And she looked a treat in that dress. Sometimes he caught himself watching and wondering how long it would take to remove it. It was such a shocking thing. He hadn’t played the rake since before he was married. He’d assumed that part of him was long dead and yet here he was, fantasizing in the middle of the billiard room.
Ravenscroft moved to stand beside him as they watched Thistlebury take a shot. “You look well, Blackburn. Better than I’ve seen you in months.”
Vaughn stiffened. Here it was. If the ladies were known for their gossip when the men went to have port, he knew for a fact that the gentlemen were often just as bad.
“Well, I’m rejuvenated, it seems,” he said.
Thistlebury glanced up from the table. “That’s good. It’s a rotten business, this. I still can’t believe Southwater would behave in such a manner. His wealth and influence will save him in the end, but it’s going to be a while before he goes into a room and everyone doesn’t turn away.”
Vaughn didn’t respond. Everyone did the same to him, after all, and he hadn’t fucked anyone’s wife. But that was the way of the world.
“And what a reason to be rejuvenated!” Ravenscroft said, clearly wishing to change the uncomfortable subject as much as Vaughn did. “A Comerford Courtesan, that’s a landing if I’ve ever seen one.”
“Yes, she’s lovely, isn’t she?” Thistlebury took his shot at last. “I’ve always been with another lady when she was available, so I’m desperately jealous. Now, tell us…how is she? Are all the rumors true? And have you convinced her to bring her sister in on the fun?”
Vaughn turned his head slightly at the lewd suggestion. It wasn’t the first time over the years that he’d heard someone suggest that a man could bed all three sisters at the same time. Now, though, he wasn’t just disgusted at the idea, but he felt protective. How many times had Evie had to hear such a thing and hold her head up or smile even though it made her stomach turn?
“Evelina is charming in all ways,” he said evenly. “And I wouldn’t be so crass as to discuss private matters.”
“Oh, come on,” Thistlebury chuckled. “She’s a courtesan. It’s not like you’re discussing your wife.”
There was a moment where that sentence hung in the air between the three of them, a knife Vaughn didn’t think Thistlebury had actually intended to throw and yet here it was.
“I won’t be discussinghereither,” he said.
Ravenscroft cleared his throat at the uncomfortable silence and motioned toward the door. “Well, I’m sure the ladies are missing us. Why don’t we return? We could play charades.”
Vaughn pushed his shoulders back and inclined his head. “I’m certain we’d enjoy it.”
He didn’t wait for the marquess to leave the room, but led the way instead. He could hear the two men whispering behind him and ignored it as he entered the parlor where the ladies had been left.
When they came into the room, both Matilda and Harriet went to their gentlemen and Evie got up from her place on the settee. She smiled, but it didn’t seem to fully reach her eyes, leaving him to wonder if the conversation in this room had been any more pleasant than the one in the other.
He moved to her, instead and she shook her head like she was waking from a dream before she lifted up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. The feel of her eased a fraction of the sting and he smiled.
“Everything is well?” he asked so the others wouldn’t hear.
She shifted and he could see even further discomfort. “It’s…it’s fine,” she said, and touched his face briefly. “And you?”
“Eh, you know. They all want to wheedle their information out. But it was fine, as well.”
“Good.” She took his hand and they turned to face the others.
“Ravenscroft says that he suggested charades,” Matilda said. “That would be a wonderful laugh, shall we?”
Evelina tucked herself in closer to Vaughn and pressed a hand to his chest. “I believe the earl and I must cry off. I haven’t had him alone all day.”
“Ah, the romantic beginnings,” Harriet cooed. “Of course we understand.”
They said their goodbyes and when he found himself before Thistlebury, the earl shook his hand a little longer than necessary. “My apologies, Blackburn. I wasn’t thinking.”
He inclined his head. “Don’t trouble yourself, my lord. I’m accustomed to it. Good night.”
Evelina drew him away then and they found their carriage already waiting thanks to the quick actions of the marquess as the farewells were being drawn out.
They both waved from the window as they were driven away and then Vaughn collapsed back against the seat. She moved to his side of the carriage after a moment and took his hand between hers.
“What did Thistlebury say that made him apologize at the end?” she asked, her voice laced with tension.
