Last night, he had never wanted anything as much as he’d wanted Lady Charlene. Sitting across the table from her, he’d pictured her as the mother of his children and the partner in his bed. His body had ached for her.
Of course, Sunday night, the knowledge that she favored Jack and they were meeting behind Gavin’s back had stirred an emotion in him that he’d never experienced before—jealousy. Festering, evil jealousy.
Because of it, Gavin had dashed his twin’s chances to accomplish his reason for being in London—although, in truth, or to assuage his conscience, Gavin believed the grievances Jack had planned to present would have been met with stony gazes and cold shoulders. Gavin could build a case that he’d actually saved Jack from making a fool of himself. No one wanted to hear the American complaints, or feared going to war with them. Some, especially in the Admiralty, were even anxious for a chance to reclaim those lost colonies.
Gavin rose from his bed. He walked over to the window overlooking the garden. The sun had just risen. If he was of a mind to, he could go to the Horse and Horn and talk to his brother.
They might have a reasonable conversation and then Jack would board the ship on which Gavin had booked passage for him and leave... and then Gavin recalled the kiss he’d given Lady Charlene.
That kiss had kept him awake most of the night. He’d brooded over it. He’d liked kissing her but he was aware that she had not been, well, what was correct word? Impressed? Thrilled? Comfortable?
Charlene Blanchard was a well-mannered lass. She had pretended, except he’d known she was pretending.
And now his conscience returned to his miserable treatment of his twin.
He could even hear his father chastising him for having a care. There were traits Gavin had admired about his father, but he distrusted his sire’s selfishness. A selfishness that apparently lurked inside Gavin as well.
Without ringing for his valet, Gavin dressed for riding. Exercise was what he needed. He’d been cooped up in London too long. He couldn’t remember when last he had visited Trenton, his family’s country estate. Certainly the world could do without him for a few weeks?
He could invite Lady Charlene and Lady Baldwin for a sojourn in the country. Lady Charlene would be impressed with his estate, and because things were always less formal in the country, they could have a chance to know each other better.
Lady Charlene’s traveling aunt could join them as well. Trenton was far closer to Manchester than London was.
He liked his plan. He jotted a note to Talbert to prepare the invitation. He would personally deliver it later today.
Outside, the air was cold and brisk. His horse Falcon was fresh and ready for an adventure. For a good two hours, the horse kept Gavin’s troubled conscience at bay and it felt good.
By the time he returned home, he’d convinced himself once again that he was completely justified in his actions toward Jack. After all, his twin had rejected his family once. Why could they not reject him?
After an hour with his valet, Gavin was ready to face the world. He broke his fast on beefsteak and coffee. Talbert sat with him, outlining his schedule for the day. But Gavin wasn’t listening. Instead his mind was on his brother. TheLucky Lucy, a merchant frigate, was due to sail on the high tide that evening. Jack and his compatriots would be on board.
There had been no complaint from the two other members of Jack’s delegation in accepting his offer to purchase their passage home. Like all governments, the United States didn’t pay in a timely fashion, and those in its service rarely knew when to expect money. They would probably turn in the expense of their tickets anyway. Few were as moral as Gavin—
His conscience cut off the thought. That could no longer be said, could it?
Gavin lost his appetite.
“I did include the opportunity for you to pay a call on Lady Charlene between three and half past the hour,” Talbert finished.
“Good. Have flowers sent.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
A knock on the door to the breakfast room interrupted them. Perkins stood there and he did not look good. Gavin had not seen him since early Sunday evening. His nose was swollen and his right eye was a deep, unhealthy color of purple.
“Talbert, leave us,” Gavin ordered.
He waited until the secretary had left the room and closed the door before he said, “What the deuce happened to you?”
“Your brother has a good right,” Perkins answered. He stood at the end of the table, his hat under his arm, his coat still on his shoulders.
“When did he do that?”
“Monday in the wee hours. When we took him to the inn. He saw what we were about and fought hard.”
“What you were about?” Gavin repeated.
Perkins had the grace to look uncomfortable. “You did not expect him to willingly follow your orders and docilely leave the country, did you, Your Grace?”
