AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No offense, kind sir.” Ash delivered his most charming grin. “I don’t really see that it’s any of your business.”
“My business is selling papers, and this will be a sensation.” He waggled his eyebrows. “If you need a little persuasion, here’s a quid for you.” He held out the coin.
Ash put his hand up, the palm facing Trimble. “I’m sorry I can’t help you.”
“Fifty quid then,” Mr. Trimble put his hand in his pocket to pull out a coin purse.
Ash turned and started up the stairs.
“Tell me, are you having an affair with the Countess of Overton?”
Ash froze on the steps. This was exactly what Eleanor had been hinting about at the ball. Good God. Is this what they would soon be facing? Rumors he was after Elizabeth. Which was quite rich since he already had her and Robert also.
Several members waiting for carriages stood outside the entrance. From their sudden interest, Ash was certain they’d heard the exchange between him and Trimble.
Ash shook his head and pursued his lips. He took another breath to quiet his anger.
“No, I am not,” Ash said loudly as he turned to face the owner of the London-Town Tattler.
Mr. Trimble tipped the brim of his hat to give him a better view of Ash. “I have it on good authority that you came back to London to whisk her away.”
“My good man, you are mistaken. I’m more of …” He tapped one finger on his right cheek as if contemplating the right words. He turned to the members who were behind him and winked. “I’m more of a man who finds great comfort in being in the company of wealthy widows.” He smiled at Trimble as he waved a hand toward the other gentlemen. “My friends can attest to that.”
One of the men chortled. “Indeed. Hawksworth is known for finding and giving great comfort to the widows.”
“Mostly in bed,” another man said.
Everyone joined in with the laughter as Ash bowed before them with a wide smile.
Trimble fisted his hands, clearly not appreciating Ash’s humor.
“I have my sources,” the man growled.
“And your sources would be wrong.” Another man came from nowhere and now stood next to Trimble on the street.
For the love of heaven, it was just Ash’s luck that it was Martin Richmond, the former owner and editor of The Midnight Cryer. He nodded his acknowledgment. If that blighter started rumors about him again, then that might raise speculation that linked Robert and Ash in a romantic relationship.
Richmond motioned with his hand in a shooshing motion. “Run along, Trimble. Southart and I have our eyes on you.”
“Bugger your eyes, Richmond,” Trimble sneered.
“Tsk, tsk, such language,” Richmond said, sounding bored. “We are aware you have an informant inside the House of Lords.” He pinched his thumb and forefinger together. “We’re this close to discovering your source’s identity.” The man shot Trimble a sympathetic look. “Such a shame as that’ll be the end of the London-Town Tattler.”
“Are you threatening me?”
Richmond shook his head and pressed a large hand against his heart. “Of course not. But I’ve heard that your paper is so despised by members of Parliament that it might be singled out for a special tax.”
“Bloody hell,” Trimble muttered under his breath. Without another word, he turned on his heel and crept away.
Richmond turned his attention to Ash with a broad smile. “It never pays to spread gossip about members of the House of Lords. They love to tax their enemies.”
Chapter Seven
Robert sipped the hot tea, then smiled. Last night had been a success on so many levels. Before they’d left the soiree, the Duke and Duchess of Southart had favored Robert, Elizabeth, and Ash with a private dinner invitation for the following week. It was almost as if they sensed that wherever he and Elizabeth went, Ash was also included.
When they’d arrived home, he and Elizabeth had retired and then made love. The tenderness between them had stolen his breath. Afterward, Elizabeth had fallen asleep in his arms.
As Robert stared out the breakfast room window into the formal garden, his gut tightened at the thought of what he would have done if the invitation had only included Elizabeth and him. This was the problem with London and all the political machinations he had to jump through in order to win favor in the House of Lords. Frankly, every day the onus of it became heavier and heavier.
