Page 2 of His By Sunrise (Disreputable Dukes of Club Damnation #3)
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Sutcliffe House
St. James Place
London, England
Edwin Coatesville, the “Duke” of Nottingham frowned as he scanned the crowd inside the ballroom. Something didn’t feel right, and as such, intuition or perhaps apprehension tingled at the base of his spine.
He had been invited to the Duke of Ravenhurst’s new home and the ball he hosted tonight, for the duke had recently moved house.
Apparently, now that he was ready to reenter society with his wife of nearly five months, he wanted a fresh start on everything in his life.
He didn’t wish for shades of his past to discolor what he had now, so since he’d returned from a short wedding trip, he’d set everything into motion.
Of course, Edwin had so much respect for the duke.
Striving to put one’s past behind him was an exhausting task, but it could be done, and for those who managed it?
Well, there was a bit of jealousy there on his part; it seemed his own past kept coming up to haunt him.
Regardless, after Ravenhurst’s house was put in order, he’d decided to throw a ball for his friends at Club Damnation, as well as other movers and shakers within the beau monde , in a show that he had recommitted to his title as well as his life.
Essentially, the duke had reinvented himself, and Edwin wished he could be as bold or have as much courage.
“If you continue to scowl like that, people might have the wrong idea about you.”
He glanced over as the Duke of Eggleton came toward him at the side of the ballroom.
Eggleton was the founder of Club Damnation, for he’d wanted a place where he and his ducal friends could go away from the crush of society.
Then, when it became obvious those friends weren’t exactly the most decent or honorable fellows, Eggleton opened the membership up to others around London the duke deemed had “potential.” And once those men accepted the invitations, they were given the honorary title of duke, often with names taken from literature.
That was how Edwin had become the Duke of Nottingham.
The inspiration behind the name was due to the fact Eggleton, as founder, didn’t want any man beneath the roof to feel less than any of the others due to class designation.
So, he decreed that every man would be called “duke” regardless of whatever their true title was.
At Club Damnation, everyone was an equal socially and in friendship, and in that way, there were no airs or egos.
It worked and provided a safe place for each man who was a member, no matter what he’d done in his past. Criminal, rogue, scoundrel, or gentleman, everyone was the same.
“Because I’m curious, pray tell me what this alleged wrong idea is?
” Everywhere he looked in the large room, fresh cut flowers in many varieties and autumnal shades met his gaze.
Urns and vases were full of them. Swags had been made of them along with boughs of trees whose leaves had begun to turn from the season.
The candles in sconces along the walls and in the grand crystal chandelier in the middle of the terraced ceiling imparted a soft, golden glow that was quite kind to the guests below.
Rich fabrics and colors of the ladies’ gowns filled the room with a kaleidoscope of interest, while the dark evening clothes from the men added contrast. But it was the mix of powders, perfumes, and pomades that sat heavy in the air that lent a foul underlayer to the beautiful scene.
God, the olfactory assault is quite something tonight.
The other man chuckled, which recalled Edwin’s attention back to him.
Frankly, he’d forgotten he’d said something that required a response.
Strands of silver glinted in Eggleton’s light brown hair in the candlelight.
Lines of strain mirrored the corners of his mouth but the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were from laughter and smiling.
“That largely depends on the day, doesn’t it? ”
“Indeed, it does.” There was no denying that. He had done some murky things in his past, but most of them were embarked upon so he could take care of his family.
Which he didn’t have any longer.
However, the gossips hadn’t cared much about that. Their tongues continued to wag every time he did something that might call attention to himself, and with every round of rumors, his ill-temper worsened.
“I’m surprised to find you here tonight, Nottingham,” Eggleton continued as he watched guests on the dance floor go through the steps of a country reel.
“Why would you say that? Am I not usually found in society, prowling for the next lady who will warm my bed?” At least that’s what he told himself even if, more often than not, he stayed close to his own home and hearth, doing whatever it took to keep his mind occupied.
The other man shrugged. “There is truth in everything, even the lies we tell.”
“What lies have you told recently, Eggleton?” When the older man didn’t answer, Edwin blew out a breath. “I suppose I’m just not in any mood to be social or dance or even do the pretty tonight.”
“That’s surprising. Why? We both know Ravenhurst is a good sort.”
“Oh, he is. However, I’d be a nodcock to admit I liked him better before he married.
” When Eggleton looked at him with surprise, Edwin shrugged.
“I don’t begrudge him the bride, of course, but I don’t understand how he could have fallen for the woman he’d kidnapped and then vowed to enact revenge upon. ”
“Life is difficult and somewhat inscrutable at times, but Ravenhurst made a change. I don’t hold it against him, and how he came about his romance doesn’t matter.” Eggleton frowned. “You seem a bit restless, Nottingham. Why is that?”
“I can’t put my finger on it. Perhaps I want something new in my life, and knowing Ravenhurst has exactly that rankles.
” He rubbed a hand along the side of his face, for the feeling of being discombobulated simply wouldn’t leave him.
“Now that Steppingford and Averly have joined Ravenhurst in parson’s mousetrap, I suppose I’m feeling much like I’m on the outside looking in at a life that I’ll never have. ”
He hadn’t meant to admit that to the older man, but the words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.
“How so? You chase enough skirts that you shouldn’t feel lonely.”
“Ha.” Edwin couldn’t help but snort. “At times, warming a random woman’s bed, while relieving the physical needs of one’s body, does absolutely nothing to fill the void in one’s chest.” Again, he was aghast with himself for revealing such personal truths, but there it was.
Perhaps it had been lurking heavily too long in his mind, and he wanted to talk about it.
“Then do something about it.” Eggleton regarded him as if the answer was obvious. “Mingle with the guests tonight, find a woman who is interesting, then court her.”
Before he could respond, another man joined them, and it was such a surprise to see him that Edwin gawked despite himself.
Eggleton’s face showed a bit of shock as well, but he extended a hand to the man—the Duke of Blackhawke. “I’m surprised to see you here, Blackhawke.”
The duke grunted. He shook Eggleton’s hand.
“As am I, but for lack of anything else to do, I decided to make a brief appearance.” He was of average height with blonde hair arranged in a popular though windblown style with piercing blue eyes.
However, his Adonis looks were immediately forgotten when one saw the twisted and scarred skin on the left side of his face that went along with the fact that the leg on that same side didn’t work correctly, which is why he walked with a cane, and even still he had difficulties. “God, but I detest being in society.”
“Then you are in good company, for Nottingham has just voiced the same sentiment.” Eggleton chuckled, as if that were the funniest joke. “When did my friends at Club Damnation become so dismal?”
“Open your eyes, man,” Nottingham said with a smirk. “We have always been this way. You just haven’t noticed because you’re still so damned happy with your wife.”
Shadows reflected in Eggleton’s eyes, gone at his next blink, but he nodded. “Perhaps you’re right, which means there is no reason for either of you to drag your feet about finding a wife, yes?”
Edwin glanced at Blackhawke, and they both rolled their eyes.
It was Blackhawke who broke the silence. “The moment I can trust a woman, is the moment England will most certainly fall.”
All three of them shared a laugh.
“Then that leaves you, Nottingham,” Eggleton continued in the same maddening vein. “Will you risk marriage just to feel as if you fit in better?”
“Ha.” Since the country reel had ended, another jaunty sort of reel was getting ready to set up.
He frowned at the couples as they took up spots on the floor.
“As I told you chaps in July when the subject of marriage came up, I was married before. I thought everything was rubbing along well enough, that we were happy, but then my whole world crumbled down, for my wife, using the resources her powerful father had, petitioned the courts for a divorce.” He bounced his gaze between the two genuine dukes.
“If you think I’ll go willingly to that sort of gallows again, you have another think coming. ”
Blackhawke frowned at him. “Because women can’t be trusted. They’ll take your heart and crush it beneath their feet merely for the enjoyment of it.”