And Genevieve knew just who to ask.
Chapter 2
A fortnight later…
* * *
“Erotic-o-rama? Really, Argyle, what were you thinking to come up with something so asinine?”
Cortland offered a tolerant smile as he sat in his library sipping a brandy and conversing with his long-time acquaintance, Griffin Barlowe, the Earl of Uxbridge. “What can I say, but I wanted to gain my guests’ attention.” He shrugged. “And Scottish whisky isn’t something I should consume on a regular basis.”
Griffin laughed. “I daresay I’ve done many a thing I’m not proud of when it comes to drink, but even I have my limits when it comes to naming an illicit house party.”
He rolled his eyes as the earl exited the room. It wouldn’t be long before the ladies from various London brothels began to arrive as the evening’s entertainment. He’d asked these ladybirds specifically because this was to be the sort of event that would taint young debutante cheeks. He certainly didn’t intend to have some haughty matron breathing down his neck at the first sign her charge might be ruined on some ridiculous accusation where he would find himself well and truly trapped.
Earlier, he had rifled through the acceptance letters that had arrived and noted that only one had sent their regrets—the Duke of Cranbrook. Cortland hadn’t expected him to come, but he wouldn’t have felt right if he excluded the man who had made it possible to don the WD signet ring, announcing that he was part of the alliance.
He always slept soundly, knowing that it was close at hand, secured in his desk at this very moment. He never traveled without it, and it gave him a sense of comfort in knowing that it was there at a moment’s notice.
“Your Grace, the… other guests have arrived.”
That was what Cortland adored about his butler. He never batted an eyelash, no matter what sort of opponent he was up against.
“Very good. I will greet them personally. Feel free to take what is left of the night off with pay and instruct the rest of the servants to do the same.”
“Your Grace.” He bowed. “That is very generous of you.”
He withdrew a handful of coins and handed them to the butler. “Distribute these as necessary. And remember that all I ask for in return is loyalty. And discretion.”
“It will be done, Your Grace.”
Cortland had to chuckle, because the man was practically salivating with the money he’d just been gifted.
With any luck, by the end of the night, Cortland would be salivating for a different reason entirely.
“I’m not sure about this…”
Genevieve rolled her eyes at the hesitant note in her friend, Lady Arietta Greenville’s voice. In turn, she feared that they had come all this way in a hired hackney, just to be forced to turn around and go home. She took her friend’s hands in hers. “Come on, Etta. Live a little.”
They had taken a risk as it was, because both of the girls had mentioned spending the night at the other’s respective households. They might have been grown women out in society, but since they had been friends for a long time, their parents’ estates bordering each other, no one had seemed to question the legitimacy of their claimed plan.
As they had each left their homes, they had veered away from their course and met at a specified location and time, where they had hailed a hackney and headed for the Duke of Argyle’s estate, but more importantly, his fanciful house party. Genevieve glanced at the lights illuminating the darkness outside and heard the laughter coming from inside and couldn’t wait to join the fun. The issue was convincing Arietta not to back out after they had come this far.
Although she hadn’t wanted to deceive her, she couldn’t resist dangling a carrot in front of her. Just as Genevieve had yearned to gain the attention of the Duke of Argyle, Arietta had felt the same for a certain gentleman as well. “You know,” she said slowly. “I heard that the Earl of Uxbridge might be here.”
As suspected, Arietta’s eyes widened. “Do you think so?”
Genevieve nodded as she crossed her fingers behind her back and prayed that she wouldn’t be struck down by a rare bolt of lightning for lying so effortlessly. “I have it on very good authority.”
Arietta’s brown eyes abruptly brightened, and her blonde hair appeared to shimmer in the candlelight coming through the windows. She grabbed Genevieve’s hand. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go!”
Genevieve laughed at her sudden enthusiasm. She turned back to the driver and said, “Wait for us. We shouldn’t be more than a few hours.” She tossed a sovereign at him, and he touched the brim of his hat.
She offered her arm to Arietta, and together they braved the front steps.
They waited for a moment for the door to open, but when it didn’t, Genevieve used the knocker. After a short wait, it opened to reveal a gentleman with tousled dark hair and a lopsided grin on his face. A half nude female hung on to his arm, and it was readily apparent that she was not a society lady.
“Are you ’ere for the party?” he slurred.
