***
JAMES LAMBERT, VISCOUNTHargrove, knew he should have paid for the food, but Miss Talbot deserved to be taken for a small amount of blunt. After all, she’d been outrageously devious in London and nearly cost him his freedom. However, since the fiery female had also kissed like an experienced Athenabeforeshe’d wickedly tried to trap him and since she couldn’t play any tricks in the café, he’d seen no reason not to sit with her.
The news of a fiancé came as a shock.Poor bastard!Someone with more money than sense had encountered the treacherous female. As long as Lord Aberavon didn’t mind being a purse with a cock, that was his business.
Besides she was a pleasure simply to look at. All curvy in the right places, with a full mouth and sparkling eyes. The first time he’d seen her, she’d been standing alone by the tall windows in Apsley House during a party after Wellington’s triumph at Waterloo. The duke hadn’t yet returned from France, but had authorized the celebration in his splendid home overlooking Hyde Park.
Although it was months ago, James could still recall her summer blue gown, the swell of her bosom, and her thick, glossy brown hair. Quick as a whip, he’d had her in his arms for an intimate waltz, and her enticing floral scent had enveloped him. His entire body had recognized her as woman to be reckoned with. And she’d displayed humor and wit to boot!
He might have been happy eventually offering for her if she hadn’t spoiled it. Finding out he was no more important to her plan than any jackanape, it had put him off her entirely. When the time was right, he would ask a woman who desperately yearned for him and him alone. And that was plainly not Miss Talbot.
Thus, despite a visceral rush of pleasure upon seeing her in Brighton, James forcefully pushed her from his thoughts.
He had enough on his mind. Tonight, he would see Prinny for the first time since the man had shouted like a child thwarted from getting his favorite toy. Then the Prince Regent had ordered him from his private chamber at Carlton House with the command to meet in Brighton.
Brighton! All wet and sandy!
Brighton, which was definitely not London.
The only cheerful spot so far was how James could see the beach from the upper level of his rented house, not too many yards away from the Old Ship. He could stand in his bedchamber and watch the ladies strip off a few layers and take the salt waters for their health or even to cool off. He’d arrived the night before and hadn’t seen Miss Talbot yet on the beach, but now he knew she was in town, he hoped she would treat him to a display of her fine figure.
It was a small benefit. That and knowing Prinny had brought with him the delightfuldemimonde, a little bit of voluptuous and blowsy London ripe for enjoyment at the seaside.
Meanwhile, knowing the Regent’s fondness for late, long parties, James had hours to kill and found his university friend, Lord Rufus Payton at home.
After they slapped each other on the shoulder a few times, James said, “I’ll allow you the honor of buying me a drink or two.”
Payton enjoyed a complimentary house on the Royal Crescent in return for service to Prinny nearly year-round in the seaside town.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Payton said once they had drinks in hand and had asked after each other’s families.
“It all started with a dog,” James grumbled, having told Miss Talbot only half the story of why he was in Brighton.
Payton laughed, causing James to set down his bumper, already only half full of bitter beer.
“No, truly. A little mutt, the size of a rat.”
“Are you sure you weren’t foiled by a rat?” Payton asked.
James sent him a withering look. “If the lady in question hadn’t had a blasted cur beside the bed, everything would have been smooth as silk. Instead, despite sleeping soundly, the beast started to break wind, wholly ruining the amorous atmosphere I’d spent all evening creating.”
James tapped the table irritably and glanced around the dim interior of the St. James’s corner tavern. He had a feeling he would spend an inordinate amount of time in his namesake while enduring his banishment. A smattering of coals was glowing in the hearth, but since it was a warm night, he and Payton sat across the room from it, next to a window looking out at German Place.
“I’d already been forced to ignore the strangely loud snores.”
“Your paramour’s?” Payton interrupted.
“The dog’s!” James retorted. “I swear the first time it started up, I jumped. I thought another man was in the room.”
“I imagine you ought to put a little blame for your downfall on the fact you were cuckolding one of the Crown’s favored captains,” Payton reminded him. “And a friend of the Prince Regent’s younger brother, to boot.”
Shrugging, James gestured to the serving wench for another beer.
“Honestly?” he asked with a grimace.
“Yes, we’re friends,” Payton replied before taking a healthy swallow from his glass tankard.
“I didn’t realize she was married.”
