DIS: I'm back with the second chapter of Whispers in the Night. This is the first official chapter. By the way, you'll want to read the note below. It might help out.

Note: The ton is a group of rich people with, like, good reputations in England. So you know where this takes place. I'm sure you all know what Parliament, right?

-

Chapter Two, Lord Duke's fatal mistake

"And the lord loses!" Two voices rang out in excitement. Bakura smirked at the obvious statement the two blonde brothers shouted out. Bakura had beaten the young teen named Duke. He looked pale, realizing how much money he owed.

"Well, well, well, looks like you have a dilemma on your hands, don't you Lord Duke?" Duke didn't reply. "Come up to my office and we'll discuss this as men." Duke reluctantly followed Bakura up to the high office, scowling slightly. Damn it all! How am I going to pay this off? Marik followed, but Malik stayed below to supervise. Marik had his hands shoved in his pockets, his over coat moved aside from his pockets. Bakura opened a door and Duke went in first, then Bakura followed him. Marik shut the door behind him, leaning on it as he did. Bakura sat behind his desk, his gray-blue eyes focused on the 15-year-old lord.

"So! Mind telling me how you intend on paying this off? You made quite a bet there, lad." Bakura was mocking him, it was so apparent to both the other males that were present.

"I have the money for it." Duke said gruffly. Marik bursted into laughter at the idiotic remark that Duke had announced so boldly. Bakura's eyes arched high.

"Oh do you?" Bakura sat back in his chair. "Do tell."

"My family is rich, more rich then you could ever imagine."

"Ah, but would they help a gambling, betting fool?" Bakura countered. Duke's insides went cold and his green eyes shot to the door, where Marik was no longer guarding. Duke was relieved he wasn't sitting down.

"I guess you'll never know." Duke remarked, shrugging. Bakura grew alert then. Before he could put in another word, Duke spun around and darted to the door. Marik shot up, but the door hit him square in the nose.

"God fucking dammit!" Marik swore, holding his bleeding nose. Bakura's eyes narrowed.

"What the devil is going on in here?" Ryou asked, coming in, a book in hand.

"One of the losers today escaped. They will pay their debt, mark my words." Bakura hissed venomously.

"Another death sentence, I see."

"Perhaps..." Bakura said slowly then shrugged, shaking it off.

-

Duke let out a relieved sigh, entering his home. Peace. He thought with contentment. His sister came into the hall, raising an eyebrow.

"Where have you been, Duke?" Anzu asked him suspiciously.

"I took a stroll." He replied curtly.

"You've been taking an opulent of strolls."

"Anzu, don't use large vocabulary with me, right now, I'm just not in the mood." Anzu sighed.

"You don't seem to be in the mood for many things, Duke." She admitted, looking away from him. "You can tell me where you were."

"I was taking a stroll." He repeated, flashing a truly deadly look towards her. She looked hurt, but turned away from him, her lips pursing.

It was later in the afternoon that Bakura had arrived and unfortunately for Duke, it was Anzu who had answered the door. Bakura and Marik stood there at her doorstep. Bakura looked down at the young brunette and raised an eyebrow.

"I'm here for Duke Mazaki." He told her in his deep voice.

"Oh? What for?" She asked, innocently curious, not knowing who the hell those men were.

"For collection."

"Collection? Surely you don't mean money."

"What else would he mean, lady?!" Marik snapped. "Just get the jackass out here, it fucking freezing out in this goddamn blizzard." She was insulted that he had used such language towards her. She glowered at him, before allowing them entrance.

"I'll go get him."

"Then go." Bakura sneered to her. She hastily left and Duke came down, alone. One look at them and he was running back to the stairs. They both tackle him to the ground and stood him up, holding onto him firmly.

"I don't have your money!" Duke said.

"Pity you don't. Cause I sure as fuck am not leaving until I get it." Bakura growled to him.

"And I demand to know what money he's talking about, Duke." Duke paled, looking over at his sister. He was for once thankful it was she that was interrogating him and not Hathaway or Sofia.

"I was gambling...And betting...And I lost." He admitted somberly.

"Release my brother."

"Brother?" Bakura repeated and snorted in reply. "Shut up, bitch! I have business with him."

"He will pay off your debt in small portions." She told him, her chin held up, an eyebrow arched. "Unless you would like me to explain to Lord Hathaway and Lady Sofia why their son has become beaten to a bloody pulp. I will report it to the magistrate." Marik and Bakura glared at her, before dropping Duke on the floor. Duke grunted and stood back up, his teeth gritted together. She touched his arm. Her brother brushed her away and she fumed.

"Fine, Duke. Your sister might have saved you this time, but next time you won't be so lucky." Marik hissed to him. He and Bakura left the mansion, leaving a dead silence.

"How am I ever going to pay off my debt?"

"You will manage, Duke, I promise that you will."

"I don't want you meddling in affairs that aren't your own, Anzu. I can take care of yourself."

"Obviously you can't, Duke or I wouldn't have to just then." He sniffed in a snobbish fashion and stalked up to his room. She sighed, wondering what she do.

"Yes. I know exactly what to do!"

-

DIS: That was pretty short, I know, but all first chapters are a little short. The next will probably be a little longer, I haven't decided yet. Leave a review on your way out, please. That button down there needs a friend. See ya later!