Page 27 of Marrying a Marquess (Widows of Mayfair #3)

N ick stared with his mouth open as Priscilla ran from the room.

No, not from the room. From him. From his embrace and kiss.

He didn’t blame her. He was such a contradiction.

Hurrying from the library, he made his way to the parlor.

Finding his mother saying her goodbyes to the duchess, he sighed with relief.

When the carriage stopped outside Hollingsworth House, he said, “I will see you in the house before I leave for White’s for a nightcap.”

After arriving home and escorting his mother inside, he reentered the carriage and signaled his driver with a tap on the roof. His driver knew White’s was his destination.

He walked into White’s and made for the back of the room where he would find Blackstone, Langford, and Caldwell if they were present.

His face fell when the chairs they usually occupied were empty.

So instead of sitting in that grouping of chairs, he sat off to the side in a large fabric chair that blocked him from view and afforded him a little privacy.

An attendant came by and poured him a brandy. Per his request, he left the bottle.

Lost in his scrambled thoughts and staring into his drink, he couldn’t seem to bring the glass to his lips when he heard two gentlemen approach behind him and sit not far from him.

When they spoke he recognized one of the voices—it belonged to Baron Latham.

The other voice he didn’t believe he had ever heard before.

By the loudness of their voices, it was clear they believed they were alone in this section.

“I asked Lady Priscilla to marry me today,” said Latham in a bored voice. The type one used when discussing the weather. Unless, of course, you were a weather enthusiast.

“What did she say?”

“That she needed time. What the bloody hell does she need time for? She had better not be stringing me along. I put everything I had into courting her. I’ve been attentive and nice, and I’ve kept my hands to myself for the most part. And how does she thank me? She says she needs time.”

“Ladies can be fickle. You need to have patience.”

“I lack patience. I’ve kissed her several times, and she seems to enjoy my kisses.

I even touched her breasts, and she moaned, which I took as a positive sign.

Having children with her won’t be a burden.

She is beautiful and responsive. Not that I’ll spend much time with her since I plan to send her to the country and focus my attentions on my mistress and a new business venture I have underway with the Viscountess Norton. ”

Nick’s blood boiled at hearing the conniving scoundrel whine on and on about Priscilla.

It was too much to sit back and listen to him speak about Priscilla like that.

How dare he openly discuss kissing and fondling her where anyone could overhear?

He slammed his glass loudly on the table beside his chair, stood up, and turned to glare daggers at Latham.

“I say, I didn’t know you were there, Hollingsworth,” Latham drawled out with a tight-lipped grin. “I hope you didn’t take offense to anything I said about Lady Priscilla.”

“I didn’t take offense, but the lady in question might.” By now, he stood directly in front of Latham’s chair. Latham looked up with a smug expression. The man had no conscience or scruples. Nick reached down, grabbed his cravat, yanked him to his feet, and punched him right in the nose.

“You cad!” Latham cupped his nose with his hands, which bled nicely. “You broke my nose!”

Once again, Nick’s hand curled around his cravat, and he tugged him close to his face and sneered.

“If you ever speak disrespectfully about Lady Priscilla again, I will break much more than just your nose. Actually—” He seized Latham’s wrist, twisting it behind his back, giving him no mercy.

Just before it snapped, he released it. Too many men had gathered around, placing bets on who would win—pity to anyone who bet against him.

Nick stepped back and bowed graciously. “Good evening, gentlemen.” His gaze remained fixed on Latham’s, which burned with animosity.

What was one more person who didn’t like him?

As he exited White’s, he nearly collided with James Caldwell, Langford, and Blackstone.

Now they show up. “If I were you, Caldwell, I’d head inside quickly.

Someone just broke your brother’s nose.” He waved to his driver and departed without saying another word to the three men he considered friends.

After tonight, his circle of three friends might shrink to two or even zero.

When he returned home—in the foulest of moods—he sat in his study and penned a missive to Priscilla. Whether he sent it or not remained to be seen. But he needed to write down what had happened and get it off his conscience.

My Dearest Priscilla,

After I left your house this evening, I went to White’s for a nightcap.

As I sat alone, minding my own business, your baron and his friend sat nearby, not having seen me.

Latham began discussing very personal matters that have transpired between you two in private.

I could not listen to him shame your reputation or disrespect you.

And all of this coming from a man who proposed to you today.

After all, if I could hear what he said, perhaps other members of White’s could hear as well.

I will spare you by not repeating anything he said .

As you might expect, I approached him with great control, my temper entirely in check, and proceeded to break his nose. If it weren’t for the attention we drew from other patrons at White’s, I would have broken his arm. Fortunately for him, he was spared further pain and embarrassment.

I hope you are not upset with me or think unkindly of me for my actions against the man you might marry. My actions were not rash but necessary. I was protecting your honor, and I will always do so.

What I ask of you now is something I have no right to ask, but I will anyway. I ask you not to marry Latham. He is not worthy of you. He will make a terrible husband and father. You deserve someone who will put you first and always be there for you. I hope you find that man someday.

Your humble servant,

Nick

He folded the paper, poured hot wax on the edge and pressed it with the Hollingsworth emblem.

He scribbled her name on the front. She would never know what the man said about her if she refused Latham.

He would burn the note and she’d never see it.

But if she accepted his proposal, that would be another entirely different situation.

Although the hour was late, he wasn’t shocked when Robbins came and announced Blackstone and Langford. Before Robbins could send them in, they burst through the door.

“What the hell, Hollingsworth?” Blackstone exclaimed as he helped himself to his brandy and handed out two more. “You broke Latham’s nose without any provocation.”

His two guests, who had never visited his home before, sat in chairs facing his desk.

“Please help yourself to a drink and take a seat,” he drawled through tight lips.

“And by all means, come into my home and insult me.” He downed his glass.

“Have I ever hit anyone without provocation to your knowledge? Have you ever known me to lose my temper and take it out on anyone?” Nick was disappointed in his friends.

They shared a look between them that appeared contrite. “No,” Langford replied.

“There has been a time or two in the ring at Gentleman Jackson’s that I’ve feared you wanted to rearrange my face,” Blackstone said with a shrug. “And then I think you’re probably more afraid of my wife than me because she likes my looks just fine. Otherwise, you exemplify control.”

“That’s why I go to Jackson’s several times a week. To keep control. What did Latham say?” Nick knew full well Latham wouldn’t admit the truth.

Blackstone chimed in. “He said he was enjoying a drink with Mr. Stewart when you came over, hauled him up, and punched him, never giving him a reason.”

“Some of what he said is true. He was having a drink with a man I didn’t recognize—I assume this Mr. Stewart.

” He stood up, grabbed the decanter of brandy, and splashed some more into each glass.

“I was sitting nearby, my back to them. Latham had no idea I was there. He had much to say about Lady Priscilla—very personal and insulting information. If what he said was overheard by other gentlemen in White’s, her reputation would be in tatters.

That man is no gentleman and has not changed his ways.

He didn’t come right out and say it, but it was clear he’s pretending he has changed. ”

The three men sat in silence a moment, lost in thought.

“Sorry about the accusation,” Blackstone said finally as he took another sip of his brandy.

“I never believed Latham changed. The man hasn’t a decent thought in his head.

So that you know, Caldwell isn’t fooled by his brother’s newly acquired pristine behavior.

He wanted us to tell you that he knew you must’ve had good reason if you hit him. ”

“I did.”

“So, what will you do now?” Langford asked. “Challenge him to a duel? ”

“No. I will not challenge him. I don’t want to bring Lady Priscilla’s name into it, and as long as Latham and Stewart keep their mouths shut, it won’t be.”

“Good,” Blackstone remarked. “Dueling is illegal, and we would hate to have to break you out of Newgate.”

“Very funny. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’d like to retire. It’s been a trying night.”

“There’s one more thing,” Blackstone glanced at Langford, who nodded. “We know why you were expelled from Eton.”

“Everyone knows. I got into a fight with the son of an Austrian Prince.”

“Fights happened at Eton all the time and don’t result in expulsion,” Blackstone added.

“Well, in my case, it did.” Nick felt nauseous. The brandy churned in his stomach. “Just let it go. We fought. I got the better of him. End of story. Then I went to Harrow and liked it much better.”

“Well, I won’t hold it against you for attending Harrow,” Blackstone said as he stood. “Come on, Langford, Emmeline is probably wondering where I am.”

Langford chuckled. “Does she wear the breeches in your marriage?”

“No. But I would much rather be in bed with my wife than traipsing around London at this hour with you.”

“As would I. Not your wife, but mine.”

Nick listened to them with a twinge of envy.