With Zeus by his side, Freddie went in search of a bottle of his father’s good wine.He would need to numb himself to the pain of his bruised and battered face if he was to stand any chance of getting sleep this night.
The following morning, he paid Trenton Embry a visit.
“I was wondering when you would darken my doorstep,” said Trenton, ushering Freddie into a drawing room.
He walked up to Freddie, then stopped.He let out a disapproving “tut” as his gaze ran over Freddie’s face.The force of Francis’s punch had resulted in a pair of black eyes as well as a broken nose.The two bottles of wine he had polished off the previous night had at least given him a decent night’s sleep, but Freddie knew his face was a mess.
“No need to ask who gave you that,” said Trenton, pointing at Freddie’s face.
Freddie straightened his back.He had never taken to the dour Embry.“Since you already know full well whose handiwork is reflected on my visage, I came to ask you why you felt the need to seek out Evelyn Saunders last night.Eve and I were finished the moment she left Rosemount Abbey, so why would you feel the need to stir the pot?”
Trenton snorted.“As usual, you have it all wrong.I spoke to Miss Saunders and told her you were under the influence of Osmont Firebrace, and that at some point in the future she may wish to hear you out and possibly forgive you for being a complete ass.If there is one thing I know about women, it is they don’t suddenly fall out of love with a chap.You no doubt broke her heart, but I would wager a guinea on the fact she still lies in bed at night and cries over you.She, of course, told me otherwise.The girl does have a strong spirit about her.”
“And that is all you told her?”
Trenton pointed toward the door.“Yes.The rest of it is of no interest to me, nor of my concern.You made this mess; I suggest you either set about cleaning it up or accept you are going to be lying in it for a very long time.”
Freddie pushed past him and headed for the front door.Trenton followed.As they entered the front foyer of the elegant townhouse, Freddie noticed several large travel trunks.
“Going somewhere?”he asked.
Trenton nodded toward the trunks.“Home to Somerset.I’m getting married at the end of the month.This London trip was my final fling before leaping into the arms of wedded bliss.Truth be told, I cannot wait to get out of this god-forsaken city.The stench is bad enough, but the people within it are rotten to the core.If I never set foot within its boundaries again, I shall die a happy man.”He held out a hand to Freddie.“Second sons like you and I can live perfectly happy, purposeful lives, without having to make naked grabs for power and ill-gained wealth.I hope someday you come to that realization.I think deep down you are a better man than your actions have reflected.You need to search for the truth of who you really are.”
A reluctant Freddie shook his hand.He now understood Trenton’s indifference to the Bachelor Board challenges.He had never intended to win a seat on the board.
Freddie headed for the front door.
As the butler opened it, Trenton hurried to Freddie’s side.He took him by the arm and pulled him into a nearby room.“If there is one final piece of advice I would be keen for you to hear, it is that Osmont Firebrace is not a man to be trusted.He and the other members of the Bachelor Board are no friends to you.Firebrace is not the man you think he is—he is pure evil.He will bring you down to a level where you will lose yourself forever.”
Freddie met his gaze.“I know.”
