Page 4 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction (Dukes of Passion #3)
CHAPTER 4
“ G ood God, Blytheton, are you actually at home before sunset? I’d begun to think you lived at White’s.”
Noah looked up from his desk with an exaggerated grimace. “Had to come home eventually. The club’s cellars can’t sustain my particular talents indefinitely.” He gestured to the crystal decanter beside him. “Though I have made sure to keep adequate supplies here as well.”
Leo’s mouth quirked as he dropped into the chair opposite his friend.
Trust Noah to maintain his debauchery even at home.
“I need some information about a person who resides on Mount Street.”
“Ah.” Noah’s eyes gleamed with sudden interest as he poured them both a drink. “I take it last night’s pursuit uncovered something interesting.”
“She’s clever, I’ll give her that.” Leo accepted the offered glass. “But not clever enough to avoid being caught.”
“And did you discover the identity of your mysterious author?” Noah held up his hand. “No, no. Let me guess? A jilted lover? A young maiden whose love for you has gone unrequited?”
Leo rolled his eyes. “Not quite. The author lives in that gray stone townhouse at the corner of Mount Street. Quite a modest residence for someone who is profiting from my exploits.”
Noah’s eyebrows shot up. “That would be Lady Asquith’s residence.”
“Lady Asquith?” Leo frowned; the name stirred no recognition.
“The Dowager Countess of Asquith,” Noah clarified, clearly enjoying being the bearer of knowledge that Leo lacked. “Surely you remember old Lord Asquith? Fell into the Thames about a year ago after a particularly unsuccessful evening at the gaming tables.”
“I was in Vienna a year ago,” Leo reminded him. “What of his widow?”
“She’s actually a fascinating woman.” Noah settled back into his chair and took a sip of his drink. “The ton blamed her for Asquith’s death of course. They always blame the wife. But from what I heard, the marriage was a disaster from the start. She was barely eighteen when they wed, and he…” Noah’s expression darkened. “Well, let’s just say he wasn’t known for being kind.”
Leo’s fingers tightened around his glass. “And now, she spends her days writing scandalous stories about me.”
“Apparently so.” Noah’s mouth twitched as he tried to hide a smile. “Though I must say, my friend, tracking down every lady who might have shared tales of your prowess could prove time-consuming. Shall I make a list? We might finish by Christmas.”
“Or next year, perhaps,” Leo murmured and lifted his glass to his friend before downing it in one gulp.
The realization that his various lovers had been sharing intimate details of their encounters made him want to break something.
“It would be pointless anyway. The damage is done.”
“And what do you plan to do about it?”
Leo poured himself another glass of whiskey. “Convince Lady Asquith to cease her literary endeavors then return to my search for William.”
“I was hoping you had given up the search after our talk the other night.”
“I have paid Matthews to continue following leads while I deal with this situation.” Leo’s jaw tightened. “He’s to send word the moment he finds any trace of my brother and Felicity. And while I wait, I will stop these ridiculous tales of my exploits.”
“And if Lady Asquith proves difficult to convince?” The glint in Noah’s eye suggested he rather hoped she would be.
“She won’t.” Leo set down his glass with more force than was perhaps necessary. “I can be very persuasive when I want to be.”
“I’m sure.” Noah smiled. “Though I can’t help but notice that you seem rather invested in dealing with this challenge.”
“The woman is publishing details of my private life for all of London to read,” Leo growled. “Of course, I’m invested.”
“Of course,” Noah agreed, far too easily. “It has nothing to do with the fact that she is easy on the eyes and from what I hear, quite clever. I don’t think she will be easily intimidated by you.”
“You’re enjoying this far too much.”
“Someone ought to.” Noah refilled his glass. “It’s been years since I’ve seen you animated by anything other than the hunt for William. Perhaps Lady Asquith’s stories are exactly what you need to keep you here in London.”
Leo ignored his friend’s observation though something in his chest tightened at the thought of those blue eyes that had sparked with defiance as their owner had trembled beneath his touch.
“Tell me more about her.”
“Well,” Noah said, settling back into his chair with the air of a man prepared to tell a particularly good tale, “as I mentioned, her marriage was hardly a love match. Asquith needed funds, not that her family had many, and her family, while respectable, was eager for the connection to an earl.”
“And her family now?”
“Deceased. Father was a minor country squire who died shortly after her marriage. I believe the mother died a year later.” Noah swirled his brandy. “This left poor Lady Asquith entirely dependent on her husband.”
“Who then conveniently drowned.”
Noah’s expression sobered. “I know what you’re thinking, but there was an investigation. Multiple witnesses saw him stagger into the Thames in a drunken stupor. She wasn’t even present.”
“Yet the ton blames her?”
“The ton always needs someone to blame. A beautiful young widow is a far more entertaining villain than the man’s own vices.” Noah’s mouth twisted. “Besides, Asquith’s heir was quite vocal in suggesting she had driven his uncle to despair.”
Leo snorted. “Because of course it couldn’t be the heir who benefited the most from the Earl’s death.”
“The very same heir who cut her jointure to nearly nothing, I might add.” Noah’s eyes met Leo’s. “It seems your literary nemesis has more reason than most to seek alternative sources of income.”
Leo frowned. The thought that a woman of breeding would be forced to hawk stories to survive sat uneasily with him. But then again, the stories were destroying what little remained of his reputation.
“You mentioned she’s beautiful,” he said, keeping his tone casual. “It was hard to see her face in the gloom of the carriage.”
“Strikingly so. Dark hair and remarkable blue eyes. A rather generous figure, if you’ll pardon the observation.”
Leo recalled the glimpse he’d caught of her face in the lamplight-fine features, full lips that had parted in surprise at his touch.
“And her circle of friends?”
“Small but loyal. Lord and Lady Clarkshire seem particularly devoted to her. Most of society keeps her at arm’s length because of the scandal.” Noah paused. “She does still receive invitations to certain events. The hostesses know an infamous guest adds spice to any gathering.”
“So, she navigates society but barely.” Leo stared into his glass, thinking. “Vulnerable yet resourceful enough to create a secret career.”
“Precisely.” Noah leaned forward. “Though I have to ask—what exactly is your plan here? You can hardly challenge a widow to a duel, and a public confrontation would only confirm the stories about you.”
“I have already confronted her privately,” Leo reminded him.
Noah’s grin was insufferable. “Given that you’re here asking about her the next morning, I’m guessing it did not go well.”
Leo glowered at him. “She’s stubborn. Claims she has to write about me though she wouldn’t elaborate why.”
“Fascinating.” Noah looked positively delighted. “So, the widow resisted your infamous charm? No wonder you’re in a quandary.”
“She’s endangering my search for William,” Leo said sharply. “Every day I spend in London dealing with this nonsense is another day my brother slips further away.”
Noah’s amusement faded. “Where was the last place they were spotted?”
“Matthews sent a message saying they were in Brussels two months ago, but they were gone before he could get there.” Leo clenched his fist. “Ten years, Noah. How they have evaded me…”
“It’s time to consider that William doesn’t wish to be found,” Noah said gently.
“When I hear that from his own lips, I’ll believe it.” Leo stood abruptly, unable to sit still with the familiar restlessness that thoughts of his brother always brought. “William may be a fool where Felicity is concerned, but he’s still my brother.”
“And Lady Asquith?”
“Is an obstacle I intend to remove.” Leo moved to the window, looking out at the London morning. “I’ll call on her. With her identity known, she can hardly hide behind anonymity any longer.”
“And if she refuses to stop writing? You can hardly keep her under lock and key.”
A dangerous idea flickered in Leo’s mind that he quickly dismissed. “Everyone has a price. I simply need to discover hers.”
“Take care, old sport,” Noah warned, all traces of his earlier teasing gone. “Desperate people are unpredictable. And a woman who has lost everything once, may not fear losing again.”
Leo turned back to his friend with a grim smile. “Then it’s fortunate I am not a man accustomed to losing.”