“Do you remember when you fell in love with the shopkeeper’s daughter while we were at Eton?” Roswell asked.
Brixton put his hand up. “That was entirely different.”
“You promised her that you would never be unfaithful to her, at least until you moved on to the next young woman,” Roswell said.
“I did nothing to compromise that young woman,” Brixton asserted.
“I never claimed that you did,” Roswell responded, “but you have always fallen fast, then quickly lost interest.”
“Miss Whiston is different,” Brixton assured them. “What we have is real.”
Charles gave him an exasperated look. “You hardly know her.”
Rising, Brixton said, “I know enough.” He tugged down on the end of his blue waistcoat. “Are you ready to depart?”
“I suppose I am,” Charles sighed.
As they exited the study, Brixton spoke over his shoulder. “Thank you for accompanying me.”
“You owe me one.”
“That I do,” Brixton agreed. “But it can’t be too hard to keep Miss Henrietta entertained. She seems like a clever girl.”
“She isn’t terrible.”
Brixton chuckled. “That is high praise coming from you.”
They stopped in the entry hall, and Thorne handed Charles his gloves and top hat. “Will there be anything else?” the butler asked.
“Is my horse out front?” Charles asked.
“Yes, milord.”
Charles placed his hat on his head. “Excellent,” he replied. “I shouldn’t be too long.”
Thorne tipped his head before opening the main door.
After they accepted the reins from the grooms, both men mounted their horses and started down the street towards Lord Finsbury’s townhouse.
Charles glanced over at his friend. “How do you intend to give Miss Whiston the gold chain?”
“I have it all worked out.”
“Do tell.”
A smile came to Brixton’s face. “I plan to give it to her as we gaze out towards the Serpentine River.”
“How romantic,” Charles teased.
“Then I shall declare my intentions.”
Charles frowned. “What is the urgency?”
“I can’t risk that Miss Whiston’s interest will wane towards me.”
“If that happens, then she isn’t the one for you.”
“That is rubbish,” Brixton declared.
