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Hugo, Tristan, and Everett all chuckled, and though he would have preferred not celebrate at all, Hugo sat in the appointed stag chair and let the party begin. He was not at all surprised when not even two minutes after the first hand of cards were dealt, scantily clad ladies of the evening made their way into the room through the side door.

“Let me guess?” He asked dryly, turning to Everett, “You had to.”

“Oh, I simplyhad to,” Everett replied eagerly, nodding his head rapidly as he beckoned a woman to his lap.

“We are celebrating your last days as a free man after all, and what better way to do so?”

“God in Heaven, do I pity your future wife,” Tristan teased, tossing chips into the table.

“Certainly do not,” Everett quipped back, focusing more on the woman than his hand of cards, “She will be the best bedded woman in all of London. Won’t she, darling?”

“As you say, My Lord,” the woman giggled, pouring him more champagne.

At Hugo’s side, a tall, voluptuous blonde dressed in sheer red approached.

“What say you, Your Grace?” she asked, her tone sultry as she batted her lashes, “Do you need a lady luck to perch upon your lap as well?”

Hugo smirked, and gave her a polite bow of his head as he crossed one leg over another.

“Your offer is most appreciated, my dear, but I believe your luck would be better bestowed on Lord Ellsworth,” he replied.

“Yes,please,”Dominic replied readily.

The blonde giggled as the other Duke spread his legs and clapped his hand on his right thigh, inviting her to sit.

“So,” Hugo murmured to Tristan, giving back two cards, “How is she?”

Tristan smirked as he swiped the cards off the table and flicked two new ones toward Hugo.

“You were able to make it through two and a half games and a three bottles of champagne. I am impressed,” Tristan muttered.

Hugo shot Tristan an annoyed glance, which only earned him a chuckle. He had been trying to put off the subject for as long as possible, but his worry for his future bride was now positively grinding at him.

“At least I’ve won a hand,” Hugo remarked, then tossed more chips into the circle. “Now tell me.”

Across the table Dominic and Everett were too busy juggling their cards and their women to notice the subtle conversation before them, but still, Tristan threw a wary glance at them before he spoke. Even though they were all good friends, it was only he that knew of Hugo’s softer side.

“She was most appreciative of the deposits you set up around town for her,” Tristan explained. “And agreeable to the timing and the church where you will be wed.”

Hugo frowned. It was not the information he wanted, and Tristan knew it.

“I suspected as much,” he grumbled, “Get to what I truly wish to know.”

Tristan sighed, and waited until he was finished dealing out Dominic’s discard before he replied, “She has a strong spirit. She will be fine. But it is good that you are leaving town so quickly. She needs a fresh start. Deserves one.”

He cast a serious glance at Hugo.

“Watch your temper with her, Hugo,” he warned, “Even if she is taking her disownment better than most women would, she is still hurt.”

“Call,” Everett shouted suddenly.

Hugo ignored it, baring his teeth at Tristan as he leaned in closer.

“You think I would hurt her?” He growled.

“You know that’s not what I mean,” Tristan growled back with equal annoyance.

He plucked Hugo’s cards and threw them down on the table.