Page 79 of Holding Onto Love

“No matter. I can.”

Then he climbed down another few feet, jumped to the ground, and disappeared through the garden.

Chapter Twenty-Three

To pass the time before Hazard’s gambling party, Jasper walked. This was what he did when his mind was unsettled, or his body was restless, or he was bored. He found London’s streets endlessly soothing and fascinatingly varied. Of course, as a general rule, he stayed away from the stews. When he was in the mood to be sociable, he walked to places where he was likely to come across friends. Tonight, he avoided those, saving up his sociability for later. Most of the time, he preferred quiet, settled areas where common folk lived crowded together in neat little houses. Sometimes he peered at the pale light of the windows and wondered at the occupants. What did they discuss? What did they do?

It was too soon to make his appearance at Brooks’s. He had taken Vanessa to Grosvenor Square far too early, intending to show her about the family home. His callowness galled him. His father had treated Vanessa so kindly the other day that he’d mistakenly envisioned a better reception. But this was the Taverston family home. He was wrong to bring his mistress to it. His heart ached to think Vanessa would never be welcome there. Or at Chaumbers.

He wondered if the commoners had similar woes.

At last, as dusk deepened to night, Jasper turned his feet toward St. James Street. He made sure to reach more traveled, safer roads before footpads started to make their rounds. Many of his peers walked with burly footmen at night. Or only went out in carriages. But Jasper liked to walk and to walk alone. He tipped his hat to men he knew who were going elsewhere, and fell in alongside Lord Mountjoy who was also on his way to Brooks’s.

Lord Mountjoy patted his purse. “I won four hundred pounds last week. Shame to see it all go.”

“You plan to lose?” Jasper asked.

“Prinny is coming, is he not? We’ll all lose.”

Jasper laughed. That was true enough. It was considered the height of bad manners to win money from the Prince Regent. They were all expected to graciously lose.

They reached the yellow-brick and Portland Stone clubhouse and entered, handing over their coats, hats, and walking sticks. Hazard came out to greet them, rubbing his hands together.

“New knot?” Jasper asked, examining Hazard’s neckcloth. The folds were intricate. He’d never seen the style before.

“Yes, Philip finally attempted it. Did a fine job, too, if I do say so.” Hazard ran a hand over his temple as though brushing back a stray lock. Jasper wondered if he was nervous. Hazard turned to Lord Mountjoy, “How is Lady Mountjoy’s dandie?”

Lord Mountjoy grimaced. “Damn dog chewed up my best Hessians. All Bess said was I shouldn’t have left them lying around.”

Hazard laughed. “Console yourself at the bar. I need to borrow Lord Taverston for a few minutes. To show him the set-up in the card room. He’s not familiar with Brooks’s, you know.”

“Ha! Damn Tory.” He gave Jasper’s arm a shake and moved on.

“Come,” Hazard said. He gestured about as he led Jasper through the high-ceilinged Great Subscription Room where the gambling was well underway. Gaming tables cobbled the floor and soft-footed servants circulated with drinks and fresh decks of cards. “We have a bit of a crowd already, as you can see.”

This was more than the usual collection of Brooks’s clubmen. Jasper recognized quite a number of faces from White’s and several lesser-knowns from Boodle’s.

Hazard opened a side door, and they entered a smaller room that was also designed for card playing. Several four-to-six-person tables were surrounded by round-backed mahogany chairs. Plush curtains muffled the street noise. Along the back wall, a long table held platters of food, glasses, and a scandalous amount of champagne.

“And we are ostensibly celebrating what?”

“My mother’s birthday.”

Jasper made a face. “Seriously?”

“Why not?”

Shaking his head, Jasper said, “And the bottle I sent over earlier?”

“Here.” Hazard walked to the window and reached behind the hem of the blue velvet curtain, puddling on the floor. He retrieved a bottle of cognac, a very fine tinted-glass bottle that was sealed with wax. “I haven’t sampled it, as you can see. But I am curious. Is it to celebrate afterward?”

“No. Put it back. I don’t want it accidentally served.”

Hazard looked at him questioningly, then returned the bottle behind the curtain.

“A private jest,” Jasper offered. “Aimed at Hilyer. Simply to add insult to injury.”

Hazard shrugged. “I suppose you know what you’re doing. Now here is what is planned so far. Most of the guests will move in here shortly and continue gaming. But a few men will stay in the Subscription Room. I think you should as well. Once Hilyer arrives, the rest of my guests will dribble back here in twos and threes. You should come back quickly after he shows up so nothing will start prematurely. Caro will be among the last.”