Page 28 of A Story of Love

The angel glanced doubtfully at Sarah, who nodded.

“I have the supper dance, my lord.”

“Fortune has indeed smiled on me tonight, Miss Pascoe.” He bowed to the girl and exchanged a grateful look with Sarah, who would have advised her charge to always save a few dances for late arrivals, and took his leave.

Fast had barely gone three paces when Bevil’s voice came from behind him. “One moment, Fast!”

Rather than feel pleasure at the prospect of talking to an old friend, his stomach tightened unpleasantly. Fast was a bit startled by how much animosity he felt toward his erstwhile bosom beau. Was it possible that he was still jealous that Bevil had married Louisa? Even after all this time?

Abashed at the thought, Fast forced himself to smile before turning.

“Fast, old man!”

“Moreland, how good to see you. You barely look a day older than the last time I saw you.” The earl had indeed aged gracefully, the only signs that he was nine-and-thirty the few silver hairs at his temples and faint crow’s feet at the corners of his hazel eyes. Otherwise, he was as trim and elegant as ever.

“I could say the same thing about you—but, I daresay, for entirely different reasons.” Moreland’s mocking gaze lingered on Fast’s shoulder-length hair. “Did nobody tell you that queues went out of fashion along with brocade frock coats and buckles on one’s shoes?”

Fast merely smiled at the unsubtle dig. “I wished to tell you that I am extremely sorry for your loss. Louisa was a wonderful woman.”

The earl’s expression instantly turned somber. “It is tragic that you missed seeing Louisa by only a few months.” He blinked rapidly, as if his emotions were threatening to overcome him. “It was a difficult year, and I hope I’m forgiven for neglecting to call upon you while I licked my wounds and mourned my beloved wife.”

Fast felt nauseated by the other man words. And then immediately guilty at his reaction. Why was he thinking such hateful thoughts about a man who’d once been his friend?

“I know you were close to Louisa at one time.” Moreland’s lips twitched so faintly it was almost imperceptible. “Very close. As was Percy, if I recall correctly.”

Fast’s gaze narrowed at the disingenuous comment. The other man knew damned well that Fast and his twin had both been in love with Louisa. Moreover, Bevil had to know that if not for Percy’s death and Fast’s banishment Louisa never would have consented to marry him. Fast and his twin had left poor Louisa in a poor position. Ton society would not have been kind to a woman caught in the middle of such a scandal—no matter that none of it was her fault.

It was Fast’s belief that Louisa had married Moreland because she’d had no other choice. In short, he had won her hand by default. Had Moreland punished her for that?

Perhaps the marriage had been a happy one, but Fast somehow doubted it. Bevil had kept Louisa pregnant and sequestered on his Yorkshire estate while he’d enjoyed himself in London. While it wasn’t unusual for a peer to breed his wife to death in pursuit of an heir, it was unusual to keep a woman in a secluded location when she had once been the toast of the ton. Fast hoped Louisa hadn’t suffered as much as he feared she had.

“Do you know that woman?”

Fast followed Moreland’s gaze and was unsurprised to find it aimed at Miss Fontenot, who was glaring not at the earl, but at Fast.

“Only slightly,” Fast said, inexplicably hesitant to bring her to the other man’s attention.

Moreland snickered. “She certainly seems to know you, Fast. Is she another of your conquests? I understand you’re cutting a swathe through the widow population of the ton.”

“You are very well-informed regarding my activities.”

“You’re an extremely popular topic of conversation, but I’m sure you must know that.” He laughed and then added, in an exaggerated voice, “The King of the Rakes returns to England after a decade and a half! Who can resist such a juicy story. Isn’t that why you’ve avoided popping into White’s—because you don’t want to see your name in the betting book?”

“Not really.”

The other man scoffed. “Come now! No curiosity at all to see what is being recorded?”

“None.”

“There are bets on when you’ll marry. Who you’ll marry. Whether your grandfather will be making the choice for you. And many more besides.”

“Thank you for making me aware.”

“So, will he?” Moreland persisted, undaunted by Fast lack of interest.

“Will who what?”

Moreland gave him an exasperated look. “Will your grandfather choose your bride for you?”