Mastering a Sinner by Kate Pearce Page A

you something about him because he was banned from the pleasure house.”
    “Banned? He must have behaved very badly indeed for that to happen.”
    “He insulted my wife.”
    “Oh dear.” Alistair knew how fiercely Christian protected Elizabeth and was faintly surprised that the other man was still breathing. “What’s his name?”
    “Sir Ronald Fairbanks.”
    “Wasn’t he ennobled by the Crown for his services to the banking industry?”
    “Yes, he’s been propping up the Hanoverians’ finances for years.” Christian wrinkled his nose. “I am all for the advancement of the hoi polloi, but that man is an insufferable idiot.”
    “If he commented unfavorably on your wife in front of you, then obviously.”
    Christian still didn’t smile. “He met Harry here just before I banned him. I attempted to dissuade your brother from engaging with the man, but he didn’t listen.”
    “That doesn’t surprise me at all. Do you know if they are still together?”
    “I haven’t heard, but it wouldn’t shock me if they were. Why do you need this information?”
    Alistair decided to be honest. “Because Harry has bolted. He has many friends, but few who have the money to help him out of his present financial crisis. I wondered if he’d gone to Sir Ronald. I also wondered if Sir Ronald had any connection with the Demon Club.”
    Christian went still. “Considering what I know of that place, it should have occurred to me that Fairbanks was a member there. He seems just the type to thrive on the misery of others. It would also explain why he attempted to ingratiate himself with my wife.”
    “You’ve been there?”
    “I have. He might have heard some of the old stories about what happened to me and Elizabeth there.” Christian sighed. “Dammit. I hoped that after I’d dealt with Lord Kelveston and his bitch of a wife, the place would cease to exist.” He fixed Alistair with his piercing blue gaze. “What do you know of it?”
    “I had a letter demanding repayment of a substantial debt Harry acquired there. I sent the information on to him. Later that same day, I had a visit from a Lord Blaydon, who very politely informed me that the debt had been placed in my name and I was considered responsible for paying it back. I equally politely informed him that I had no intention of paying him a single penny, at which point he smiled and threatened to carry out his purpose regardless.”
    Christian shook his head. “The Demon Club has always enjoyed bringing debtors to justice. The problem is that in the past they were often the ones who created the debts in the first place.”
    “You mean the place is dishonest?”
    “It certainly used to be. I don’t recommend you attempt to find out.”
    “I certainly don’t wish to have anything to do with it, but I prefer to be informed.”
    “Where’s Harry now?”
    “As I said, I’m not sure, but Lord Blaydon intimated that if he didn’t settle his debt soon, I would be obliged to do so in his stead.”
    Christian sat forward. “May I offer you some advice? Don’t attempt to pay off your brother’s debt this time. Let them find him, and let him suffer the consequences of his behavior.”
    “But you said the place was deadly.”
    “It is, but if the Demon Club can’t bring your brother to his senses, I suspect nothing will. Their methods of extracting payment when money isn’t readily available are . . . inventive. A dose of public humiliation might be just what Harry needs.”
    Alistair held himself rigidly still. “He is still my brother.”
    “And you have protected him for years, everyone knows that. He’s twenty-five, Alistair. Don’t you think it’s time for him to finally grow up?”
    Alistair nodded and stood up. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Delornay. And if you can find out anything about Charlotte, I would appreciate it.”
    “Of course. Good-bye, Mr. Maclean.”
    At least he had a name to put to his brother’s lover. As to the rest? He’d not