Page 14 of 10 Things I Hate About the Earl

“So you’ve decided to marry Kate? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?” Ainsley poured tots of whisky into a pair of cut crystal tumblers and handed one to Marcus. “You are unable to pay your debts?”

Marcus gulped the amber liquid, the burn welcome in his stomach. He rubbed the back of his hand over his mouth, wishing for more. “No, I merely don’t have the funds at the moment. My uncle had very bad news from abroad. One ship delayed, another foundered, and a grape crop half dead. The last is the greatest blow to my heart, although all three taken together has proven disastrous for our capital.”

“Then marrying my sister will solve all your problems.” Ainsley beamed at him, making Marcus cringe.

“The financial ones, surely.” He shook his head and held the tumbler out again. “On a more personal level, I fear it would not serve, Ainsley. Much as I would like to call you brother, I do not think Miss Locke and I would suit.” He raised a hand to stave off his friend’s certain objection. “If we had some hope of an amicable regard for one another, I’d consider it. But I swear I don’t know which of us would kill the other first.”

To his surprise, his friend laughed. “I can imagine the two of you at each other’s throats, literally.” He smiled, a glint in his eye. “I can also see you in a somewhat more amicable pose.” Ainsley raised his eyebrows before downing his drink. “I watched you dance the waltz last night.” His eyes narrowed. “I saw you pressed against her in a very inappropriate manner.”

Marcus met the steel gray eyes staring at him. Oh, hell and damnation. His attempt to teach that woman a lesson would get them leg-shackled yet. “My God, Ainsley! She stomped on my foot.” Marcus pulled at his cravat, which had suddenly cut off his air supply. “I stumbled and fell against her for the briefest moment. No one else saw.”

“How do you know that?” Ainsley continued to stare at him, the slightest glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

“Because there’s been no hint of scandal bandied about the ton today. Not a jot, else I’d have heard, I’m sure. One’s friends are always the most eager to inform you when disaster looms.” If he could only convince himself of that. It was barely one o’clock.

“No, there hasn’t been any talk,” Ainsley agreed and relaxed into a chair. “More’s the pity. I could’ve demanded satisfaction or had you marry Kate on the spot.” He chuckled and tipped more whiskey into their glasses. “Might’ve worked too, if Lady Morris had seen you. She bays like a hound after a fox. Everyone would’ve noticed.”

“You fiendish wretch.” Marcus slumped in his seat, holding his glass like a lifeline. “I should run you through for giving me such a start.”

“Wrong century, old chap. These days even pistols at dawn are passé. You will have to settle for a game of cards, winner take all.”

“We did that last evening, if you recall.” Marcus grumbled. “You want to deliver the coup de grâce?”

“I assume you’re going to Mr. King?” Ainsley sighed and shook his head then tossed the contents of the glass down his throat. “I hate to see you caught in his clutches.”

“I’m assured of a good return on an investment, Ainsley. It will work out.” Marcus sipped slowly, his steady hands a feat of magic.

“And if you are disappointed in this investment?” His friend’s gaze followed his every move. “Marcus, I meant what I said that day in Three Kings Court. King will extract his pound of flesh, make no mistake of that.”

“I will be on my guard, I promise you. I have a fondness for my heart and any other stray parts he might wish to remove as payment.” Breathing normally for the first time that afternoon, Marcus stretched his legs and nodded to his empty tumbler. “I’d appreciate another, if you don’t mind. My heart’s had a bit of a shock it’s still recovering from.”

“Gladly.” His host poured a generous amount into his glass then paused, stopper in one hand, decanter in the other. “What’s the investment you have such high hopes for? I might wish to jump aboard if it sounds lucrative enough.”

Marcus raised his glass, careful to avoid his friend’s eyes. “Not sure just yet.”

“Not sure what the investment is?” Ainsley’s words slowed with each syllable. He set his empty glass on the table with a crash. “You don’t know where this money you’ve all but risked your life to obtain is going? What the hell are you about, Marcus?”

“I’m meeting Lord Finley tonight. My uncle assures me the man can turn the money around quick as quick and then all is Bob.”

“You have no assurances whatsoever that this business will come right in the end.” Ainsley put a hand on Marcus’s arm. “Why don’t you at least give my sister a chance? If your investment comes through, then by all means pay the debt and be done. But if it doesn’t, you’ll be able to recoup your losses and get a wife into the bargain.” He released Marcus’s arm and grinned. “Who knows but you might find you actually like Kate.”

“I could almost think she put you up to this just to have the opportunity to devil me.” Marcus ran his finger around the rim of the glass, producing a dull hum. He was leaving a lot to chance. At this point, he’d not even met Finley. Anything could go wrong, and in his current state of luck, most likely would. “All right,” he said, gritting his teeth. “I’ll woo Miss Locke as best I can on the slight possibility that my investment will founder. Though I suspect there is less possibility of that than of your sister actually accepting my suit.”

Ainsley broke out into a sickening “I told you so” grin. “Just make sure she doesn’t discover I’m behind this or she will refuse you out of hand. She’s contrary that way.”

“You might’ve mentioned that one little flaw before I agreed,” Marcus said with a sigh.

The Season had scarcely begun, and he could predict it would be an excruciating eight weeks. If he lived to tell the tale.

“Are you going to Lady Carrolton’s this evening?”

“Yes, with Letitia and Aunt Alexandra.” Marcus raised an eyebrow. “I assume you ask because you are chaperoning your sister there as well and wish to let the games begin as swiftly as possible.”

Ainsley laughed and shook his head. “Not quite guilty. Which means yes, I’m accompanying Kate there this evening, but I asked only because I thought I’d invite you all to dinner. Then we could make a party of the evening.”

“That is kind of you, Ainsley.” He should’ve known his friend would not only have ulterior motives. “I am trying to bring Letitia out of herself as much as I can, but it is difficult. She’s always been shy and being out in Society has only made that worse. Perhaps dinner here would be good for her. It will give her a chance to be more forthcoming as she knows you.”

“Excellent.” His friend leaned back in his chair, a smile curling his lips.