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Epilogue
The Duke of Averell frowned down the long table gracing the dining room, his gaze alighting on the sight of theparasitedemolishing a plate of food as if he hadn’t eaten in days.
Tony was in a bit of a foul mood. There was nothing quite like arriving home from Lady Fulton’s tedious affair—which he’d been forced to attend—only to be told by Pith that Theodosia was not at home. His sister had taken off in a flurry for Greenbriar, claiming she must rescue Haven. Immediately. Apparently, Haven’s uncle, in addition to being a spectacular sot, was also intent on murdering his nephew. According to Pith.
The entire affair, of which Tony had not yet wholly heard, was outlandish and sounded like the plot of one of those novels Theodosia liked to read. Twins impersonating each other. Gambling away the family fortune. A nefarious uncle who lived in France. In the end, all of it had turned out to be true.
It did not mean Tony was in any mood to welcome Haven with open arms.
Parasite.
First that giant block of ice Granby and now Haven. His sisters truly had the very worst taste in husbands. Tony glared in Haven’s direction as if doing so would make him disappear.
The slight ping of a fork against a plate turned his attention from Haven to the end of the table. Tony’s duchess wiggled her brows, dark eyes flashing with caution.
“Behave,” she mouthed to him.
“Never,” Tony mouthed back. He’d deal with Maggie later. In the privacy of their bedroom. Saucy thing.
Phaedra, just to his right, giggled.
Good God. There wasn’t any telling who or what Phaedra would bring home one day. His youngest sister, closest to him in personality, was probably destined for scandal. She’d taken to helping him with some of the paperwork at Elysium, asking far too many questions about the inner workings of the gambling hell and pleasure palace. When she wasn’t tagging behind him, Phaedra was torturing the poor gentleman Tony had engaged to teach her fencing.
An indulgence he was sure to regret one day.
“To what do I owe the pleasure,” Tony said, finally deigning to speak to Haven, “of your dubious company?”
Haven and Theodosia had appeared just two hours ago, jumping out of the Averell coach. Two valises told Tony they planned on staying at least for the night.
The Marquess of Haven’s jaw hardened before he stilled and gave Tony a blatantly forced smile, full of false submission and nearly well-hidden dislike.
“Business of a personal matter, Your Grace. And Theodosia wished to make a proper farewell to her family before we return to Greenbriar.”
“I see.” Tony took a sip of his wine. It appeared their estrangement was over.
Tony saw his sister move slightly and Haven’s resulting wince. They glared at each other for a moment, and he thought a fight might erupt. But then Theodosia smiled and pushed her spectacles back up her nose.
Haven regarded her in adoration, or what passed for such a thing on his rough features. He always appeared to have just left a tavern fight. It seemed Maggie was right, as she so often was. Haven and Theo were a love match. He supposed he’d have to tolerate theparasitefor her sake. He wasn’t sure how Leo would feel.
“Stop scowling, Anthony,” his stepmother, the dowager duchess, admonished him, a small smile on her lips. “Haven is beginning to grow on me,” she said in a low tone.
“Much like Granby, Amanda?” Tony speared a carrot from his plate. “I was hoping Pith would do us all a favor and poison both of them. Perhaps he is only waiting for the holidays to bestow such a gift on me.”
“Anthony,” his stepmother cautioned. “Please don’t give Pith any ideas.”
Phaedra giggled again.
Haven, a small frown marring his features, had doubtless heard their exchange. He paused in his devouring of the excellent meal, fur ruffled like the tomcat Phaedra claimed him to be. At the moment, Tony could see the resemblance to Theseus.
“I have something I would like to discuss with you after dinner, Your Grace.”
“Of course.” Tony gripped his knife, wondering how good his aim was. “I look forward to it.”
Leo would be very displeased when he returned.
* * *
