“Yes, though I warn you I’m waiting for Grayson Danvers to discuss a bit of business.”
The two men sat. “Ah, Danvers. He’s a fascinating fellow, isn’t he?” Blackburn said, nodding when a porter came over to offer drinks to the new arrivals.
“He is,” Alexander agreed. “I’ve put much faith in him.”
“You and the intelligent half of theton,” Windham said with a chuckle. “We’ll either all make a mint or rot together, though I suspect it will be the first.”
There was a moment of silence and Alexander was well-aware the two men were watching him, feeling him out, he supposed. He leaned back in his chair in what he hoped was nonchalance.
“I appreciate the small talk, but I think perhaps you have something else to say to me.”
Windham laughed and looked at Blackburn. “He’s a direct one, Vaughn. We like a direct one.”
“Yes, but how direct?” Blackburn continued to watch him carefully. “Of course we know you called on Julia yesterday.”
“Your wives were with her, I assume they reported that back to you.”
Alexander found himself wondering what the two women had said about him. What they assumed. What theyknew, especially about that unexpected encounter on his settee. Neither of them had given a hint they were aware he and Julia had gone to bed. That didn’t necessarily mean much.
“They did,” Blackburn said. “Are you irritated by that fact?”
“No!” Alexander leaned forward. “Of course not. After what Julia endured, what she will likely continue to endure for some time, I am pleased she has people around her who will protect her.” He shuddered as he thought of his grandfather’s implications. Julia didn’t want to tell her family about that yet,and he was trying to honor that desire. He’d violate it if he had to. But not today. “However, I mean her no harm.”
“And yet you did harm her.” It was Windham who said it, all his casual charisma pushed away now, replaced by hard lines. “As did your cousin.”
Alexander nodded. “There’s no denying that, I wouldn’t dare to try. But forgive me when I say that the amends I have to make are to Miss Comerford, not to you. I’ll do anything I can to help her.”
Blackburn’s eyes narrowed. “And what do you get out of that?”
Once again Alexander was dragged to images of Julia pinned beneath him, rising up in pleasure, their mouths colliding. He pushed that aside. That was never happening again and it had no impact on whatever he’d do to assist her.
“I didn’t see what my cousin’s true plan was,” he said softly. “And I allowed him to behave very badly. All I want out of whatever I do next is to make up for what I didn’t see and whatever I did do. That’s all.”
If the men had more to say on that score, they didn’t get to say it, because Grayson Danvers appeared at their table and interrupted. He was a tall, broad-shouldered gentleman with a handsome, angular face. He rarely smiled, in fact Alexander had only ever seen him do so when he was in the company of his wife, Rosalinde.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” Danvers said.
They all rose and greeted him, hands shook all around. Danvers seemed to know both men, Windham better than Blackburn, and for a moment there was polite small talk amongst the group. But at last, Blackburn and Windham stepped aside.
“You two have business, I know,” Blackburn said. “We’ll leave you to it. It was good to see you, Danvers. And you, Mr. Castleton. I appreciate your candor.”
Alexander inclined his head as the two men left them, but he found himself watching them closely.
“I didn’t know you were acquainted with the earl and Windham,” Danvers said as he settled into a seat.
“I am, at least slightly. We’re of an age and I was in school around the same time as Blackburn. We didn’t know each other that well. And Windham…well, everyone knew about him, didn’t they?”
“They’ve both been through scandal, certainly. I know a little about that.”
The faint wistfulness in the man’s voice brought Alexander’s full attention back to him as he sat across from him. “Sometimes it seems Society is all too happy to judge.”
“That’s certainly true,” Danvers agreed. “I admit, I wasn’t expecting to hear from you for a while. I thought you were going to be out in the country another fortnight for your cousin’s wedding.”
“Yes.” Alexander sighed. Because Laurence hadn’t returned from the countryside with his new fiancée in tow, little word seemed to have reached Town. That wouldn’t last long. “I’ll tell you more about it shortly. First, how are things?”
“Very good. The engineers are making good progress with some of the designs for the railway tracks down south. And the widening of the canals is now finished. In fact, there are some dividends to be paid. My solicitor will reach out to your man and you should have it in your accounts in a few days.”
Relief washed through Alexander. An influx of blunt was exactly what he needed now that he was stepping away from his grandfather. He could give some to his mother and hopefully still have enough to cover a few expenses.
