife, and I fully intend to make good on our engagement. You cannot rid yourself of me. I shall endure.”

“Well, you cannot rid yourself of me, either.” Jasper squared up to Reuben, the latter bristling with irritation. He did not like to be challenged. Indeed, he highly doubted that Jasper knew the danger he was in.

“I urge you to reconsider,” he growled, his voice low and threatening.

“How amusing. I continue to say that very thing to Lady Adelaide.”

“Do not test me, boy.”

“What could you possibly do?” Jasper countered.

Reuben smiled coldly. “You will avoid my betrothed, or you will discover the true depths of my character.”

“You do not frighten me, Sir.”

“Oh, but I should,” he hissed. “All of those stories you have undoubtedly heard… every single one is true. The last man who crossed me barely escaped with his life. I should hate to have to put you in the same position.”

A warm glow of satisfaction burned in Reuben’s stomach as he took in Jasper’s alarmed expression. He had the boy terrified. After all, he was entirely aware of the reputation that preceded him. The stories did most of the work for him. Bolstering a few tales of brutality, cruelty, and annihilation, he could have a man shaking in his boots in less than five minutes.

“I won’t abandon her to you.” Jasper’s voice caught in his throat.

“And what does your own young lady have to say about such a declaration—that unremarkable blonde wastrel that you seem to fawn over, despite her desperately inferior station?”

As Jasper’s eyes flickered with anger, Reuben knew he’d touched a nerve. He was good at arousing people’s ire. A natural skill that he was rather proud of.

“You leave her out of this,” Jasper warned. “Our dispute concerns my dear friend, and how evidently unsuitable you are for her. If she were here now, do you think she would bend to your will? Do you honestly believe that she would still agree to marry you?”

“I do.”

“Then perhaps you do belong in a sanatorium.”

Reuben’s eyes narrowed to reptilian slits. “You have enjoyed your jibes, boy, but you will not get to say that again. My request is simple. Stay away from Lady Adelaide or find out what I am truly capable of.” He smirked with amusement. “I do not believe you would fare well in a duel. Now, the choice is yours.”

“You have no real authority, you despicable wretch,” Jasper taunted. “I do not fear—”

He did not get to finish the sentence as Reuben lunged at him, closing his powerful hands around the boy’s throat in one swift move. Jasper’s arms flailed in a panic as he fought to push away from Reuben, but Reuben was much too strong. Cutting off Jasper’s air supply was as simple as crushing an egg between his palms. Besides, he had no qualms about pushing Jasper to the point where he might genuinely start to fear for his life. The boy clearly needed further convincing.

“Your Grace? Jasper?” a trembling voice cut through the icy night. Immediately, he let go of Jasper. He knew that voice.

“My love?” Reuben turned to face Adelaide. She stood at the side-entrance to the park, where a carriage had rumbled to a halt. In the heat of their dispute, Reuben had not heard it clatter by. Her face was a picture of confusion, but he saw no fear there. A wave of relief washed over him—she had not seen anything.

“What are you doing out here?” Adelaide asked, her gaze flitting to Jasper. “Both of you, answer me.”

Reuben cast a subtle look of warning in Jasper’s direction. He inclined his head, showing he understood. What had gone on between them would remain a secret. At least, if Jasper valued his life.

“I might ask you the same question,” Reuben countered.

Adelaide gestured to the carriage, where a shriveled prune of a woman poked her head out. “I took Miss Green back to her home. Rosemary accompanied me.” Her tone was surprisingly hard. “I was on my way back when I spotted you both, out here in the park. I presumed you could only be up to no good.”

“Why would you think that, my love?”

Adelaide sighed sadly. “Because you have given me little reason to believe you are capable of anything honest.”

“Come now, do you not revel in our sport—these games we play?”

“Ordinarily I would feel inclined to play along, but I fear I am too weary for such amusement tonight. I ask again, what are you both doing out here?”

Reuben smiled. “I thought it best that Lord Gillett and I were better acquainted. He is a dear friend of yours, and so he must become a dear friend of mine. We are to be wed, after all—you and I.”

“Are we?” A sharp note darted off her tongue.

“We are, my love,” he assured.

She arched an eyebrow. “I have seen no evidence.”

“Another of my foolish tricks, my dear. Had I realized it would bring you heartache, I would never have done it. Truly, it has been my most pressing intention, to make amends for any pain I may have caused.”

Jasper shot him an icy stare, but the former did not breathe a word.

Good boy.

“Will it be yet another game?” Adelaide murmured.

Reuben closed the gap between them and sank to the ground before her, his knee dampening in the night-slicked grass. A chill shivered up his thigh. She looked at him in astonishment as he reached into his coat pocket and drew out a small leather box. He lifted the lid to reveal a beautiful ruby ring, with a circle of miniature diamonds clustered around the crimson jewel.

“No more tricks or games at your expense,” he promised. “This is a symbol of my honesty. From now on, you will be party to my amusements. It shall be you and I, against the gossipers of London.”

He had been saving the ring for just such an occasion, in case he needed to win her over in the blink of an eye. It was a test, more than anything, a marker, to gauge how easily he could salvage her favor. And she had passed with flying colors. Their marriage would be happy indeed, if all it took was a pretty ring to regain her faith in him.

“This is for me?” she whispered.

“If you will have it… and me?” He took the ring out of the box and slipped it onto her finger. She held it up, admiring it for a moment. Meanwhile, Jasper looked on in utter disbelief. A fact that pleased Reuben greatly. Two birds with one stone.

To his surprise, however, she shook her head and took the ring off. “I need actions, not gifts,” she said firmly, pressing it back into his palm.

He eyed her curiously. She was full of endless surprises. A ruby that size would have been enough to entice most ladies. And yet, it was not enough to heal the rift he had torn between them. More work was required.

Very well. I suppose you have earned it.

“I have been remiss in my behavior towards you, Lady Adelaide,” he began solemnly. “I have acted in a most uncouth, callous manner. It was cruel, and it was unfair to you, whom I adore. The expression of emotions does not come easily to me. And yet, I cannot deny how entirely you have captured my heart. I pray that I have not diminished in your opinion, for yours is the only one I care about.”

A small smile curved up the corners of her full lips. “You speak very prettily when the mood takes you, Your Grace.”

“You inspire those words in me, Lady Adelaide. I am wholly sincere.” He was somewhat startled to find that he meant it. “I will make amends for my behavior, if you swear to forgive me for my transgressions. Let us put this unpleasantness behind us and move towards our future together.”

“How can I be sure of your intent, after your broken promises?”

“Take this ring as a sign of my sincerity,” he urged. “And rest assured that I will fulfil my pledge to you. The announcement shall appear in tomorrow’s papers. And we will be wed soon enough, if you desire it still.”

She nodded slowly, accepting the ring this time. “You know that I do.”

He shot a smug look at Jasper, who looked crestfallen. However, he was not entirely done having his fun. There was one hurdle still to overcome.

“There is only one problem,” he said.

Adelaide frowned. “What issue can there be?”

“Your father, my love.”

“What about him?” Her tone bordered on wary.

“I have sent him several letters regarding your dowry, and he has not responded to a single one,” he explained. “Indeed, it is one of the reasons I withheld the announcement for so long. I cannot proceed until it has been properly discussed. I know it is not your fault, but it must be dealt with as soon as possible. There can be no delay.”

Adelaide’s eyes widened. “He has not replied?”

“Not a word.”

“He told me you had not sent a single letter.”

“My love, you have been lied to.”

She shook her head defiantly. “No, that cannot be.”

“Ask him, sweeting. You will see for yourself.” He held her hand tightly, planting a kiss on her glove. “Even in the midst of my games, I was thinking of you—of our marriage. I continued to make my intentions clear to your father. It appears that he would have you think otherwise.”

“No…”

“Yes, my love. Ask him. Ask him, and you will see that I am more honest than you have been led to believe.”

“I must take my leave of you for now,” she said sadly, giving his hand a returned squeeze. “Please, forgive me for my abrupt departure. There is much for me to think about.”

“Of course, Lady Adelaide. Might I await a letter from your fair hand?”

She nodded uncertainly. “You may.”

“I look forward to it.”

“Goodnight, Your Grace,” she murmured, hurrying back towards the waiting carriage. Jasper hurried after her. He paused only to fire a sharp hiss back at Reuben.

“What have you done?” he spat.

“Revealed the truth,” Reuben replied.

There were lies being told within the Colborne house. Reuben did not know what they were, but he figured Adelaide ought to understand the deceit that surrounded her. There was evidently a plan in place to dissuade Adelaide from marrying him. Why Ephraim had suddenly had a change of heart, he was not sure. Nor did he care to find out. He would not be beaten.

No, two can play that game.

Dawn would rise the following morning, and he had a feeling that he would not emerge the worst villain. Indeed, he had just set the cat amongst the pigeons. There would be chaos before the night was out.