He sounded the knocker with an echoing clap.
He was known to Isabelle’s butler, so the door was opened quickly. But he was also known to be persona non grata since his falling out with her, which meant he had to push past the large servant and rush through. “I won’t be but a moment,” he said as he hurried past. Fortunately, the man was large, not fast, and Jackson made it inside. That wouldn’t last long, but hopefully he could make an impact in that short time.
He moved quickly into the dining room, skirting the servants poised to serve eggs, scones, or an excellent wine. Isabelle, he saw, was at the top of the table. She always liked to sit as a reigning queen, but then he jolted in shock.
Lady Gwen sat beside Isabelle. She wore a borrowed gown that did not fit her well, but served to display her bosom to a nearly scandalous amount. The three bankers sat nearby with full bellies and happy smiles.
What the hell was Lady Gwen doing here? And what had Isabelle said to her?
He recovered quickly, though, and he breathed with mock dismay. “Oh dear,” he said as he entered the room. “I see I’ve mistimed my visit and you are still at table.”
Everyone turned to him with varying states of surprise. Isabelle’s expression darkened to fury, but she quickly covered. He performed his bow to her and Lady Gwen, even as he smiled at the three gentlemen.
“Misters Marshall, Brown, and Barker, pray forgive my intrusion. I have a mission here, and it won’t take but a moment.”
“Not at all, my lord. I quite understand,” said Mr. Barker in a hearty tone. “Lady Meunier was telling us of your masquerade last night. Quite the frightening dealings, what?”
He blinked as if distracted. “What? Nothing frightening occurred unless you count fireworks as disturbing.” Then he flashed them a smile. “Oh, and two gentlemen in their cups enjoying themselves in a boisterous manner. But then, ladies get frightened so easily, you know. They haven’t the nerves for truly difficult things.”
He nearly choked on the words as they came out of his mouth. If his sisters ever found out he said something so outrageous, they would punish him for sure. But given that Isabelle had just tried to discredit him in front of these men and the wholeton, he felt justified in returning the favor. Unfortunately, he was too tired to examine his words carefully. Instead of suggesting Isabelle specifically had been frightened, he used the word “ladies.” Lady Gwen, of course, took umbrage at that statement.
“That’s hardly true, my lord,” she said. “Countless women have faced terrors that would leave us weak at the knees. And I promise you, it was not the fireworks that had me depart your masquerade so quickly.” She arched her brows. “And I find it odd that an inebriated gentleman is called overly boisterous, but a woman in her cups is described in much uglier terms.”
Oh hell. Lady Gwen was in a quarrelsome mood. That did not bode well for today’s tasks. He smiled at her. “I apologize. I’m afraid I’ve had a long night of it. As you can see, I’m still in my costume.” He gestured down at his ridiculous attire. He’d managed to button up his shirt, but there was nothing he could do about the goat-like breeches.
“Was it an exciting evening, then?” asked Mr. Barker. “If you’re just now finishing up.”
“I am and it was,” Jackson answered, turning his back on the large footmen coming to drag him out of the room. “I should be delighted to tell you all about it, but sadly, I haven’t the time right now. Tomorrow, perhaps? We’ll meet at your club.” He already knew the men frequented the same club and would enjoy hosting a man with gossip.
“A capital idea!” crowed Mr. Marshall.
He grinned as if he had salacious stories to tell. He did, but not from the party. Still, he’d always been good at enlivening a tale when needed. It was all in how he modulated his voice. All three men looked very excited at the prospect, which meant he had accomplished his task with them. Next came his message to Isabelle. He would have to hurry because the servants were gathering behind him to grab him and toss him unceremoniously out the door. Fortunately, Isabelle did not wish to make a scene in front of the bankers and so had waved them back, but that would not last long.
“I came here direct, Lady Meunier, to acquaint you with the particulars of the nasty intention of your companions.”
Her eyes widened. “My companions?” she asked. “I have no such—”
“You arrived at Vauxhall in the company of two gentlemen. I’m afraid they were attempting to maneuver several gentlemen into compromising positions in order to blackmail them later.”
Isabelle’s eyes narrowed in fury for all that her voice sounded innocent. “That can’t possibly be true. I can’t imagine it! Do you have proof?”
None that he cared to share, though he knew it was true. “I will not sully the victims’ names by involving them further in this. Be assured that I have verified it to my satisfaction.” He raised his hand to his heart. “Upon my honor it is the truth.”
He wasn’t lying. Her companions had tried to compromise several gentlemen and one young lady with too much drink. The gentlemen had been smart enough to imbibe without spilling secrets best kept quiet. The lady had not, and that was going far beyond the pale for Jackson. “They had best not cross my path again,” he said darkly. “I nearly called one out for what he planned for a young woman.” The man who had been leading the lady down the dark path received a thorough drubbing. “It is because of my respect for you that he did not die from pistols at dawn.”
She frowned, clearly troubled. “Surely you exaggerate.”
“No, I do not.”
His words landed hard and cold. He did not know if Isabelle had pushed her men to act in so dishonorable a fashion or if they’d done it on their own. He didn’t care. She had drawn the battle lines the minute she began discrediting Jackson with the financial set. He was making it clear that she had a reputation to lose as well, and he would not hesitate to destroy it if she continued to cut at his.
She took a breath. “I will cut them from my association immediately.”
He nodded. It appeared that mutual destruction would keep the worst of her tendencies in check. “Thank you,” he began, but he had not counted on Lady Gwendolyn.
“That seems rather harsh, doesn’t it? To cut the men off without even speaking with them?”
“I assure you, I spoke with them extensively—” he began.