“And he has proof about me too, though it was much less recent,” James says. He’s not proud of it, but he’ll hardly leave Bobby out to dry.
Meredith and Albert look between James and Bobby, who shrug at each other. This is the bed they’ve both made, and already laid in. And as much as it’s wonderful that they’ll never need to risk lying with an untruthful or downright vengeful man again, they still have to deal with the reality of their pasts.
James glances over as Gwen holds out her opposite hand. Beth sighs and detaches from Bobby, riffling in her skirts to pull out a quid and hand it over to Gwen. Bobby groans and James flushes. Bad enough they had to explain the threat of Raverson’s extortion in hushed whispers on the ferry over, but betting on the sordid details? Is nothing left to simplybein this family?
Gwen looks back at him, her eyebrow raised, and he can do nothing more than lift his hands in surrender. “Look, we can’t all find the love of our lives on the very first try.”
Gwen laughs and Beth returns to Bobby, cooing something teasing up at him. Albert chuckles and meets James’ eyes.
“You’ll do nicely,” he decrees.
“As much as rehashing the terrible decisions that led you each to that man’s bed could occupy our entire day—”
“And provide salacious details,” Gwen throws in, making both James and Bobby squirm.
“It’s not your mutual past with Raverson that’s really the problem,” Meredith continues firmly. “Raverson can only use information that doesn’t directly implicate him, and as the only true evidence he has of either of your...” She trails off, looking to Bobby and then James.
“Ah, preferences?” Bobby suggests.
“True selves?” James counters.
“Oh, much better,” Bobby says, smiling at him.
“Right,” Meredith agrees. “He can only go to the papers if he thinks he has other evidence of your true desires, and, Robert,we will either get that ring back or easily make a duplicate so he can’t use it.”
Bobby and James exchange a glance. Well, that’s frighteningly simple, isn’t it?
Meredith rolls her eyes. “We’ll need to remove any other remaining ammunition as well, which means the four of you need to be shamelessly public with your engagements. I want you over the top, making a spectacle of yourselves.”
“A spectacle,” Gwen repeats, her smile turning just a bit dangerous.
“We have permission for spectacle?” Beth asks, looking equally devious. What have they gotten themselves into?
“As I’m not worried any of you will be sneaking off to hedges with your fake fiancés, yes, spectacle. We’re going to attend every single event.”
The wind goes out of the room and all of them, even Albert, droop at that.
“We need it reported back to London before Raverson can get his bearings,” Meredith insists. “Once it’s all over the ton that you’re engaged, it’ll be twice as hard for Raverson to even consider slandering your names. So you’ll just have to suffer through a week of parties and drinking and public soppiness. I have no doubt you’re all up to the task,” she says, looking over both couples.
“Oh, want to see whose engagement gets announced first? I’ll bet five pounds on me and James,” Gwen says.
“Dear Lord,” James mutters. But the way Bobby perks up, exchanging a glance with Beth, has him rummaging in his pocket to pull out his own bill. “Ten.”
“Oh, you’re going to besucha good husband,” Gwen decides, squeezing his arm before stepping away to take Beth’s hand again.
“If we do this right, your reputations will be secured, we’ll take down a despicable viscount, and you’ll all be happily married by summer’s end,” Meredith says.
“Hear, hear,” Bobby says, smiling at James.
James returns his smile, but something sinks in his gut. “Do you think our engagements would discreditallof Raverson’s claims?” James asks, looking to Albert.
Albert frowns, slowly sinking to sit back down on the bed. “Probably not,” he admits.
James sighs. Bobby steps up next to him and threads their fingers together.
“I don’t want anyone in our community taken down because Raverson wants more money and more power, and doesn’t mind destroying the men he’s slept with to get it,” James says.
Bobby nods next to him. “Maybe we can talk to Thomas Parker when we’re back, see if we could convince a number of the D’Vere clientele to commit to speaking out, or drafting a very threatening letter?”
