Chapter 24
It’s Complicated…
“First whisky.” Chase slid a tumbler across the smooth wooden table in Stone’s direction and another toward Westerley. “Then ale.”
Stone doubted he was going to benefit from drinking that evening, sitting around a tavern table with two men who’d been some of his closest friends: Tabetha’s brother and Chaswick, who’d married the other Fitzwilliam sister earlier in the season. But he might as well give it his best try anyhow.
Creighton, whose ankle was only half-healed, sat at the opposite end nursing a cup of tea.
Stone downed the contents of his glass in a single swallow.
What was she doing now? The moment they’d crossed the threshold of the Pig and Hen, Westerley’s countess and Lady Chaswick had swept her upstairs, safe from his clutches.
Chase poured a second tumbler and sent it shooting across the table almost before Stone could reach down and stop it from landing in his lap.
“So,” Chase smirked. “Are congratulations in order then?”
“What the hell?” Stone swung his gaze over to Tabetha’s brother.
Westerley shrugged. “I couldn’t be sure, but Culpepper accepted a quarter of what Tabetha’s dowry would have been. I figured it was the only way he’d give up on that so easily. Westerley met his gaze. “Are they in order, then? Did you marry my sister?”
Stone tossed down the contents of his glass a second time. “Yes.” But divulging that was only the tip of the iceberg.
“I’m surprised Tabby went along with it.” Westerley watched him closely. “Culpepper was fit to be tied when he told me you kidnapped her. I can hardly believe my sister is even talking to you.”
“Bethany had hoped Tabetha would come to her senses after spending a few days alone with that bounder—duke or not.” Chase ignored his own drink to roll a cigar back and forth between his fingers.
She knew exactly who I was last night, and she made love with me anyway.
How many times had she told him she loved him? And earlier today, he’d asked her where she would prefer to live.I don’t care, as long as I’m with you.
Was it possible Tabetha had not been playing a game but had been as confused as he was? And if they were both confused, which part of their relationship was real?
“Was she fighting mad when you tore her out of Culpepper’s coach?” Westerley punched his arm. “Stone?”
Tore her out…? Stone glanced up.
“How did you get her to agree to it?” Westerley asked.
Stone shook his head. “I didn’t kidnap her from Culpepper. She was already running from him. Lady Chaswick was correct in thinking she’d come to her senses.” He stared down at the few drops of liquor remaining in his glass, remembering the moment he’d dragged her onto the horse, Archie’s claws digging into her backside.
“So you rescued her?” Chase turned to smile at Westerley. “That’s twenty pounds you owe me. I knew the blackened eyes on Culpepper’s men looked familiar.”
Westerley grimaced but then turned his attention back to Stone, nodding and looking marginally pleased. “Good to know my sister has an ounce of sense—even if it is only an ounce.”
Stone stiffened. Tabetha had more than an ounce of sense. She was clever, smart, sweet, and more loyal than anyone could ever guess.
“Culpepper charmed her,” Stone argued. “I don’t know many London debs who would have turned him down.”
Westerley cocked a brow. “Are youdefending her? I’m surprised you haven’t strangled her yourself by now.”
“Exactly whose idea was it to wed?” Chase narrowed his eyes at him, almost as though he suspected there was more to Stone’s marriage than he was letting on.
Which, of course, there was.
“Mine. I realized it was the only way I could be sure of her safety.” Stone tightened his fists. “Not that I doubted my abilities, but I was outnumbered, and I didn’t want to take any chances.”
“And my sister went right along with this?”
