She was nobility, that much he did know. Her fine threads and the cut of her gown hinted at it, but her diction clinched it along with the manner in which she held herself, as though accustomed to people bending to her will. He’d never much favored the aristocracy except for the coins they could place in his pockets. At nineteen, he’d opened the Cerberus Club intent on taking what he could from as many lords as possible, using them for his betterment. Certainly, the less affluent visited his gaming hell. He had no prejudice in him when it came to money. He’d taken it from sons, brothers, and husbands. Now, with the Elysium Club, he would take it from daughters, sisters, and wives.

Finn had made plans for this club before love diverted his attention away from it. He now lived on the outskirts of London, making a wife happy and raising horses. When he handed Elysium over to Aiden, barely a dozen women visited each night and it had been designed to reflect a bit more elegance and refinement. Aiden had made some adjustments in order to appeal to the ladies’ hidden desires.

The addition of the masks had been his idea, because he’d known women would be curious, but hesitant to show their faces. Yes, those who came through the doors had to swear an oath of secrecy, but he was well aware that oaths were broken. Hence, he’d needed a way to protect those who needed protection, while at the same time offering them a sanctuary and a means to fill his coffers.

The gaming room through which he escorted Selena remained much the same as Finn had left it. All manner of gaming was to be found here, and it was here that the bulk of his income was earned.

“I’d not expected to see men playing,” she said.

“They’re tutoring their partners. These games are not what ladies play in the afternoon while sipping tea. Would you like me to fetch you a tutor?” Even as the words escaped his mouth from habit, his gut tightened with the thought of anyone leaning in and whispering advice into the delicate shell of her ear.

“I have no interest in learning card play.”

He wondered where her interests resided but where was the fun in getting right down to it? He preferred keeping her at his side a while longer, learning more about her, discovering all the various facets of which she was comprised. “Perhaps this will interest you more.”