Page 20 of Gone With the Rogue
“To tell you the truth, I’m not going to the clubs as much as I used to,” Wiley admitted. “I want to take care of Miss Osborne properly after we wed, and if I have to give up wagers on daily card games and drinking until dawn, I’m willing.”
“That’s probably a good way to keep her happy.”
“So, if we’re going to get into a little trouble while you’re in Town, we should make it soon. I doubt Miss Osborne wants me to be wearing a black eye when she returns to London.”
Garrett chuckled. “I remember the days when both of us would wear them quite often. I promise not to lead you astray. One of the reasons I’m here is to make her acquaintance and to see you are wed. That includes making sure you look your best on that day and with your pockets plump.”
“I think you’ll like Miss Osborne,” Wiley said with an innocence in his voice that seldom showed.
“I already do. She had the good sense to see through all your faults and decide to marry you anyway.”
Wiley snorted a laugh and nodded a greeting as they passed an older gentleman who was also riding. “That she did. Some days I still can’t believe she agreed. I’m not sure when she’ll be back in London. How long are you staying this time?”
That question made Garrett think. He didn’t usually stay in London more than a couple of weeks. A month at the most. He didn’t want to think about leaving right now. He knew Lady Kitson needed him whether or not she was ready to admit that. “As long as it takes to see you wed.”
“Good. She’ll write once her parents have decided when they’ll be returning.”
“But before Christmastide?” Garrett asked with a grin.
“You can be sure of that.”
They rode in silence for a few moments before Garrett said, “There’s another reason I came to London.”
“My wedding wasn’t reason enough?”
“Of course, but I want to buy a house.”
“Really?” Wiley’s eyes narrowed suspiciously as he looked over at Garrett. “In London?”
“Why does that surprise you?”
“Why wouldn’t it? You’ve never wanted to stay in London long enough to have a home. Does this mean you’re finally ready to put your traveling boots under just one bed and keep them there?”
For now? Yes. Forever? Garrett didn’t know. He couldn’t explain it to himself and he wasn’t going to try to make Wiley understand. Garrett was all right with that uncertainty for now. Buying the house where he grew up was what mattered. Not what brought him to that reasoning. Lady Kitson crossed his mind. Yes, right now he only wanted his boots under her bed. Hedidn’t know when that would happen, but he was willing to wait for her.
He gave Wiley the only answer he could. “I don’t know.”
“Fair enough. It’s always good to have you in London no matter how long you stay.”
“I want to buy the house on Poppinbrook Street from my cousin.”
Wiley brushed his hair from his forehead and tucked it under the brim of his hat. “You look serious about this.”
The sun beat down on the back of Garrett’s neck. “I am.”
“You can buy any house in London you want, but believe me, you don’t want that house.”
“I do want to buy that house.”
“Then you’ll need to talk to someone other than your cousin. The house was sold to Mr. Peter Moorshavan over a year ago.”
Garrett took in that information. It hadn’t crossed his mind that the house might now be owned by someone else. That could be a wrinkle he hadn’t expected but he hoped not. “I don’t know of the man, but it might be easier to buy from him than from the old earl.”
“I’m not sure about that.”
Wiley pulled his horse up short and stopped him so Garrett stopped, too. Both horses nickered and pulled against their bridles.
“I never met him, but from what I heard everyone thought Moorshavan was simply a wealthy man from the Americas when he moved into the house. Many of his neighbors befriended him. Until, according to rumor, it was learned the man had opened a hidden brothel in the house.”
