I heard Kit’s door open from the hall. Xander turned as all three former occupants came around the corner.
It was Wayland who broke the silence. “Rosehill, I trust you are well.”
“I am.”
“Good, that’s… good.” He turned his attention to Mr. Grayson, still awkwardly perched next to the tarts in an ungainly pile of too-long limbs. “Tom… Off the furniture. How many times must we have this conversation?”
“Everything sorted?” Mr. Grayson asked.
“It is. Let’s head out.” The men turned, heading for the door. The bell chimed behind the brothers, leaving a stilted silence in their wake.
It lasted only a moment before Lady Davina stomped into the room and fell into the empty chair beside Xander with an indelicate plop.
“I assume you two need to have a discussion?” I asked Kit.
“Only if you’re finished. It can wait.”
“I believe we’re sorted for now. Do you want to use my office?” I asked.
“If you do not mind, while everyone is comfortable.”
“Of course.” I rose to leave and perhaps find a tart before they were all gone.
“You can stay. Our discussion impacts the rest of the estate,” Kit added. Drat, no treat. I left my seat vacant for Kit and leaned against the wall.
“So, Lady Davina won some £3,250 this morning off of Lord Montrose. Michael is determined that he will pay it. However, he is equally determined that he cannot have young ladies sneaking into the club dressed as young men.”
“It would serve you right, you know. If he had you arrested for public indecency,” Xander scolded.
“He would never. He still feels badly for stealing Juliet from you.”
Xander tutted. “A person cannot be stolen. She made the choice that would make her happiest and I am glad for them both. You are not to exploit any feelings he has on that subject. Do you understand?”
She crossed her arms, her lips twisting into something akin to a pout. The effect was somehow endearing rather than irritating. On anyone less beautiful, it would come across as childish and petulant, but on her it merely… was. When Xander remained unmoved by her display, she answered with a sullen, “I understand.”
“We can set up an account that will be for Lady Davina’s personal use. It will be under your name of course, if you agree,” Kit explained.
“Her own account? Is that necessary?”
“It might be good practice,” I offered.
“She also won £575 from Mr. Wesley Parker and £250 from Baron Thurston Lucas.”
“Davina…” Xander sighed.
“Why are you scolding me? I did well!”
“You could have just as easily done poorly,” he snapped. “Did she bankrupt anyone else? I thought Parker was more fond of the tracks than the tables.”
“No, Montrose was the most substantial gain,” Kit said.
“All right, have the accounts drafted, I suppose. I’ll call for the carriage. You stay right there.” He directed the last comment to Davina.
She watched him walk out before turning to me with narrowed eyes. “What are your intentions with Cee?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You understood me perfectly,” she insisted.
