Page 50 of Saving a Scoundrel
“I don’t thin—” Danvers began.
“That sounds lovely!” Ellie interjected. Then she turned to Katy. “How are you, Miss Macdougal? Did you all have a pleasant trip on the boat after I left?”
“Yes, the trip was lovely. It’s a shame you felt so ill. We stopped in Windsor and had a picnic underneath these large tents. And there was chicken and roast beef and fresh fruit…” The ladies began to walk ahead.
Danvers grabbed his arm as he started to follow. “Grisham, what’s with the interference? The rules say we can’t sabotage the others.” His voice was low and angry.
“The rules said we could not disparage the others. Were you really planning to swive her in the back of your carriage? Very gallant.”
“Jealous? You’ve known the girl forever but can’t get her under you? You must be losing your touch.” Danvers smirked.
“You’re a piece of shit. The lot of you.” Lucius leaned in close. “Stay away from her.”
“Oh, I see. You’ve decided to become a saint now, is that it? Well, you can forfeit your money if you like.” Danvers brushed past him and began to whistle as he followed the ladies.
Lucius clenched his hands into fists. He would kill Danvers and Comstock for good measure. Perhaps he should tell Ellie about the bet. But then he would have to admit to being a party to it. It may be selfish, but he didn’t want her to look at him with her eyes filled with disappointment. He got enough of that from his mother. He would just have to keep a close eye on her. There were still things on her list that he could use to keep her busy and away from the others.
He hurried to catch up. The ladies had stopped to talk with a group of men and women that included Lord Haverty andLord almighty, just what he needed today, Lucius’s older brother Edward and his wife, Katherine. Ellie and Katherine stood next to each other, chatting. Edward talked with Danvers, and Haverty entertained Katy a few feet away with a story, his hands moving enthusiastically through the air.
Lucius approached his brother and sister-in-law cautiously. “Hello, Grisham, Katherine.”
Katherine smiled and reached out a hand. “Lucius, what a nice surprise.” She gave her husband a pointed look.
Lucius took her hand and kissed it. “Likewise. You look lovely today.”
Ellie gave him an encouraging smile. “Mrs. Grisham and I were just catching up. It’s been an age since we spoke last. They have had their hands full with the baby.”
“Of course. And how is my nephew these days?” The last time he had seen his nephew had been at the boy’s christening.
Edward’s chest puffed out, and a genuine smile emerged from his tight features. “He’s just begun walking. He is sturdy and strong and going to be a great outdoorsman, I can tell already.”
Katherine gave her husband another pointed glance. “Wasn’t there something you wanted to discuss with Lucius?”
“Um, yes. Thank you, dear.” Edward’s smile disappeared. “Could I have a moment to speak with you privately?”
Lucius glanced over at Miss Macdougal, who was still engaged in conversation with Haverty and now Danvers. “I guess so. But just for a moment.”
They stepped to the side, and Lucius crossed his arms in front of him. Edward mirrored his pose. His brother towered over him by a least six inches, having inherited their father’s height and dark coloring—just another place where Lucius had fallen short in comparison. The two of them stared at each other for several moments. “Edward, you clearly have some message to deliver, like a good little boy. Just tell me what they said.”
Edward growled low and leaned his face closer. “I don’t know why I bother with you. But for some reason, maybe because of my son, I have been reflecting on the importance of family. Charlotte managed to blow ours to pieces with her rash behavior last year.” He shook his head. “She was always such a good girl.”
“Charlotte followed her heart after spending years trying to win the love and affection of our parents. She’s happy now. You might be interested to know she is expecting a child this year.”
Edwards’s eyes widened. “That’s just what I mean. We all know it’s impossible to please Mother and Father. They are entirely self-absorbed and overly ambitious. I must stay in their good graces in order to inherit for my family. But Katherine and I have been talking, and well, I want you to know that you and Charlotte will always be welcome in my home.”
Lucius’s arms fell to the side, and he stared at his brother. He opened his mouth and then closed it, not sure what to say.
Edward rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. “You don’t have to look so shocked. You’ve really fouled up your life, but I love you. And you’re right, there is a message.”
Lucius tried to reconcile the insult, which he admitted was not entirely untrue, with his brother’s declaration that he loved him. Edward had never paid much attention to him and Charlotte once he’d grown and left the house. Lucius always thought his brother reveled in being the golden child.
Indeed, everything Lucius did or didn’t do had been compared to hisperfectolder brother by his parents. It had been far easier to be a disappointment than to try to live up to his parents’ expectations. He’d leave that to Edward. After all, he was the heir; Lucius was just the standby. He rubbed his temples as a headache began to throb behind his eyes. “What’s the message?”
“Mother has this idea that you would make a good match for her friend, Lady Rawling’s daughter. Apparently, the girl has quite a large dowry. Father said if you settled down with a good match, he would reinstate your funds.”
Lucius rolled his eyes. Typical maneuver from his parents. Bribing him to do something that would no doubt benefit them in some way. “Actually, I am planning to marry my own heiress. Miss Macdougal’s father owns Macdougal Brewing. And he’s offered to bring me into the business. So, you can tell them I politely decline.”
Edward sighed. “I had a feeling that was going to be your answer. You are so stubborn. Brewing, huh? Mother won’t be happy about that. You know her ambitions to move up in society were dashed last year when Charlotte did not marry the marquess. She’ll throw a fit for sure.” He shook his head.
