Owen followed his gaze. “Explain to me your issue again,” said Owen, pouring Fletcher another serving of the whisky. “With the duke, I mean.”
“I don’t have an issue with Rotherfeld,” said Fletcher.
“The hell you don’t,” said Owen.
Fletcher was somewhat comforted by the warmth of the fireplace. Lark and Hugh were across the room, conferring with a third man Fletcher didn’t recognize, but the conversation looked lighthearted. Hugh laughed so loudly at something the man said, the sound carried across the room. And Rotherfeld stood with the Earl of Sutterfield, chatting and lighting cigars, perhaps toasting Rotherfeld’s betrothal.
At least Rotherfeld was out of earshot and not paying attention to Fletcher. So he said, “Idon’thave an issue. He seems perfectly fine.”
Owen let out a breath and shook his head, like this conversation was fatiguing him. “He is marrying your Lady Louisa.”
“She’s not mine.” Still, Fletcher felt willing to concede that Rotherfeld irritated him. “All right. I don’t have an issue with Rotherfeld per se. By all accounts, he is smart and good with money and women seem to think him handsome. I’ve heard no gossip to indicate he’s a gambler or that he’s angry or cruel or irresponsible. I’m sure Louisa will be perfectly happy with him.”
“I can see your mind churning, though.”
“Would I be sad if he were to be bitten by a large insect and develop an extremely itchy rash? No. I cannot really articulate why he bothers me so much, aside from the fact that Iam a little sad because I am certain marriage will mean I will see less of Louisa.”
“She is your friend.”
“Yes.”
“Why should that change?”
Fletcher rubbed his temples. He knew Owen was making conversation. He surely must have seen the impossibility of this situation. But Fletcher said, “How shall I put this? Had Grace a male friend before she married you, and he remained unmarried, would you allow her to socialize with him still?”
“Not unless I was also there and kept him within punching distance.” Owen gave Rotherfeld an assessing look. “I suppose I do see your point.”
“Nothing untoward has ever happened between me and Louisa, nor would it. But Rotherfeld does not know that, and I suspect he will keep her from me, or at least insist she see me less. So if you must know, I am sad about potentially losing my friend to this marriage. But that is my issue to cope with, not Louisa’s or even Rotherfeld’s.”
“It’s not like you won’t see Louisa. She and Adele have become close, so any party Hugh and Adele throw would include an invite to the Rotherfelds. They will be regulars at major events during the Season. I don’t see how Rotherfeld could be so distrustful as to not allow you and Louisa to accompany each other to various public events, such as the opera on evenings when he is not available. Not much has to change.”
“I understand, but I do not agree.”
“Perhaps the thing to do is befriend Rotherfeld. Prove to him that you’re someone he can trust his wife with.”
Fletcher would have rather jumped in the Thames, but it wasn’t a terrible idea. If Fletcher could get Rotherfeld to trust him, then maybe little would change with his relationship with Louisa.
“Would you trust Grace to be alone with me? You know me,” Fletcher asked.
“Yes, but I know for certain that you are not interested in Grace and that Grace only has eyes for me.” Owen shrugged. “Fletcher, you and I have been friends for a long time. I trust you. But that trust does not develop overnight. Have you and Rotherfeld even had a conversation that lasted longer than a minute? You don’t know each other, so you can’t trust each other. If he trusts you, he won’t see you as a threat. Until that time, as far as he knows, you could be trying to steal Louisa. You aren’t, are you?”
“No, of course not.”
Sutterfield walked away, leaving Rotherfeld alone.
“Go talk to him,” said Owen. “Make nice.”
“Fine, fine.”
Fletcher stood and approached Rotherfeld, who looked startled when he noticed Fletcher.
Fletcher extended a hand and said, “How are you, Rotherfeld?”
“Ah, greetings, Greystone. I did not realize you were a member of this club.”
“A long-time member. I don’t recall seeing you here before.”
“I have not been. Mason’s is renovating their building after a small fire last week, so I am in need of a new placeto spend my evenings. Sutterfield invited me to see it tonight. I’ve only ever been here as the guest of other members. But the membership here is quite elite. How long has Swynford been a member?”
