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CHAPTER ONE

David Hawke breathed a sigh of relief when the first sign of Brighton carimy coachHe marked his place in the latest K L Brah and reluctantly closed the book on the wonderful tale The journey froer each year and he longed to already be at his destination, at ho terrace house If not for his client’s witty novel, he would have drowsed the entire way or grown cross with his co

He pressed the heel of his hand against his thigh as is, desperate to escape the strangers seated opposite in the lances He’d dressed a little too finely to be conored by his co over his shoulder Their curiosity coilant of his possessions and he eary to the bone

The coach drew to a stop and he jue He should have hired a chaise for the journey but sitting in the large conveyance alone was a wasteful way to travel in his opinion He caught his rerooe rooftop then he set off for his seaside home

By design, his path took hihton just so he limpse of the dark waters of the channel before he went to bed The gentle ocean breeze blew the stench of London from him; the scent of brine cleared his head and cooled his exposed skin He drew in deep cleansing breaths and a sain He’d hbors, if they still ca while since he’d had a letter from any of them and he’d come with no illusions they would have time to see him

But the destination itself still made any uncertainty hile He’d spent many years here as a boy and his pulse raced at the fa holiday had becoe

After a ti his way up Cavendish Place toward his ho the street The Radleys appeared to be here, the Mertons, too The George’s residence was dark and silent but that was not an unusual circuo out and his sister was rumored to retire early

He stopped outside the Watson residence, a three-story town house, second from the end of the street Peter Watson’s front door stood beside his own, but their circuood mood evaporated There was one unpleasant matter David needed to take care of for the bank before he could truly settle down to a much needed rest

The Watson’s account was substantially overdraith no certainty of further funds arriving to repay the debt His partner, Knight, had wanted to close the account three ed to convince hiive the Watsons more time Unfortunately, tier He had to arrange a et the unpleasantness over and done with so he could try to enjoy the rest of his stay

He stepped up to the door Raucous laughter filtered through a partially openDaht: cards, food, and copious amounts of wine The fellows froa every penny and pound and not wasting it on Lady Luck Would it be better to wait until tomorrow to pay his call?

If David had learned one thing in London it was that business came first before fun and friendship He applied the knocker soundly and waited

Eventually, the door opened and the Watson’s butler squinted at hinize you Is everything all right?”

David winced He’d been dodging the same question from every customer of the bank he’d met with for the past month The constant enquiries about his health set his teeth on edge “Of course, Simpson But I am travel weary” He pulled a card froood as to inforuests have departed, I’ve coentwith hi if it suits”

Simpson opened the door wide “Come in, come in, sir Your friends will be so happy to see you They were just reahton altogether”

David smiled ruefully “The sea has called to me all year up in dreary London” He crossed the threshold, set his bag aside, and then re them to Simpson He checked his watch “I assume they are rather bosky by this hour?”

“It is growing a touch rowdy, sir,” Simpson confessed “If you’ll follow me”

Sih the Watson residence, an exact e to his own, and stopped before the open doorway to the dining room Simpson cleared his throat loudly and then announced him

The rooulfed by acquaintances that he hadn’t seen for a whole year Their greetings were so exuberant he had no idea as speaking at first When they eventually settled down, he counted heads Linus Radley, Walter George, and even Valentine Merton had pried himself from his observation of the stars, and they all sat around the table Peter Watson, the man ed his bank three thousand pounds, remained seated, cards clutched in his hand and a strained s across his face

Watson must realize why he’d come, and all of a sudden David didn’t want to think of the notice awaiting delivery inside his bag

“Join us, Hawke?” Valentine Merton de the tabletop with the flat of a hand

“Only fools gamble,” David replied “I’ll keep my money thank you very much”

“So says the banker,” his acquaintances intoned as one then burst into fits of laughter

“Still as unfunny as it hen I was eighteen and went to ith my father in London” David shook his head, amused they were far deeper in their cups t