Of course, Berronburg was far less subtle in his advances. He was a lout. But he was Robert’s lout. They often prowled together since he had no old friends to do that with anymore.
“Ah, look, four dukes, all in a row,” Berronburg crowed loudly. “Do I get some kind of special prize if I find them all?”
James shook his head slightly. “I have no idea, Berronburg.” He glanced at Robert. “Perhaps we can continue this conversation later. For now, I will find my wife.”
He turned, and Simon and Graham excused themselves as well. Robert stared as they walked away. As the other men met and married the great loves of their lives, he had often wondered if he might one day be pushed from their ranks because of his refusal to do the same. If at some point his old friends would look at him and see someone no better than the marquess who was prattling at his side.
That would break his heart.
“I say, are you listening at all?”
Berronburg shook his arm and Robert blinked, coming back to the present and turning toward the man with a scowl. “Who would not hear you when you’re practically shouting the ballroom down? A bit of discretion, if you please, my lord.”
Berronburg pursed his lips. “Those dukes are a bad influence on you, Roseford, I swear to Christ. I was asking you if you’d heard the news.”
Robert stifled a sigh and settled himself back into the role of rake, rogue, scoundrel. It settled onto his shoulders, but less readily than it once might have. “News?”
Berronburg was practically bouncing. “Yes, yes, yes.”
“Well, you always do have the best gossip. What is it then?”
“The Countess of Gainsworth is returning to Society.”
All of Robert’s maudlin thoughts vanished in an instant at that unexpected information. He tilted his head. “TheCountess of Gainsworth?”
Berronburg grinned. “The very one. The infamous lady whose sexual prowess was so great that she struck her husband dead while in flagrante delicto!” The marquess rubbed his hands together and his eyes lit up lewdly. “Can you imagine?”
Robert shook his head. Everyone knew the story. It had circulated through Society like wildfire about a year ago. The whispers had died down, of course, after the man was buried, but now that his wife was coming out of mourning, there was no doubt the world would go abuzz again.
He almost felt sorry for the lady.
“Can you?” Berronburg insisted, elbowing him.
Robert smiled. “I can, indeed. Who could not? She’ll have her pick of lovers, of course.”
Berronburg laughed. “I agree. There will be dozens who would be willing to risk the cost.”
Robert snorted in derision. “Please. Her husband was an old bastard. Put her with a younger man of…talent? No one will suffer but the bed sheets. Are they taking wagers yet on who will win her to his bed?”
“Of course,” Berronburg chuckled. “I assume you will be putting yourself into the mix.”
Robert jolted at the suggestion.Hadhe been considering it? In truth, he could scarcely picture the countess. He rarely pursued married women. Too much complication. But certainly the rumors of her prowess interested him. As did the feather that winning her would put in his cap.
He glanced over to find Berronburg watching him closely. Intently, even. “Why are you waiting for my answer with such focus, my friend?”
Berronburg shook his head. “Half the men with interest will drop out if you enter the fray, Your Grace. Including me. That is too much rich competition for my blood.”
Robert shrugged. “I have not yet decided what I will—”
He stopped midsentence because something had caught his eye. Someone, to be more specific. Two ladies had entered the ballroom. The one was slightly older, with dark hair and a kind expression. But it wasn’t the elder who caught Robert’s eye. No, it was the younger. She was stunning, truly beautiful, with thick brown hair and a face that could stop any man in his tracks. She shifted as she said something to the footman at the door and seemed to take a deep breath before she was announced.
“The Countess of Gainsworth,” the footman said. “And Mrs. Sambrook.”
The reaction of the crowd was immediate. There was a stunned silence that rippled through the entire room and then a low rumble as talk began. The countess stood, almost frozen, for a moment. Her companion said something to her, and Lady Gainsworth set her shoulders back and stepped into the ballroom. The women were greeted by the hostess of the ball, Lady Vinesmith, who looked around the crowd as if she regretted asking the countess here now that the room was reacting so strongly.
Robert watched it all unfold, this little drama, and couldn’t take his eyes away. Couldn’t shake a tiny niggle of…memorythat itched in the back of his mind as he watched the exquisite countess edge to the wall and stand there, a blank expression on her face.
“Better tell the others to put their blunt away,” he murmured.
