“Lambley?” The Robin Redbreast glanced over his shoulder. “Very, very carefully, I presume. Lambley is the definition of premeditation and tenacity. When the duke decides a thing, it will happen.”
“That makes him sound more hard than fun-loving.”
“He’s both,” said the Robin Redbreast. “Harsh and strict and relentless and more, but also the most generous soul you’ll ever meet. No one multiplies money like Lambley, and no one gives it away like Lambley, either.”
She stared at the Robin Redbreast. “Gives it away?”
“He has no friends in need. Not because he gets rid of the friend, but because Lambley does away with the need. He is the first to offer a loan when all seems lost, and at much better rates than the bank would ever give.”
“Charging a friend interest doesn’t exactly sound selfless.”
The Robin Redbreast’s expression was droll. “Spoken like someone who has never needed money the bank refused to give.”
“No,” she said softly. “I’ve been in situations more dire than that.”
What’s more, the behavior he was describing sounded awfully similar to the loans her grandfather provided in the old neighborhood. A memory Unity very much cherished, even if her grandfather’s legendary generosity meant that he had given away every penny of a vast inheritance that Mother had hoped would last for generations. Grandfather cared about other people. About those whom he could help now, not later.
She would not be surprised if most of Lambley’s even greater wealth was likewise spent on everyone but himself.
“You’re right. Looking out for oneself does not negate looking out for others at the same time. Doesn’t such generosity risk an abundance of hangers-on, rather than actual friends?”
“Again,” said the Robin Redbreast, “ofcoursewe’re hangers-on. Before you judge us too harshly for our shamelessness, I believe the duke wants it like that. Keeping us in our place is no doubt part of his strategy. He prefers to keep friends in doses he can control. Saturday nights, from ten to dawn. And we are happy to oblige. Or are you different?”
“We’re not bosom friends,” Unity admitted.
“But you and I could be.” The Robin Redbreast held out an elbow. “Might I entice you onto the dance floor, Lady X?”
“I think you might,” she said, to her surprise. “But not quite yet. I am still getting my feel for the place. Could you find me in an hour?”
“Don’t forget about me,” said the Robin Redbreast. “My heart will be quite shattered.” He scampered off.
Unity returned her searching gaze to the Duke of Lambley.
He was somehow even more enigmatic than before. Cold and warm, closed and generous. Everyone longed to be near him, but few actually knew him.
She tried to imagine what it was like for the Robin Redbreast. To attend this party every season for years, and still not be known as anything other than Lord X. Valued enough to be given a loan if need be, irrelevant enough not to be missed between seasons.
“Handsome, ain’t he?” said a swan covered in a thick blanket of white feathers.
Unity pretended she hadn’t been gawking openly at her temporary employer. “Who?”
The swan rolled her eyes. “Lambley, of course. I take it you haven’t had him yet.”
“Had... him... I... no...”
“Figured as much. There’s a different heat in a girl’s eyes, once she knows what she’s missing. Yours is the hunger ofwantingto know.”
“I don’t... want...” Unity stammered, but it was useless. She wanted to peek inside Lambley’s head and climb up his strong, tightly muscled body and the swan knew it. “It’s not my fault he’s attractive,” she muttered.
“He’s sex in a cravat,” the swan agreed. “If you get your chance, take it.”
Unity was glad her mask hid her blush.
“And then he’ll be done with you.” The swan inspected her long nails. “Just one more unknown for him to test and try and ultimately discard once it becomes known. You’ll never be more attractive to him than the moments before you say yes.”
“I’m not planning on saying yes,” Unity assured her.
“Darling, everyone in this room would say yes. Especially those of us who know better. A man like that... you can’t help the fantasy of being the one he wants to keep. That with you, one night wouldn’t be long enough.” The swan burst out laughing. “One night? What am I talking about? No one has ever had him for an entire night.”
