4
When Jensen walked into Madam Ransoms, he became Gentleman Jack Billings the owner of the gaming hell. Tonight, he was expecting the Earl of Canter Cuthbert Irving. He had received word from McDuff Canter had placed a chip promising 20,000 pounds if they would be willing to marry one Madison Jacobs. Jensen knew Daniel considered Madison as family, so this was personal. Daniel or McDuff had asked him to make life a living hell for the Earl and that was just what Jack Billings was going to do.
Mac came into his office to let him know that Howell George the Earl of Andover had arrived and was looking for a loan.
"Andover is in and wants a loan what say you?"
"How much?"
"Tonight, it's a hundred pounds?"
"Have him sign a note and make sure the Marquis gets a copy of it."
Jensen knew Big B would want to know what Howell was up too.
"Mac let me know when Canter arrives."
"Yes boss."
"Oh, and Mac do not lend him any money he is not welcome here on credit."
"Is there something I should know boss?"
"Something I heard he did and used Madams for, we may not be a high-end gambling hell, but I will never let a young innocent woman be sold for revenge not here in this establishment."
"Boss we do not sell women here for any reason we have standards, but I swear he did not sell a woman in here."
Jensen laughed,
"He placed a chip for the girl's hand and 20,000 pounds for any man to marry the Lady Jacobs. I will not stand for it."
"Do not worry Boss I will make sure he finds no comfort here."
"You're a good man Mac."
That night when the Earl of Canter walked into Madams Ransoms he did not find the tables or the proprietors very welcoming. He sat at the table with The Earl of Andover, the Dealer Gordon, the Marquis of Staff, and The Earl of Cheshire. Evan better known to the crown as Falstaff was asked by Troth to make a certain man's life miserable after all a lady's honor was at stake. Cuthbert was losing big it was Cheshire's night he was winning all the hands. The owner Jack Billings came over to their table where Cuthbert was causing a scene because they would not spot him tonight. Jensen who had disguised himself so most people would not recognize him as the Duke of Richmond. After all no one had seen Jensen for a while he had been Jack for over two years; so with the little dash of gold dust in his hair Jack looked different than the Duke of Richmond. He also wore his hair down when as Jack and as the Duke he always wore it tied back and he was immaculately dressed. Jack was dressed well but he was a bit more colorful than that of his other side.
"Is there a problem?"
Evan and Jensen avoided eye contact since Evan and Jensen both found his manner of dress quite ostentatious and both always broke out in laughter when they were alone about it. Mac was the one who answered.
"Seems the Earl of Canter would like a bit of credit tonight. I told him the bank was closed to him Boss and he started to shout."
Jensen stood his full height of six foot four and glared down at the Earl.
"I gave the order for you not to have credit. It has come to my attention you used a marker to cover a bet that put an innocent lady at risk. You used me to try to sell your cousin. I do not condone that behavior. I may not have a high-end establishment, but I do not sell women or children. You can leave on your own or I can have Mac escort you out. Choice is yours."
Cuthbert got up and walked out on his own. The last thing he needed was to give them an excuse to spread the word about the chip.