“To be honest, I have no desire to be at odds with you. You’re my brother. My twin. Perhaps we are not close, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have things in common.”
“What do you want, Jack?”
“You know what I want, Baynton.”
“My support for your ‘negotiations’?” He shook his head. “I don’t have time for the matter. Talk to Ben. He is the one you should tap.”
“I saw Ben today. He said that no one wants to deal with the American grievances or take time to discuss what is considered undiscussable.” He pretended to laugh. “Russell warned me that the Court of St.James is rude to the point of being disdainful, but I want to think better of the English. Ben said the only person who could force the matter is you.”
“And so you tracked me down?”
“It wasn’t difficult.”
“Did Talbert tell you were I was?” His tone had gone silky. He was not pleased.
“Your secretary is as tight-lipped as they come. I asked around the stables. Your tiger had requested directions to Mulberry Street. By the way, we left Perkins back there. I suppose he needn’t follow me if I am with you.”
Gavin grunted his response.
Jack was not afraid of poking the lion in the eye. “So why were you there? Were you ‘calling’ on Lady Charlene Blanchard?”
Gavin moved the horses down a side street, attempting to avoid the snarl of traffic.
“Ben said you had gone courting,” Jack continued.
His twin’s eyes narrowed, but he did not speak.
Jack sat forward. “Do you know, this silent treatment that you are attempting has never worked with me? Do you not remember? You would be all bluster like Father and then decide you would have nothing to do with me or my mates, and give me this cold shoulder. Never bothered me. However, one thing we have in common is our persistence, Gav. I don’t give an inch any more than you do. For the record, let me remind you, I did come to you last night. You insisted I stay at Menheim, I have. Now, I believe it isyourturn to give a bit.”
“I told you to stay at Menheim for Mother.Idon’t care where you sleep.”
“Ah, brotherly love.” Jack hitched an arm on the back of the seat beside his twin, making himself comfortable. He moved the conversation to what he was truly interested in. “Was Lady Charlene Blanchard the one opening the door or was that a relative? Or a servant?” Jack was intensely curious about the answer.
“It happened to be Lady Charlene.”
Jack sat in stunned silence. His brother was courting the pickpocket. Then again, what sort of gentlewoman picked pockets?
An intriguing one...
Jack also found himself reevaluating his opinion of his twin. The Gavin he had known had strived to be morally superior to the rest of his sex. He could not know what she was about. Or could he?
The traffic had begun to move again and Gavin weaved his team around other drivers wanting to move. As he drove, Gavin chided, “What? Have you no witticism to toss at me? No mocking words?”
“Not one,” Jack admitted honestly. “I’m actually a bit stunned. Damn, Gavin, you are human like the rest of us.”
“And that means?”
“That you are as ruled by your little head as any other man around.”
Gavin’s response was to stare, glower actually, ahead.
Jack was unperturbed. He had come here with the purpose of shaking up his brother. He had now found his way.
“Good family?” he asked.
With a haughty lift of his noble chin, Gavin said, “The best. Dame Imogen has approved her bloodlines. Lady Charlene is aligned with some of the noblest families in England.”
“You would not be able to tell that by where she lives.”
