“Laugh while you can, but soon the entire Wakefield fortune will be mine. Like it was always meant to be,” Augustus said with too much confidence.
A slither of warning glided down his spine. Augustus was up to something. Perhaps he was the reason behind that damned article.
Hunt eyed his cousin, taking in his usual dandy attire of bright colors, ruffles, and lace. His hair was as long as most women. Was that a hint of rouge on his cheeks?
Dear God, did the fool have no shame?
“You will never get my mother’s fortune. You’re not the heir, Augustus. No matter how much you and my father desired it.” Hunt leaned forward, wanting to make sure his cousin understood him. “You are not the heir.”
The two were of the same height; their fathers were twins after all, but Hunt, even with his brown skin, still favored the late brothers more than Augustus. It was a fact that made the other man despise Hunt even more.
“Tell me, will you bed Cliffbury’s bastard?” Augustus sneered, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. He might have had the same Wakefield green eyes as his cousin’s, but they were dull and calculating in comparison.
Having had enough of his insults, Hunt took his cousin by the lapels, pulling him forward. The crowd around them let out an audible gasp of horror, but he did not care.
“I don’t know what the hell you are talking about, but you will not insult the lady in my presence. Do I make myself clear, Augustus?” he asked, wishing that the swine would do something, anything to provoke him.
Hunt had dealt with the other man’s entitlement his entire life. From the moment Hunt was born, Augustus had been there to remind him that he wasn’t his father’s first choice.
“Unhand me, you?—”
Hunt hauled him closer. “Say it! That way, I can make an example out of you in front of the precious Ton you and my father loved so much.”
“Well, isn’t this exciting!” his sister said cheerily. “You don’t want to upset Mother by causing a scene, do you?” she asked, waiting patiently.
“No, he doesn’t.” Reg joined them, standing beside Augustus and Hunt. A small crowd was forming. “Let the swine go, Hunt.” His friend draped an arm around his shoulder.
Releasing his cousin, Hunt pinched the bridge of his nose, willing his anger to subside. Augustus was not worth the risk of upsetting his mother or losing the fortune that they all needed to survive.
“When the fortune is mine, I’m going to enjoy watching you, your mother, and your sister live like you deserve?—”
“You’re still here, cousin?” Helen interrupted, a bored look on her face. “Really, you should be thanking me for not letting my brother kill you in a room full of people.”
“Is everything alright?” their host, the Duke of Karrington, asked, placing himself between Hunt and Augustus. The duke’s stern look gave Hunt the impression that it was best not to come to fisticuffs with his cousin in the ballroom.
“Perfect,” Augustus said, before marching away.
“I apologize for my behavior, Karrington.” Hunt pulled his jacket down, making himself appear more presentable.
“No apologies necessary. We all have that one family member.” Karrington nodded his head in greeting before leaving Hunt, Reg, and Helen alone.
Needing a drink, Hunt headed toward the refreshment table, with Helen and Reg close behind him. He needed something stronger than iced champagne or lemonade, but he settled for the latter, taking the small cup and tossing it back.
Tart, but refreshing.
“How can you possibly drink lemonade after that disaster?” his sister asked, taking a glass of iced champagne.
Hunt shrugged, his gaze darting around the ballroom for the little hellion. He was having a perfectly delightful evening until his cousin had ruined it.
“Have I fulfilled my obligation to Mother?” he asked his sister.
Hunt rarely attended Society’s events unless pressured by his mother. Coming to the Karringtons’ ball had been a mistake. He’d known that Augustus was lurking around town, intent on ruining Hunt or finding an unwilling heiress.
Hunt hoped that the latter was the reason for the triumphant gleam in his cousin’s eyes.
“I’d say after that scene, she may not want you out in Society ever again,” Reg said, leaning against the refreshment table.
“You two are ridiculous,” Helen said, shaking her head. “And here comes Mother, and she doesn’t look happy at all.” The cheeriness in his sister’s tone informed Hunt of everything he needed to know.
