Looking around, Newcastle deduced, “It is only twenty-six of us here, so two teams of thirteen or six quartets of four.”
Surveying the room, Edward spotted the men he wanted to ride with, and without question, Rutledge was going to be one of them. “Still decided on being a bachelor for the rest of your life?”
“No different from you,” Newcastle chuckled. “I think you know that you shocked the whole of Town when you publiclyannounced that your brother will take over the Dukedom while you galavant off to the lands-yonder.”
Moving to a window, Edward gazed over a long span of a trimmed lawn until the forest arched up behind the retaining wall. It was a jarring contrast looking at the sudden change.
“It is only right to hand the Dukedom off,” Edward said while swirling his glass. “While I know there are thousands who would kill to have one day in my position, I have little love for it and the traditions of the ton are hypocritical at best, and treasonous at worst.”
Sticking a hand into the pocket of his buff trousers, Newcastle nodded in agreement. “A position of privilege is not what everyone thinks it is. What they do not see is the constant suspicion and paranoia that lingers around us like a shadow. It’s an unending battle to fetter out who is a friend or who is a foe in friendly disguise.”
“Not to mention those who see your wealth instead of seeing you as you are,” Edward replied.
The derisive sound that came from Newcastle’s throat resounded with Edward. “Don’t even get me started on users and fortune hunters. Those are the two words that describe all of my family.”
Spotting a break with the men speaking with Rutledge, Edward excused himself and went over to the Viscount.
“Your Grace,” Rutledge bowed his head. “I had to question myself if it was truly you who came into the room.” He smoothed a blond lock from his hazel eyes. “How was your night at the Club? Were the girls to your liking?”
“I didn’t partake,” Edward said, glad for the fitting opening. Edging closer, he dropped his pitch, “But I did hear you had some dalliance yourself.”
The man’s grin was salacious and wicked, “Of which do you speak? I have had quite a few in the last couple of days.”
Stomach roiling with repulsion, Edward took a sip; it was one thing to be a rake and dally with women who understood the situation and knew not to expect anything from it, it was another thing entirely to lure an innocent woman who thought you loved her to bed and then throw her away.
“I speak of a young blond woman, very shy, large blue eyes, and who enunciates in whispers,” Edward murmured. “That is of whom Ispeak.”
“Ah, Penelope Winslow,” Rutledge smirked over his glass. “She was a fun one, completely incompetent in the bedroom, you had to tell her what to do and how to do it, but I made her a woman and gave her an experience she will never forget.”
Edward was tempted to forgo the hunt and put a bullet between the man’s eyes instead. His hand clenched around the thick crystal glass, and he forced himself to hold back from blackening the man’s eyes.
“How long did you court the girl for?” He asked, firmly stopping himself from substituting ‘deceive’ for ‘court’.
“Not too long,” Rutledge said with a careless shrug. “Two months or so, and it tells you the standards the girl has if she is willing to fall in bed so quickly.”
Fury swirled in concentric circles through his chest, but Edward forced himself to be calm. “Don’t you think the right thing to do, the honorable thing to do, is to finish your courtship and marry the girl?”
Rutledge stared at Edward blankly, his eyes switching between Edward’s before he threw back his head and let out the most appalling, revolting guffaw Edward had ever heard.
“Coming from a man who has been the most obstinate about staying a bachelor until death, that is very amusing,” Rutledge chortled. “Marriage is out of the question, Your Grace. That girl was an amusing time, but I have no interest in seeing her again, andGod forbid, paying the pied piper.”
“The girl is an innocent,” Edward stressed. “You realize that you have potentially ruined her life and her prospects for marriage because you fooled her into thinking you loved her?”
Again, Rutledge shrugged. “It is an ancient tactic to gain the trust of a woman who yearns to feel the true pleasure of life. I am sure you have done it once or twice yourself.” This time, Rutledge’s eyes sharpened with daggers. “You know, your reputation still lingers around Town.”
“Never once have I ever lured a young girl into my bed,” Edward replied stonily. “There lies the difference.”
Setting his drink on the fireplace mantle, Rutledge asked, “Why are you pushing this issue, Your Grace? As far as I am concerned, it has nothing to do with you.”
“My brother is very close to said family, so yes—itismy business,” Edward replied. “I know the situation, Rutledge, and it bothers me a great deal. I am asking you politely to do the honorable thing and resurrect the last shred of honor you have buried inside you.”
Rutledge’s jaw stiffened. “Is there a threat in there somewhere, Your Grace?”
“That depends on your response. Think it over,” Edward replied while nodding and walking off as he saw Felton enter the room.
Felton spotted his expression as he crossed the floor and instantly reached out, held Edward’s shoulder and steered him to the nearest balcony, then closed the door behind him.
“Breathe man. Breathe three times and try not to launch yourself off the ledge,” Felton pried the glass from Edward’s stiff fingers. “And do not cuff me. I have a ball to attend in two days and I am told that black and blue does not look good on me.”
