Bargaining With a Rake (A Whisper of Scandal Novel)

by Johnstone, Julie

  “I know how you feel.”

  “Am I that obvious?”

  “Only to a man in the same predicament. My cousins are like sisters to me. Gillian and Whitney have both been launched into the season by my uncle.”

  Alex frowned. It was unusual for two sisters to be launched at once, but who was he to comment about proper behavior? He was far from a rule follower. “I’d forgotten she was your cousin.”

  “Have you seen her tonight?” Rutherford adjusted his waistcoat as he looked at Alex.

  The feel of her soft skin still warmed Alex’s fingers. He offered a curt nod. “You could say I caught her.”

  Rutherford flushed a deep red. “Now, see here, Lionhurst. My cousin is not to be toyed with, same as your sister.”

  Alex clenched his jaw. Sometimes his reputation pleased him and sometimes it was a damn nuisance. “I doubt you need to worry about anyone toying with Lady Gillian. In fact, if I were you, I would be more concerned about her plans for her future.”

  “What the devil do you mean?”

  At that moment, Sutherland glanced over his shoulder and motioned for Alex to sit. “Never mind. I spoke out of turn.” Let the fair Lady Gillian have her game. It was not his concern. “The only thing I’ll say is you may want to keep an eye on your cousin. If you’ll excuse me?”

  “Of course. I had better go find Gillian anyway.” Rutherford moved away but immediately turned back. “Trent’s coming home tomorrow, and Mother has planned a week-long house party in his honor.”

  “What exactly was Sin doing in Paris for the last year?”

  “Who knows?” Rutherford shrugged. “He left in a cloud of mystery, and he returns much the same way. Care to join the hunt and welcome him back?”

  “May I bring Sutherland?”

  Rutherford flicked his gaze to the card table. “The American? But of course. We’ll bet on the hunt and take his money before the day is over.”

  “Don’t count on it,” Sutherland called without turning around. “I’ll take your money just as I did tonight.”

  “Nasty American,” Rutherford said with a laugh. “I’ll see you both on Friday at Ravenhurst, no later than sunrise.”

  As Rutherford departed, Alex took off his coat, sat down and motioned to be dealt into the game. He stared blindly at his cards, irritated that he couldn’t focus. Guilt nagged at him for what he’d said about Lady Gillian. He didn’t like to consider himself a snitch. To his right, Sutherland drummed his fingers on the table. Alex pushed thoughts of the lady away and glanced at Sutherland. “I do believe your patience is getting shorter the longer I know you.”

  Sutherland snorted. “And you, my friend, are becoming ruder. You left me sitting here while you chatted with Rutherford, and then you think to barge in on my game and not say a word to me?”

  “I thought conciliatory silence was why we’ve remained partners and friends for as long as we have.”

  Sutherland tapped his cards on the table, his eyes narrowing. “It’s unlike you to be distracted. What’s on your mind?”

  “A lady.” Sutherland was the one person Alex could be partially honest with.

  “Does the lady have a name?”

  “Lady Gillian.”

  “Rutherford’s cousin?”

  “Were you eavesdropping on my conversation?”

  “Of course. That’s why I’m such a great partner. My ability to appear preoccupied while I soak in all the details. It throws off our competition.”

  “True. But you don’t have all the details you need.”

  Sutherland raised his eyebrows and pushed a full glass of dark liquor toward Alex. “Let me guess. She intrigued you, and it bothered you because she is a proper lady and you only pursue improper women.”

  The statement brushed too close to the truth that he hadn’t really admitted to himself. He set down his cards and shoved his chair away from the table.

  “Are you leaving before you’ve even started?”

  Alex nodded. “I’ve lost the desire to play.”

  “You’ve lost the desire to play your favorite game? This is a first. This Lady Gillian must be some woman.”

  “She’s some sort of woman, all right. She’s set her sights on you, so you better be careful.”

  “Me?” Sutherland grinned. “Is she beautiful?”

  Her green eyes and olive skin flashed in Alex’s mind. “She’s passably pretty.”

  “Well, I suppose I could settle for passably pretty,” Sutherland said. “What’s her temperament like?”

  Alex thought of the way she’d glared at him and refused to back down or be the first to apologize. “I don’t know her very well, mind you. I’ve only seen her twice briefly in the last week. And the last time before that she was eight.”

  “Yes, fine, so temperament?”

  “Tart-tongued, disagreeable and argumentative.” He stood up and snapped, “Deal me out,” at the dealer. Alex ran a hand over his face. What was wrong with him? He was normally such a calm fellow. It had to be this blasted, bloody awful ball.

  “You’re in a fine mood.” Sutherland motioned for the dealer to deal him out as well. “Let’s forget the lady if my meeting her is going to put you in such a disagreeable mood.”

  Alex clenched his jaw. “Meet her. Marry her. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He jerked on his coat. He refused to argue over a woman he barely knew. “Unless you want to find your way back to my town house alone, let’s drop this conversation. I have more important things to worry about than whether Lady Gillian traps you into marriage. You’re a grown man. My sister, however, is a young lady in need of protection, and I can’t very well protect her in here.”

  He turned on his heel and wound back toward the ballroom door. He had to find Lisse. Sutherland nudged him as they entered the ballroom.

  Alex ignored his friend and scanned the room, determined to secure his sister in his sights.

  Another jab dug into his ribs. “Do you know when you described Lady Gillian, you smiled? I’m wondering if you don’t want her for yourself because your life is so pathetically lonely. You could use a wife. If you want her, I’m gentleman enough to ignore her, even if I am interested.”

  “Try to remember you’re my business partner, not my mother. And spare me your opinion of what my life needs.”

  “I’m simply saying I’ve never seen you smile when you’ve spoken of any woman.”

  Had he smiled? He had felt as if he was scowling. “It was a smile of relief―relief that I no longer was listening to her chatter.”

  Alex scanned the crowd again for his sister. He didn’t see her anywhere, but that was no surprise given her short stature and the press of bodies in the room. Sweat beaded on his forehead. He should have never quit the ballroom for the card room. Impatient, he wove through the people toward the front of the ballroom. If he could reach the dais, he’d have a much better view over the crowd.

  “Lionhurst!” Lord Kettering slapped him on the back. “Good to see you.”

  Alex pumped the man’s hand vigorously. “Likewise, but I’m in a rush.” He shot around the portly fiend and stopped. What in the world was Lady Gillian doing on the dais? She appeared deuced uncomfortable, standing beside a man who was no doubt her father, by the age and look of him. Beside the older gentleman, Harrison Mallorian glowered in Alex’s direction. Alex grinned in return and nudged Sutherland nice and hard to pay him back for earlier. “Do you see Mallorian?”

  “Yes.” Sutherland rubbed at his ribs. “No doubt he’s still fuming.”

  “No doubt.” Alex didn’t like how the blackguard moved close to Lady Gillian any more than he liked how the man had tried to buy into their company. Both actions made Alex want to crush Mallorian. Lady Gillian jerked away from Mallorian and turned to her father, speaking rapidly.

  Good for her. At least she knew a devil disguised in gentlemen’s clothing. Alex narrowed his eyes as he studied Mallorian. What was that weasel up to? Alex swept his gaze over the gather
ed party. Sally stood beside a woman whose pale, drawn face did not bode well for whatever transpired. He recognized the woman as Lady Davenport, the Duke of Kingsley’s sister-in-law. That answered the mystery of who the older man was.

  Alex moved close.

  “What are you doing?” Sutherland fell into step beside him. “Do you see your sister?”

  “No, but there’s Lady Gillian.”

  “You said she was passably pretty. She’s gorgeous,” Sutherland accused.

  Sutherland was right. She was beautiful, even more so when angry, and there was no doubt the lady was livid. She shook her dark head at her father, anger visible in her rigid shoulders, jutted chin and deeply pinked skin. Mallorian, on the other hand, appeared smug. Too smug. “What do you think Mallorian is up to?”

  “Maybe he’s trying to buy something else out of his reach,” Sutherland quipped.

  Sutherland was jesting, but there could be some truth in the matter. And while he hoped the lady failed in her plan to hoodwink Sutherland into marriage, that didn’t mean he wanted to see her thrown to the sharks. Or shark, as it were.

  Someone latched on to Alex’s arm, breaking his focus on the scene. He glanced to the left. “Lissie.” He drew his sister close to him.

  “Alex! Thank goodness. I cannot find Mother and Father in the chaos.”

  Her white face alarmed him. “Are you unwell, Lissie?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “Just overly hot.”

  “Then let’s go on the terrace.”

  “No!” Lissie reared back out of his reach, her brown-eyed gaze widening. “I have to hear the announcement.”

  “Why do you care what the Duke of Kingsley is going to announce?”

  “I…I don’t care.” Lissie bit her lip. “I simply would be up on the latest news as everyone else.”

  Her twitching upper lip gave her lie away. Alex studied his sister. She had never lied to him, as far as he knew, but he did not doubt she was lying now. “Lissie—”

  A bell rang from the front and the crowd fell silent.

  The Duke of Kingsley stepped forward and grasped Lady Gillian by the arm, drawing her near.

  As Mallorian stepped to her side, Lissie inhaled sharply. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask his sister what was the matter, but tearing his gaze away from Lady Gillian proved impossible. The color drained from her face. Her gaze darted, searched. For what? An escape?

  Kingsley raised a glass. “It’s my pleasure to announce the betrothal of my daughter to Mr. Harrison Mallorian.”

  Lady Gillian took the glass proffered to her with a trembling hand. Alex turned away from the spectacle and glanced at Sutherland. “Well, I suppose the lady has been outwitted by her father.” He clasped Sutherland on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, my friend, the ton is full of hundreds of beautiful debutantes who will want to marry you.” He swallowed, his mouth suddenly filled with a bitter taste.

  “Now, Lissie―” Where the devil? He glanced around them. What was wrong with that girl? “Where’d she go?” he grumbled more to himself than Sutherland.

  “Your sister fled when they announced the betrothal.”

  “Odd of her to disappear like that.”

  Sutherland shrugged. “No stranger than you staring at Lady Gillian during the entire announcement and not noticing your sister fleeing from your side.”

  Alex sighed. Rising to his full height, he scanned the crowd once more but still did not see his sister. Blasted unreasonable women. He’d hoped that with her odd behavior she might be agreeable to go. Now he had no choice but to stay among this rabble until he found her. Maybe even then she’d want to stay for hours. “Damn,” he muttered under his breath as he motioned to Sutherland to help begin the search.

  Alex couldn’t understand why he still felt so tense. His sister had been found and safely sent home with their parents after begging a headache. His chaperone duties were over for the night. He had a full glass of whiskey in front of him, and he was with his friend and brother, yet his shoulders bunched with tension.

  And he couldn’t get his bloody mind on the bloody Vingt-et-un game. Something was bothering his sister, and he intended to get to the bottom of her problem tomorrow. Headache his arse. Her eye had twitched with her second lie of the night.

  After a moment’s contemplation he knew what was bothering him, other than his sister, he just didn’t know why. Lady Gillian had clearly not wished to become someone’s soon-to-be bride tonight. But why the hell should that be on his mind? The woman was not his concern.

  He shifted in his seat but still could not get comfortable. He had to get out of this place. White’s hummed with an excited undercurrent he normally thrived on, yet tonight the buzz of business, drink and bets annoyed him. He needed a woman’s soft touch to make him forget the tart-tongued Lady Gillian. Of course, he had no mistress now since he’d had to break things off with Bess. And he was not in the mood to try out a new woman tonight. These things took time and careful consideration.

  “Lionhurst? Have you heard a word we said?” Sutherland demanded.

  Alex glanced up. He was only just aware he had been staring mindlessly at the crowd of men gathered around the betting book at the front of White’s. His brother and Sutherland watched him, no doubt expecting an answer.

  “Not a word. Sorry.” He picked up his drink and drained the liquid with one gulp before setting the glass down. The last thing he was prepared to do was spill what was on his mind. “The ball drained my ability to think clearly,” he said as way of explanation since they appeared to still want one.

  Cameron chuckled. “That sounds exactly like something Robert would have said.”

  Alex twitched at the mention of their dead older brother. He stared at Cameron in stony silence, until color flooded his brother’s face. Good. His brother needed to be reminded of a few things. Alex leaned forward. “I will never be Robert. I never could be, even if I wanted to.”

  “Thank God,” Cameron mumbled. “But I didn’t mean to imply that.”

  “Whatever you meant, if you want me to take you seriously about buying into the company with Sutherland and me, then don’t ever compare me to Robert.”

  Cameron leaned back in his chair, his embarrassment replaced with a frown. “Forgive me. I wrongfully thought the subject less prickly for you. Consider the matter dropped.”

  “Perfect.” Alex forced a smile. His polite façade wasn’t quite where it needed to be tonight. And getting it there seemed impossible. His face twitched with the effort to appear bored.

  Damn Cameron for mentioning Robert. Keeping the demons away was easy as long as he didn’t think of his older brother. Melancholy seeped over him. He was a betrayer. Whether he thought about it or not, the fact remained the same.

  He grasped Cameron’s full whiskey glass and chugged the liquid down to wash away the sour taste filling his mouth.

  Cameron didn’t say a word. His eyes expressed concern, but after a second his gaze slid away from Alex. He turned to Sutherland and asked him something Alex could not hear.

  Alex signaled the waiter, got a refill of whiskey and swirled the honey-colored liquid around his glass. He’d never settle into being the marquess. It was hopeless. For everyone. Father was disappointed. Mother. No sense going through the whole bloody list.

  At a commotion behind him, he glanced back toward the betting book, eager to turn his thoughts. “Do either of you know what the great interest in the books is tonight?”

  Sutherland and Cameron exchanged a look. What was this about? “It’s unusual for either of you to be mute on any subject.”

  Sutherland stilled with his glass to his lips, then slowly put it down. “There’s a new bet on the books.”

  “You don’t say. Well, from the way you two are gaping at me, I assume my good name, or lack thereof, is somehow the object of the bet.”

  Cameron grinned. “You’re rather smart, old man.”

  “What is it now? Did I ravish a virgin? Split up a
perfectly happy marriage?” It always amazed him the tales people concocted. If he’d done half the things he’d been given credit for he’d be dead from exhaustion.

  Sutherland leaned toward him. “Personally, I put my money on you, but then I don’t know this woman Lady Staunton, so I may be on the verge of losing a good deal.”

  Alex narrowed his eyes to control the twitch of anger. “You’d better give me all the details so I can ensure you keep your blunt.”

  Cameron scooted his chair closer. “I’ll give you the details. It’s the least I can do as your brother.”

  “Your concern warms my heart.” A twitch in the side of his jaw joined the one in his right eye. This night was never ending. “Get on with it,” he bit out.

  “It seems Primwitty placed a bet against Randall and Franklin yesterday. They say you and Lady Staunton will be embroiled in an affair by the end of the season. Primwitty, smart chap that he is, bet against them in your favor.”

  Irritation washed over Alex. Was he not to find any peace tonight? He raised his glass and motioned toward the same servant who had just served him. The man appeared at the table and poured him another shot of liquor. Alex tapped the glass. “More.”

  “That’s a lot of liquor,” Cameron said.

  Alex eyed his brother. “If you had my memories you’d need just exactly this much,” he snapped and downed the liquid. He didn’t bother to say that no amount of liquor wiped away the memories of Lady Staunton and Robert. But the whiskey did take the edge off when the memories were at their worst, and tonight was one of those nights.

  “I’ll need to thank Peter later for taking up my cause.”

  “It wasn’t Primwitty,” Cameron said. “It was Sally. Primwitty told me he placed the bet in your favor for her. She’s your champion. Primwitty thought it would be better to ignore the matter, turn a blind eye, but Sally insisted your honor had to be defended.”

  Alex laughed at the news that his champion was none other than the petite blonde duchess. He could see her, now rosy with anger, blue eyes flashing and pushing her husband, Alex’s dearest and oldest friend, out the door to play the defender. “Sally’s daft. I don’t give a damn about my honor. People will believe the worst no matter what.” And the way Lady Staunton had been chasing him around despite her ill husband’s presence was bound to make tongues wag.