Page 55 of Pursuing a Duke
“I can’t. I don’t possess a title.”
“You will soon if your brother doesn’t stop living so recklessly,” Andrew said.
Caldwell looked inside his glass, lost in thought. “I paid off his creditors and gambling debts again. I swore to him that after this time he was on his own. I can’t continue to bail him out. It’s not about the money. It’s that he’ll never learn. Unless someone else beats me to it, I need to beat some sense into him.”
“How did he take it?” asked Langford.
“Humorously. He laughed in my face.”
“Christ,” Andrew groaned. “Do you want me to speak to him? He may listen since I spent nearly three years doing what he is.”
“Shit, no.” Caldwell leaned forward and rested his empty glass on the table. “I’m off. If you need help, Blackstone, let me know. I’ll see you both in the office.”
“What are you going to do about Emmeline?” Langford asked. “You can’t very well arrive at Lord Hartford’s house and accuse his wife of attempted murder.”
“Indeed. But don’t think I didn’t consider it. We need to keep our cards hidden for now. I’ve already sent word to our Bow Street Runner acquaintance. I want Emmeline guarded, and both Lord and Lady Hartford watched. And with any luck, I can convince Caldwell to marry Lady Beatrice. So what if he doesn’t possess a title? Lord Hartford doesn’t care. At least he said he didn’t. He was, in fact, the one who mentioned Caldwell as a possible husband.” He finished his drink and stood. “Give Lilly my best. Langford, Hollingsworth.” He nodded and left, retrieving his coat and hat from the doorman.
