That seemed slightly less terrifying than diving into some kind of pretend affair with Blackburn.
CHAPTER5
Vaughn no longer went to White’s. The attention he received there from gentlemen who looked down their noses at him and turned away when he approached was a humiliation he wished to avoid. He had come to appreciate a different club, Fitzhugh’s, a great deal over the last few months. It was run by a man who no one would label a gentleman, but who behaved with more care and thought than most men in Vaughn’s acquaintance. And the company kept there was far more varied and interesting as a result.
Still, as he sat before one of the big windows overlooking the street below, he occasionally heard his name in the air, usually accompanied by his wife’s and Southwater’s. His stomach burned with acid at it, even as he tried to remain outwardly unmoved.
“May I buy you a drink?”
He glanced up at the question to find Silas Windham sliding into the chair across from his own. He had known the man a little when they were children. Windham was the bastard son of the previous Marquess of Penteghast, though he’d been raised amongst the legitimate children for some odd reason. They’d gone to school together a few years and Vaughn had always liked the intelligent, if wild gentleman before him. And yet he didn’t understand the approach and braced himself for all the reasons he might be making it.
“That would be kind,” he said carefully.
Windham raised a hand and when the room attendant came he asked for whisky. While they waited, they watched each other. He could feel Windham reading him, just as he was doing the same. In the end, he decided to simply launch the conversation in an attempt to control it.
“It’s good to have you back in London. You went to…to America, didn’t you?”
“Yes, for almost five years,” Windham said as he they took their glasses from the tray when it came and then clinked them together. “I returned when my brother took ill, became reacquainted with Arabella and the rest is history.”
Ah yes, the man had married Evelina’s older sister, the infamous courtesan Arabella Comerford. Which made Vaughn wonder if his recent interactions with Evelina were actually why he was being approached now.
He proceeded with caution. “I extend my truest felicitations on your marriage. I’ve seen you two together here and there. It seems a love match.”
He said that with great difficulty, for it brought up ugly emotions about his own life. Windham, of course, had no idea of the conflict in Vaughn’s chest and smiled broadly. “It is that. Thank you for the thought. It’s much appreciated.”
They were silent for a moment and then Vaughn sighed. “Do you come to find out more information about my divorce for the courtesan network? Or is it to address my recent interactions with Miss Evelina Comerford, which I’m certain you’ve heard about?”
Windham arched a brow, but didn’t look angry. “I’ve always liked a direct man. You can pick one or the other, I’m interested in both. Though not for the courtesan network. They can find out their own information—they don’t need me.”
Vaughn pursed his lips. “I suppose not. I really don’t want to discuss my marriage, thank you.”
“I understand that. Honestly, I wouldn’t have any interest in that topic at all if your marriage, or the end of it, didn’t directly affect my sister-in-law and in turn, the happiness of my wife.”
Vaughn downed his drink in one long gulp and set the glass aside. “Then say whatever it is you wish to say.”
“You revealed the truth about Southwater to Evelina.”
There was no emotion tied to that statement of fact. Vaughn couldn’t tell if Windham was relieved or upset or furious about his interference with Evelina’s awareness of her former lover’s behavior.
“I did. Accidentally at first. I thought because of her connections she must have heard about the scandalous connection of my wife to my former best friend. But once it was clear she didn’t, I felt it was important for her to hear it so that she’d know what kind of man she’d lost.”
“Not much of a loss in my estimation,” Windham said, and now his flash of anger was dark and intense, even if it was brief. “But shewashurt by finding out the truth in such a blunt manner.”
Vaughn bent his head. “Yes. I know. Perhaps I went too far. I seem to be doing a lot of that lately.”
“I suppose that’s understandable, considering the circumstances.” Windham sighed. “I think the family is only concerned that Evelina isn’t hurt further. Even a pretend liaison could cause very real pain.”
Vaughn lifted his brows. “Ah, so she told you about that, as well.”
He wasn’t sure what to think about that. It implied she was considering the notion, even if she had been hesitant about it a few days before. Why did that give him such a thrill? He knew he was being ridiculous to even suggest such an imprudent thing.
“I suppose,” Vaughn said slowly when Windham didn’t fill the gap in conversation, “that although I understand the concern of you and her sisters, I must point out that Miss Comerford…Evelina…is of sound mind and of age. I haven’t put pressure on her when it comes to the idea and I won’t irrespective of whether she reaches out to me about it or not, nor regardless if she refuses me or not.”
“Ah, so it’s none of my business,” Windham said, a little hint of laughter in his tone.
“I wouldn’t go that far. But the answer is hers to give, if sheisconsidering the suggestion.”
Windham sipped his drink, a troubled expression flickering over his face. “Well, she is, so that should lighten your mood. Only first she wishes to do something that I fear might be more foolish than taking up your idea at revenge.”
