Page 54 of Yours Truly, the Duke
“Lord Tartanville wants to set up a rematch. The expert shooter from Oxford wants to give it another go.”
Wyatt smiled. “So, he didn’t lose enough money yesterday? I’m sure you’ll look forward to going against him a second time.”
“He wants more than just a chance to get even,” Rick explained, placing his ankle on the top of his other knee. “He’s looking to set up a three-day tournament with fencing, horse racing, cards, shooting, and cricket. He’ll invite sporting clubs from Oxford, Liverpool, and Southampton—as far away as clubs want to travel. And notjust Society or gentry. Any club wishing to participate. Wherever they come from, and as many as want to compete. As long as they are willing to sign up and pay the entry fee.”
“It seemed like something our club would be interested in, so we went ahead and agreed even though we didn’t know if you would be up to it,” Hurst added.
Wyatt shrugged and slipped farther back into his chair. “I think it’s a solid idea. Why wouldn’t I be for it?”
Rick started to speak, but Hurst held up his hand to quiet him, and took over. “With Fredericka now living with you and our schedules already full with practices and matches because of everyone being in Town for the Season, we didn’t know if your plans might have changed.”
“Living with you?”That turn of phrase caught Wyatt off guard. But, yes, that’s exactly what she was doing. Living in his house. No,theirhouse. With him. But not for long, he told himself quickly. Just until things were settled about the carriage and with Jane.
“My plans are what they’ve always been. Nothing’s changed. A large event in Oxford sounds challenging for everyone in our club. I’ll train as usual and be ready as I’m sure the other members will. The hospitals can use all the money we can win.”
Another shrill screech sounded from above. More than one. Charles had joined Bella and they both seemed to be jumping up and down right over Wyatt’s head. He purposefully made no reaction to the noise. It appeared Miss Litchfield and the children had chosen the room directly above the book room for their play area.
Or, he thought suddenly and with a bit of humor, maybe when Fredericka left the drawing room she went to join them and she was the one who suggested they choose that particular room. Thinking their antics wouldannoy him. If so, she could have saved her steps. It would be a cold day in hell before he complained about children having the opportunity to play.
“It’s settled then.” Hurst walked over to the decanter and added a splash to his glass. “Now, about the other matter we wanted to discuss. I’m not sure it will be as easy for you to hear.”
Wyatt didn’t like the sound of that, so he sipped his drink. “Gossip again?” he questioned, knowing there had to be plenty of it making the rounds since so many people were in attendance when Fredericka arrived at his house. Human nature wasn’t something most people could do anything about. They simply accepted it, lived with it, and never tried to change it.
“There’s plenty of that too,” Rick offered, sounding more casual than the sudden fidgeting in his chair indicated. “What we wanted to tell you is a bit more than the common scandalbroth the gossipmongers print.”
“Wagers were started at White’s this morning,” Hurst filled in the rest. “Viscount Longington started the first one, laying down the bet that your wife would lose the children to Mrs. Jane Tomkin.”
Hell’s teeth!
Wyatt fought to keep his face passive. The man was brother-in-law to Fredericka’s nemesis, Cousin Jane. Wyatt knew of the man, but not well. He was older than Wyatt and they lived different lifestyles. Their paths seldom had a reason to cross. But Wyatt knew exactly why he had placed the wager. He was hoping it would aid his sister-in-law’s pursuit to take guardianship of the children from Fredericka.
“Involving a man’s wife is crossing a line,” Wyatt said in a quiet tone as instinct to protect Fredericka rose up inside him.
“There are no lines in the betting books at White’s and you know it,” Rick reminded. “You would do well to stay quiet and not get riled by this. You know the rules. You can’t stop a wager once it’s placed. If you involve yourself in any way with what the viscount has done, the stakes will only get larger, spread to other clubs and possibly other towns.”
Hurst leaned forward. “Listen to him, Wyatt. If it was only the viscount, you could challenge him to a duel or lay him out flat on his back and settle this slight the proper way. Others are already betting, and you can’t take on every one of them. No matter what you do, the wager won’t go away. Swallow this and forget it or you will have every gambling hell in the city laying down bets.”
“That’s not my nature.”
“If you do anything, London will sizzle with the gossip of it for weeks. You better be ready for it and prepare your wife for it as well.”
Fredericka.
Yes. He had to think about her. Going after Longington would not be good for her pursuit of the children, and the viscount damn well knew it when he placed the bet.
Hurst and Rick were right. Much as he detested the thought of it, he had to buck up or see this grow into a firefall of scandalous wagering. But it was that human trait he was thinking about earlier that made him want to coldcock Longington right between his eyes, challenge him to a duel, and then send a lead ball through his shoulder.
Instead of dwelling on that, he casually asked, “Were there many takers?”
“Not when we left. Hopefully, there will be more gentlemen who feel the way we do than the way Longington does. Wives and children should be off-limits forany bet. Maybe honor will win over purses and most of the members will stay clear of this one.”
Staying out of this wouldn’t be easy, but he had to for Fredericka. It wouldn’t help her for him to end up shooting the viscount.
Bella let out a blood-curdling shriek of delight and Charles chimed in right behind her as laughter pealed again. More drumming of feet too.
“Hellfire.” Rick grimaced. “I didn’t know little girls had such loud voices. It’s way too early in the day to deal with that sound.”
“What do you say we head over to White’s or the Heirs’ Club and get some food in Rick before we meet the others for our cricket practice? I think he had one too many glasses of brandy last night.”
