Page 28 of His By Sunrise (Disreputable Dukes of Club Damnation #3)
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Cavendish House
St. James Place
Mayfair, London
That morning
True to his word, Edwin indeed escorted Charlotte back to London directly following breakfast together.
Unfortunately, their departure was shrouded with overcast skies and sprinkles of rain, but it wasn’t enough precipitation to make a muck of the roads.
And, since it was a Sunday, there was hardly any traffic to delay the trip.
His time with her was at an end.
As his closed carriage pulled up in front of her father’s townhouse, Edwin turned to her on the bench.
“Why do I have the feeling that I won’t see you again now that you’re back under your father’s thumb?
” Did he have grave misgivings about this?
Yes, but at some point, he needed to trust that Charlotte would keep her word.
“It won’t happen. I promise.” She seemed so demure this morning, clad in a marigold-colored day dress with a straw bonnet arrayed with silk sunflowers.
When she squeezed the fingers of his hand, he grinned, albeit it was a small one.
“I will simply explain to my father that you and I needed some time together, apart from the hustle and crowds of London, to discuss things we never had the change to do before the divorce.”
“Will that be enough to keep him from hunting me down and challenging me to an illegal duel?” Though he wished to joke, the words fell flat.
“We can only hope.” Then she laid a palm against the side of his face. “All will be well. You’ll see.”
“Out of all the people in this world, I trust you, but I don’t trust your father. Or Danville.” He blew out a breath, but the only thing he wanted to do was kiss her senseless and perhaps see her half naked and indulge in wicked things with him in this vehicle. “When will I next see you?”
“As soon as I can arrange it.” Then her eyes widened. “What’s the date? I’m afraid I lost all track of time when with you.”
“The fourteenth of October.”
“Oh, well that’s perfect!”
“What is?”
When she smiled, his whole world shifted. “My father has a rout planned for tomorrow night. Please don’t ask me why, but suffice it to say, you can meet me there, and we’ll use that as the jumping off point to revive our relationship.”
“What?” There had been far too many shocks in a short period of time for his liking, so all he could do was gawk. “You seriously wish to make that announcement to society while at your father’s event?” Damn, but he admired the hell out of her.
“I do.” Then she leaned forward and pressed her lips to hers. As she pulled slightly away, she said, “I have a feeling this time around, everything will be different.”
“Hopefully not to the same results,” he couldn’t help but quip.
“Agreed.” With a sigh, she squeezed his fingers. “Promise me that nothing will change during the times we come together carnally. It was a reason our marriage shattered, and yes, that was on me, but I couldn’t bear it if you removed that intensity, that scandalous edge.”
“You have my word.” But he frowned. “You’ve not told me about your dissatisfaction of our physical couplings. Did I do something wrong? Are you ashamed of me, of what we have together?”
“No, no, of course not, but I was confused and not quite right in the head after I lost our baby.” She raised his hand to his lips and kissed it.
“I’ll explain in-depth later. For now, just know that I can’t wait to be back at your side for all of society to see.
” As she held his gaze, there was nothing except honesty in her brandy-hued eyes.
“You have done—are still doing—amazing things, Edwin, and you are a decent man. I’m sorry I couldn’t see that before. ”
The unexpected praise slammed into his chest, made his heart ache, but instead of the usual guilt and anger he’d felt when remembering how she’d been ripped from his life, he now held hope and anticipation.
And he wouldn’t make the same mistakes as before.
“It matters not. Be strong where your father is concerned, but if you’d rather move back into the house we shared before—”
She pressed a gloved fingertip to his lips, stemming his words. “Don’t rush our fences. Wait for the announcement tomorrow night. Until then, if you’re sneaky and quiet, you might be able to sneak into Papa’s house after everyone retires for the night, but our tryst can’t be loud or too wicked...”
“I’ll take you in whatever way you’ll have me.
” Because he could, and because he wouldn’t see her again for a while, Edwin gently held her head between his palms and then kissed her with a gentleness that surprised them both, laughed as the brim of her bonnet prevented a closeness he craved.
When allowed them both breath, a shuddering sigh escaped him.
“If you have need of me, send me word. I’ll ride to your rescue. ”
“Thank you.”
“Shall I escort you inside?”
“That probably wouldn’t be a good idea. No doubt Papa is already at breakfast, and quite frankly, I’m too exhausted to witness a fight between the two of you.” She glanced at the door when the driver tugged it open. “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening.”
“As do I.” With a constant ache around his heart, he waved goodbye then shook his head when the driver closed the door.
Damn and blast. I think I’ve fallen in love again.
Imagine that.
L ater that evening
Club Damnation
43 St. James Place
Mayfair, London
When Edwin strode into the club that evening clad in the requisite evening attire including tailcoat, he couldn’t help but grin.
The clouds that had obscured his life for far too long were finally clearing and he had glimpses of his future that weren’t there before. Before he could decide where to settle for the night, the Duke of Eggleton came and met him in the middle of the large common room.
“Well, this is a surprise. Welcome, Nottingham. I thought you were happily buried in Surrey trying to win back your wife.”
Heat crept up the back of his neck. “Circumstances have changed.”
“Oh?” Surprise was stamped on the duke’s face. “Then by all means, let us discuss this with a few friends.” He gestured toward a private room off to one side of the main one. “We’re just in here, and I’ve ordered some canapés.”
“I suppose I could eat. I’ve been too busy today to think about feeding myself.” And, in truth, he’d slept a good portion of the day away. After being with Charlotte, he was beyond exhausted, but in the very best way possible.
“How have you kept yourself today, Nottingham?” Eggleton asked as they both entered the private room where three other men sat around a grouping of elegant furniture, upholstered in shades of cream and green.
The only man he recognized was Ravenhurst, for the other two men he’d not had the pleasure of exchanging more than mere pleasantries here and there, but one was an honorary duke like him—the Duke of Galahad. The other was the Duke of Thornton.
“Well, I can tell you I spent the bulk of my time today in bed,” Edwin said, for the tasty bit would spark conversation.
All four men laughed, for no one could deny that was the pinnacle of existence, regardless of what activities were instituted in said bed.
Seconds after he’d dropped onto one of the winged-back chairs in the room, a footman came around and offered him a glass of brandy, which Edwin took.
“Can I assume the woman you have been spending time with is the same one you lost your head over at my ball, Nottingham?” Ravenhurst paused to take a sip of his own brandy. “By the time you left, everyone was in an uproar.”
Eggleton nodded. “I’m sure you fellows heard that Nottingham kidnapped his former wife after that ball?” He sat in a matching winged-back chair. “They’ve spent the past three days or so at his manor doing God knows what, but from the looks of him, I’ll wager it wasn’t only talking.”
Another round of laughter went through the company.
Thornton lifted his glass in salute. “When I dropped by for a visit, Nottingham was quite smug about something.” He nodded. “More power to you, my friend. In this world, if you can find any scrap of happiness, hand onto it.”
No doubt the duke had experience with that.
Edwin grinned. “Thank you. It’s one reason I’m here tonight. In fact, I brought Lady Charlotte back to London this morning.”
A couple of the men gasped.
“Why the devil would you do that?” Ravenhurst wanted to know. “Surely you didn’t fuck it up a second time.”
“I did not.” At least, he hoped he hadn’t.
“In fact, when I left her, she was in a congenial mood and actually hinted to the fact that I could sneak over tonight once the household retired.” He shrugged.
Usually, there was bitterness and anger festering in his soul, but now there was only a lightness there that he didn’t fully understand but welcomed.
“She invited me to the rout her father is throwing tomorrow night, where she wishes to make an announcement that we’re entering a courtship again. ”
Eggleton’s jaw dropped open. “What?”
“Yes, we’d reached that conclusion at some point yesterday.” Before or after the desk, he couldn’t exactly be sure. “So I suppose you could say I’ve won the wagers. With a day to spare.”
The “Duke” of Galahad chose to insert himself into the conversation. With his dark hair that was prone to curling and gleamed almost blue in the candlelight and his equally dark blue eyes, he had the look of something that had detached itself from the shadows to take human form.
“I am not certain about the details concerning you and your former wife, but the rumors swirling through society, put forth by Lady Charlotte’s father are that Lord Danville will officially declare his pursuit of her tomorrow night.”
The brandy he’d just swallowed threatened to make a return trip. Edwin cast a glance about the room at the men sitting there. “Is that true?”
Eggleton slowly nodded. “It is what I’ve heard as well.”
“I don’t accept that.” Had Charlotte played him this whole time? Had she lied to him when she’d said she didn’t want Danville any longer? His heart plummeted into his stomach.
Ravenhurst drained his glass. “What difference does it make? Didn’t you fuck her into the next lifetime and satisfy your own needs and revenge?”
“Yes, but...” Another swath of heat rose up the back of his neck. “I’m afraid I’ve fallen back into love with her. In fact, I don’t believe I’ve ever stopped loving her. And I was confident this morning that she felt the same about me.”
Eggleton frowned. “Then go to the rout and fight for her.”
“Ha.” Thornton snorted. “As if life works like that. A man cannot simply stroll into a society event, fight his rival for the hand of a lady, and then everything miraculously works out like in a story book.”
“It’s been known to happen,” Ravenhurst said with a shrug. “Take me, for example. I had to fight for my woman. I would never have married my wife if I didn’t take a chance.”
“And sometimes in life, you need to continue fighting for the woman you love,” Eggleton said with shadows clouding his eyes. “Never sleep assuming everything is fine between you. Keep working on it. Nurturing that love, even.”
Edwin frowned. What the devil was going on in Eggleton’s life that he hadn’t shared with them? Then it didn’t matter, for his mind was focused on Charlotte’s allegiance. “Is Danville confident that she’ll go along with the narrative?” Yet if the viscount made her happy, shouldn’t he step aside?
“Who the hell cares?” Ravenhurst stood. He was quite intimidating as he towered over everyone else. “Do you love her?”
“Yes, but—”
“Can you envision a lifetime with her in all the ways a man should?”
“Of course, yet—”
“Are you a better man now than when you were married to her before?”
“Absolute, and—”
“Then stop wasting time, man. Get yourself over to her house right now. Pleasure the hell out of her so she doesn’t forget you.
On the morrow, you crash that damned rout, tell the world of your intentions, do whatever you need to clear that path, then you take your woman and ride off into the proverbial sunset.
” The duke shrugged. “It’s not that difficult. ”
“In essence, it is, for Danville has power on his side. He and the earl could easily strongarm me into Newgate for crimes I didn’t commit.”
Galahad snorted. “Then be sure to take a pistol. I’ve heard stories about the fecker Danville. He’s a shady sort, and he’s an underhanded solicitor who needs to be taught a lesson or two. Take back your good name.”
Slowly, Eggleton nodded. “In this, Ravenhurst has the right of it. End things between you and Danville as you should have years ago.”
Pride swelled his chest. “Perhaps I do need to finally have my revenge on the man, and winning Charlotte a second time will put the rest in their places too.” He raised his glass. “To victory in whatever way we find it.”
Damn the consequences. He’d had a glimpse of the life he’d always wanted—the life he should have had before people had interfered. No one would take that away from him this time without his consent.