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Authors: Jenn Langston
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a lady of our class.” Richard used every ounce of strength to keep his voice even.
“Then what was she doing here, alone at night?” Greyson asked, his voice incredulous.
“She wanted to discuss an inconsequential matter. She, being a trusting soul, didn’t perceive the danger to herself due to the late hour.” Richard hoped his friends would not press for more information.
“What matter could possibly be so important to take her from her home when she should be abed?” Jonathan asked.
“Nothing. You know how women can be,” Richard responded inadequately.
“Interesting, you or your title must have made quite an impression on the lady for her to seek you out here,” Greyson observed.
“Or perhaps it was she who made the impression on you,” Jonathan added, with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Don’t think her improper address escaped my notice.”
“You both have the situation wrong. It has nothing to do with my title, and her informal address was not due to a lack of respect or a shared familiarity. It’s due to a lack of knowledge. She is unaware I do indeed hold a title.” The telling silence that followed had Richard regretting his words.
“Well, I can’t say she would be my idea of a submissive, obedient wife, but I’m not going to judge your decision,” Greyson supplied, breaking the silence.
“I commend you. Not flaunting your title was a stroke of brilliance. Now you should be able to determine who is interested in you and who wants your title. I only wonder how it’s possible that no one recognizes you,” Jonathan remarked.
“I agree. If such a ploy could be possible, it would be an exceptional plan, however this was simply a misunderstanding I have yet to correct,” Richard explained as he approached the sidebar and poured himself a much-needed drink.
“She is quite a stunning confection. Why do you not tell her now? Then she will have no reason to escape you. Better yet, don’t tell her, and perhaps she will be as enchanted by me and my eventual title of viscount.” Jonathan rubbed his chin in consideration.
Richard clutched his glass dangerously tight and was about to tell Jonathan exactly how he felt about that, when he saw the satisfied smirk on his friend’s face. Richard cursed himself for allowing Jonathan to goad him, although he could not understand why the idea of Lady Brianna and Jonathan bothered him. She didn’t belong to him and never would. She was too wild and reckless to fit into his designs for the future.
The problem was Richard could easily picture her at Stonemede, running through the grounds with her wild spirit as her black hair trailed behind her. He could feel the breeze on his face as he chased her. Once he caught her, he could imagine how her sweet scent would mingle with the fresh grass, a smell designed to taunt him. There would be no one around to hear her soft cries as he took her with the sun shining down on them.
“We are not here to talk about her.” Richard tried to shake off the too real dream that left his body aching.
“Yes, tell us what you found out about Tarrington and Kirkwood,” Greyson proposed, his mind easily turning to business matters.
Jonathan acted as if he wished to comment further, but instead refilled his glass with brandy and sat back down. When Richard gained his full attention, he sighed in relief.
“Well, Erik Langley, Viscount Tarrington, is in a bad financial state due to his gambling habits. He is young and from what I understand, he has an easy time with the ladies. He also has a temper that isn’t exactly conducive to the calm atmosphere we have established in the club.”
“I vote to reject him,” Jonathan said easily.
“Agreed,” Greyson concurred. “Do you think he will attempt to retaliate due to our decision?”
“I don’t believe so, but it will not hurt to have Nathaniel prepared. Now, Alan Parks, Earl of Kirkwood, is another matter. He is known for his maliciousness. He enjoys
“Then what was she doing here, alone at night?” Greyson asked, his voice incredulous.
“She wanted to discuss an inconsequential matter. She, being a trusting soul, didn’t perceive the danger to herself due to the late hour.” Richard hoped his friends would not press for more information.
“What matter could possibly be so important to take her from her home when she should be abed?” Jonathan asked.
“Nothing. You know how women can be,” Richard responded inadequately.
“Interesting, you or your title must have made quite an impression on the lady for her to seek you out here,” Greyson observed.
“Or perhaps it was she who made the impression on you,” Jonathan added, with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Don’t think her improper address escaped my notice.”
“You both have the situation wrong. It has nothing to do with my title, and her informal address was not due to a lack of respect or a shared familiarity. It’s due to a lack of knowledge. She is unaware I do indeed hold a title.” The telling silence that followed had Richard regretting his words.
“Well, I can’t say she would be my idea of a submissive, obedient wife, but I’m not going to judge your decision,” Greyson supplied, breaking the silence.
“I commend you. Not flaunting your title was a stroke of brilliance. Now you should be able to determine who is interested in you and who wants your title. I only wonder how it’s possible that no one recognizes you,” Jonathan remarked.
“I agree. If such a ploy could be possible, it would be an exceptional plan, however this was simply a misunderstanding I have yet to correct,” Richard explained as he approached the sidebar and poured himself a much-needed drink.
“She is quite a stunning confection. Why do you not tell her now? Then she will have no reason to escape you. Better yet, don’t tell her, and perhaps she will be as enchanted by me and my eventual title of viscount.” Jonathan rubbed his chin in consideration.
Richard clutched his glass dangerously tight and was about to tell Jonathan exactly how he felt about that, when he saw the satisfied smirk on his friend’s face. Richard cursed himself for allowing Jonathan to goad him, although he could not understand why the idea of Lady Brianna and Jonathan bothered him. She didn’t belong to him and never would. She was too wild and reckless to fit into his designs for the future.
The problem was Richard could easily picture her at Stonemede, running through the grounds with her wild spirit as her black hair trailed behind her. He could feel the breeze on his face as he chased her. Once he caught her, he could imagine how her sweet scent would mingle with the fresh grass, a smell designed to taunt him. There would be no one around to hear her soft cries as he took her with the sun shining down on them.
“We are not here to talk about her.” Richard tried to shake off the too real dream that left his body aching.
“Yes, tell us what you found out about Tarrington and Kirkwood,” Greyson proposed, his mind easily turning to business matters.
Jonathan acted as if he wished to comment further, but instead refilled his glass with brandy and sat back down. When Richard gained his full attention, he sighed in relief.
“Well, Erik Langley, Viscount Tarrington, is in a bad financial state due to his gambling habits. He is young and from what I understand, he has an easy time with the ladies. He also has a temper that isn’t exactly conducive to the calm atmosphere we have established in the club.”
“I vote to reject him,” Jonathan said easily.
“Agreed,” Greyson concurred. “Do you think he will attempt to retaliate due to our decision?”
“I don’t believe so, but it will not hurt to have Nathaniel prepared. Now, Alan Parks, Earl of Kirkwood, is another matter. He is known for his maliciousness. He enjoys
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