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“I never understood why he withdrew completely from polite society and his friends.”And me, she wanted to add.
“He hated his father… and at first everyone assumed he was celebrating his new freedom before taking on the responsibilities due his rank. Except he never returned to society and kept gambling. Since I’ve been back from France, I’ve heard rumors that his estate is suffering from his gambling debts. I tried to offer my assistance, but he was adamant that he didn’t need my help.”
“He is too proud to admit to needing aid.”
Dita and Dash were alike. They had both been forced to learn to rely on themselves at an early age.
The firelight on Roddy’s face reflected the stress lines around his eyes and mouth. She hated that he carried so many burdens, and there were so few of which she could relieve him. “You’re a good friend, Roddy. And Dash might not show it, but he knows he can call on you for anything. You were able to get him to attend the ball.”
The door burst open as a breathless Billy, who couldn’t contain his excitement, rushed into the library. “My lord, an urgent message has come for you.” Billy offered a note on a silver salver.
Roddy tore the sheet open.
Tension extinguished the warm intimacy of the room. She watched Roddy’s eyes track the words on the page. She held her breath. Only matters of state could be this urgent.
Roddy threw the paper into the fire and then rolled his sleeves down. “Billy, tell Reese to get my horse. I need to leave immediately.”
Dita waited until Billy had gone. “What is it, Roddy? What is so important?”
“It’s from Dash. He needs my help immediately. He asked me to meet him at Haversham’s.”
Roddy strode to his desk, opened a drawer, then pulled out his pistol. He tucked it in the front of his breeches and then slipped on his jacket, which hung on the back of his chair.
“You plan to shoot someone?” Dita sorted through all the possibilities of why Dash would need Roddy’s help after rejecting any form of assistance. She rubbed her arms to fight against the icy dread filling her.
Roddy patted his hair down and grinned, looking younger suddenly. Her brother was excited for an adventure. “Of course not. But it works to intimidate people when you brandish it confidently.”
“Dash is in danger? Is that why he has summoned you?”
“Most likely he needs me to vouch for his debt. Nothing else makes sense. Men who don’t receive their funds can be demanding. Don’t worry. Dash can handle himself.”
She swallowed against the alarm crawling up her throat, making her voice wobbly. “You’ll notify me once you’ve returned?”
Roddy headed to the door, looking over his shoulder. “It will be late. All will be fine. You need to get some sleep.”
And with a nonchalant nod of his head, he left her. Left her to worry and stew over the risks of what he and Dash might face. And like a hardened warrior, his mood had gone from tired to exhilarated by the possibility of danger.
