Jade Lee - [Bridal Favors 03] by What the Bride Wore Page B

meet you at the door.”

Eight
    It was a struggle to keep the gorgeous seamstress from fleeing, but Grant managed to delay her. She was twitching in her anxiety, but apparently felt better once her cloak was about her shoulders, the hood covering nearly her entire face.
    “You don’t want to be seen,” he said in a low voice. “I understand. But rushing away will draw more attention than a leisurely stroll away from a ball.”
    She nodded, showing that she’d heard him, and to his relief, her anxiety eased. Then Grant was pleased to see Irene join them. He took a moment to help her with her own cloak, settling the heavy black fabric about her shoulders.
    More black. Blech.
    For once Grant agreed with his madness. It was a crime to cover her beauty with such dreariness, but this wasn’t the time to discuss her attire. Then with a lady on each arm, he headed toward the street.
    “Shall I call a hackney?” he asked.
    Irene hesitated, her gaze on the seamstress who adamantly shook her head. “I don’t want the expense,” she said. “It’s a short walk to the shop.”
    Beside him, Irene gasped. “Surely you’re not going to work now!”
    Miss Drew stuck out her chin. “We’ve got orders coming in. More’n I can handle. And if the nobs won’t pay their shot, then I’ve got to finish the orders for those that will.”
    “Wendy,” Irene said with a sigh. “You’re upset and frightened. If you could tell us—”
    “I need payment, that’s all. We all do!”
    “But—” Irene began.
    Grant forestalled an argument by walking faster. The ladies followed suit. They were headed toward the dress shop, which probably represented a place of safety for the seamstress. Meanwhile, Wendy was getting herself under control, speaking as much to herself as to the others.
    “Helaine’s plan has worked. Most have paid. We’ve got money now or will have soon. Then everything will be all right.”
    Grant nodded and made sure to keep his voice gentle. “To pay off Demon Damon?” he asked. “Is that why you’re working for him?”
    Both ladies stiffened at his words, but it was Wendy’s reaction that was the most telltale. While Irene just gasped, “What?” Wendy pulled back and looked around guiltily.
    Then she opened her mouth—likely to deny it—but Grant didn’t give her the chance. “I spoke with Mr. Marris, that man who said he knew you.”
    She nodded. “Is that his name? He’s sat at my table, but I don’t ask their names so they won’t ask mine.”
    “Your table?” Grant pushed. “Cards or dice?”
    “Cards. Vingt-et-un most of the time, but sometimes, Damon has me sit at the hazard table. Taking bets mostly, but usually just…”
    “Distracting?”
    She swallowed and nodded. “And making sure they keep drinking.”
    That made sense. A smart girl like Wendy, especially with her body, would be a potent attraction at a gambling den.
    Meanwhile, Irene was struggling with this new information. “Why would you do that, Wendy? Doesn’t the shop earn enough?”
    “It earns plenty!” she shot back. “Even without the nobs paying, I have enough. It’s just…” She sighed. “Bernard.” She said the name like it was a heavy weight.
    “Your brother?” Irene asked.
    Grant all but groaned. That was a losing game for sure—a sister paying a brother’s debts. He made a mental note to visit this Bernard and explain that a man’s responsibility was to protect his sibling, not expose her to huge risks.
    Then he turned those words to his life and flinched. After all, he’d failed to protect both his sister and younger brother. Meanwhile, Wendy was spilling a secret she’d obviously been keeping much too long.
    “Bernard got in the wrong at the gambling house. They were going to kill him, and I didn’t have enough—not by far—so…”
    It seemed she didn’t want to continue, so Grant picked up the tale, his guesses easy because he knew how a man like Damon thought. In truth, he’d nearly