That was Anthony’s hope, but in a far different way than the earl was implying. “What should I expect?”
Just then another man entered, whom he recognized as Lord Pemberton. Though he didn’t socialize with the peerage, he’d learned quite a bit about them through the Mabrys and his manytimes dressing as a footman or coachman. He hadn’t expected Pemberton, since he was a bit older than even Leighhall and had a middle-aged man’s girth.
“Tonight will be a dinner.” Buswick gained his attention once again. “After which we will drink and then join the women for whatever games Leighhall has devised.”
That sounded typical. “And the morrow, do we ride or hunt?”
Buswick grinned, clearly hiding something. “Yes, I do believe you could call it that.”
Not particularly liking the man’s expression, Anthony quickly responded, “Then it will be much like a typical house party but with our mistresses, correct?”
“Not typical in the least. Everything Leighhall plans is sexual. Did you not see your dressing room?”
At the reminder of the room, Anthony swallowed hard. “I did.”
“Then you have an idea of how the time will progress.” Buswick patted him on the shoulder. “I do hope you are well rested, Bellamore.” With that, he moved off to greet another guest who had just entered.
Anthony reviewed the men in the room, the very elite of theton, and tried to imagine what sexual play would ensue. They all appeared quite typical in demeanor, but obviously this house party would encourage atypical behavior. As intrigued as he was, his investigation took precedence, and he memorized the men in the room. Including himself and Leighhall, there were seven. Were they all involved in Leighhall’s search for ancient weapons, or were they all unaware? If they did rotate throughout the year, could there be one who attended every month and the others didn’t know?
So far, besides them being peers, he noticed no obvious connection between the men. There were Whigs and Tories, those beyond two score and those like himself in their thirties.Each man was far different in physical build than the next. The only two who were relatively close were he and Leighhall. They both had blue eyes, though Anthony’s were a deeper blue, and both had blond hair, though his was darker. They were also both broad in stature and attractive to ladies. That could help him in his supposed admiration, though he felt anything but. What truly stymied him was how Leighhall could attract so many women to bed with such an attitude. The man was proving to be a harder puzzle to solve than Anthony had expected, and he only had three days in which to figure it out.
“Gentlemen.” Leighhall spoke loud enough to interrupt all conversation. “Welcome to Woburn Manor and my house party. It is my pleasure to be your host and allow you the enjoyments you cannot indulge in at other parties.”
Soft chuckles filled the room.
“For those who have been here before, you know there are no rules unless I set them, and then they must be followed. Feel free to enjoy the pleasures of my home and those of your women.”
Lord Rothbury raised his glass to that.
“Dinner will be in a few hours. You may remain here for billiards and bets, or you may return to your mistresses to make the most of the afternoon. The gardens and public rooms are at your disposal for this. Just don’t enter any other bedroom because, well, bedrooms are boring.”
Again, masculine chuckles followed.
“For those who have accepted my invitation for the first time”—Leighhall looked directly at Anthony—“I am happy to answer any questions, and my advice is free.”
“Yes, Leighhall has more advice than all of us combined.” Lord Pemberton laughed at his own wit.
“Well said, Pemberton. Let the pleasures begin.” Leighhall raised his drink before throwing it all back in one swallow.
Anthony took a sip, as many of the other men did.
Two men strode toward the doors immediately, and he followed.
One man turned to the other. “I believe I need to show my demirep the parlor, as it has a writing desk at the perfect height.”
“I’m taking Maria into the ballroom. She has a fondness for balls and hard columns.”
The two men laughed as they strode up the stairs.
Anthony ascended a bit slower, curious that Leighhall would allow everyone to ramble about his house if he did indeed have a secret room. Which raised the question, did he actually have such a room, and if so, was he simply so arrogant he thought it couldn’t be discovered?
Reaching the room he had to share with Lissa, he halted outside the door. Sleeping in the dressing room was out of the question. He had no doubt she’d already discovered what was in there, so that would be far too odd. Though she expected him to sleep in the bed with her, that was also out of the question. He’d just have to sleep on the settee. At least there was one. A number of the rooms he’d investigated earlier had a wingback chair instead.
With that decision made, he opened the door but barely took a step inside before stopping.
“Oh,mon amour. I didn’t expect you back so soon.” Lissa handed the book in her lap to the woman sitting on the settee with her. Then she sauntered forward in her traveling dress that exposed so much of her.
She took his hand. “I did miss you, but look.” She held her other hand out to the woman similarly dressed, only in a deep maroon, her bosom quite large, with a necklace squeezed between her breasts. “This is Delilah. She’s here with Lord Rothbury.”
