Page 18 of His By Sunrise (Disreputable Dukes of Club Damnation #3)

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Denham House

St. James Place

Mayfair, England

“Good God. What is happening with the members of my club?”

The exclamation was made from behind a copy of The Times . With a frown, Wallace Denham, 5 th Duke of St. Eggleton, glanced at his wife with a shake of his head. “Either the men are slowly losing their minds one at a time, or being in love is far more powerful than we’ve ever assumed.”

Abigail looked up from her embroidery work with confusion in her expression. “What are you talking about? I thought everything was going well at the club?”

“It was, or so I thought, but I haven’t popped in for a few days.

” Most of that could be laid at the doorstep of worry, for he tried to prepare to take in the child that his mistress would send over when it appeared her existence would be at an end.

And he was doing this without his wife knowing about it.

Yet.

“Yes, I’ve noticed you’ve kept around the house in recent days unless you’re out for duties to parliament.” One of her blonde eyebrows rose in question. “Why is that?”

Why indeed. “I merely haven’t wanted to be away.” And risk having someone drop in to visit that might inadvertently tell her about the child. “But now? I’m wondering if I should have been in attendance. Not that it would have helped in this particular matter.”

“Tell me what has you so annoyed.” She set her handiwork in her lap and fixed her gaze on him. “I know how much you care for your club mates.”

“It would seem that Nottingham has kidnapped his former wife, taken her to God only knows.” But he suspected he’d absconded with the woman to his country home in Surrey.

“When I last spoke to him a couple of days ago at Ravenhurst’s ball, he had been agitated that Lord Danville wished to court her, but I never thought he would do something like this. ”

“Perhaps he was inspired by Ravenhurst’s own actions, which led to him marrying his own wife.” A soft smile curved Abigail’s lips. “If one loves a person enough, it’s not unheard of for them to do something large and impetuous.”

“I can understand that, but I fear Nottingham has gone too far.” Yes, the man had nearly lost his mind at the ball with jealousy when he’d seen Charlotte with Danville. He’d been ready to call the viscount out that night, but Blackhawke had managed to keep him in check.

Or so they’d thought.

“Does he still carry feelings for her?”

Wallace shrugged. “I couldn’t say.” He rubbed his temples with his forefingers, for a megrim was beginning to form. “This year alone, three club members have married, but only after quite questionable circumstances. Is it any surprise that Nottingham is going rogue?”

His wife’s tinkling laughter warmed him.

“Why are you surprised, Eggleton? You set the precedent the day you founded the club. You’ve filled it with men—some not even dukes—but who are deemed disreputable in society.

They might be decent men at heart, yet you must expect that some of their actions will prove questionable at times. ”

“There is that, but I don’t regret that decision.

All men deserve to have a space where they are equals, where they are all on level ground and are safe to discuss whatever they wish.

” Yet had that designation created monsters?

Hell, he wasn’t too certain he knew nearly as much about those men that he should.

“However, there is a mention in the paper that Charlotte has gone missing, snatched from her bed following the ball. Her father is an earl, and Lord Everfield is imploring those who know her that if they see her to send word.”

Abigail frowned. “Does the earl think Nottingham had something to do with her disappearance?”

“According to the bit in the paper, he says it’s a good possibility, but that he will do anything in his power to have her back in London posthaste.

” Wallace shook his head. “It’s messy business naming names in a newspaper, for a variety of reasons, but Everfield has never cared about that.

He’s the sort that will shoot first and inquire later.

And what makes this even more of a sticky wicket is that Lord Danville is urging him onward.

The damned viscount, it seems, wants Charlotte for himself. ”

“Perhaps the earl and him have struck a bargain she doesn’t know about in order to see them wed.” Concern creased her face. “If that is so, it doesn’t matter if Nottingham still carries a torch for her because he won’t have a chance to win her back.”

Wallace nodded. “True, but he’s also wagered with a few of us at the club that he’ll make her fall back in love with him in five days. We are on day two, so that is a powerful motivator.”

“It’s detestable, truly, to wager on a woman’s heart.

” With a huff, Abigail left her chair and drifted over to the low sofa where he sat.

“When will you men ever learn that a woman’s affection is a delicate yet powerful thing?

And to trifle with that?” She shook her head as she perched beside him on the edge of the sofa. “Well, it won’t go well.”

Was that a low-grade warning for him? Had she somehow suspected what he’d done, what was about to happen to them both with the addition of his by-blow? Trying not to show his alarm, he tugged her down so that she lay haphazardly over his body and between his legs.

“If they are, indeed, still in love with each other, we must believe that nothing and no one will stand in their way.” As he slipped his arms around her and brought her closer, he brushed his lips over hers.

“However, there is no reason I can’t help fate.

Perhaps I should ask one of the club members to pay Nottingham a visit, to make certain both he and the lady are well. ”

“That is a good idea.”

He nodded. “I’ve heard a couple of rumors in the Lords that Danville was squawking about how Nottingham should be arrested—again—for some sort of contretemps during their last year of university, which is why the earl is calling for blood now.

” A messy business indeed, and one he hoped Edwin could squirm his way out of, for if he couldn’t?

He’d land in Newgate. Probably hung for those crimes, if they prove his at all.

“Oh, Wallace, you simply must help him.” Abigail laid a palm on his chest as she stared earnestly into his eyes. “Knowing Nottingham, there is more to the story than even you know, so use your influence to soothe this snag. Love is everything, you know.”

“I do.” He nodded, for she was quite compelling. “I shall see if the Duke of Thornton is interested in a quick visit out to Surrey. He’s in London for a surprising visit since he’s basically buried himself at his country estate.”

“Why? Does he not enjoy London?”

Methodically, he plucked the pins from her hair and let them fall to the floor. “He came home from the war not quite right in the mind, I think. Life is easier in the country. Quieter.”

“Then why is he in London now?”

“I don’t know.” When he slipped his fingers into her hair and encouraged the tresses to fall about her shoulders, he sighed. He adored her silky hair. “There are rumors his wife is getting up to scandal, since he’d left her in London and never indicated that he wished for her to join him.”

A gasp left Abigail’s throat. “Is she doing those things for attention?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, but I’ll have the story if Thornton is willing to tell it.” Then he drew her close and spent the next few moments kissing her. Of course, things quickly grew heated, but he didn’t mind. “Shall we retire to our rooms?”

“Pish posh, Eggleton,” she said as she tugged at his cravat. “Dinner will be served in an hour. There is plenty of time to get up to scandal right here in the drawing room but do close the doors. I don’t wish for the butler to spy.”

As if he could deny her anything, and he would do his best to keep her happy, for bad news would enter their seemingly enchanted life soon enough.