“My parents dropped a bundle for my sister’s debut,” nodded Ravenshaw. “But she nabbed De Crecy, so it was worth it. Ever thought Lady Ava might solve the problem for you?”
“Damn it, no! I’ll not sacrifice Ava. It’s my lot to solve. Ava shall marry where she chooses.”
He had not confessed his intentions to his family. He did not plan to tell them that he was bent on making a marriage of convenience. Instead, he would do his best to convince them he had chosen a bride he loved, even though it wasn’t true. Or was unlikely to be true, he amended, the small amount of hope in his heart persistent to the last.
“What are the choices this year?” asked Ashford.
“I don’t know. I’m going to Almack’s tomorrow night to find out.” He swallowed another mouthful of whisky. “I’ve enlisted Maria Sefton to help me. She and Mama have been thick as thieves for the past twenty-odd years, so I’m hoping I can trust she’ll keep a discreet tongue in her head. The last thing I want is thetoncatching wind of the fact I’m hanging out for a rich wife!”
The notion still turned his stomach and gave him that strange ache behind his sternum, but he really couldn’t see any way out of it.
“Wish me luck, gentlemen.” His three closest friends raised their glasses to the successful hunt for a suitably endowed bride.
“What ho, chaps!” said a cheery voice, breaking in on Robert’s morose thoughts. He raised his eyes from the fire to focus on the beaming expression of Reynard Fairbanks, 6th Earl of Lannister. Tall and loose-limbed, with blonde hair and blue eyes, Lannister had the sort of devilish good looks that seemedto drive women wild. “Care for a game of cards?” he offered. “Greathouse and I were looking for a table. Want to join us?”
Lannister indicated his companion, Fabian Lidcombe, Baron Greathouse. Greathouse was of a different stamp altogether, still dashingly handsome, but being of only medium height, with brown hair and dark, dreamy eyes, the two together made a clear contrast.
Pendrell rose to his great height, his shock of red hair falling into his eyes. “Not for me, thank you. I’ve a paper to finish editing for the Quarterly Journal. All the best tomorrow, Rob. Good night, gentlemen.” He gave a short bow and strode away.
Ashford, who was a close friend of Greathouse, rose and tugged his ill-fitting coat into order. “Not tonight, Fabian, I’d best be getting home. Caro had a headache and stayed in tonight.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Emrys,” said Greathouse with a moue of sympathy. “Do give her my regards. I hope she feels better in the morning.”
Ashford nodded. “Thank you, I will. Rob, you want to play?”
Robert put down his glass and rose. “No, I’ll go with you.”
“Which leaves Ravenshaw. Come on, man—say you will play!” coaxed Lannister.
“I wouldn’t, Ravenshaw. He wants to fleece you!” warned Robert. Lannister’s pockets were notoriously to let. The man lived hand to mouth on the turn of a card, a vice his youngest brother Kenrick seemed to share, one Rick had inherited from their sire.Another drain on the Layne finances.
“Let him try,” said the marquess rising and shucking his elegant cuffs. If he weren’t such an athlete, he’d be taken for a dandy, the care he expended on his wardrobe.
The two groups of men parted, and Robert and Ashford made their way out into the street, collecting their coats and hats on the way. “Sorry to hear Caro’s not feeling well,” said Robert asthey strode out. It was a fine night with a half-moon giving some light to supplement the streetlamps. “Nothing serious I trust?”
“No, just one of those female things, I think. Care to share a hack?” he asked.
“Why not?”
Ashford flagged down a hackney coach, and when he had given the directions—Berkeley Square then Cavendish—and they were settled against the leather squabs, Robert cleared his throat and asked delicately, “Everything all right between you and Caro?”
Ashford raised his brows. “Yes, why?”
“Just your comment earlier . . .”
Ashford lounged on his side of the coach as the carriage swung round a corner and said carelessly, “Oh, that? When you’ve been married as long as I have, you learn that there are good days and not so good days. Doesn’t mean there’s anything seriously wrong.”
Robert nodded thoughtfully. “You’re my pattern for the perfect marriage, old chap. I’ve always wanted what you have.”
His friend smiled. “I was lucky, I’ll admit. Prettiest girl of the season and she said yes to me!”
Robert chuckled. “I recall! You snatched her right out from under Everly’s nose. All the clubs had short odds on him winning her hand. Just goes to show the power of sincerity and a good heart. There’s not a better man in London than you, my friend. I’m glad Caro had the sense to see it.”
Ashford shook his head at the compliment; he was inordinately modest. “You’ve had the pick of the crop of every season for the past ten years, Rob. Yet you’ve not found what you’re looking for. Are you setting the bar too high?”
“Why, because I want my own Caro?” He frowned. “I just want a woman I can give myself to wholeheartedly, who will loveme, not my title and position. I didn’t expect it to be so dashed difficult.”
Ashford coughed and Robert looked at him suspiciously. “What?”
