“What do you think Brixton’s chances are with Miss Whiston?”
Charles chuckled. “He has already proclaimed that Miss Whiston is going to be his wife.”
“Not again.”
“I’m afraid so. You know how Brixton gets.”
“I do. It has been this way since we attended Eton.”
Charles placed his drink on the desk. “Brixton does have a problem.”
“Which is?” Roswell sat down on a chair facing the desk.
“Featherstone has set his cap at Miss Whiston as well.”
Roswell grimaced. “That is not good,” he said. “It has been my experience that Featherstone usually gets what he wants, especially when it comes to the ladies.”
“Let’s hope that Miss Whiston has enough sense to stay far away from Featherstone.”
“He is an earl.”
“True, but he is also a despicable rake.”
Roswell shrugged. “That doesn’t seem to matter to some women.”
Before he could respond, Brixton stepped into the room. “I knew you two were nothing more than busybodies,” he stated with a smile.
“We were merely commenting on how the odds are stacked against you,” Roswell said.
Brixton dropped down onto the settee. “I can handle Featherstone.”
Roswell gave him a curious look. “Why not pick a different young woman?”
“It has to be Miss Whiston,” Brixton asserted.
Charles picked up his glass and took a sip. “Then you will need to formulate a plan to woo her.”
“I have,” Brixton remarked smugly.
“What is it?”
Brixton reached into the pocket of his jacket and removed a gold chain. “I am going to give her a gift.”
Roswell lifted his brow. “Isn’t it too soon to be giving her a necklace?”
“Never underestimate the power of jewelry,” Brixton said.
Charles rose. “I think it is madness you are resorting to gifts so soon.”
“I need a grand gesture to sway her in my favor,” Brixton stated. “I believe my mother’s gold chain would do the trick.”
“You don’t even know if she will consider Featherstone as a suitor,” Charles pointed out.
Brixton placed the chain back into his pocket. “It is a chance that I don’t want to risk.”
Roswell shook his head. “You have always been dramatic when it comes to the ladies.”
“That isn’t true,” Brixton contended.
