“But this isn’t a country estate,” Frederick objected. “It’s an inn, and people pay to stay here.”
“Anexclusiveinn,” Nate said, “for peers, gentry, and their families.”
“What’s gotten into you?” Frederick frowned.
Nate folded his arms and looked at his friend, refusing to relent. In truth, he was worried that the courtesan would upset Bridget, which he loathed to do. But he wouldn’t admit as much to Frederick.
“Maybe you have a point.” Frederick sighed, patting Nate on the back. “Perhaps it was a bad idea to bring her along. But she’s here now, so let’s not argue about it any longer.” His friend lifted his gaze and said, “I say, who might that exquisite creature be?”
Nate turned to see Bridget walking toward them. “She’s the inn’s hostess, so don’t even consider it,” he warned.
“Why? Are the two of you lovers?”
“Heavens, no! She’s a respectable lady.”
“Betrothed, then?”
“No! For goodness’ sake.”
“Are you telling me that you live platonically in this secluded villa with that gorgeous creature?”
“We don’t live alone. She has an aunt. Besides that, I’ve only known her a few months, and she’s in mourning for her father.”
“Aah, hence the black. So, her father was thefelo de se? The manwho took his own life after your brother ruined him?”
“Be quiet,” Nate snapped, “here she comes.” The idea that Edward was partially responsible for Mr. De Lacey’s death filled him with shame. He hated to think that his brother was the cause of Bridget’s pain.
“Do you know, Squires—” Frederick folded his arms and looked at his friend—“I think you have a soft spot for that young lady.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m the same man who left London two months ago.”
“You never fooled anyone with your rakish act.” Frederick patted his friend on the back again. “We all know you’re a romantic at heart. Don’t you think it’s time you put Miss Morley behind you, and find someone new? It’s been two years.”
Nate stiffened at the mention of the woman who’d once been his betrothed. “You’re wrong, Frederick. I’m not the marrying kind. Helen Morley did me the favor of a lifetime.” Nate said the words, but they didn’t sound convincing, even to himself.
Chapter Six
Nate’s friend, LordJohn Frederick, was tall and slim, with a pale complexion. He had a bushy head of brown hair connected to long sideburns, thick eyebrows that sheltered a pair of lovely chocolate-brown eyes, a Roman nose, and a rather charming cleft in his chin.
He gave Bridget a dazzling smile as she approached.
Nate made the introduction. “Miss De Lacey, allow me to introduce my dear friend, Lord Frederick.”
Lord Frederick gave a slight bow. He wore a white shirt and cravat with a light-brown waistcoat and trousers, an olive-green fitted tailcoat, and black knee-high boots. “I’m charmed to meet you, Miss De Lacey. I do hope we’ll be seeing a lot of each other during my stay here.”
“Pleased to meet you, Lord Frederick. My aunt has shown your companion to her room. Would you like to get settled in your quarters?”
“If you’d be so kind as to show me the way, certainly.”
Just then, a second coach entered the open gates of Villa De Lacey, passing by its two watchful gargoyles, and started its assent up the winding path to the house.
“That’s Doddy’s coach,” Frederick said. “He and Jefferson traveled together.”
As the carriage drew nearer, Bijou started yapping while spinning in a circle as he often did when excited, his short tail wagging madly.
“Bijou!” Bridget called. “Come here, boy.”
But the terrier was too excited and could not contain his frenzied barking. Bridget would have liked to stay and meet Nate’s friends, as she was curious to learn more about him and his set, but Bijou’s needs came first. “Please excuse me,” she said as she stepped forward to scoop Bijou up in her arms. “I need to take him inside where he’ll be safe. There’s far too much excitement here for him today.”
