“Will I be an outsider in this gathering?”
“Well, some spend a bit more time together because they live in London for most of the year, but not everyone knows each other as well.’Tis more like overlapping circles.”
“I suppose I’ll know enough people.Better than the ball the other night, and I muddled through that.”
“That’s the spirit, man!”Luke slapped him on the back.
The day of the party was a rare semi-sunny spring day, and they were shown through the house to where Charlotte had set the gathering.A buffet table filled with pastries and finger foods stood against one wall, and additional chairs had been brought in from other rooms, making it crowded.But at the back of the room, French doors stood open to the garden, inviting guests to stand, sit, or stroll without feeling cramped.
North stopped at the buffet, giving Xander a moment to observe the occupants.
Belle and Charlotte were by the table, pointing at different things.They seemed to be arguing around mouthfuls of food, trading items from each others’ plates.
Charlotte turned when they entered and gestured Eleanor over.Swallowing hastily, she created a plate for Eleanor with several delicious-looking treats and shoved it at her guest.“Please, you are the tiebreaker.Which of these is the best?”
Eleanor laughed and took a bite of one.She moaned in pleasure.
Xander made a note to try everything on that table at some point, but in the meantime, he needed to greet his host.He’d met William several times when he was here helping Luke.
The men were standing in the garden, talking, and sipping what Xander suspected was whisky except Luke’s which he knew would be cider.His stepbrother hated cider and therefore would sip one slowly throughout the party to avoid his previous dependence on whisky.They introduced him to Evan Gardner, the Earl of Cheltenham, and Michael Slade, the Earl of Mansfield.William asked if he wanted a drink and started to head inside, but Luke gestured for him to stay.“I’ll get it.Enjoy your party.”
As Xander followed Luke through the rear room to a library, he asked, “Are there any other people here?”
“Cheltie’s and Slade’s wives are here, likely in the kitchen.The other two couples who might have attended are not in London at the moment.”
“Why would countesses be in the kitchen?Even I know that’s unusual.”
Luke snorted a laugh.“Let me ask you a different question first.Do you know my lovely bride’s history?”
Xander shifted uncomfortably.“Do you mean…with your father?”
Luke smiled easily, unperturbed.“That’s only a small fraction of it.You know she was a courtesan for more than a decade before I took her off the market.”
Xander shook his head.
Before he could say anything, Belle slid into the crook of her husband’s arm.“Nice try.I took myself off the market.You were supposed to be the last man I had to take care of.”
“And so I am, love,” he said, kissing her hair.
“What does this have to do with the ladies in the kitchen?”Xander asked, uncomfortable with this discussion.
“Penelope, who by the way, made all those delicious delicacies in the other room, was a working-class girl who wanted to own a bakery.She became a courtesan in order to fund that shop.”
“Given the side glances I’ve received on the streets and in my club, with my title”—Xander’s mouth twisted a little—“I confess to surprise that you are so comfortable sharing that past.”
“The truth always gets out.And certainly there are invitations we’ll never be privy to, but we don’t want those anyway,” Luke said with a shrug.
“You’d also be surprised how much is forgiven when some pompous jackass’s spoiled son needs Luke’s services,” Belle added with a satisfied grin.
“How did Michael meet his wife?”
“Oh, he bid on her at a virgin auction, to be his courtesan,” Belle replied in a blithe tone, only to laugh when Xander spewed his sip of whisky back into his glass.
Luke leaned forward, and Xander wondered if they had planned this conversation.“Cheltie met his wife when she came to him for funding to expand her apothecary business…”
Xander raised his glass, but Luke put his hand on Xander’s arm to stop him from attempting another drink, “…at a sex party.”
He blinked.Tried to form a response.“That’s nice” didn’t seem adequate.He blinked again, lowering his glass.
