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To while away the hours waiting until he could return to Hood House, Rex made his way through Mayfair to Jermyn Street. Not needing the large house entailed to the Devon earldom, but in dire need of money, Lucas rented it out every Season while taking up residence on the well-known bachelor street instead.
Lucas had never appeared at Hood House for the Masquerade, begging the question, where had he been instead?
Relieved at escaping the possibility of drama, Rex had still worried all night about what his old friend might have been up to—and how much it would cost him to bail Lucas out. Two knocks on Lucas’ door and it opened to reveal Barnes, Lucas’ man and only servant, looking somber.
“M’lord.” Barnes bowed, then backed away, opening the door. They were well acquainted after so many years. Barnes had been with Lucas’ father before his passing and stayed on to assist the son, even though Lucas was never properly thankful for it. Rex was the one who made sure Barnes was taken care of, which in turn, allowed him to be sure Lucas was not left completely to his own devices. “The earl is…” His voice trailed off, and he made a face.
“Still three sheets to the wind?” Rex asked dryly. It was only mid-morning. Likely, Lucas had stumbled home in the wee hours around dawn if his past was any indication. Barnes nodded.
“He came home about three hours ago, blootered.” Barnes sighed. “Barely made it up the stairs before I caught him. He won’ be much use to ya for another few hours at least, if then.”
That hardly mattered. If he was sleeping off his indulgence, he was staying out of other trouble and may even stay in for the rest of the day and evening.
“Do you know where he went?”
“He left to have dinner at White’s, then I thought he would be for your place, m’lord, but when he came home, he said something about the Tramp’s Den.” Barnes grimaced, shooting Rex an apologetic look when he groaned, but it was hardly Barnes’ fault his master had gone to one of the most notorious gaming hells in London rather than to Hartford House.
“Did he say how much he lost?”
“Tha’ was the strange thing, he didna seem much concerned.” Reaching up, Barnes smoothed down the white strands of his long whiskers, a nervous gesture. They both knew Lucas rarely won, and when he lost, he was melancholy afterward, sometimes for days, depending on the amount. Sometimes, Rex thought Lucas resented being bailed out as much as he appreciated it. “I don’ know what to make of it.”
“I will take care of it,” Rex said, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a coin to press into Barnes’ hand. “For your troubles.”
“Thank ye, m’lord.” Barnes bobbed his head but did not protest the way he once had. They both knew he earned every pound Rex gave him, even if it was not actually Rex’s place to pay it. If not him, then who? Certainly, not Lucas.
Sighing, Rex turned around and made his way back to his carriage. Once again, he wondered if he should leave Lucas to face the natural consequences of his actions… but truly, it did not harm him to compensate for Lucas’ shortcomings. Not so far. And others, like Barnes, would suffer if he did not.
He also had no wish to see Lucas suffer, so he got into his coach and directed the driver to take him to the Warrens.
An hour later, he left the gaming hell with a frown. Lucas’ debts had already been covered by Lucas’ companion, a man whose description Rex did not recognize. By the accent described, the man must be part of the Russian delegation. What the devil was he doing gambling at the Tramp’s Den with Lucas?
Chapter 9
Mary
Feeling very much like a doll her Aunt Elizabeth and Arabella were dressing, Mary slowly spun around for their approval. It had beenhourssince decamping to her room, and they had only paused briefly for a quick tea and a bite to eat before launching back into their mission. Outside of her ballgowns and nightrails, she did not think there was a single item of clothing she hadnottried on for their perusal.
“I think this is it,” Aunt Elizabeth said slowly, sending a wave of relief through Mary. “No need for a pelisse with this one.”
“I agree.” Arabella’s statement was more definitive. “With her black gloves and hat.”
“Yes.” Aunt Elizabeth nodded. “We can add a bronze feather and ribbon quickly enough.”
“You are going to set them on their heels.” Arabella sounded almost triumphant, but then, she enjoyed setting thetonon their heels on a regular basis. It had never been a particular goal of Mary’s, but now the moment was upon her, she did feel a strange kind of excitement.
Turning back to face herself in the mirror, Mary had to admit the other two women were right. The bronze dress was trimmed with heavy black lace, emphasizing her hourglass curves and adding some decoration—unfortunately, with her height, she was unable to wear ruffles without resembling a confection rather than a grown woman. The color brought out the bit of red left in her hair in a flattering manner that also brought a hint of pink to her cheeks and lips and made her eyes glow like jewels. Not in the way that Hartford’s did, but still an interesting effect.
All in all, shelookedlike the kind of woman Hartford would take riding through Hyde Park, even if she did not feel any different.
It was a dress Mary had avoided previously, knowing the gown would draw attention.In for a penny, in for a pound.Hopefully, Evie would consider Mary’s new connection to Hartford a fair recompense for the loss of her ability to blend into the background. Aunt Elizabeth and Arabella had convinced her she would be at the center of theton’sattention after this.
As Arabella sat down with Mary’s hat, picking out a ribbon to tie around its base, Aunt Elizabeth pulled Mary aside. Her dark eyes were serious, not exactly concerned, but something close to that emotion. Taking Mary’s hands in hers, she was clearly in earnest.
“Mary, darling, I want you to understand, you donotneed to encourage Hartford unless you wish to,” she said almost somberly. “One thing his attention will do is draw other gentlemen to your side. It will be your chance to get to know more of them without having to chase them down. Marriage is for the rest of your life. Choose a man who will make you happy.”
“Would a man who was only interested in me because of another man truly make a good prospect?” Mary had to ask, wrinkling her nose. Aunt Elizabeth grinned, and Arabella outright laughed.
“It did not turn out too badly between Thomas and me,” Arabella said, looking up from her work with a wink. Mary’s lips settled into a little ‘o.’ She had been aware Thomas had not considered Arabella for his bride, but he had not liked that Hartford did. Eventually, his intervention in that relationship had ended in the scandal that pushed them into marriage.
