A.N. So you may notice there has been a gap in the updates by a few months... I have commitment issues.

Another thing some lovely and highly appreciated reviewer queried the whole name situation. I think I was trying to be a little too clever; Lucinda is Ashley. Lucinda marries Lord Eller, thus becoming Lucinda Eller, Cindaeller, Cinderella... I promise to stop trying to be awkward.

It was 10 o'clock on Friday evening at the Baelfire Club in Westminster and three gentlemen were laughing as they drank single malt and sucked on large cigars, a thick cloud of smoke hung above their heads.

The oldest man at the table beckoned over a waiter, his gestures slightly slovenly as he flicked his finger. The waiter almost seemed to hesitate before he made his way across the room towards the smokey table.

'We'll have four more brandies Jimmerton.'

The concern on Jimmerton's face suggested that his acting skills left a little to be desired, as he took in the sad image of the aging drunken man in front of him. 'Are you sure sir? Its only that if you drank an entire bottle, and you have- '

'Oh do shut up Jimmerton! Or are you really stupid enough to refuse me your overpriced plonk.' He hurled his words at the hapless waiter.

Lord David Nolan, and Lord Thomas Eller glanced at each other, exchanging looks that suggested a kind of discomfort that only comes from watching others drink too much.

'I really did not mean to offend sir. I shall bring it right away.' Jimmerton hurried off with such speed, that it was incredible that he did not run into any chairs or tables.

'Bloody waiters, just because they speak like us they think they have the right to judge us as well!' His eyes met no recipient; it was as if he was talking to someone who was not even there.

'So, Eller, what do you make of the stock market at the moment?' David, asked glancing cautiously at French, before smiling at Thomas.

'Well I notice that the prices of French Shipping shares are going through the roof... maybe something to do with the upcoming nuptials of a certain daughter and business partner of yours.' Thomas replied, before enthusiastically smiling at the sodden French.

French belted with laughter at Eller's comments, before taking a swig from the tumbler of whiskey. French was a big man, he had a broad stomach, which was tightly if not a little uncomfortably bound in his tailor made Saville Row suit. His face almost had the look of toad, round and shiny. His nose had reddened through years of drink and his eyes had slightly yellowed, he had little hair, but not enough to describe himself as anything but bald.

French had never been the same since his wife died six years ago, it had been a quick and devastating illness. She had begun to feel ill one day and seven weeks later she slipped from life as fast as the sun sets. She left behind a daughter on the brink of womanhood and a husband at a loss as to how he was to carry on. Belle had tried her best to help her father, whilst hiding her own grief. But her father was not so efficient at dealing with his loss and instead turned to drink and in time gambling. Though the years, he moved from his personal fortunes to using more risky bets, such as shares in his company. He had always retained a large amount of shares, the majority of them, allowing him to maintain control. But as days, turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months his control was apparently slipping.

Now here he was draining his glass, a fine trickle of whiskey spilling down the side of his mouth. With each sip he allowed himself forget the fact, that like Eller said, that his beloved Belle was marrying Flount, a man he found, although reliable in business lacked personality, charm and charisma. Not the man he had imagined Belle marrying at all, he had always seen her with very a handsome, intelligent, amusing and kind man, someone that truly deserved her. Someone that would love and cherish her, but because of his own failing he had no choice but to hand her over to a man whose own ambition was astounding even to French. He had asked Flount to join them that evening but he had declined the invitation on the grounds that he had drawings of his new study in his new Kensington house to look at. To be honest French had not been disappointed at the decline of invitation, although Flount was a highly efficient right hand man he was also a deeply boorish one as well.

French gathered himself, steadying his hand has he placed the glass on the table. 'So who's dealing the next hand?' he asked scouting for the card deck.

'We are taking a short break, Franklyn has gone to take the air with some business associate who has just arrived.' Interjected Nolan, (a handsome wealthy young man, due to inherit Chatsworth estate when the time came; now he would have a match for Belle, but unfortunately had was completely lost to some missionary, the daughter of Duke Snow.)

'A business associate? Are they just letting anyone in these days then?' The distaste dripped off French's tongue.

'Franklyn was very insistent on seeing him immediately when the Jimmerton announced his arrival... almost jumped out of his chair the poor man.' Answered David, with little care.

It was at this moment that Franklyn Whale entered the room, he was accompanied by a thin man, in a well tailored suit. His features were something to be stared at; he had a slightly hooked nose, deep set glinting eyes, longish grey hair and a sharp mouth. He must have been in his mid to late forties. He walked with a gold capped cane. His eyes scanned the room like a magpie searching for treasure. Franklyn turned to the man and whispered something, but the man remained unfazed his eyes falling and focusing on the table.

'Oh here's Franklyn, and it looks like he has brought his business... chappy.' Lord Eller's voice trailed off as he took in the image of the man.

The two men approached the table.

'May I present to you Mr Gold, a business associate.' said Franklyn, his voice was slightly tense as he spoke.

'Mr Gold.' David said cautiously. The men nodded in unison.

'Gentlemen and Lord French I believe.' Gold was suddenly smiling. Almost as if he knew something that everyone else didn't.

'Mr Gold.' French unlike the rest if co-drinkers was seemingly oblivious to the obvious tension around the room. A boozy sneer slid across the table.

'Dr. Whale was telling me that you were playing cards.' Gold added.

'Indeed. Do you play Mr Gold?' French added, his tone a touch conceited.

'I have been known to shuffle through the odd deck.' Replied Gold, his comment laced with humour.

'I would invite you to play but I don't know whether your pocket is equipped enough to join the pot.' French mocked.

Gold smiled shifting his cane from hand to hand 'My pocket is just fine Lord French.'

'Well if you're happy to lose a few coins.' It was French's turn to be amused now, at the funny little man who showed no deference or fear in the company of his superiors.

'That's if I lose' Gold replied not missing beat.

'I think you could do with a class in knowing your sport Mr Gold.'

'Maybe I could.'

To other's watching they would witness the concerned looks of the other gentlemen at the table. They clearly knew that French was underestimating his opponent. French was clearly entertained Gold and could not resist an opportunity to be further amused.

'Take a seat. What's your poison?' French gestured to Franklyn's empty seat. Franklyn rolled his eyes as realised he was being displaced.

Gold had turned to Frankyn, who had smiled and shook his head in a permissive way, gesturing for Gold to actually take his seat. Gold took the proffered chair before replying to French's query. 'Scotch.'

'Should have known from the accent!' French chortled, before beckoning the hapless Jimmerton to the table, and directing to Gold, who intern muttered his desired beverage.

'Do you know everyone?' French continued.

'I recognise a few faces. Franklyn of course I know already. I know Lord Nolan, I do believe we have done business in the past, and Lord Eller... How is that lovely wife of yours?' Gold smiled. Franklyn and Thomas seemed a little on edge, smiling nervously, David on the other hand did not seem as nervous, rather pensive instead.

Thomas began to reply to the amused Gold. 'Lucinda is very well, the baby is due very soon now... as well you know.'

'I must drop in and say hello when the little mite is born!'

'I...well...Lucinda is going up to the country...of course you should come by, we should only be too delighted.' Thomas seemed increasingly agitated by the present company.

'Seems you know everyone Gold.' French added, a little tension in his voice. How was it that everyone seemed to know this elusive character, there was something rather unsettling about the whole situation.

'Seems I do.' Gold replied, his dark eyes widening for a moment.

'Are you a gentleman Gold?' French's eyes narrowed.

'I hope so!' Came Gold's amused reply. David, Thomas and Franklyn still sat silently.

'Surely one knows whether they are a gentleman or not, its surely a yes or no answer.' French contested. He smiled but his face was rigid.

'Then I would have to say yes, I possess all that one requires to be a gentleman in this day and age.'

'Aye, and what would that be exactly?' French tilted his head at the vague comment.

Gold blinked, before feigning a pondering look towards his lap. 'Oh I would say, a reasonable pocket book, a good house, good company... and a lack of morality.' He added looking up towards his audience.

The men laughed, but French maintained a stony visage. French could not shake the feeling that Gold was somehow mocking him in front of his peers. Gold continued to maintain eye contact with French, not flinching for a second at the hard stare he was on the receiving end of.

French reached for his glass, and took a swig of his whiskey before asking, 'What business is it exactly that you are in Mr Gold?'

'Oh allsorts' Gold smiled 'I suppose you could say I work in acquisitions.'

'As in a bank?' French queried.

Gold glanced upwards as if he was trying to find the right words to articulate his response 'In a manner of speaking.'

'What do you mean in a manner of speaking? Haha, you're not a pawnbroker are you? Haha!'

'I do own a pawnbrokers, yes.'

'A pawnbrokers, how do you possibly associate with the like of these gentlemen then?' French asked gesturing the very uncomfortable looking men around the table.

'I say, French that's rather uncouth.' Thomas interjected, his brown damp with anxiety, his eyes flickering.

'Well you'd be surprised who uses my services.' Came Gold's instant reply.

David Sharm pursed his lips at the building tension between the two men.

'What are you implying?' French bounced back.

'Come on, we were playing cards, weren't we!' David leaned forward, glancing at the two men encouragingly.

The ornate gold clock struck one, the chime ringing out throughout the darkened room. All the tables were empty now and the fire was dying down to dull embers. The candles on the chandelier's candles burned low.

Thomas had cried off an hour beforehand claiming his need to get back to his expectant wife, he had vacated with great speed, again showing real fear towards Gold. Franklyn had played his hand before folding, but remained as an observer to the game between David, French and Gold.

French's eyes swam and blurred he looked at the cards in front of him, he stared at the two aces and two sevens, it wasn't a bad hand, it could be worse. He looked up, David looked bored, and Gold was giving nothing away, his face resolutely smug, his sharp little eyes glittering in anticipation of what would happen next. French reached for his glass, grappling slightly to get a hold of it. French ignored the pathetic look of concern on David's face.

Once he had the whiskey in his grip he took a large swig, the warm liquid sunk down his throat, warming his belly and sending up a much needed boost of confidence, he focused on the pile of bank notes on the table, just within his grasp. 'Well men lets show ourselves for what we truly are.'

French laid down his hand, David dutifully proceeded to show two aces and two threes, French felt his stomach sink, still it was better to lose to Nolan than that upstart Gold. But before he could congratulate David, Gold laid down a four, a jack of hearts, a jack of clubs and finally a jack of spades. French couldn't believe he had been done over by a bloody pawnbroker. He looked up at the grinning face of Mr Gold and he felt his anger rise, but before he could express his views, David leaned over and shook Gold's hand. Gold nodded appreciatively, before turning to French. 'Well this was amusing, we really must do it again sometime and you can try and win your money back.'

'I guarantee that will happen Mr Gold, I look forward to teaching you a lesson.'

Gold smirked at the comment, 'I look forward to it.' And with that he stood up, collected his winnings, placed them in his pocket and nodded to David, 'I am sure, we will meet again soon Lord Nolan, Lord French, I am sure the pleasure was entirely mine. Dr Whale a pleasure as always.'

'Actually I'll come with you Gold, there was something I wanted to discuss with you.'

Gold raised an eyebrow, before smiling in an amused way. 'Gentlemen' Gold moved towards the door. Whale dipped his head to David and French before striding off to catch up with Gold.

As the two men disappeared French turned to David, 'He's a bloody little upstart, where on earth do you know him from?'

David paused for a moment before answering, 'He once did a favour for my family, one which is almost impossible to repay.'

As they stepped out into the liquid black night, Franklyn placed a hand on Gold's shoulder.

'Are we done now?' Whale asked, his voice was laced with desperation, his eyes wide.

Gold turned, flicking a stray backwards from his brow, 'We're done when I say we're done, after all did you really think one introduction would make all those bodies disappear.'

Franklyn swallowed, 'what else do you want Gold?'

Gold smiled and turned away before adding, 'Just make sure that French keeps to his word about a rematch. This is just the beginning.' And with that Gold walked off into the night cane in hand.

Thank you so much for reading, thank you even more if you came back from the first time.