Page 27

Chapter Seventeen

Z eke smoothed the white table cloth before him, striving for patience with Caden's obvious reluctance to talk. "You know something unsavory about Collin Hastings, do you not?"

Caden scratched the side of his nose. “I’m not even sure I’m thinking of the correct man.”

“This ought to be good,” Randall murmured before scratching a match on the heel of his boot. The faint scent of sulfur tinged the air as he cupped the flame and held it to the tip of a cheroot. “Care for a smoke, anyone?”

“Not for me. Makes me snore,” the earl said.

“Love one.” Caden extended his open hand.

If Zeke hadn’t been convinced Caden was hiding something before, he was now. His brother detested the taste of tobacco.

He drummed his fingers on the table. Waited 'til Caden had his cigar lit and was puffing away. “Out with it,” he barked.

Caden coughed.

The earl glanced from one brother to the other. “Out with what?”

Caden’s eyes widened. “I haven’t the vaguest notion.”

Zeke motioned to the footman distributing the last of the brandy-filled snifters ‘round the table. “Leave us and close the door behind you.”

He brought his snifter to his nose and inhaled deeply of the strong liquor. He took a large swallow. Felt the liquid burn its way down. Then fixed Caden with a steely-eyed stare. “Tell me about Hastings.”

“Something told me not to miss this family reunion,” Randall drawled.

Zeke sent Randall a quelling look.

The earl spoke up, his quiet voice, but carrying the weight of unmistakable authority. “Caden, do you know something about Kitty’s brother’s death?”

Caden drew back, appalled. “Good God, no, my lord. Nothing like that.”

“But you do know something.” Zeke was trying very hard not to lose his temper.

“For pity's sake. I spoke without thinking. If you must know I kept mum for Lady Kitty’s sake, and because I know it’s”—Caden drew a finger under his cravat— “kind of a sore subject for you.”

“Go on,” Zeke said.

“I met Hastings in London.” Caden glanced briefly at the earl. “At an establishment near St. James Street.”

“An establishment,” Zeke repeated. “A new gentlemen’s club?”

Caden licked his lips and rolled the stem of his snifter between two fingers. “Not a club, per se.”

Zeke’s mouth hardened. “A den.”

The earl turned to Zeke. “Of course not, Zeke.” He switched his gaze to Caden. “Tell your brother…” His words died as he read the apology in Caden’s eyes.

“How long have you been frequenting the hells?” Zeke demanded.

Guilt assailed him. If Caden was in trouble again, the blame would fall squarely on his shoulders. He’d been gone far too often over recent years. He hadn’t been here to guide him or keep him out of trouble.

“Good grief, I see the guilt written all over your face, which is precisely why I didn’t want to say anything.” He pointed a finger at Zeke. “You’re not my keeper, and I’m no child.”

They glowered at each other.

“You Thurgoods do know how to keep a party entertaining,” Randall said, laconically. “I really should take notes.”

The earl waved Randall’s comments aside. “Please, m’boy. You’re practically one of them.”

The genuine look of shock Randall sent the earl would normally have had Zeke laughing aloud. Not today. “After what happened last time, Cade? I really can’t believe it. I expected better of you.”

Caden sighed. “It’s not that I frequent them. I visit them on occasion, for fun. What happened at university was a one-off. A terrible mistake. And you know I regretted it, because I had to come to you to bail me out.”

Zeke glowered. “How deep are your losses?”

His jaw hardened. “You aren’t listening. I have no losses to speak of. I’m not a regular at the hells. I haven’t gambled with monies I don’t have to lose since…that time at university. You can believe me or not. Now can we please move on?”

Zeke regarded his brother stonily. “Swear it? You’re not in any trouble? You could…” He heaved a sigh. “You can always come to me. No matter what.”

Caden rolled his eyes. “If you’re in the country, you mean?”

Zeke winced.

Caden scrubbed a hand over his jaw, his expression contrite. “That was a low blow. I apologize.”

“Good lad,” the earl said.

Caden sent his grandfather a wink and a nod before continuing. “I thank you for your kind offer, Zeke. However, I’m telling you the truth. I am not in any trouble with the dens, have not been in any trouble, and will not be in any trouble. I can’t say it more plainly than that.

"I didn’t want to talk about what I know of Hastings because, suffice it to say, it occurred to me Lady Kitty would not be pleased.

Aside from that, I know how you feel about dens and how you associate them with our father.

I didn’t want you looking at me like you are now, like I’m nothing but a bloody disappointment. ”

“Be glad I’m only looking. A moment ago I was prepared to beat some sense into you.”

Caden bristled visibly. “You could try, old man.”

“Boys, is this really necessary?” the earl asked wearily. “Zeke, Caden has already told you there’s no need for concern.”

Randall cocked a brow. “My lord, are we certain this is your eldest grandson sitting here? Because the Zeke I know was never so serious. He laughed constantly, oft times, out of turn. He goaded and bossed his younger brother with impunity, but never resembled an out and out curmudgeon. Come to think of it, the Zeke I know would get engaged to be married kicking and screaming, not with such cool aplomb.”

Well, hell. Randall’s description hit a little too close to the mark. He’d overreacted just now with Caden, in large part due to his own guilt.

As to going into his engagement with alacrity—well, there, Randall also had him pegged. Witness his initial reaction to the idea of marrying Kitty. He’d pitched a bloody fit.

To his surprise, Caden spoke up in his defense. “It’s not entirely Zeke’s fault. He has reason to despise the hells. We all know the fate that befell our father.”

The earl smiled like a proud father. “Quite right, Caden. And more to the point, Randall…” He slid the viscount a look. “Perhaps Zeke’s just growing up. Marriage is the natural consequence of such an occurrence. Perhaps you’re next.”

Zeke and Caden laughed both at Randall’s appalled expression.

“You, too, can become surly and staid in your old age.” Zeke lifted his snifter in a silent toast to his friend.

Randall arched a brow and returned the gesture.

“Now, then.” Caden leaned back in his chair. “The truth about Hastings. He was a known regular at some of the seedier establishments, as I recall. I might not have remembered him at all, but there was one incident in particular that etched itself forever in my brain.

“Hastings had been on a winning streak for several nights running, and more than a few of us followed his triumphs on tenterhooks, rather like watching a speeding carriage that everyone but the driver knows is about to lose a wheel. As expected, Hastings’ luck ran out.

He went all-in on a horrific hand—and lost.”

Zeke narrowed his eyes. “How much?”

“If memory serves, something to the tune of three thousand pounds, give or take a shilling.”

“Did he make good on his debt?” Randall took the words from Zeke’s mouth.

“I couldn’t say. He left town the next day, as far as anyone knew. I never saw him again. That was some two years ago.”

“Right about the time he sailed for America.”

Zeke scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “You were right to say nothing of Hastings’ foolishness to Kitty. As far as I can tell, she idolized her brother. I see no reason to tarnish his memory for her now he’s dead and gone.”

“Here, here,” the earl said.

“Now that’s out of the way,” Randall began after a moment, his brown eyes gleaming with speculation, “we can move on to the far more interesting subject of your betrothal.”

The earl grinned. “An excellent notion.”

“I’ll admit, I had my doubts as to the veracity of your plans to wed, at first. But no longer,” Randall said.

Zeke arched a brow at his long-time friend. “Indeed. What changed your opinion?”

Randall inclined his head toward Caden. “Hard not to see the merit is all, after meeting her, wouldn’t you say, Cade?”

Caden nodded.

“Well said.” The earl grinned proudly. “She’s extraordinary. A real gem.”

Randall switched his attention to the earl. “Yes. She’s different than the usual London set. Not afraid to speak her mind.” He slanted a look at Zeke. “Or take a certain person to task.”

Caden shrugged. “Randall, I don’t know why you’re dancing around the obvious. She’s remarkable to look at. Those pale green eyes of hers almost make a man forget what he’s saying.” He lifted his hands and began tracing a shape in the air. “And then there’s her figure.”

“I’ll thank you not to discuss my fiancé’s figure,” Zeke snapped.

Caden chuckled with glee, and Zeke realized he’d been played.

Randall directed his next comment to the earl, gesturing toward Zeke with one hand.

“There’s the clincher. Zeke’s attitude toward the damsel.

Like she exists for his pleasure alone, and God save any man who challenges him.

Do you know he refused to let us meet her this afternoon?

Sent her right up to her room, rather than introduce us. ”

“Is that so?” The earl’s gaze lit on Zeke.

Zeke rolled his eyes.

“I half feared she’d be banished from the dining hall this evening, locked in her room with a tray of food slid under the door,” Randall went on.

“That’s utter nonsense, and you know it,” Zeke said, but he felt the stirrings of a grin.

Caden yawned. “Much as I enjoy any discussion that puts Zeke on the defensive, the day has caught up with me.” He rose, and gave Zeke a fond smile. “It’s good to have you home, brother.”

“It’s good to be home,” Zeke replied, realizing only as he spoke the words they were true.

Randall expressed his intent to retire for the night, as well. A few minutes later, only Zeke and his grandfather remained in the room.

“I’m surprised you didn’t retire with the other two, my lord,” Zeke said.

The earl glanced toward the now open doorway. He lowered his voice. “I had to congratulate you on your clever ploy.”

“Ploy?”

“You really took our discussion to heart. Way to show initiative.”

Zeke frowned, confused. He’d expected his grandfather to grill him for answers, as in, why hadn’t Zeke told Caden the entire truth. “Come again?”

“When I asked you to come up with a list of suitors, you did so in spades. A short one, I’ll grant you, but I approve of your choices.”

Zeke’s frown deepened.

“Your brother or Viscount Randall would both make fine husbands for our Kitty,” the earl continued.

“Bravo on your tactical strategy. Since neither has any idea your engagement is a pretense, they’ll both act quite their normal, charming selves around the girl.

By the end of the week, Kitty and the boys will be fast friends. ”

Zeke heard a crunching sound. Realized, belatedly he was grinding his teeth to stumps. Randall was right. He’d lost his legendary sense of humor. He forced a smile. “May the lucky horse win.”

The earl slapped his thigh and winked at Zeke. “That’s rich, Ezekiel.” He pushed back from the table. “Goodnight, m’ boy.” He was still chuckling as he left the room.

Zeke’s pretense at amusement vanished. He supposed he should be glad his grandfather hadn’t gotten any more ideas concerning he and Kitty in his head. But how he could think Zeke would assign himself matchmaker to Kitty was beyond him.

He finished his drink in one swallow, then pushed up from the table. He exited the dining hall, and stood for a long moment in the corridor. Turning right would take him to the front of the house, and the grand staircase leading to his bedchamber.

He ought to go up directly. Ought to turn in. Get a good night’s sleep.

That was the thing. He wouldn’t sleep. He’d lay there, like he had every night for the past week, staring at the ceiling. And imagine her. Kissing her. Touching her. Whispering things to her—things he’d never said, never wanted to say, to any woman.

He put his face in his hands. When had any of this become about Kitty? He’d entered into this nonsense for one purpose—to honor his grandfather.

Blast it all. No woman was worth this. This prowling energy. This worry over her damned wellbeing. This burning, nameless need that couldn’t lead to anything good.

Tunneling his hands through his hair, he cursed, turned left and stalked down the hall.