Heathcliff gave a frustrated groan. “How that has come back to roost.”
“Indeed. And it is glorious. Never did I think I’d see the day when you’d fall,” Lucas remarked.
“I do believe I said something of the same to you, not long ago.”
“Yes, yes, you did. And I am taking no small pleasure in returning your words. It’s quite vindicating,” he answered with a smug smile.
“Bastard,” Heathcliff said without heat.
Lucas chuckled. “I do believe I called you something of the same.”
“We could do this all day.”
“Yes, that happens when you have long-established friendship such as ours,” Lucas offered, as if it were a helpful statement.
“And bloody annoying.”
“That too,” Lucas agreed. “But that aspect is lost on me at the moment. I’m having a jolly good time.”
“At least one of us is.”
“And I do believe Ramsey will have his say in this as well.” Lucas strode away from the window and walked to the bellpull, ringing it. “I need more tea.”
“Ramsey will certainly have words to say,” Heathcliff agreed, his mind already spinning with what his friend would think and then say in response.
“Do you think you’ll write to him and let him know?” Lucas asked, leaning against the wall in a rather relaxed pose.
Heathcliff considered Lucas’s question. It was a valid one, and both aspects had promising points. “Hmm. Part of me takes a sadistic pleasure in waiting to tell him face-to-face . . .” Heathcliff paused, then continued. “But it is in the best interest of circulating the news of my marriage in letting him know. He will be able to artfully navigate the rumor mill on that end, helping our cause quite a bit.”
“That’s an outstanding point,” Lucas agreed.
A maid walked into the room at that moment, giving a small curtsey. “How may I assist you, my lords?”
Lucas nodded to Heathcliff. He was somewhat surprised that his friend had actually deferred to him. They had always been on equal footing, but, now that he thought about it, it was his house after all. “Tea, Maye, if you please. And sandwiches as well. You may also check on the ladies to see if they would like refreshment as well.”
“Of course, my lord.” She bobbed another curtsey and left the room.
“Sandwiches, a capital idea,” Lucas agreed. “It’s nearly noon, is it not? Not quite teatime, but when you’ve been up at the ungodly hour I was, one can’t be too particular about abiding by normal times for sustenance.”
Heathcliff agreed, but couldn’t help but add, “And when one hasn’t slept at all, then certainly all times are a fluid thing.”
Lucas nodded, then tilted his head, as if remembering an errant thought. “I’ve been meaning to ask, have you had any reports from Ramsey? Usually he is most thorough in his correspondence, and I haven’t received any word from him. Of course, that may be his way of allowing me a honeymoon with Liliah.”
Heathcliff shook his head. “No, I haven’t, but when I left London, everything was quite sewn up. There shouldn’t be any loose ends, and all seemed in order. I can’t imagine he finds the need to notify us that all is well.”
“Quite true,” Lucas agreed.
“But if you’re concerned, there is paper and ink over there on the desk. Feel free to send him an inquiry.” Heathcliff shrugged.
Lucas’s gaze darted to the desk and then back to Heathcliff. “Perhaps later. I do believe the most important order of business is telling him about your upcoming nuptials. It’s bloody lucky you’re in Scotland. Saves you all the trouble of blackmailing some sod at Doctors’ Commons for a special license,” Lucas said with a touch of resentment, maybe a little wistfulness in his tone.
“Ah, that’s right. Who did you threaten who would dare risk the wrath of a duke, no less?”
“Trenton Hassel.” Lucas flicked some lint from his sleeve.
Heathcliff nodded. “What did you offer to keep secret?”
“I forgave a substantial bet he’d foolishly placed. It was due the next week, but we both knew he had no way of paying it. Turns out, when money is involved, people fear debtors’ prison more than the wrath of a duke.”
